Chapter Twenty-Six
"Who would have thought that the final match would be played between two best friends?" Bakura commented, as we watched Joey and Yugi arrive at the arena and prepare to play.
"At least one of them will get to duel Pegasus," Tristan pointed out.
"I guess," said Tea. "But don't you think it'd just be easier if they flipped a coin or something? Then we could get our match now."
I laughed a little. "It doesn't exactly work that way, Tea," I said.
"Well why doesn't it?" she demanded. "Yugi and Joey are like brothers. They shouldn't be forced to fight each other like this."
"I totally hear what you're saying, but that's just how this tournament works," said Tristan.
"They knew this was a possibility all along," I said.
"Well, I don't like it," said Tea.
"Joey, wait a sec," said Yugi.
"Listen, Yugi, I hope this isn't about you having any second thoughts dueling me," said Joey.
"I'm sorry, Joey, but I don't know if I can do this," said Yugi.
"Eh, suck it up, Yugi," said Joey. "You said yourself, if it came down to us we would both just play our best and most honorable duel. That's the only way we're going to know which one of us is best prepared to take on Pegasus in the final match. So let's duel!"
Yugi clenched his fists.
"What do you say, Yugi?" asked Joey. "Let's do this."
The millennium puzzle began to glow.
"Alright, Joey," said Yugi. "Time to duel."
"Your gracious host will now make a few opening remarks," said Croquet.
Pegasus uncrossed his legs and stood up, clearing his throat.
"Oh, boy," said Tristan, rolling his eyes.
"Congratulations, duelists," said Pegasus. "You're the finest in the world, and for that reason I look forward to a make that's sure to consist of your dueling best. After all, should you give me anything less, I will know." The dull pain thudded in the back of my head as his eye lit up and he laughed.
"Yugi, before we start, I just want to say thanks, man," said Joey. "Just look at me! I'm in the finest match of the biggest duel monsters tournament that's ever been thrown and it's all because of you. You got me here. You looked out for me."
"You're wrong, Joey," said Yami. "You earned your place here."
"Thanks. Just know that no matter what happens here, you're my friend and you always will be, Yugi," said Joey. "But, uh, don't think that means I'm going to go easy on you this match, or that I expect you to go easy on me. I'm ready for your best."
"With what's on the line here, they're both sure to go all out," said Bakura, quietly.
I nodded in agreement. A laugh filled my head and I glanced at Pegasus, who was smiling, but silent. His voice filled my mind. "How amusing. The same best friends who would do anything to help each other are now arch rivals, pitted against each other in a desperate match that can have only one winner. What a splendid show this should make."
"Let the match begin," said Croquet and the arena lit up.
Yami played his Celtic guardian in attack mode.
"It was one thing when they played back home and there wasn't anything big on the line," said Tea. "But here…"
"Everything is at stake," Tristan finished for her. "The money for Serenity's operation, the match that could save Yugi's grandpa…talk about pressure. I wish they could both win."
"The stakes are high, but hopefully there will be a way for them to both get what they've fought so hard for," said Bakura.
"Wishful thinking, Bakura," I heard Pegasus think. "But after everything's said and done, I'll be the only one to get what I want. Including what I want from you."
I glanced nervously at Bakura, wishing he'd heard. There was nothing I could say to him that Pegasus wouldn't hear.
"Alright, Joey," said Yami. "It's your turn now."
"Okay, you asked for it," said Joey. He played a knight in attack mode and attacked Yami's Celtic guardian. The Celtic guardian was destroyed. "I warned you, Yugi," said Joey. "I'm not going to pull any punches in this duel. I'm done fooling around. This is serious."
"Joey's really not kidding," I said. "He's in the lead."
"Don't forget, there's a long way to go, Olive," said Bakura. "Anyone can score an early lead in a duel, but only a few can play well for the entire match."
"Only the best," Tea added.
Bakura nodded, firmly. "If you get any inkling on who might win, Olive, I'm all ears," he said. "Even though Yugi's behind in life points now, we know that he's able to stay focused and make the big plays when they count. Not that Joey hasn't shown the same promise," he added quickly, "but Yugi's had more experience and that may be what gives him the edge here."
"Time out, Joey," said Yami. "Ever since we arrived on this island, I've done my best to teach you everything I know. Now you have to put everything you've learned into play. Think strategically. You cannot afford any mistakes."
"What are you saying, Yugi? Did I do something wrong already? It's only been one turn so far," said Joey.
"What I'm saying, Joey, is that in a duel of this magnitude, every single move you make is crucial," said Yami. "One wrong card and it can cost you everything you've worked so hard for."
"I got it," said Joey. "Every move I make here has to be right on the dot."
"That's right," said Yami, "because here, no one lets a mistake go unpunished – not Pegasus and not me."
"Okay, time in. Give me your best shot," said Joey.
"I intend to," said Yami. And he played Gaia the fierce knight and attacked.
Joey's knight was destroyed. "Good move," said Joey. "Now let's see what I can come up with." He played an armored lizard in defense mode.
"What's he playing that throw-away monster for?" asked Tristan.
"Who knows?" I asked.
"Perhaps Joey hasn't learned as much as we thought," said Bakura.
Pegasus smiled.
Yami played the summoned skull in attack mode and attacked Joey's armored lizard. The lizard was destroyed.
"Joey almost looks glad his creature was killed," said Bakura.
"Poor Joey," said Tristan. "He's already in denial."
"That's not what I meant," said Bakura. "I think that Joey is trying to lull Yugi into a false sense of security."
"Sorry, bud, but I was hoping you'd lay that summoned skull out. I needed him on the field for my strategy to work," said Joey. "A strategy that has zero mistakes, I might add. You don't have to take my word for it, you can see for yourself. It's my turn to teach you a lesson," said Joey.
I heard thunder clap outside and jumped a little. "That adds to the drama," I commented, dryly. "A thunderstorm is just what we needed."
"You love thunderstorms," said Bakura.
"Yea, but…" I stopped. "How did you know that?" I asked.
"You told me once," he answered quickly.
I watched him for a minute and then turned back to the duel. I didn't remember ever saying anything about thunderstorms to any of my new friends.
Joey played his flame swordsman card.
"Why that card?" asked Tristan. "Summoned skull's attack power is too high."
"Not once Joey plays that," said Bakura, who was watching the game intently.
Joey held up a magic card called the shield and sword card. He put it into play.
"The shield and sword card flips each monsters attack points with their defense points," Bakura explained.
"I get it now," said Tristan. "Clever move."
Joey attacked and the summoned skull was destroyed.
"Well played, Joey," said Yami.
"Thanks, but that's nothing compared to some of the other moves I have ready," said Joey.
"I look forward to them, Joey, but remember you aren't the only one with powerful moves ready to play," said Yami.
"Bring 'em on, pal," said Joey.
"Great," Tea murmured, looking sadly down on her two friends.
Yami played curse of dragon and used a magic card to fuse him with Gaia the fierce knight. Now he had Gaia the dragon champion, who promptly destroyed Joey's swordsman.
"Oh, no," Tea cried.
"See, this is what I meant," said Bakura. "Yugi keeps a razor sharp focus and he makes the big moves when they count. I guess now we'll see if Joey can do the same."
"How can Joey make a big play with that dragon champion out there?" asked Tristan.
"It's not about what's out," said Bakura. "Joey just needs to be able to maintain his focus, even while he's being attacked by his best friend."
"You know a lot about this game," I said.
"Yea, and you don't," said Bakura, grinning.
"I think Yugi and Joey are pushing each other to do their best," said Tea.
"I agree," I said. "They want each other to do their best now so that they'll be at their best when they face Pegasus."
"So even though they're forced to fight against each other, they've still found a way to help each other," said Bakura.
Joey drew another card and studied his hand.
The thunder sounded a second time and a flash of lightning lit the hallway.
"Your dragon champ's done for," said Joey.
"Joey must have something planned," said Bakura.
Joey summoned the red eyes black dragon in attack mode and played a card called grave robber to steal a monster from Yami's graveyard. Joey took Yami's summoned skull. Thirdly, Joey played the copy cat card, which copied any card Yami had on the field. He copied the polymerization card. He used it to combine the red eyes and the summoned skull, creating the black skull dragon.
"Superb!" said Pegasus, clapping.
It was Tristan's scowl that let me know Pegasus had spoken out loud. I was having troubling telling when he did and when it was just in my head.
"Alright, brace yourself," said Joey. He attacked Yami's dragon champion and it was destroyed. "You gotta admit, Yugi that was a pretty sweet move I made."
Yami didn't respond.
I heard the rain start to fall outside.
"The game is really too close," said Tea.
"Yea," Tristan agreed. "They're both playing really well. Either one of them could win."
Yami drew a card and smiled.
"Go ahead and toss it, Yugi," said Joey. "I know your cards by heart.
"True," said Yami. "You'll also know it's my favorite." He played the dark magician in attack mode and used the magic card, magical hats, to conceal him.
Joey grimaced. "I usually like this trick," he commented.
"Nice move," I said.
"That'll sure slow Joey down," said Tristan.
"Your pick, Joey," said Yami. "Which hat do you think conceals the dark magician?"
Joey attacked one of the hats.
The dark magician was still hidden.
"That may have been Joey's last shot," said Tristan, thoughtfully. "Whenever a duelist gives Yugi time to recover, he comes back stronger than ever."
"But if Joey loses, how can he save his sister?" I asked. "Being an only child, it's hard to understand, but even I know his sister means everything to him."
"No matter who wins this game, somebody loses everything," said Bakura.
Tea looked close to tears.
Before Joey's turn ended, he played some lizard in attack mode that was much weaker than the dark magician. He was trying to make Yami draw out the dark magician so that Joey could counter attack with his dark skull.
"Sorry, Joey, but I'm not going to fall for that one. Instead, I'll put this card inside one of the magical hats and end my turn," said Yami.
Joey frowned.
"Time to pick another hat, Joey," said Yugi.
After thinking for a minute, Joey sighed and attacked another hat.
Nothing was beneath the hat.
"That's the way life goes, Joey," I heard Pegasus think. "Never as you planned. The world is a very arbitrary place, isn't it?" I winced and fell to my knees as my mind was assaulted with thoughts and images. "It's a place where you can be locked in battle with your dearest friend for stakes neither can afford to lose. I know you'd like to think your friendship is enough to sustain you through any mishap or misfortune, but that's not the way the world works." My mind went dark and I could see only the face of the blonde woman from the portrait in the dining hall. "The world is a place where fate intervenes when you least expect it. It has consequences can turn your world upside down." Suddenly, I was seeing through Pegasus's eyes. Or at least, I thought I was. I saw a green field filled with flowers and rolling hills. Another portrait of the woman was sitting on an easel a few feet away from me. I turn end saw her sitting next to me. She was beautiful. Her blonde curls were soft and framed her face beautifully. Her face was kind. Her blues eyes sparkled and her lips were turned up in a pleasant smile. "Just when you think you've etched the perfect portrait of your future and your life couldn't get any better…" he broke off and then continued. "Just when you let down your guard at last and open your heart, when against all odds you've found that one most special person in all the world…" now I was standing beside a stained glass window and a cross. She was standing in front of me, dressed in white. I took her hand and slipped a ring onto her finger. Or rather, Pegasus did all this, but I saw it through his eyes. "Just when you find that person who fills your heart with joy, the person you know you are destined to spend the rest of your life with, that's when tragedy strikes." She faded before my eyes and I was looking down at a grave marker that read 'Cecilia Pegasus'. "That's when life hits you and gives you a cold slap of reality to show you whose boss. The world had taught me that only the strong and the ruthless survive." I was sitting in a room now, surrounded by portraits of the woman, Cecilia, but every time I saw one, waves of sorrow pulsed through my body, so intense that it was unbearable. "In memory of all I have lost, I fight on with all I possess," Pegasus's thought continued. "And I intend to win."
The pain, still pulsing in my head, began to lessen. I felt a hand on my back and turned my head. At first, I couldn't make out Tea's features, but then I saw her. She was patting my back and repeating my name quietly, her eyes full of concern. "It's okay," she said. "You're okay."
I let out a deep sigh and felt my body relax. "Thanks, Tea," I whispered.
"I'm not gonna miss this time, Yugi," I heard Joey say. "I'm gonna blast your dark magician."
Tea helped me to my feet and I watched his dragon attack another of the magical hats.
Once again, Joey missed.
He had activated a trap card – spell binding circle. It dropped his dragon's attack strength. Joey flipped his other monster into defense mode.
"This is a nice change," said Yami, smiling.
"Yugi's spell binding circle has wiped out Joey's attack advantage," said Tea.
"No doubt about that, but it's still a close match," said Tristan. "You okay?" he asked me.
"Yea," I said. "I just had a headache, that's all. It's gone now."
Bakura was watching me curiously.
"Joey, you've dueled well," said Yami, "but the tide of this battle is about to turn. Alright, prepare yourself. I'm going to obliterate your dragon." Yami drew a card and smiled. "This is it, Joey. The card I drew will vanquish your dragon once and for all." He showed Joey the magic card as he put it into play. "The book of secret arts," he said. "With its ancient magic, my dark magician becomes three hundred attack points stronger." The dark magician left the final magical hat and attacked the black skull dragon. The dragon was destroyed and Pegasus clapped.
Joey looked worried.
"Poor Joey," Tristan commented.
"You think the match is over for him?" I asked.
"It depends," said Bakura. "If he can pull himself together, he can still win this."
Joey drew a card and his eyes widened with surprise. He smiled. "Time to kiss the baby, Yugi," he said. He played baby dragon in attack mode and laid another card face down.
"Sorry, Joey, but my dark magician will destroy your baby dragon," said Yami.
It was a trap. Joey's other monster on the field trapped the dark magician with a chain.
"Well, I'd say that last move brings us to the home stretch, wouldn't you?" asked Joey.
"I would," said Yami. "And now let's finish this match and see which one of us will duel against Pegasus."
"Hey, Yugi," said Joey.
"Yes?" asked Yugi.
"I want you to know, it's been a real honor dueling you," said Joey.
Yami smiled. "Likewise," he said.
"How cool," said Tea. "Even now, in the midst of battle, they're friends first."
"I know neither of us want to lose this match, but if I do, I'm glad it was to you, buddy," said Joey. "Now let's do like you said, Yugi, and finish this duel." Joey drew a card and grinned. He played the time wizard.
He gave the time wizard one last spin.
We all watched intently. It seemed to take a lifetime, but finally the pointer came to rest on time warp. The baby dragon and the dark magician were aged a thousand years. The dark magician was now a weak, old man.
"I'm gonna win!" Joey cheered. "Attack!"
Joey attacked, and Yami countered with a magical mist.
Joey's attack was smothered.
Looking surprised and filled with anticipation, Pegasus sat forward in his chair.
"How did you play that when it was still my turn?" asked Joey.
"With magic," said Yami. "I used a magic to powerful that it took my dark magician a thousand years to learn it."
"What?" asked Joey in disbelief.
"That time warp did age my dark magician, but it made him stronger, not weaker," said Yami. "And with age, comes great wisdom. A thousand years of wisdom that has transformed him into the dark sage, an ultimate magician whose new powers allow me to play a magic card during every one of your turns and every one of mine. The magic card I chose was the magical mist. Now I invoke his powers for my turn and draw this magic card," said Yami. He drew a card and looked up at Joey with tears in his eyes. "You fought a valiant duel, my friend, and this is the hardest move I've ever had to make." He blinked and the tears ran down his face. "But this ends now. I play monster reborn and call the black skull dragon back from the graveyard."
Joey's body seemed to slump and he leaned forward against the platform. "Then its over," he said, quietly. After a second, he looked up and smiled. There were tears in the corners of his eyes too. "Yugi, go for it," he said. "It's cool."
"Alright," said Yami. "Black skull dragon," he said slowly. "Attack."
The black skull dragon attacked and Joey's dragon was destroyed.
"That was really tough to watch," said Tristan.
"Almost painful," I added.
"Yea, well just imagine how those two must be feeling," said Bakura.
Tea began to cry and I pulled her into a hug. She was shaking. "I'm just glad it's over," she said. "I'm so proud of them both. They dueled their hardest, but they never once forgot their friendship."
The two of them put their decks away and came up to meet us on the balcony. We all hugged and congratulated Yugi. Then we hugged Joey and told him how proud we were of him. Joey offered Yugi his card that claimed the prize money, but Yugi wouldn't take it.
"No," said Yugi. "Your sister needs that money. I didn't enter this tournament to get rich. I'm just here to save my grandpa and the Kaiba brothers."
I took a sharp breath, my eyes widening. "Oh, Yugi," I murmured. "Please do."
"I will, Olive," he said. "Do you love him?" he asked me.
I shrugged. "I'm sixteen," I said. "I hardly know what love is, but I care so much about him. I just…I need to see him again. Maybe it is love, but I will never have a chance to know if you don't bring him back."
Yugi smiled and nodded. He turned back to Joey. "Please, Joey," he said. "Use that money for your sister's operation."
"Really?" asked Joey.
"What do you say, Joey?" asked Yugi.
Joey's shoulders began to shake and tears ran down his face. He covered his face with his hands. "Yugi, when I lost the duel, I lost all hope of saving my sister," he said. "But now…Yugi…thank you." He paused to gain composure. "Now," he said. "Go and take down Pegasus."