Seto's POV

Even though the Mutt actually did a pretty good job in his duel against Marik, he still lost. And he was actually very close to wining! But Marik had used his old tricks with the mind control and all, physically and emotionally draining him with every destroyed monster during the duel so that when he attacked him with Ra, Joey was barely able to stand. But he was able to contue his turn and summoned Gearfried and started calling an attack, but he was too beaten up and tiered ... He collapsed and Marik was announced the winner and first finalist.

Joey Wheeler has shown me today that he has the potential to become a good duelist. No, he will never be like me and Yuna. The two of us live in a different world of comparison to even Pegasus; no one can enter that world. Yuna and I are real warriors on a battleground that others see as nothing but a gaming field of some children's card game where two kids compete.

Only she understood my meaning of what I have told her.

"Stand on the court of your friend's death and duel." We were alone at the top of my Duel Tower. She didn't turn around. The wind was playing with our hair and coats, the duel disks indicating that we are warriors here for a battle, no matter what or who falls before us.

"I'm waiting for you." Was the last thing I said as she entered the elevator. Before the doors closed, I saw her nod. It said ''I'll surely come!''

This battle was just postponed. It will still be fought.

It's our destined duel!

No, he'll never be like us. Only a warrior can continue to fight even if a comrade dies. But he was able to make me know that when I'll be questioned about the finalists I will praise him as worthy to make it this far.

I made sure that one of the best rooms is given to him, because he seems to have actually been burned. It's one of the maniac's tricks gone too far, but the doctor informed me that he should be fine, even though he seems to currently be in a coma. After hearing that, I understood why Yuna demanded that we wait a little for her to check on him; she probably already knew.

As I was going over to the room where Wheeler was placed in, I stumbled at he sight of Marik barely standing with a hand on the wall for support. His pale pupils were almost a whitely gray and his face was no longer the healthy tan it usually is. What I really wasn't expecting, and neither was he by the looks of it, was that when he swayed and started falling to the floor, someone caught him. Our eyes widen in surprise as the beautiful Yuna slowly helped him sit down before crutching in front of him and taking out a napkin. She left for a moment, only to return with the napkin almost soaking wet and placed it on his forehead, brushing some of his bangs from his eyes. She touched his neck, checking for a fever before putting it on a different place, directly on the aorta, looking down to her watch. After a little while, she nodded and took a tissue out of one of her pockets and wiped away the sweat from his face. All the while he looked at her in shock, wonder and something akin to indescribable happiness.

As she stood up to leave, his hand automatically reached to stop her but she just shook her head.''Why ...?''

The smile she gave him was between understanding and sympathetic, soothing even. It left us both speechless ''You should be alright now. I know it's effects, the Shadow Game's. No one deserves to suffer through them alone. I just happen to know how to stop them, and I have swore the Hippocratic Oath as a world class doctor, and I always respect my oaths, vows and promises! I just hope that you do, as well.''

''But why would you care abo-''

''Because, no matter who wins this next duel, you'll be facing off against a honorable opponent! And if it were Seto Kaiba that you duel against and are not loyal to you're oaths, I, as his friend and rival, would be offended! Even more so than should you do so with me!''

Our eyes widened once again and a warmth spread through my whole bode from my heart. Marik just nods in understanding and remorse.

''Your bond is really envious ...'' She nods.

''So is your bond with your siblings, if you would allow it to return to what it was'' He looked at her, shell-shocked as she turns and walks off to Joey's room.

I stay a little longer and was surprised when I saw a wistful smile decorate the usually insane-looking face as he whispers ''Thank you, my Pharaoh'' in a voice that held only affection and gratefulness, before taking the napkin that my crush had placed on his forehead and placing a kiss on it, he was up and on his way to his room.

I stood there even after he was gone, my heart beating beyond every possible speed. The kindness that I have always seen in Yuna towards those she accepts was there just moments ago, for someone who had downright tried killing her more than once. I always had a fear that Yuna was only using me, ridiculous I know, but after seeing this, all of those ugly doubts vanished. I knew a long time ago that I shouldn't have doubted her at all. She had forgiven all those who have sincerely apologized to her for the way they ad treated her. I was the first one! And there's Pegasus, Malik and Odion, Sasuke, the kids in our old school and who knows how much more! Yuna had forgiven them all. It was just the type of person she is, I guess.

Yuna really is a Light of Hope, in anyone's life. No.

She is the world's Light of Hope.

So, with a happy, revealed smile on my lips, I slowly make my way to Joey Wheeler's room. I was brought back to reality from my dream world where Yuna stays by my side for forever by screaming and shouting of two female voices in Joey's room. I know that Mokuba isn't there(he's calling more doctors from Kaiba Hospital; yes, the bastard that adopted me didn't trust normal hospitals and built his own with a handpicked staff) so there's probably no one that would fill me in on the argument, so I just listen from outside the door.

The yelling voices were of Serenity and Tea. That was not a real surprise. The words that they were yelling, however, were. And the biggest surprise was at whom they were yelling them so hatefuly at.

''This is all your fault!'' Tea screamed. ''If you just died that time at the docks, nothing like this would have ever happened! Four of our friends are comatose! And two additional people just add to the numbers! And it's all your fault!''

''She's absolutely right! If you just allowed yourself to lose in that duel, my brother wouldn't need machines to breath!'' As I peeked through the doors, I saw that Yuna had been standing by Yugi but was now almost pushed into the wall as the two girls yelled at her. Serenity had the gall to shake her by the shoulders as she continued with tears rolling down both hysteric girls cheeks.'' Better yet, if you never entered this tournament, no IF YOU NEVER RETURNED TO DOMINO CITY, EVERYONE WOULD NOW HAVE HAPPILY BEEN PLAYING THEIR FAVORITE GAME! THEY WOULDN'T BE HERE!''

She took a deep shuddering breath as Tea pushed her aside and yelled at my rival. ''Don't you feel any shame!? Or are you really that heartless?! WELL!?'' When Yuna never said anything, Tea pulled back her hand and slapped Yuna as strongly as she could! My rage met new limits and I was just about to go in and show her a piece of my mind as she kept yelling at one of my most important people ''ANSWER MEEE!''

And with that she was about to slap Yuna once again, but Yuna swiftly caught her hand. She lifted her head, and we all took a step back, even me who wasn't even in the room. The aura around her was that of an enraged goddess about to strike against her offender. I could have swore that the shadows, so alike to the ones dancing in her eyes, had started swirling around her body. As if wanting to protect her, assist her. She never let go of Tea's arm, who was now like a deer caught in headlights.

Even her voice seemed to be tick with shadows as it was colder than ice.

''If you do not understand something, do not get angry about it, ... OR anger it! You do not know me. You do not UNDERSTAND me! You do not know how I feel.'' There was poison in her words. ''When you start understanding that I have nothing to do with his wish to fight a man in order to help someone he deems important, you will have the right to strikeeme! When you gain Bakura's trust and approval, as well as Ryou's gracefulness for being their REAL friends who understand how they feel, you will be allowed to honestly worry about the two of them! When you know what this world has done to my life, you will have the right to be angry at me! Until you become stronger than me ... you have no right to look down at me!'' With that, she let go of the shell-shocked Tea, passed the frightened Serenity and terrified Tristan and Duke, who had tried to calm Serenity down, and the worried Yugi, who stood by Joey's bed. He looked on in wonder as his respected, beloved, slightly frightening older twin sister picked Joey's duel disk off of the bed and clasped it onto his wrist. When he questioned her, the answer was something I have been saying since the announcement of this tournament.

''This is a battlefield. We're on a Battle Ship. He fought on a Dueling Tower as a finalist of Battle City. If he is a real Duelist like all of them say he is, he will win the fight on the battleground of his heart. But he will need his sword, the Deck, and his shield, the Duel Disk. This is the only way we can help him now. If he truly wishes to be recognized as a worthy opponent by either of us ...'' I knew that she was talking about me. ''He will have to prove himself as such before his heart. Before his cards. If he can do that ...'' She faced everyone else. ''He will win. He will become a real Duelist!''

All they could do was watch as she slowly makes her way towards the door, but they all stop her to apologize and wish her luck. I use this opportunity to leave before anyone sees me.

It's time for our duel now.

Yuna's POV

I turn to Yugi.

"I'm going back to the duel ring where Kaiba is waiting. I will fight as a True Duelist."

''Right.'' He nods. ''I' ll take care of the rest. Get rid of the darkness that corporate bastard had created in the first place! Save his good soul! Save our friend!''

I give him a small smile before leaving.

That's all I needed to hear.

'Don't you worry, Seto! I'll help you defeat that Demon once and for all! I won't allow him to haunt you beyond the grave. It's time to show him what a great team you and I are! I'm here for you, my Card Prince.'

00000

Seto's POV

'This is it! What I've been wanting and waiting for for some two years! Every duel I've fought in this tournament has led up to this moment—the moment I finally take down Yuna Yami Motou and regain my top dueling status. And finally I'll be able to keep Yuna in Domino!' I smile, for more reasons than one. One of them being the things I've seen some 10 minutes ago; the other being my thoughts. One of the biggest reasons was that I can finally duel against my greatest and only rival.

But the main reason was the way she looked right now. When I look into her eyes, I see the same determination, the same fire I've seen the day we first met. She looked just like a warrior she was. And that's why I decided to change the atmosphere with a different battleground.

'I can't wait to see her reaction!' I think with glee. I was actually surprised that the darkness that has been clouding my judgment the past few days;ever since Ishizu gave me Obelisk, has yet to arise. I just hope that it doesn't ruin our duel. I would never forgive myself!

''I'm glad to see that you haven't lost your fighting spirit in the past few minutes! I was starting to worry that you won't come.'' It was the total opposite, of course. If anything, Yuna's fighting spirit was so fired up I was afraid it might burn a hole under her.

''Oh, shush Seto! I am well aware that you know what happened in Joey's room! Don't think I haven't seen you peeking!''

I flush at the thought that I was actually caught, but was saved when Roland announces the beginning of the duel.

''A Duel this momentous deserves an appropriate setting!'' I yell across the arena to my ultimate rival, before switching on a holographic system that creates a virtual coliseum around us full of cheering crowds, chanting "Go Kaiba! Go Kaiba!"

''In ancient times, Roman gladiators would battle to their doom, to prove who was the strongest. Now it's our turn to see which one deserves to call himself the greatest in the world.''

Yuna grasps her head with the hand where she has the Duel Disk, her shield in this battle, while the other grips her Puzzle which she had lifted above her heart. The reaction to the coliseum worries me, but she soon stood straight once again.''I see. So, that's how it's gonna be. Fine! Let it be that way!''

''That's what I was hoping to hear from you, Yuna! So ... Draw your first card, and let the battle begin!'' Unfortunately, what I have been fearing started happening. My mind was becoming foggy and a shadow fell over my eyes, my heart completely enveloped in them. Before long, all I could feel was excitement at dueling my rival, but for a different reason, and thoughts of utterly destroying her, which turned out to be my "supposedly" only reason for the duel.

She was no longer my crush Yuna Yami Mouto.

Instead, all I could see in her was Yu-Gi-Oh, Yuna the Queen of Games. The first person to defeat me. My lifelong, sworn, destined rival.

An opponent I must defeat in order to reach my goal.

And so, all the affection I held for her evaporated.

Yuna's POV

I draw, thinking that everything is riding on this duel. I've got to stay focused and win.

'If the card is the sword, the Duel Disk is the shield. Therefore I dedicate my pride to the cards in my right hand, and my soul to the Duel Disk in my left hand.'

Despite being a bit too focused on my own thoughts, I was instantly aware of the shift in Seto.

This in front of me, was most definitely not Seto, my friendly rival and secret crush.

It was the ruthless Seto Kaiba that Gozaboro had worked so hard in creating.

Kaiba shouts, "All right! Let's duel!" And I decide that I can only help him through a duel.

''I play Queen's Knight in defense (1600 DEF), and set a card face down. Turn end.'' The digital crowds cheer as Set- as Kaiba is about to start his turn. I am having quite a hard time believing that I had such a brief vision, more like snippets of a few fights from the ancient Roman times, and not the whole thing. Sure, it also happened a few times before, but all those times ... But I would usually end up having it whole that night or later in the day ...

All those times I was dueling. Could it be that because of a duel I only got a little hint of what I'll see the next time I have a vision?

Kaiba draws and a bolt runs through me.

Shit! Obelisk!

I have discovered that I have a weird bond or connection with the God cards and I can always tell when one is about to be drawn or already was so. Kaiba just drew Obelisk, so he just needs three sacrifices to summon the God.

I have to stop him somehow.

Seto's POV

I draw—Obelisk! Crushing Yuna may be easier than I thought.

'The goddess of victory always smiles on me.' I smirk.

Now I need three sacrifices to summon the God.

''I summon X-Head Cannon in attack mode (1800 ATK), and play the magic card Spell Sanctuary. Each of us can move one magic card from our decks to our hands, and we can use the card during their opponent's turn. People are wrong when they said that Seto Kaiba never helps out anyone but himself! I'm generous letting you have any Magic card you wish.'' I smirk as she scowls, not knowing that it's at the thought of what people said about me. ''I set a card face-down on the field and end my turn''

'Before too long, Yuna will be staring in to the face of defeat. Next turn your reputation as undefeated will be dead.'

Yuna's POV

'I wonder if Kaiba's planning to use the same strategy he used against Ishizu in his last duel. I remember him using his Crush Card combo to destroy Ishizu's deck. But knowing Kaiba, he has a whole new strategy planned for me.' I smirk to myself, knowing that he would think up a new strategy only for our duels.

But Kaiba's move sure did surprise me.

I pull Change of Heart from my deck and add it to my hand, wondering why Kaiba would let me have instant access to a favorite magic card.

'Whatever card Kaiba chose must be worth the risk.' Was all I thought, on full guard since the beginning of the duel.

This is what made dueling him interesting. You never know what he's going to pull next!

But the sane could be said for me!

Normal POV, on the Battle Ship ...

In the bathroom, Marik runs water over his head. Then he straightens up, staring into the mirror, his mind with the person who helped him after the strain from the last duel almost made him join his victims.

''Kaiba and Yuna, God against God—this I have to see.'' The smirk on his face is cruel. The darkness in his heart is too tick by now. Only defeat and the separation from the God card and the Millennium Item can now save him. ''I wonder who it'll be: The Priest ... '' He looks down at the Millennium Rod that had been responding to Kaiba for the past few hours a bit too strongly for his tastes.'' ... or his precious Pharaoh.''

He laughs as he makes his way to the top of the Tower. ''Who ever it is, I'll win in the end! I'll be the one with a crown on his head!''

Yuna's POV

The virtual crowds cheer. I draw, wondering why Kaiba didn't attack Queen's Knight on his last turn.

'I wonder if Kaiba didn't attack because of my face-down card.' I snort at the thought.'That's ridiculous! He would have attacked straight away even if the card could cost him the duel! He'd find a way to go on even after that. He must be planing something! But what? I have to be cautious.'

I play Alpha the Magnet Warrior in defense (1700 DEF), and set another face-down card.

'Common Kaiba! Let me see what that genius mind of yours thought up this time!' I realize something, the realisation hitting me in the face like a brick. 'He's planning to use my monsters as sacrifices for Obelisk!' I grit my teeth, annoyed that I had't thought of it the second I sensed the God Monster's presence.'Not so fast, Kaiba! I won't allow you to summon Obelisk so easily!'

Seto's POV

'If Yuna thinks she can hide behind those pathetic monsters of hers, this duel will be over even sooner than I thought.'

I draw, thinking everything is falling into place.

"Yuna, on your knees before God and die like a flower!" The darkness in my soul was shouting, sounding suspiciously like Gozaboro, and I was losing even more control of myself and my senses. I'm well aware that, should the darkness win this battle against the old side of me that Yuna and Mokuba are clinging to, I'll be truly ruthless towards one of the few people I really care about. But, at this point, I'm already too weak to fight of this evilness Gozaboro worked so hard to create.

I don't want to be manipulated by the things he has done to me!

Yet, with every second, I fall deeper into the numbness of the shadows of hatred and doubt that live in my heart. The hatred towards my stepfather, and the doubts of losing my loved ones.

It's too late now. The darkness has almost completely took over.

'No ...' Was my last thought before the wish to demolish Yuna and duel her into submission took up all the space in my head, forcing my heart to forget how much the girl in front of me means to me. The darkness is in control and it is taking great, sick glee in the though of what I'm about to do.

I play Soul Exchange, and seize Yuna's two monsters in order to sacrifice them, along with X-Head Cannon, to summon Obelisk. But Yuna's ready for me. She activates Change of Heart and steals X-Head Cannon, so I can't use it for a sacrifice.

''I won't allow you to summon Obelisk that easily!'' Yuna yells, enraged at the thought that I'm underestimating her.

I smile. "You saw through it, didn't you?" So Yuna prevented one move. I've got plenty more planned.

I activate my own magic card, Enemy Controller, and pay 1000 life points to steal X-Head Cannon back. ''Now I have three monsters to sacrifice again.'' Triumphantly, I raise Obelisk in my hand—

And Yuna activates her trap card, Lightforce Sword, which pierces my Obelisk card and seals it out of play for three turns. I look at the entrapped card, then turn my enraged gaze to my rival.

"What's your rush, Kaiba," Yuna says, with a damnable smirk on her petal-like lips. "This duel's just getting interesting." She titles her head to the right side in an intentionally cute, attractive way, causing a few of her golden bangs to fall over her left eye. The effect, along with her cocksure stance and unimaginably beautiful eyes, was devastatingly sexy. There was just no other word to describe it. The stance and movement was almost natural, like she had been doing it for quite a long time, a big number of times. 'Must come from her modeling days with Julie and all the other celebrities she knows.' I don't doubt that this will be all over the news as the most attractive, sexiest thing in the tournament.

But that doesn't mean that It's gonna distract me from the duel and my anger. ''You may have bought yourself a little time, but you'll have to face Obelisk sooner or later.''

Ishizu's POV

As I leave Odion's new, secret room, I can't help but feel like something bad is about to happen soon. I am well aware that Marik must be defeated in order for all the damage he has experienced and caused to be reversed. And only the Pharaoh stands a chance against the Winged Dragon of Ra. Only Yuna Yami Mouto can Duel against Ra, because the God Monster won't feel very much like attacking it's true master. I really doubt that Marik would even get a chance to attack her with Ra. And even though Seto Kaiba can read the text on the card, that's not enough.

'The High Priest was the most loyal to his Pharaoh. He protected him, despite everything. But he was still a rival. His greatest rival. The Pharaoh was chosen by the three God Monsters, while the High Priest Seth was blessed with three out of four Blue-Eyes White Dragons. The fourth almost made him kill his precious Pharaoh. That's what I have always been thought. Marik, Malik, Odion and I have always been hearing about how the destined battle will occur once again, and that until then, our family must protect the Nameless Pharaoh's tomb and it's secrets. Yet that boy, Shadi, led Pegasus to the sacred tablet and allowed him to make the three Egyptian God Cards, allowed him to capture their spirit. I'm guessing that that's when everything started.'

I touch the place where my Millennium Necklace once resided and look up to the top of the Dueling Tower.

''Every Item has it's wielder, a chosen person that can use it's powers. The people are chosen by their characters. The person for the Millennium Scales must be just and always wish for justice, as well as always in balance. The one for the Millennium Key has to be able to understand how a human's mind works. The wielder of the Millennium Eye should be gifted in the art of reading people's thoughts through their words, body language and their eyes. The bearer of the Millennium Necklace, like me and my ancestors the last 5000 years, must be able to see into the River of Time and see what the future holds, as well as what the past has been hiding. Very few have ever been gifted with the real ability to see the future. A single family which begins with a Priestess from 5 millennia ago.'' I sigh to myself, before continuing to list the Items out loud. ''One of the three strongest ... The Millennium Ring needs a person with a great sense of direction and awareness of his/her surroundings, should be able to find anything and everything that they wish, with the few natural exceptions. That person should also be skilled in hiding in the shadows. Bakura is very much the perfect wielder for it. The Millennium Rod, the second strongest of the seven Items, needs a person of great influence, a person who knows how to manipulate people, invade their mind ... a very intelligent person with a heart of a dragon. Just like it's most memorable wielder, the High Priest Seth, a person feared by everyone. Unfortunately, my younger brothers don't fit the description ... But Seto Kaiba does. Even more importantly, he's the High Priest's reincarnation. I underestimated him and Seth forced me to pay the price by giving his reincarnation a vision of his own life, giving him the hint that he is connected to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. That he is his Ka. My brothers are suffering because they have tried using the Rod all these years. Now, only the Pharaoh's reincarnation can save them from permanent damage by the Item.''

I once again look up at the top of the Tower, wishing that I still have the Necklace to see, if not the winner, at least the moves made. But I know that until the Pharaoh fulfills her destiny it won't work for me.

I wish that Mahad was at least here to help me. But he is Egypt, doing his job with his little sister Mana. I must admit that I very much like Mahad. And not as only a comrade or a friend. But more.

I sigh, shaking my head to clear it from such thoughts as I finish my list with the most powerful of the seven Millennium Items.

''The Millennium Puzzle, once a whole but then shattered at the death of it's destined wielder. It has been hidden in the tomb of the Great Nameless Pharaoh. My family actually guarded nothing more than the scrolls and the Millennium Rod and Necklace, as well as the tablets I have shown Kaiba and Yuna. The actual tomb is elsewhere. The Puzzle assumed an unsolvable form that was to make no sense to everyone but the reincarnated Pharaoh, and so it was. Many have tried to find the Puzzle, but all died. Until Solomon Mouto, who I believe also has a connection to the past, had went into the tomb and almost died. But he exited the tomb with the Puzzle. He was destined to find it and give it to his granddaughter, who carried the Nameless Pharaoh's soul and solved the Millennium Puzzle. And she is perfect for the Puzzle. The person for the Puzzle should be someone with a pure heart and a beautiful soul. A person who could make people believe in themselves, who they would respect and love, sometimes even fear. A person that can bring people together. That can unite them. But, most of all, ... A person that people can depend on, someone that they can trust, ... Someone that can make them hope. That can show them that every life is precious ... And Yuna Yami Mouto can do that. She has already done that.''

'But why does she doubt that she is the reincarnation of the greatest Pharaoh of all times? It can't be that she can't see the resemblance. Could it be ...? Could it be that she fears the possibility of what a destiny of the Pharaoh's reincarnation holds? If it's like that, then we will have to wait for her to open up to her fate. And how did she know about all that she did about the Priests and the Pharaoh?! Only my and Shadi's family know even half of what really happened all those centuries ago, and yet she seems to know everything! That girl is special beyond explanation.'

I continue walking the hallways of the Battle Ship, and the feeling of unease sets in.'It's too quiet. It's the calm before the storm.' I stop beside one of the floor to ceiling windows and stare up at the place where two ancient souls are clashing.

'The duel between the owners of the God cards should be the most violent of all duels.' I couldn't help but think with a shiver.

Seto's POV

Because the summoning of Obelisk failed, Yuna gets her two monster back.

'In just three turns, I'll get my Obelisk card back, and by then I'll have another way to summon it.'

I end my turn. ''Don't think you're safe yet, Yuna.''

'The duel is slowly heating up! Lets see what you're gonna do next, Queen of Games!'

Yuna POV

I draws. I've got two monsters on my side of the field, and need one more to summon Slifer the Sky Dragon. But I haven't drawn my God card yet, unlike Seto. Meanwhile, Kaiba's X-Head Cannon is more powerful than any of my monsters. I'll just set a face-down card and end my turn, leaving my monsters in defense. I have to be careful or this duel could end before it really starts. With Obelisk so close to summoning to the field, the duel can end the second Seto gets the card needed to free him of my trap.

''You know, I've expected more of a challenge from the top-ranked duelist. If you keep playing it safe, Obelisk will wipe you out in no time. Three turns will pass easily if this is all you're going to do.'' I glare at the darkness I could see swirling in Seto's heart, and I growl at him when he starts laughing, sounding a bit too mush like Gozaboro for my tastes as he taunts me. "No, God will kill you in less than three turns." I grit my teeth, knowing that if it's my rival, it's very possible that he'd be skilled enough to do it.

Kaiba draws. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Marik popping in through the virtual walls of the coliseum to see what's going on. Although the virtual crowds are noisy, I still heard him wondering which of us ''fools'' will summon our God Monster first. I growl, knowing that he is here for his own sick pleasure, and not to watch a Duel that I know will be known as legendary for years to come. He seems to think that it doesn't matter which of us wins because he'll take both cards in the end.

Like HELL am I going to let that happen!

Seto, or was it Kaiba?, doesn't seem very happy to see me averting my attention from our Duel. He looks jealous, even! As he yells at me across the dueling field, I feel like he's going to destroy Marik, and no, not just in a duel.

''How dare you pay attention to anything but our Duel!? I've been waiting for this for the past two years! For the pleasure of finally defeating you once and for all! Don't you dare look anywhere but me! Watch me!''

Kaiba plays Y-Dragon Head in attack (1500 ATK), asking me if I noticed anything similar about his two monsters, X-Head Cannon and Y-Dragon Head. Shit! XYZ monsters! I can't believe I haven't realized earlier that Kaiba's monsters can combine together.

''Yes, any two of the X, Y, and Z monsters can merge into one!'' He says as he joins his two monsters into the XY-Dragon Cannon (2200 ATK). ''Once I summon my Z-monster, my Dragon Cannon will get even stronger. How will you counter that?'' If he had't been looking smug since the beginning of this Duel, he surely was now!

'Can this Tower hold his enormous ego?' I can't help but wonder, but I flush at the wondering thought if he has a right to have such an enormous ego in proportion to his-'Stop it, idiot! You're in the middle of a Duel! And the person you're thinking of in such a way is right in front of you, as your opponent! Don't embarrass yourself!' The blush, however, wouldn't go away that easily. Nor would the images, making it even worse.

Damn hormones!

It really doesn't help that I have seen some very disturbing things over the years due to the dreams. I wouldn't exactly call myself innocent after everything I've seen through those visions.

I'm just glad I never told those to anyone, not even mom and dad.

But, what worries me now is if Kaiba can merge his Z monster with the others, the resulting monster will be near unstoppable! I'll have to keep my monsters in defense mode. And, once Obelisk is free, Kaiba will be able to sacrifice his three-headed monster to summon it! Things are getting dangerous for me. I have only three turns to figure out how to stop him from summoning the God card. It would be awesome if I can summon my own in that time, as well.

Kaiba uses the XY-Dragon Cannon to destroy my Alpha the Magnet Warrior. Since my monster was in defense, I doesn't lose any life points.

'But Obelisk has an attack of 4000. I can't let Kaiba summon his God card, or I could be killed with one blow.'

Seto's POV

''You look worried, Yuna. Are you afraid of losing in shame?'' The undisguised look of disgust made mt lips curl into a cruel smile.''Once a duelist starts thinking about defeat, he's already lost. Perhaps you should surrender your God card to me, now. I promise that I'll go easy on you if you do.'' I couldn't help but burst into laughter that sounded a bit on the insane side.

From the side, Marik has the guts to actually say something in the middle of our Duel, despite it being his own observation.''Kaiba seems to be in control. I'll enjoy watching the Pharaoh squirm.'' The perversity with which he said the last sentence made my blood run cold, then surge back to life with an enraged flame that encouraged the darkness to kill Marik. And, for once, I was very tempted to let it do as it wishes.

Yet all I did was taunt Yuna more, just to make sure that all of her attention was on me."Are you afraid of the sealed God?" The look she shot my way would have scared many people shitless, but it just made me continue, knowing that all her attention was on me. "You'll see in less than three turns. God will come to the best duelist!"

Earlier, when her focus strayed to Marik, I had wanted to go up to him and throw him over the railing FROM THE TOP OF THE VERY, VERY TALL Tower. The only three things stopping me were:

1. The Duel would be ended and Yuna would be declared a winner;

2. I would be charged for murder;

3. Yuna would be disappointed.

My rage hit new levels when Marik said he agrees with me but it won't be me to whom the Gods go to! I REALLY want that guy to be DEAD!

I play the magic card, Lullaby of Obedience.'' This card allows me to take a powerful monster from your deck and add it to my hand. At a cost of 1000 life points, which isn't that much compared to what I get for them!And the card I chooses will, of course, be your Egyptian God card, Slifer the Sky Dragon.'' I state in a smug voice, and the virtual crowds go crazy.

I walks across the duel ring to Yuna, saying it was only a matter of time before the God card went to a more worthy duelist. Yuna finds Slifer in her deck and holds it out to me, and I snatch it away gleefully. ''You shouldn't feel so bad—Slifer was buried so deeply in your deck, you never would have drawn it anyway. This way, at least it will be played.'' I smirk cruelly down at my most respected rival, thinking that soon I'll be the one to hold her title as a Duel King.

''It appears Kaiba outwitted the Pharaoh. How will you react to this, my Pharaoh? Hahaha! You'll be so vulnerable that a kitten could defeat you! I'll make you my possession in no time, Yu-Gi-Oh!'' I heard Marik say from the side of the field where he was looking 'through the wall' as I turned to walk back to my spot, and I sent him such a murderous glare that he stepped back through the holographic wall for a few moments, before returning with a feeble glare, trying to match mine. My death-glare intensified and he winced. I smirk cruelly at him as he started squirm slightly.

Yep, my glare was still the best way to scare the shit out of anyone. Other than Yuna, of course. Even Mokuba is slightly uncomfortable when I glare like that in hi presence.

I return to my side of the field, saying triumphantly that both Egyptian God cards are now mine, because everyone gets what they deserve.

"Do you understand now? Any God will obey me!" The smugness seeped out of every word I said.

That is ... Until Yuna chuckled. My blood froze as she thanks me for helping her claim what she deserves.

Yuna's POV

The fact that he thought that I wouldn't have been able to draw Slifer really angered me, but for some strange reason, I was even angrier, even hurt, that the God Monsters would obey someone else. I'm not sure from where that came from, but the feeling of being insulted at the fact he thinks that I haven't figured out how he works took over the hurt and I decided to bust his bubble.

I started chuckling and he instantly shut up, frozen on the spot with shock at my reaction.

''I must thank you for helping me get what I deserve. I'd suspected you might try to steal my Sky Dragon, so I was I'd planned the same thing—when Obelisk came back to your hand, I was going to activate my set card. Instead, I'll activate it now.''

I activated my face-down card, Exchange.

Kaiba's mad. I can tell. Anyone can. Usually he hides his emotions, but anger and hatred ... He likes to show them so people would fear him. He needs them seeing as he is younger than the other businessmen.

But this was the darkness' anger. Gozaboro's anger. I just hope Seto can break away from it before it consumes him

But, for now the Duel. Now I can take a card from his hand. I can take back Slifer and it will be in my hand.

The card Seto played just now is a rather rare card, but that's the reason I call him Card Prince. Aside from Pegasus, who is the creator of the game and hence has access to all the cards except the God cards and the four Blue-Eyes White Dragons that Seto and I hold, Seto Kaiba is the person that has the most cards in the world, and the bigger part of them are extremely rare. As far as I know, he doesn't have Exodia and some of Pegasus' one-of-the-kind cards.

Yep. Card Prince indeed.

I remember the last time I used this card. It was in the duel against helped me rescue Joey from Marik's mind control. I'd showed Joey the Red-Eyes Black Dragon in my hand, hoping the promise Joey had made to me would prevent him from taking it. Joey probably thought that I don't have a Red-Eyes of my own, and I was forced to throw his to the graveyard a little bit after he didn't take it. It was my Red-Eyes beside my Blue-Eyes in that duel.

After I had defeated first of the Rare Hunters, I tried to return Joey his Red-Eyes, but he had told me to keep it until he becomes a real duelist and wins against me in Battle City. Only my limited experience as an actress with Kuu, Kuon and Kyoko and her friends, Kotonami and Chiori (they were making a drama about their lives because Lory thought that it would be a hit-seller; he was right since the first episode had ratings higher than some shows get for a whole season. Akatoki agency and LME joined forces. Kuon came out and Tsuruga Ren was over with; the world now knows who he really is. Sho made a debut as an actor in their drama. The most important thing, however, is that both he and Kuon confessed to Kyoko and they somehow started a strange relationship with all three of them and it's going great. I was begged by them all to be a part of it, saying that I am somehow part of their LME family. I had accepted in the end. There'll probably be a time they'll beg Seto and search for Sasha for that one time they met. I still send Sasha his monthly portion of borscht), allowed me to stop myself from snorting at the thought. He may become a true duelist if he can prove himself to his heart and Deck, but even Seto and Pegasus couldn't defeat me and he thinks that he will. Now that's arrogant! I agreed that I'll return it when he becomes a true duelist.

''Well, Kaiba. I believe that you should return Slifer to me now.'' He wasn't very happy to part with my God card, but he gave it back I then showed him my hand and seething with frustration, Kaiba grabs a card and walks away.

''I appreciate the help. Slifer is in my hand, thanks to you, Kaiba.'' I smile for good measures. I can't help it. I like annoying him sometimes.

Kaiba nearly exploded on the spot.

Yugi's POV

The second my sister lleft the room, everything was quiet. No one dared to say something. Serenity went to be by Joey's bedside, Duke stayed near the wall where he has been when Yuna snapped. Tristan went to help Mokuba out should he need it. I am still looking down the hall Yuna just walked to get to her destined battle, not sure what to think and feel about the situation at hand. Tea was still frozen on the spot.

The things she and Serenity said couldn't have been further from the truth. Yuna was actually quite nice to them. If it were me, I would have told them what the world is really like. If they think Yuna and Seto have it all good and easy, they've got another thing coming.

A few minutes passed and I went over to the windows, only to gasp at what I saw. Duke was the first to come and see, and he also couldn't help but gawk at the coliseum at the top of the Duel Tower.

Suddenly, a familiar fear crept over me.

'What if it causes her to get a vision? She could be in danger!' Just as I was about to announce that I'm going to go and support my sister, I heard Tea's comment, making me stop and turn to her.

"Well, Kaiba will defeat her now, and that loser will no longer be the champion. She deserves it! She always just causes trouble for the people around her and doesn't even care! She totally deserves to be put down to that level Marik is talking about and see what it's like to be an ordinary person, and not some diva! To think that she's soooo arrogant and say something like Joey not being worthy of duelling her and Kaiba ... She's just a bitc-"

*SLAP*

The sound bounced around the little room as all it's occupants can only stare at me and the girl I just slapped. For the first time, people saw the little resemblance I have to my sister. My glare might not promise death and violence like Seto's or possible pain and fear like Yuna's, but it has enough effect to make people want to step back from me. I don't glare often, so people don't expect it to be scary to this level. Most of the time, they say I'm cute when I glare. That, however, is not when someone insults my precious, respected older sister.

"What do you think our lives have been like before coming to Domino? Do you think that we had everything on a silver plate? Did you imagine us doing absolutely nothing to get where we are, Yuna especially?" I spoke in a voice almost as cold as Yuna's was when Tea tried to slap her a second time. "What do you know about her anyway? Just as she said, it's just like that! You are looking down at her this very moment. Until you can be stronger than Yuna Yami Mouto, you have no right to do so! And a word or advice. If you ever say something like that about Yuna Yami Mouto, the worldwide respected Queen of Games,you should be ready to be beaten to ddeath. That's how much people respect her!" I am quite pissed by the way these people who don't have the slightest idea through what Yuna goes through every day go around and say such things.

"It's not like she's gonna keep the title!" Oh, she's asking for it! "If Kaiba doesn't defeat her with his Obelisk, Marik certainly will with his God card, Ra! The title will be passed on, no matter how you look at it!"

"You're forgetting that Yuna won against Pegasus, and he's the creator of the game! Also, Kaiba and Marik aren't the only ones who possess a God card. Yuna has Slifer!"

"It's too weak for the other two! She'll lose even with it!" That's it!

"Sorry to bust your bubble, but the only one with a connection to all three God cards is Yuna herself! She has defeated Seto before, and despite the fact that he is the only one who ever even came close to defeating her at anything, he's still not skilled enough to defeat her! One day, he might be able to do it, but that day isn't today! And I warn you ... If you ever say something that insulting about her in front of him,... Not even Yuna will be able to make him stop! The day you badmouth Seto Kaiba's rival is the day you sign up for hell." And with that, I move away from her. I might like her, but the way she talks about one of the best people in the world who has the biggest heart ... It just makes me mad!

Yuna never wanted anything for herself. She always wanted to make our parents proud. She always tried to keep me safe. She always made sure that grandpa doesn't need to work hard. Yuna never thought about her happiness. It was always about others. She was their hope, their support! And yet, she's the one that needs the support the most.

She never told anyone about the dreams and visions, thinking that it'd burden them.

Ever since childhood, I could only look up to my respected, brave, smart, skilled etc older sister. Whatever she did, it was perfect but she mostly did it for someone else. Her greatest wishes are our parents' and grandpa's, her talents and knowledge comes from her visions, yet her skills are probably the only thing she can call her own. The only friends she used to have were a lot older than her and mostly mom's and dad's old friends. Sure, some people call it a great life, being loved by everyone. But Yuna bears the burdens of many lives that aren't her's and have ended a long time ago.

For her whole life, Yuna has been able to see into the past: wars, rulers, ordinary people, normal events, hidden secrets, lifestyles, languages, music and songs, poetry, culture, martial arts, dances, art, pictures ... LIVES! She has especially been seeing events from the Nameless Pharaoh's life, as well as the High Priest's. It seems like the visions of those two are very important for her for some unimaginable, unexplainable reason. Ever since the start of this tournament, things have began making a bit more sense.

But not everything.

Ishizu said that Seth, the High Priest named after the ancient Egyptian God of destruction, chaos and disorder, as well as the desert and storms, has been the Pharaoh's, Living God in ancient Egypt and the Horus on Earth, descendant of Ra himself. Yet they were some sort of friends, as Yuna says. Yuna once told me that those two have a special relationship, a bond beyond what time can destroy, a connection not even the Gods could stop; she always said that despite their petite differences and arguments, they were very close. She doesn't often talk about them, mostly when she has to. Over the years I've learned that not all of those dreams are for sharing with the public, or even our family and friends. I don't know what she sees, but sometimes not even I get to know what the visions/dreams had shown her. It's rather curiosity-causing, and she never tells in the end! Not even when I beg her with the puppy-dog eyes! In fact, I swear that she is the only person on Earth who is completely immune to them!

But, back to the issue. She often has visions of them. They sometimes even repeat themselves. It's like those two are the most important thing she should know about! Like she needs to know their whole lives! Yuna does know a lot of peoples lives more intimately than even their closest relatives knew, due to her, more often than not, living their lives through her dreams. But it usually takes some three- four dreams, and she instantly knows everything about them, their every thought. But with the Nameless Pharaoh and hid High Priest ... She sometimes can't even hear the things they say. Those dreams could be very confusing, especially since one day she dreams them as children, and the next day Seth is in his death bed saying his only regret was not doing it sooner. The 'it' is something that's been really bothering Yuna for a very long time. Ever since she has first dreamt about Seth's death when she was six years old. She has a theory that it has something to do with the Pharaoh's death, and she often get frustrated when the dreams or visions about those two end before she finds out something new about them and their lives. She says she needs, no has to know everything about their mystery-filled lives! She wants to know. Yuna claims that her soul yarns for it.

She once said that they were cousins, maybe more. But my more and her were different, but I didn't know that until way later.

As she thinks, or rather knows, that they were very close, she doesn't like it when Ishuzu tries to teach her how they mostly just fought each other. But, as deep as Ishizu's knowledge of the past is, she doesn't live through it second by second as my sister does, so she doesn't know everything. But her story of the 'Destined Battle of Souls', ... That was the first time Ive heard of it. Yuna didn't seem surprised by it, but rather that someone else other than her knew of it, aaaand offended by the lack of the real reason of the first Duel occurring and now repeating itself. Meaning, she knows all about it. Most of their talk in the museum didn't make any sense to me, but the reason to why Yuna must know about the man everyone smart enough would call her original incarnate.

Her ancient soul seeks the knowledge of it's past life, but could that be the reason Yuna can see into the past? And not only the past of the Nameless Pharaoh and his High Priest, Seth, but also the past of the world?

Is there a connection?

Maybe one day we'll know, but not anytime soon.

There's still a tournament my sister's got to win.

Seto's POV

'Eventually, all three God cards will belong to me. My own Obelisk, currently sealed out of play by Yuna's Lightforce Sword, will be returning to my hand in two more turns. Meanwhile, I'll use the XY-Dragon Cannon to destroy all of Yuna's monsters to make sure she doesn't have the sacrifices she needs to summon Slifer.' I smirk.'Then I'll be ready to summon Obelisk to the field to finish Yuna off.'

Yuna's POV

'Good news : Slifer's in my hand. Bad news is that I had to use my Exchange magic card to do it, which also helped Kaiba. Kaiba was able to take any card he chose from my hand, and the card he took was the trap card, LIfe Shaver. Depending on how many turns it's on the field before it's activated, it could force me to discard most of my hand. Slifer's attack points depend on the number of cards I hold in my hand, so if Kaiba wipes out my hand, Slifer will be worthless.' Why the fucking, bloody hell do I have a card that could benefit my opponent!?

''Are you going to going to stand around all day? I'm getting bored.'' My arrogant rival/friend/crush had to comment.

I draw, and summon Big Shield Gardna (2600 DEF) in defense, then sets one card face down, ending my turn.

''That move seemed pretty desperate—all the defense monsters in the world can't save you now. If you can't do anything but defend, you're going to lose the advantage your Lightforce Sword gave you.'' Kaiba smugly told me, like I didn't know that.

Marik's POV

I watch through the graphic wall, thinking the duel seems hopeless for the Pharaoh.

' Soon Kaiba will be free to summon Obelisk, and unless the Pharaoh can bring out Slifer, she'll be crushed by Obelisk. And even if the Pharaoh manages to beat Kaiba, she'll then have to face me, and I'll have the pleasure of feeding her ancient soul to the Shadows.'

I watch as the duel continues, wondering why our family anticipated the rebirth of these souls. Sure, the duel had tension since it started, something that was always thought as impossible. But as I watch these two vessels of ancient souls; souls who have been friends and rivals-How things repeat themselves? The irony is only that the High Priest is now the one with the power as a CEO of a huge company. But if this girl really is the reincarnation of the Pharaoh my family has been waiting ... ' I want Yuna not to disappoint me. Yuna should increase her life points and devote herself to the darkness—it's boring to kill boring people. I wants to make Yuna feel the ultimate pain.' I can't help but lick my lips as I think of all the pain I could inflict on the reincarnated Pharaoh.

If only I knew that the best way to do so was right in front of me, in the form of an arrogant child CEO, I would have been shocked beyond belief.

Mokuba's POV

I've been trying to contact our HQ and ask for help for a while now, and even Tristan is here connecting the wires I tell him to, but so far there was no results.

''Damn it!'' I can't help bur curse, even if I know that nii-sama wouldn't be all that happy to hear me do so.

Tristan looks over to me in surprised shock.'' Uhhh ... I'm pretty sure Kaiba wouldn't want you to say words like those. Please don't say it in front of him; he'll think that I'm the one who thought you to do that and I don't want to end up needing a girl saving me from him like Magnum needed.'' He shudders.'' He was really scary back then! I swear my heart stopped!''

I role my eyes. ''Yuna is very important to nii-sama, so you shouldn't be surprised. And don't worry. Nii-sama knows that I know quite a few cuss words and in different languages. Nii-sama often curses, especially at most of his employees at KC. I learnt them from him, and so he knows. And even if I did learn them from you, I wouldn't tell him. Only Yuna can stop him from killing someone he thinks is a danger to myself or ... Damn this thing! Damn it to bloody hell and back! What's wrong with this bloody thing?! I wish nii-sama and Yuna were down here; they'd fix this thing in a matter of minutes.'' I am aware that I was pouting and that Tristan was trying desperately to stop himself from snickering. And failing epically.

''You know, many people describe your brother as a heartless machine, but they never think about the fact that he is younger than anyone else in his profession and that he is singlehandedly raising a kid brother and so they just start all sorts of rumors. I must say that I am guilty. I once thought that your brother is nothing more than a douchebag, but every time I see him with you around I can't help but wonder if that's right, you know? And when I saw how he jumped in after Yuna at the pier, I couldn't help but wonder 'Why do people say that he is heartless?'. And then I saw that they are right.'' I bristled at what he said and was about to protest, but he raised his hand.''Let me finish, ok?'' I nodded, but glare at him like my brother would. He chuckles, and I know that it's because I look adorable when I do this.

'' I realized that they are right. Seto Kaiba is heartless. But only so because he gave his heart to his little brother and his rival.''

I stare at him in wonder, barely managing to squeak ''How did you-?'' but he interrupted me with a gentle laugh.

''He's a bit too obvious for anyone who has eyes and half a brain. Luckily for him, more than half of the world doesn't dare look him in the eyes, or else everyone would have known that he sees her as more than a rival. I don't know what 'more' is, but she is important to him. Am I right?'' He wiggles his eyebrows at me and I chuckle. ''I promise I won't tell anyone, so don't worry. Joey may not like your bro, but I don't hold anything against him. Could you just ask him to not always irritate Joey, 'cause I'm the one that has to stop him from jumping onto your brother to beat the shit out of him and end up being the one to be beaten up. By both the bodyguards and your bro when he's in a really bad mood.'' I laugh, knowing that Seto once punched a REPORTER on a really bad day, and when the guy went public, ended up getting him fired.

''I'll try, okay?''

''That's all that I'm asking for.'' We shake hands and return to our work.''So ... What do you think happened?'' He asks, sounding worried.

''Fugata's been to the engines, but ti seems that they have overheated in the end. This aircraft wasn't made for those maneuvers, so it was pretty normal that the system has shut down. But we should still be able to contact the HQ back in Domino. We can only hope that whatever's interfering with the signal soon moves.''

''Man, this is messed up! What if we run out of fuel and energy? There are people that need those machines to keep working!'' Before he could start panicking, I put a hand on his shoulder.

''Even without fuel, the Battle Ship can function for at the very least a week in the worst conditions. Seto designed this ship ... so, don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine.'' He nods and I squeeze his shoulder, before going back to the panel.'' Now, ... Lets see if we can contact them. Did you connect those wires?''

''Yeah, I did. And, Mokuba ... Thanks. You're a good kid.''

I smile at him. ''Nii-sama thought me to be''

He just nods with a small smile.

'Nii-sama, I surely hope that the darkness our stepfather created doesn't chase Yuna away. I know that she won't give up easily, but still ... I hope she can chase it out.'

Ishizu's POV

'The Pharaoh's ancient struggle is playing itself out again. Everything is happening just as the ancient scriptures predicted.' I think while standing by Odion's side.

I remember meeting Kaiba at the museum and showing him the stone carving with the Pharaoh and High Priest, the Dark Magician and Blue-Eyes White Dragon above their heads. I told Kaiba that it was no coincidence that Yuna was his greatest opponent—the two had battled in the ancient past. I told Kaiba about the three God cards, and the legend that whoever controlled them would have ultimate power, would become the King of Kings, then gave him the Obelisk card.

But is it their connection to the past that allows them each to wield an Egyptian God card. But no one now knows the outcome of their the ancient duel. All I can do is wait and hope that light will shine once again.

'I wish Odion were awake to witness this moment. No matter what happens, we should witness it as the ones who guarded this secret.'

Seto's POV

My virtual crowd cheers for me.

'The only way Yuna can beat me is by summoning Osiris. But it won't be that simple—I'll summon my God first.'

I draw, and smile, thinking that this is exactly what I needs to complete my strategy. I set one card face down, then summons Z-Metal Tank (1500 ATK). I watch as it combines with the XY-Dragon Cannon to form the XYZ-Dragon Cannon (2800 ATK). The XYZ-Dragon Cannon brings out its guns and points them at Yuna.

Yuna's POV

'The card he just set down must be Life Shaver.' I think, already coming up with a way to prevent him from using, but I was distracted when he played his Z-Metal Tank and created XYZ-Dragon Cannon and it pointed it's guns at me.

'I have no monsters that can fight it, and I know that Lightforce Sword will disappear next turn, bringing Obelisk back to Kaiba's hand, so that Kaiba can sacrifice the XYZ-Dragon Cannon to summon it. This is bad!' I grit my teeth.

I heard Marik commenting that Kaiba's strategy is most impressive and that now he sees how Kaiba was able to defeat his sister. Although I am happy that my words left an impression on him so now he's noticing how good Seto is, I am still not very happy with the situation. Especially so when Kaiba attacks Big Shield Gardna with the XYZ-Dragon Cannon and destroys it.

''That's one monster down and one to go,'' Kaiba says, ''and next turn I'll sacrifice my Dragon Cannon to summon my God card.''

I, however, smirk and thank him, because that was exactly what I was hopping that he'd do.

''I play my trap card, Soul Rope, which allows me to pay 1000 life points when one of my monsters is destroyed to summon a level 4 monster from my deck to the field. I choose King's Knight (1600 ATK). When the King and Queen are both on the field, I can special summon Jack's Knight (1900 ATK) to the field as well. Now I have the three sacrifices I needs to summon my God card.''

I can see that Kaiba is horrified! Especially as he exclaims ''You can't summon your God card before I play mine! I've been in control of this duel from the start.''

''Not anymore. You can't always be in control of everything!'' I say and draw, then sacrifice my three Knights to summon Slifer the Sky Dragon. The huge red dragon encircles the entire tower with its snakelike body. The head comes to rest just above me in a very protective way, almost like Slifer's ready to destroy everything in sight that would dare step before me. I swear that it would have nuzzled me if it wasn't a hologram!

I can hear Marik saying that this is so unexpected—''I never thought Yuna would be able to call her God first!''

Normal POV, on the Battle Ship ...

Téa, watching the duel from the window of the ship, tells the guys to check it out! Yugi's the firs to look out, and a frown appears on his cherubic face as he thinks 'That's Slifer! But how is this affecting Yuna? I hope that she is alright!'

''Whenever I see one of those things, I can't help but wonder if those are really holograms and not the real thing. I swear, that Kaiba is a genius!'' Duke comments as he watches Slifer's body enveloping the top part of the Duel Tower. Serenity can only nod as she looks at the Sky God from her seat next to her brother.

Ishizu sees that the Pharaoh has summoned the first Egyptian God, wondering if there's going to be complications when Kaiba summons his.

'This is the epic battle between them. They'll definitely make the world realize that only they can match each other.'

Yuna's POV

Kaiba says he's not impressed, even as my God Monster hisses and growls at him. He points out that I only have three cards in my hand, making Slifer's attack and defense 3000 points.

''But the XYZ-Dragon Cannon's attack is 2800—Slifer is stronger. If I destroys it, you won't have the sacrifices you need to summon Obelisk.''

Yet, Kaiba laughs. ''Go ahead and attack.''

'I wonder why Kaiba is so confident. Kaiba's set card is probably the Life Shaver trap card. Since it's been on the field for one turn, Kaiba can use it to remove one card from my hand, reducing Slifer's attack to 2000.'

Kaiba keeps taunting me, saying he'll win whether I attack or not. I know that if I don't attack, Kaiba will surely summon Obelisk next turn. But if I does attack, and Slifer is destroyed, I'll never win the duel!

No! I must attack! ''Slifer the Sky Dragon! Attack Kaiba's XYZ-Dragon Cannon!'' The Dragon attacked without hesitation, sending a powerful electrical ball of energy at my rival's monster.

But, just as Slifer's attack was about to hit it's target, Kaiba activates his trap card, Interdimensional Matter Transporter, which moves the XYZ-Dragon Cannon into another dimension, safe from Slifer's attack. With no target, Slifer's attack explodes in the sky, causing lightning to flash and waves of energy to engulf the tower. Thunder crashed in the sky, a tribute to the Sky Dragon.

On the Battle Ship ...

the lights flickering inside the ship, and Serenity and Due could only stare in wonder, not understanding what happened. Yugi was gawking at the power of the monsters Ishizu said would only really obey his sister, not believing that they could cause something like this. Tea was dumbfounded.

On the bridge of the ship, lights come on, and suddenly the radio comes to life, saying that an emergency helicopter is being dispatched immediately. Mokuba says that the helicopter is on its way, and Tristan runs off to tell Serenity. Mokuba then transmits the duel to TV screens all over the city so that everyone can watch his brother's duel, and runs off to watch it in person.

Ishizu watches in wonder as the real streinght of the God Monsters reveals itself in front of the Chosen Pharaoh's reincarnation, not believing that she was blessed enough to witness it.

Seto's POV

I must say that I was very happy with how great the Duel was. But the thunder was not something caused by my technology!

'Could have Ishizu been right and these cards have actual power? What?! I must be going crazy if I even considered it!' I have to get it together! The sight of Yuna with Slifer hovering protectively above her is distracting enough! The Sky Dragon was almost the same color as my rivals lovely eyes, bringing them out even more, and the way the wind played with her hair made her look like an angel.

'Focus, Seto! You're in the middle of a Duel, and it's even with your greatest rival! You must focus! Focus!'

I explain that my trap card took the XYZ-Dragon Cannon out of play for one turn. Yuna laughs, saying my plan to save my monster from attack worked. But she's also got a plan. She sets one card and ends her turn.

Now she has only two cards in her hand, and Slifer's attack is down to 2000. I don't understand why Yuna would intentionally weaken her God monster. But she tempts me to attack, saying that even the XYZ-Dragon Cannon might be able to beat Slifer, but I'm not biting. I've already made up my mind! Lightforce Sword's effect ends and my God card returns to my hand. I sacrifices the XYZ-Dragon Cannon, and summon Obelisk the Tormentor. I laugh as my Obelisk raises behind me, the darkness clenching my heart to the breaking point.

''Yuna! It's over!'' I continue laughing as Obelisk standes behind me, staring at my rival, spreading its mighty wings.

Marik was mumbling to himself, but I heard him. ''The battle of the Gods has begun! But which one will prevail?''

''It's time for the Gods to clash!'' I yell at my rival across the dueling arena.''But only one will remain standing. Now it's time to find out which one.'' I laugh, spreading my arms wide.''I'll beat Slifer and win all the God cards, and the name of Duel King will be mine!''

When I stopped laughing at my soon approaching victory, I addressed my rival once again. ''"Look, Yugi. This is my God, Obelisk."

''Finally, Obelisk appears." She answered in a distant voice, and for the first time I noticed how Obelisk seems to have fixed himself on her. He was staring directly at her, and Slifer has drawn himself closer to her, glowering at my God card. Yuna seems to be gazing into Obelisk's red eyes, that were a few shades brighter than her own, with a glazed look in her lovely rubies.

Nomal POV

Mokuba arrives at the top of the tower, running through the virtual coliseum walls, hoping he hasn't missed all the good stuff. He's astonished to see both God monsters on the field. In the streets of Domino, the other Battle City duelists stare in awe at the legendary God monsters on the giant TV screens. Rex Raptor says he's heard these are the strongest creatures in Duel Monsters. Mako thinks they're incredible! He's sailed around the world and never seen such beasts.

Joey is still unconscious. Serenity, sitting at his bedside, urges him not to give up.

Tristan returns to the infirmary to tell the others that the helicopter is on the way, then Duke points out the God monsters encircling the Duel Tower. They can see them through the Duel Ship's porthole windows.

''It looks like the God cards are about to brawl—I just hope Yuna's is stronger.''Duke says, looking over at Yugi, who has fixed his gaze at the two towering figures on top of the Duel Tower.''Why don't you go? We'll look after these guys.''

''I have promised Yuna that I'll stay here. And she always keeps her word, so I try to do the same. I know she's alright! Slifer will protect her!'' Yugi answered without looking away from where he can see his sister's protector.

Tea moves to stand beside him. ''I'm sorry ...''

''Right now, ... I don't care. But, I'll forgive you.'' Tea smiles a little and squeezes his shoulder in silent support.

Seto's POV

I hear Marik say ''Let the chaos and destruction to begin!'' And wonder why the fuck this guy's even here!? But I ignore him for now. After all, our duel will be next.

''My Obelisk will send Slifer to the graveyard—you have only two cards in your hand,Yuna, so Slifer's attack is only 2000, while Obelisk's is 4000. Slifer is powerless against Obelisk!''

''But don't forget, Seto!'' The sound of my first name surprised me slightly. She has been calling me 'Kaiba' since almost the beginning of the Duel. Not that I mind, I'm quite happy. ''Slifer's special ability! Since you just summoned a monster, Slifer's second mouth automatically attacks, reducing Obelisk's attack to 2000. Making us equal in attack strength!''

I glare at my rival as I remind her that she's safe this turn, but the effect will only last for one turn.

''Stalling is a sign of weakness. I set two cards and end my turn.''

Yuna draws. With three cards in her, delicate gentle, hand, Slifer's attack is raised to 3000, but Obelisk's is back to 4000, so I still have the advantage. Until Yuna activates her face-down card, Pot of Greed, which allows her to draw two more cards, raising Slifer's attack to 5000. Yuna uses the opportunity and attacks my , now weaker, God card. I activate my face-down card, Command Silencer.

''It sends out sound waves that prevent Slifer from hearing your attack order, so it doesn't attack. The card also allows me to draw another card from my deck. Finish your turn, so I can end this.''

''Slifer is still more powerful than Obelisk!'' Yuna points out, but I remind her of my face down card.

Yuna's POV

The shock of Kaiba's card not being the card he took from me wore off pretty quickly, but I now have new things to wander about. His second face-down can still be Life Shaver. If Kaiba uses it in the next turn, I will have to discard cards from my hand and Slifer's attack will be lowered until it's weak enough to destroy. What should I do?

Normal POV ...

Yuna sets two cards face down and ends her turn. Now Slifer's attack is 3000.

Kaiba wonders what Yuna's thinking, lowering her monster's attack by 2000 points. The Battle City crowd watching the duel on TV wonder, too. Rex Raptor says ''Kaiba has to attack. Who knows what'll happen next turn!''

Kaiba draws. But Yuna activates her face-down magic card, Card Destruction. Both players must discard their entire hands, and then draw the same number of cards from their decks. 'Yuna still holds three cards, so Slifer's attack is the are you thinking Yuna?' Kaiba thought as they redraw their hands.

Then Yuna activates the trap card, Disgraceful Charity, allowing them to take back into their hands cards they've discarded. Now Yuna has six cards in her hand, and Slifer's attack rises to 6000. The crowds, both virtual and real all over the world, cheer at the awesome move the Queen of Games has just made, praising her skills and inelegance.

Until Kaiba spoke. ''It was an impressive move, but you will have to do better than that.'' The whole audience watching wonders how he could be so arrogant, but none dare say it out loud, as if fearing that he'll somehow hear them."You have something, Yuna. I do appreciate you. But I've seen through your strategy." Gasps escaped the mouths of the viewers at the arrogantly calm youths statement.''Your move helped me, too. Now I have just the cards I need to win!'' Everyone can only wait without breathing as Kaiba plays the magic card, Thirst for Compensation, which allows him to summon two monsters from his hand, and he summons Sword of Soul and Blade Knight.

''You're wasting your time—Slifer can easily destroy them!'' And, as soon as the words left the world champion's lips, the red dragon opened it's second mouth and Slifer attacks both monsters but Kaiba activates Card Guard, discarding two cards from his hand to guard his monsters from attack.

''Now! I sacrifice these two monsters to Obelisk, triggering its special ability to do direct damage of 4000 life points to everything in its path, including you, Yuna!''

Mokuba cheers, and Kaiba orders Obelisk to attack.

''Go to hell by the hand of God!"

But Yuna discards Kuriboh from her hand, protecting her life points with a wall of Kuribohs. ''Tell your God that even the smallest of creatures can defend their master from his rage! I won't lose so easily Kaiba!''

Kaiba watches in rage as his rival thanks one of the most worthless monsters in the game for saving her. ''Don't insult me and my Obelisk with that puny puffball that is Kuriboh, Yuna!''He sets one card face down and ends his turn.

The two rivals were creating so much tension with staring daggers at each other, that everyone watching could barely breath despite not even being there. They could only wonder how they didn't go of killing each other rather than play a children's card game.

Yuna draws, and Slifer's attack goes back to 6000. She attacks, and as Slifer's coils wrap around Obelisk, Mokuba calls out ''Nii-sama!'' in horror, while Marik says ''Kaiba's about to lose. It was good while it lasted!'' But Kaiba activates his trap card, Power Balance, forcing Yuna to discard half the cards in her hand, while he can draw the same number.

''This card can only be activated when the player has no cards in his hand, which I don't.''

Yuna now holds only three cards, reducing Slifer's attack to 3000 and Kaiba orders Obelisk to counterattack.

''Not so fast! I activate Necromancy! It forces Slifer's attack down to 2000, then Necromancy randomly summons four monsters from your graveyard,'' Everyone watches with bathed breath as Blade Knight, Sword of Soul, Kaiser Seahorse, and X-Head Cannon come to the field in defense position.''to the field in defense position. Each time one of these monsters is destroyed, the attack of the remaining monsters on your field will be reduced by 600 points! Summoning the monsters activates Slifer's special ability, and all four of the new monsters will destroyed, reducing Obelisk's attack by 2400, to 1600 points.'' And so the second mouth of the red God Monster does it's job, destroying the weak monsters and weakening it's fellow God creature in the process.

Slifer continues its attack, by the order of it's master, but Obelisk's attack rises to 2600.

''What?'' Yuna could only ask in surprised confusion.

''When Sword of Soul is sent to the graveyard, it raises the attack of one of my remaining monsters by 1000. Now Obelisk is again more powerful than Slifer! Go, Obelisk!'' Kaiba orders his grand blue monster.

Doing so with little to none hesitation, Obelisk's mighty fist slams into Slifer. Everyone who saw this expected to see the snake-like dragon of a lighter shade of red than his master's eyes disappear, but the monsters separate, both of them unharmed. Like from the beginning of the broadcast of the duel, the viewers were left to stare in confusion as the two greatest rivals of all times outwit each other with every new move.

''When you activated your Power Balance trap card, I discarded Electromagnetic Turtle, leaving behind a small electrode attached to Slifer, which allowed Slifer to end the battle at will.'' Yuna explained, before setting a magic card and ending her turn.

Now Slifer's attack is 1000.

The watching crowd is amazed.

''This duel could take all day!'' Rex says.''Neither God card can be destroyed. Neither of the duelists will give in, either!'' He exclaims in amazement.

''It's a whale of a duel!'' Mako says while urging his once opponent to win this duel and keep her title.

Kaiba's POV

I couldn't help but laugh and shake my fist.

'This is the duel I've been waiting for—the ultimate battle of intellect and power! Every time I duel against Yuna, I'm pushed to my limit in every way! Even though I defeated Yuna at Duelist Kingdom, she's known as the world's greatest duelist. But that title belongs to me, and when I win the Battle City Tournament, I'll get it back!'

I can't believe how exciting it is! I feels this way every time I duels with Yuna! This thrill of battle! The darkness was chased away from around my heart, even if it was for a little while. It meant that only Yuna can save the fragile remains of it from the evilness of my past with Gozaboro. While my heart was free, I had to let her know just how much she means to me!

"When fighting with you, my spirit and strength are pushed to the limit! Your existence excites and thrills me!'' The shocked looks that the whole world was giving me were nothing I cared about. The look on Yuna's face was the one of understanding and agreement! That's all I could care about. And, with that, most of the darkness returned.''But we don't need two kings in the world. Because that's what you are! You're no weak queen that stands by the king and looks pretty! You have the role of the King! I have to beat you with my own hands!"

I point out that Yuna only has one card in his hand, so Slifer's attack is only 1000.

''It's time to show the world that I'm superior to you, Yuna!''

I draw, calling out to Obelisk to annihilate Slifer!

But Yuna activates her face down card, Spell Textbook, which allows her to discard her hand, and draw one new card, activating it immediately if it's a magic card. As she discards her last card, and Slifer's attack goes down to zero, Obelisk attacks, and Yuna prepares to draw her card, both of us knowing that if she doesn't draw the right card, the duel is over. And despite my yarning for a victory over her, right here, right now, ... I didn't want this Duel to end!

She draws ... And smirks broadly at me. I knew that I'm in deep shit now! ''My card is Card of Sanctity, which requires both players to have six cards in their hands. So draw your cards, Seto!''

Yugi draws six cards, raising Slifer's attack to 6000!

''Not so fast, Yuna! I activate my, or rather your trap Card! Life Shaver, forcing you to discard two cards! Making our ATK equal!''

Slifer and Obelisk's attacks are equal at 4000.

The two Gods collide with a monstrous crash. The power waves sent vibrations through the whole tower, a blinding light lighting up the stormy sky which was decorated in black clouds and lightning. The waves of wind from the collision made our hair and coats flap behind us, almost forcing us to take a step back.

''Kaiba Corp holograms aren't programmed to do this!'' I yell over the wind, not believing what was happening.

But what really made me worried was that Yuna kept looking between our God Monsters, her Puzzle, the Rod that Marik took out and me. The two golden Items were emitting some kind of light which soon joined the light from the collusion of the Gods. They were still not giving up, as if trying to prove themselves to someone ... To Yuna ... I'm not sure what made me think that it's her, but I really started worrying when as the light increased, Yuna started clutching her head and I heard her scream. I was quick to follow, though, as I felt something tug at me, at my very soul and existence!

Normal POV ...

TV screens all over Domino explode. Tristan, Téa, Duke, and Serenity see a terrible bright light blot out the Duel Tower. Yugi, on the Battle Ship, and Solomon Mouto back in Domino it the Game Shop, yell out one name, because they are sure that this was affecting her mare than anyone.

''YUNA!''

Back on the top of the Duel Tower on Alcatraz...

The power of the God monsters, Obelisk and Slifer, is equal at 4000 points. The monsters face each other, neither one giving way. Mokuba calls out to his brother, asking if he's okay, but the duelists on the platform couldn't seem to hear him. ''Nii-sama! Yuna! Make the Gods stop! Nii- sama! Yuna! Nii-sama!''

''It's the ultimate power struggle—both Egyptian Gods have been pushed to their limits!'' Mokuba turns to Mariks direction as he says that and the younger Kaiba starts to panic slightly.

Light shines out between the monsters, growing stronger, and more intense.

''It's stronger than anything my machinery can produce!'' Kaiba was barely heard over the roars of the fighting God Monsters.

In the ship, the gang watch the Duel Tower become enveloped in a ball of light and Yugi was really starting to panic at the thought of his sister being bombarded with visions because of these events. They never knew what exactly could trigger one, but this most definitely could!

The Millennium Rod begins to glow, adding to the light coming from the clash of the Gods. Mokuba watches as Marik tenses and glares down at the now glowing Millennium Item, and notices that the Puzzle around Yuna's neck has the same light coming out of it. He looks at it's owner, only to be shocked when he swore that he saw a third eye of light on her forehead! He looked over to his brother, only to be stunned that on his nii-sama's forehead was a matching eye!

Now that he thought about it, something like this also happened when he was dueling against Ishizu.

Suddenly, Yuna and Kaiba are both sucked into a vortex of flashing light. The watching crowd on top of the Tower and those on the Battle Ship are so blinded by the intensity of the light that they didn't notice when two gold-flashing orbs of light flew off from the top of the tower, only to disappeasr in the middle of air like they were never there. When the light faded, the two champions were panting hard, but looked as thought they weren't just screaming their heads off. They appeared disheveled, but no one but the two of them knew why as they straightened.

Yuna's POV

The light of my Puzzled intensified with every second until I was glowing along with it as it's light enveloped me in a secure warmth. I was in a strange vortex, but I sometimes went through these experiences when I'm about to see a vision.

What's new, however, was Seto right beside me with a glowing, golden on his forehead that matched the eye engraved on all of the Millennium Items.

As soon as he saw me, however, he stopped looking around in cofused panic and quit screaming. He reached over the little space between us and took hold of my hand before drawing me into his chest, holding onto me as if I would disappear if he let go and made sure my head was secure under his chin. I guess he expected us to crash seeing as we are falling headfirst through the dark vortex, into the unknown.

I thought about how we got here, where here was and what caused us to come here. I already knew where we are, what with me sometimes going through this ''portal'' and all. I realized that the battle between Slifer and Obelisk must have sparked something inside—but where is it taking us? And why? I knew for me, this is a common occurrence after all, but why was Seto dragged into this as well? And how?

Could it be because his connection to the High Priest? Is he going to witness something I'm not yet ready to explain?

We continued to fall for a few more moments, and despite me wanting to return Seto's reassuring embrace, he was holding me too tight and my arms were trapped. We soon found ourselves floating above the dark ruin of an ancient city. I flinch at the sight, knowing where and when we are and the thought of what I might see about the Pharaoh and the High Priest this time. Seto must have felt how tense I am and the flinch, because he started running one hand through my hair to try and calm me down. I never realized that I was shaking until he kissed the crown of my head and I stopped. We start looking around, Seto still refusing to let go of me. Not that I mind.

''This place looks familiar.'' I say, referring to the palace that was half in ruins.

''It looks like ancient Egypt. But that doesn't makes sense! We're on my Duel Tower in the middle of our Duel! How ... ?'' Seto asked in his full confusion and I leave the safety of his arms, although I reach over for his hand. He interlocks our fingers and I give his larger a squeeze which he returns.

'I wonder if it's a vision created by my Puzzle. But it if is, how can Seto see it, too? Seto doesn't have a Millennium Item. Maybe it somehow involves him? Yes, it must be it! And the Millennium Rod belonged to Seth, who I believe i the base of Seto's soul. The Rod was glowing pretty much like my Puzzle was before we got here!'

''Where are we?'' Seto suddenly asks.

''I thought you knew that we are in ancient Egypt, so why ask that now?''

''I mean, specifically. I see the Pyramids, so somewhere close modern day Cairo. But why are we here? Where is 'here'?!''

''We're in Memphis, or what used to be Memphis...''

Seto looks around a bit more, but I couldn't bring myself to do so, the sight stabbing my heart.''What happened here?''

''What always happens with humans. Between humans. War.'' I say solemnly, not wishing to elaborate.

''What kind of war could this be!? Egypt looked better even after the World War Two! How ...? What could possibly cause such damage?'' He asked in a whisper.

Before I could answer, something makes us move. We fly across the sky for some time, looking around despite ourselves, and come to huge ruined statues of the two Egyptian Gods, Obelisk and Slifer. I wince as I remember what made them that way.

'' Is it really is them. But how were they turned to stone?''Seto asks from my right.

The eye on my forehead that I only now feel, it's warmth chasing away the chills that were running through my body at seeing the God Monsters like that, knowing that Ra is also near by, along with my Puzzle, and lightning flashes. We hover over another ruin, blanketed by smoke. I once again wince, knowing which temple used to stand there, a place where the young Pharaoh used to play with his cousin, Seth, and his friends. I and Seto dissolve in gold light as my Puzzle glows once again, it's light intensified by the glowing eyes on my and Seto's foreheads. We reappear hovering over a large hall, where the ancient Pharaoh and the High Priest face off.

I hear Seto gasp as he sees the Priest, who looks exactly like him except the tan and the years separating their age, wearing blue robs and many gold jewelery. He was holding the Millennium Rod as he laughs while taunting his Pharaoh. Oh, I knew why he was so disrespectful,but I'm not going to blurt it out and then have to explain to Seto how I know.

''Look at yourself now, my Pharaoh!Your kingdom has crumbled at your feet, and is now at the mercy of the Dark One. How does it feel to be virtually powerless? You are powerless in the face of the darkness. This land will meet the fate of its destruction soon!''

''These are the figures we saw on the stone tablet. Oh and by the way he said-'' He interrupted me.

''That's ridiculous! And I know what he said, I understand English you know.'' I stare at him and point out that those two don't even know what English is and that England did't exactly exist in their minds. The shocked look and questions about how he knows their ancient language were at the tip of his tongue, but I then pointed at the Puzzle the Pharaoh was wearing. I explain that only three people had ever wore the Puzzle: the Nameless Pharaoh and his father who created the Items, and myself. He gawks at me and before any questions leave his mouth, I look at the ancient Duelists.

''Why have you joined the forces of evil, Seth?!'' The pharaoh asks his High Priest, but I wonder if Seto heard the name, because he looked confused by something. Not shocked, but just confused.

''You're wrong!'' The High Priest was shouting across their battle field.'' I have no allegiance to the Dark One—but I have no allegiance to you, Pharaoh, either. I'm there to finish our early battle, and prove that no one can overpower my Millennium Rod!'' He gestures with the said Item with a swipe of his long, tanned, muscled arm.''You were the only one to defeat me in a Duel, and you never even used your Kas!'' The Priest exclaimed."I have to beat you with my own hands!" The High Priest says, echoing Kaiba's words to me earlier in our duel.

''I don't understand! Ishizu said that these two once used to be friends, but there were earlier battles!? What's going on!?'' Seto exclaimed beside me. I, however, am too focused on the events going on beneath us. He must have calmed down because he returned his attention on the Dueling pair.

''I vow to defeat you, Dark Priest! I swear that I will free thy soul, Seth!'' The Pharaoh yells at the figure standing across him on the other side of the field. There it is. 'Dark Priest', the reason why this duel even took place. At least at a time like that. Two cousins fighting, one not himself due to the influence on his father and the darkness he has awoken in his son's heart so he would betray his best friend and cousin; the other trying to get his precious cousin and childhood friend back without hurting him. No one but I knows this truth. Only I know that Priest Aknaudin had possessed Seth at one point briefly before this battle in order to get the throne he was denied as the younger son of the Nameless Pharaoh's I know that Seth would have never hurt his precious cousin.

The duel begins.

The sorcerer summons the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, which rises from the stone tablet, and the Pharaoh summons the Dark Magician. The two majestic forms get ready to fight each other and defend their respective masters. Blue-Eyes roars arrogantly as the tanned Dark Magician scowls angrily, looking very much like Mahad on a bad day or when Seto had been ignoring me that one week, and twisting his staff before holding it out in front of him, ready for battle.

''This is the ancient conflict that Ishizu spoke of.'' I tell Seto, but he counters it with ''It must be one of Marik's hocus-pocus mind tricks. Nothing else!'' I sigh in exasperation, not knowing how many people do so when I deny myself as the reincarnation of the Nameless Pharaoh.

A vision of the ancient stone tablet rises behind the duel all of the sudden, as if to prove my statement right. Seto glares at it like he blames it for all his troubles in life, and I almost couldn't hold back a giggle. I knew that these visions can show things from a bit later on after the events first shown. Seth was the one who made the 'Tablet of the Pharaoh's Memories' as a memorial and an apology for all that he couldn't do for the Pharaoh while he was still alive.

A second later, the vortex reapers and sucks us in, Seto once again hugging me close to him while cursing in some seven different languages as I snicker, knowing exactly what he's saying. Just as he was about to start cursing in the eight he knows, we felt a force separating us. Seto tried to hold on even closer and tighter, stronger, but the mysterious force succeeded in it's purpose and a new flash of light made us aware of where we are.

We were once again on the top of the Duel Tower, on Seto's remote island Alcatraz. We found ourselves back on the Duel Tower on our knees, gasping in shock at what we've seen. Mokuba seems to have been shouting ''Nii-sama!'' for some time, while Roland looked torn between stopping the duel to check on his employer and continuing the duel to the end like Seto had obviously ordered, fearing that he might anger him. I saw from the corner of my eye Marik staring at his glowing Millennium Rod and probably wondering who invoked its power. I smirk at the thought that the Rod won't be obeying him soon, due to the vision and it's real master's presence, right here, on the tower.

Normal POV ...

The gang watches the Tower as the light fades, and Yugi can feel a lump in his chest dissolving.

All the spectators are still left in the dark as to what made the TV screens all around the world explode. But those fortunate enough to have Internet watched the live duel through other devices.

Mokuba is happy to see his brother, but wonders what happened to the Egyptian God cards.

Marik stares at the Millennium Rod, wondering what's going on. He fears that Kaiba's past intersects with the Millennium Rod. 'But Kaiba will never get his hands on it!'

''Both Gods are gone. The Millennium Rod has sealed their memory. I wonder what happened between Kaiba and Yuna?''

Seto's POV

''What just happened?'' I ask through my gasping.

''We were shown the origins of our destiny.'' Yuna said in a distant voice and I briefly looked up at her, only to look away as I saw the almost lifeless eyes of my rival. I knew that it has something to do with this damned vision or whatever it was, but I don't know why it affected her so much. I remember all the thoughts I felt coming from the ancient Priest, all the sorrow and regrets. He obviously didn't want that Duel to take place, yet he was so eager for it to start. There's something I'm not aware of in this whole situation, but what?!

I know who I am—I'm Seto Kaiba, president of the world's largest gaming corporation! But no matter what I do, I can't get those images out of my head. This ancient fairy-tale keeps coming back to haunt me! The image of the Priest betraying someone who looks so much like Yuna is stabbing at my heart mercilessly. No, it can't be real!

'It's impossible! The fight between the Priest and the Pharaoh seemed so real! And the fighting spirit was so real! Could it really be ...?' I look up in shock at Yuna.

Ever since Ishizu tried to brainwash me, mind mind's been playing tricks on me. First it happened during my duel with Ishizu, and then again when I could read the text on the Winged Dragon of Ra. And now these visions! But I will not lose my grip on reality!

Yuna's POV

'The Pharaoh and the Priest looked just like me and Kaiba. The three-thousand-year-old battle recorded on the stone tablet is part of my lost memory. That's right, a part of the Pharaoh's lost memory that I inherited.' I think, not even aware of it as we stand up.'Seto Kaiba is part of my memory. Both mine and the Pharaoh's. My memory.' A mist was clouding all my thoughts.

I clear my thoughts, finally getting back to my senses. The thought that I might really be the reincarnation of the great Nameless Pharaoh was no longer one I could deny myself, but I'll never say it out loud. The only reason I don't want to be the one who carries his soul is because his destiny is undetermined and my family and friends could end up hurt if I proclaim the rumors of me being his reincarnate as truth.

I have always known for a fact from where my soul originates. I just didn't want to admit it out loud out of fear. Look how much trouble my 'gift' causes me, but the right to one of the richest temples in existence, the secretly hidden Temple of Horus (a/n: Don't know if it exists, but in this fic it does; if it doesn't any more, it belongs to me) that has all the most precious, important items of all the rulers of Egypt, would end not only my life, but lives of all those I hold dear.

I look over to my rival, giving him my undivided attention like he's giving me his, and refocus on the Duel.

There'll be time to think about this some other time.

Seto's POV

''Yuna,'' I caress the beautiful name of my even more beautiful rival.''Did you have the same vision as I did?'' I was hoping against all hope that the answer was yes, because that would mean that I wasn't going mental. And that I've hugged her and held her hand for who knows how long!

''Yes. Our duel is related to the duel three thousand years ago.'' Good, a conformation. I'm not crazy.

I smirk, finally almost completely in control of the darkness Gozaboro created. ''Our duel is destined! Just as their's has been! I don't know what that was, but I know that you, Yuna Yami Mouto, are the only person that made me feel so alive! You're the only one who can make a simple game into a fight for survival! You are the only one I truly respect! No one can reach our level!'' I yell and it was somehow louder than the cheering fake crowd.

My heart skipped a beat as Yuna answered.''This Duel is something only the two of us can experience! You're right! No one can reach us!''

And finally Hobson's words, words that I haven't hear since Yuna left for the first time, repeated themselves to me once more.

''My young master is beyond your reach, touching the stars with his rival!''

The darkness around my heart disappeared completely. I can see that Yuna has noticed as well as Mokuba, because while my brother started cheering for me earnestly, Yuna sent me a dazzling, beautiful smile, despite it being rather small and it turning into a challenging smirk a bit too quickly for my liking.

I was ready now, though. I was ready to Duel my rival so that I could walk away a proud man, ready to make Hobson proud of me and ready to finally be the big brother Mokuba deserves.

I smirk back at my rival, despite a frown being on my face at the same time.

Normal POV ...

Everyone can see that there was a different kind of tension between the rivals now, and it was even more intense. The audience, after seeing that the Duel could be watched on the Internet has increased and was now waiting in anticipation for the Duel to become even more intense and interesting.

Marik thinks Kaiba's right, but he has to insure that Kaiba's link to the Millennium Rod doesn't interfere with his plans.'' I must win and gain infinite power! The Pharaoh's power! But ... with both of the Gods gone, do they start all over again?'' He wonders. ''Are Kaiba's and Yuna's memories are sealed inside the Millennium Rod and Puzzle. And what did they see to create this new atmosphere around them? It's ticker and more intense than even when the Gods were fighting!''

''It's still your move, Kaiba!'' Yuna shouts across the arena.

''Now you're making some sense.''

Kaiba sets one card and ends his turn, thinking that he doesn't need a God card to win. He has a more reliable card in his hand now—the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

Yuna draws Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts. She can't wipe out Kaiba's life points with this—it's too weak. Marik sees that Kaiba has no monsters on the field—he's wide open for a direct attack. The Queen of Games plays Gazelle in defense (1500 ATK/1200 DEF), and Kaiba activates his trap card, Clone, which makes a copy of her Gazelle on his side of the field. Yuna sets one card face down and ends her turn.

Kaiba taunts Yuna, telling her she's just made her final move.

''Why he's so serious? Next turn I'll sacrifice the clone to summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the field!''

''But the Blue-Eyes is a Level 8 monster—it requires two sacrifices, and you only have one monster on the field, Seto. How will you summon it?'' Yuna points out, really interested of what her unpredictable rival has in store for her, making her excited and wary.

''Things aren't always as they seem.'' Seto answered a little arrogantly.

It's Kaiba's turn. He draws, telling Yugi he was right.''Summoning the Blue-Eyes usually takes two sacrifices, but thanks to my magic card, that rule no longer applies!''He plays Cost Down, reducing the Blue-Eyes from an 8-star monster to a 6-star monster.''Now it can be summoned with only one sacrifice.''

He sacrifices the Gazelle clone and summons his Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the field. The majestic dragon looks at his opponent and sneers at the original Gazelle, but apon seeing Yuna, something flashed in the dragons eyes pretty much how it always does with his master's own eyes that are the same color.

Mokuba cheers, telling his brother that nothing can stop him now!

Marik thinks maybe he'll be facing Kaiba in the next round after all.

''It's time to put an end to this feud. You lost to me in ancient times, and now you'll lose again!'' He destroys Yugi's Gazelle with the Blue-Eyes and ends his turn.

Yuna's POV

I know that I have only one chance to win, and if the images of the past we saw are true, I have to summon his Dark Magician. He never failed to answer my call in the past, so I have faith in him now!

I draw, telling Seto I know that he saw the same visions I did, and that I'm about to prove it.

''I don't care about the fight between the Pharaoh and the Priest. What the stone tablet shows is the fighting spirit! The spirit the two of us share with each other and with them! We battled each other five thousand years ago, and now destiny has brought us together once again. And let's make this Duel more memorable than their!''

I saw him smirk as he nods with his traditional ''Hn!''.

I draw. I smirk at the card, it was just what I needed. I play Monster Reborn, calling my Dark Magician back from the graveyard, where I'd discarded it when Kaiba played Life Shaver. The purple-robed sorcerer, so much like Mahad, both my and the Pharaoh's close friend and one of our most loyal servants, scowled at the dragon pretty much the same way as in the vision. He swung his staff a bit, like in the vision, before raising it in front of him. Ready for a fight, ready to defend me.

Seto's horrified, but he insists that my move doesn't prove a thing even as the Blue-Eyes roars at my mage. Seth and Mahad never did get along.

''It's time for you to accept your destiny. But even I realize that there's a lot we still don't know about our ancient past. What were they fighting about, and who won? Have you even wondered?'' I ask, knowing that it was a half lie to say I don't know.

''Real duelists make their own destiny!'' Seto stubbornly insists.

''True. But for that to happen, there has to be a basis, a beginning that we're trying to surpass! Most people don't get it like we did, but everyone has a destiny that was predetermined for them. Whether they accept it or try to find a new, better one ... That is a choice True Duelists make! That's what separates us from the rest of the world! We strive for the best, while most are happy with whatever they get! Isn't that why you chose Gozaboro?'' The question wasn't exactly a question. And the both of us knew.

''Good! Then we agree that this Duel is completely in our hands! So lets give this world a piece of history that will never be forgotten!''

I set another card face down, hoping my plan works.

'Dark Magician's attack is 2500, lower than the Blue-Eyes' 3000. One of his face-down cards is Magic Formula, which can raise Dark Magician's attack by 500 points. That would make their attacks equal, and destroy both monsters.'

It's up to faith now, or is it? I smirk.

''I'm disappointed that you would put all your faith in some old folk story. Listen, you're no Pharaoh, so you should stop playing make believe. You're concentrating on the past instead of the here and now, and that will be your downfall.'' Seto draws, sets one card, then activates the magic card, Card of Demise. This card allows him to draw until he holds five cards in his hand, but after five turns, he must discard his entire hand. Tricky card.

Seto's POV

I've observed Yuna's past duels carefully, and I know what Yuna's up to. I thinks she will use one of her face-down cards to power up her Dark Magician, and the other to stop the Blue-Eyes' attack.

''Your strategy isn't going to work.''

I summon Lord of Dragons (1200 ATK). ''As long as it's is on the field, magic and trap cards won't work against the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!''

''Dark Magician is much more powerful than Lord of Dragons.'' Yuna just has to point out.

''By all means, go ahead and attack it. If you dare.'' I knew that I'm aiming at a very delicate thing called pride, which as a big part of us as our most respected, mos loyal monsters are. The fact that both of our prides could really be compared to buildings was not helping matters!

It's Yuna's turn. She plays Beta the Magnet Warrior in defense (1600 DEF), then attacks my Lord of Dragons with her Dark Magician. I activate my trap card, Magical Trick Mirror, which can activate a magic or trap card from Yuna's graveyard, a handy little card, especialy against strong opponents. I choose Monster Reborn, and revive Obelisk! It can only be revived for one turn, but it can block the Dark Magician's attack.

''Obelisk can't attack, but I can use its effect to protect my other monsters! Obelisk is brought back in defense position.''

I watch as Yuna takes 1500 points of damage from the attack, and her life points are down to 1500.

I laughs, telling Yuna it's over.

Yugi's POV

The gang stare out the ship window at the huge monster on the Duel Tower, wondering how Yuna will stand up to Obelisk without his own God card. I, on the other hand, know that Yuna will get out of it one way or the other. She'll either get out without a scratch or with a couple bruises.

I was mote than shocked as Tristan runs to Joey on the bed, lifting him up by the shirt, shouting at him to get up! Now, that's plain stupid! Seems that they have enough common sense to realize that as Serenity protests, but Tristan tells her to trust him.

No wonder Seto treats them as idiots.

With tears in his eyes, Tristan insists that Joey needs to see this. It might make him wake up.''He wanted to watch this duel, too.''Pulling Joey free of the electrodes monitoring his condition, Tristan drags him over to the window, holding him up, telling him to open his eyes and look.

I'm a bit surprised to see his eyes twitching, but Yuna had said that if he wishes to become a True Duelist who can at the very least be recognized as a Battle City finalist, he has to prove himself to his heart and his cards.

I guess he was succeeding.

'You were right like always. Yuna. I wish to join you up there soon!'

Yuna's POV

''Your God card won't be around much longer.'' I point out, a bit ruffled by the damage I received last turn.

''It doesn't matter—Obelisk has served his purpose.''

Clutching my shoulder, still sore from Obelisk's block of the Drak Magician's attack, who now looked really pissed, I set one card and end my turn. As I hissed slightly, the Dark Magician turns to me, a look of worry on his pale face, so unlike and yet so alike to the one of my soul's close friend. I nod to him, saying ''I'll be fine, my friend.'' and watch him nod back to me. If I still didn't believe in what I am always told about the origin of my soul, now I would've been assured for certain.

After all, the Dark Magician, or rather Mahad served only one and that was the Nameless Pharaoh. Of course he would listen to me as well.

The both of us return our attention to our respective rivals, and I swear I herd both of the monsters growl at each other. I couldn't help chuckling, knowing why those two acted that way, but Seto's slightly confused face as he looked at his most beloved Blue-Eyes was simply too cute and too priceless!

He shakes his head, as if to clear it, and prepares to start his turn with a taunting effect of Monster Reborn ends, and Obelisk returns to the graveyard as Seto shouts at me from across the arena.''Start living in the moment, and forget about the past!'' He says arrogantly, not knowing that the past is as much a part of me as my life, my very soul is.''But there's nothing you can do, anyway!As soon as I make my next move, you will be history, Yuna!''

Those word struck something deep within me, and I could hear a voice that sounded suspiciously like the High Priest say something about becoming history.

/I will never allow you to simply become a part of history, my Pharaoh! I'll wait for you in a different life! I promise you that you shall never be truly forgotten, cousin .../

The words could be misinterpreted in many ways if you did not know what happened to the Pharaoh. But I know and these words are a promise to find a lost soul and lead it to where souls find eternal peace and rest.

I really need to stop drifting into these memories, despite how tempting it was to simply learn everything now, before Seto notices. And so I refocus my attention as he says.''After I win the final, my future begins."

I can't help but sigh. How the two of us is always a mystery to everyone, especially seeing how different our views on the world is.''Seto,'' I start. ''You can't completely forget the past. It's a part of us, no matter how much we despise it. It happened, and that's that. We should learn from it, so that we don't repeat the mistakes barely or never fixed. That's one of the reasons it's there: To help us learn from it and to make the world better. To help ourselves. It makes us what we are!'' I can practically hear his teeth grinding against each other, and decide that this is not the time or place for this conversation, and instead shout out to my opponent.''Seto! It's still your move!''

As Seto is about to make his move, Marik wonders quite loudly ''Who is the lucky one to be offered to the darkness? I'm out of patience, and want my next victim! This duel has grown tiresome. No matter who wins this duel, I'll be the ultimate victor.'' We both growl at him as we send him looks promising death and he slightly flinches at the intensity of our twin glares.

With a final glare in Marik's direction, Seto draws.''Yuna, if you want to believe we've Dueled 5000 years ago, that's fine. But don't waste my time trying to convince me it's true. I only believe in one thing—my supreme dueling skills. Everything else is meaningless. I want to get on with the duel so I can reclaim the title you took from me as the world's greatest duelist! I've been wanting this for a very long time!''

Seto switches Lord of Dragons to defense mode, then plays Flute of Summoning Dragon, allowing him to summon two more dragons to the , surprise!(note the sarcasm) He brings out two more Blue-Eyes White Dragons. Three of the mighty dragons hover over the field behind Seto, and I wonder how I can fight three mighty Blue-Eyes.

I grin at the challenge, despite my mind telling me that my heart should be racing in fear, not excitement.

In the distance, or rather not that far away, I hear a sound that was very similar to a rescue helicopter being on its way to Kaiba Corp Island. I sigh in relief, knowing that all my friends would be alright.

Now, I only need to win this Duel with Seto, so I can face Marik in the finals.

''I have four monsters on the field, while you only have Dark Magician and your pathetic Magnet Warrior. I am going to win!'' Great. I can't believe that an old thought from my first day of school came back to me. It's about Seto Kaiba, of course. Arrogant!

I must say that the thought of there being no options was very close to actually appearing in my mind, but I don't allow it to really exist.

I hear Mokuba say something to himself, and I feel a sad smile make it's way to my face.''Even Yuna can't get out of this situation. My brother is going to win!'' I wish Yugi was here. I know that I told him to stay with his new friend, but I really wouldn't mind hearing his support from the sidelines like Seto has Mokuba's right now. This is the first time I've ever felt even slightly jealous of Seto Kaiba, my very close friend.

Kaiba is still going on about how he's going to win, saying there's no way I can avoid the devastation of his three Blue-Eyes.

"I'm going to brand my name on your mind!" I blush at the innuendo, and exclaimed so passionately, and he does also after he realized how that can sound. We look over to Mokuba instinctively, but he seems oblivious in hi innocence. But Marik had a half shit-eating, half amused expression. We both wince, not looking at each other. The heat in my cheeks only increased when Marik told us ''To get a room, or was that an invitation for company and a free show?!'' while wiggled his eyebrows. Mokuba frowned, his cherubic features showing confusion. I swear that Seto was about to go over to him and kill him, very very slowly and very very very very painfully.

Although it took some effort to stop blushing when we look at each other, we did it. If only Seto knew that the name Seto Kaiba is already branded in my mind, he wouldn't say something soo ... embarrassing! I hope some of my female friends, and Sasha, don't hear of this! Especially Sasha! He might want to kill him for being like that towards his 'onee-sama'.

'Let's see ... I know that with three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, Seto can easily wipe out my monsters and the rest of my life points. What can I do?'

I was focused on finding a solution that I tried not to hear Marik's comment of ''It looks like Kaiba will be the next casualty of the Shadow Realm.''.

And it hit me. I look to my hand and barely surpass a grin. Seto sends his three Blue-Eyes to attack.

I can hear both Joey's and Yugi's voice, from many years ago when he was first learning to plat the game, saying in the same voice "Show me the spirit of a True Duelist." I look at my cards and ...

Seto's POV

I am astonished to see the Red-Eyes Black Dragon appear on Yuna's side of the field! She reminds me that the effect of Flute of Summoning Dragon works for us both, so she was able to summon a dragon to the field, too—the Red-Eyes Black Dragon. A card she shares in common with Joey, calling it his Soul Card.

I'm furious that Joey's dragon is on the field, but I say it doesn't change a thing. ''I'll destroy you and his Red-Eyes!''

''This Red-Eyes is my own card! I don't use a card that can save someone else's heart! Joey needs his Ka by his side now, so I slipped his card at the top of his deck in his duel disk, so it's dormant there! But the roar of it's twin will awaken the one Joey has and help him prove himself as a worthy Battle City Duelist! Don't think, even for a moment, that something foreign is in our PRIVATE Duel! This is between the two of us! No one else! Just you and me, Seto Kaiba!" Shivers run down my side at the passionate exclamation, simply loving the fact that she thinks as highly of this as I do.

''You're soft, Kaiba!'' Marik says, with all the intended innuendo, and we both death-glare him.

I continue my attack, my first target Yuna's damned Dark Magician, although I have no ides why I am irritated by the card soo much; even more than by Joey! Yuna activates her trap card, Magician Selection, which protects the Dark Magician by deflecting the Blue-Eyes' attack to the weakest monster on the field—my own Lord of Dragons. ''You won't escape my other two attacks!'' Beta the Magnet Warrior, in defense, is destroyed by my second Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

''Red-Eyes is next!'' Just the sight of this monster makes me nauseous because I often have to listen to it's master speak some really perverted things about my rival's friend, Mai. It will be a good image to see it destroyed, and I can think of it as kicking the Mutt instead of his dragon. Although this is actually Yuna's Red-Eyes.

Yuna activates another trap, Spellbinding Circle, stopping the Blue-Eyes' attack and lowering its attack by 700 points. Now the Red-Eyes can counterattack and destroy it. I'm seething in rage, saying ''It's not over!''

Normal POV ...

On the ship, Joey's eyes slowly open. Yugi was the first to notice and he immediately brought the others attention to it by calling out.''He, guys! Look!''

Tea gawks with tears in her eyes.

Tristan squeezes his friend tighter against him.

Duke watches in wonder.

Serenity calls out softly with tears rolling freely down her face.

Yugi was the only one who caught sight of the dark card falling to the floor, as everyone's attention was on his new friend. He picks it up and sees ...

The Red-Eyes Black Dragon!

He turns the card to Joey's direction, no one still not noticing.

The light returns to Joey's eyes.

They all cheer. All except Yugi, whose tears have finally overwhelmed him as he gently put the card into his friends hand. He was well aware of who put the card back into Joey's deck, and now he was desperate to see his sister!

Joey's eyes open. Serenity and Duke encourage him to say something. Joey looks around, asking what's going on.''Did someone get hurt?'' he asks in his Brooklyn accent.

''Yes, someone was knocked unconscious!''Tristan says. Joey realizes that he's the one who passed out.

Serenity rushes to hug her brother, and Joey holds her, while Téa and Duke both get choked up to see Joey conscious again. The doctor is astonished that Joey's awake. ''Someone in his condition could never recover this fast!''

''Pish posh, Doc! My sis- Yuna said that he should be alright with a little nap he took! In fact,'' Yugi looks at his watch.''You awoke just when she said you would! Isn't that great Jo-''

''Yugs! It's great to see ya pal!'' Joey cut Yugi off with a bone-crushing headlock. He was saved quickly, and he was soon thanking his lucky stars, an old habit he picked up from his grandpa.

Tristan grabs Joey by the shirt, ordering him never to pull this again! Bursting into tears, he tells Joey he had the girls really worried—of course, he knew all along Joey'd be is a bit taken aback by Tristan's outburst, not realizing how much danger he was in. Finally, Joey remembers his duel with Marik. He was fighting to save Mai. He turns to look at her, still lying unconscious in the bed next to Joey's, while the others stand by, silent.

Joey rushes to her, shaking her and telling her to wake up. He was sure that beating Marik would save her! Serenity has to tell him he lost the duel. But he remembers summoning Gearfried the Iron Knight and crushing him! Serenity reminds him that he was playing a Shadow Game, and Marik was draining his strength. He managed to summon a monster strong enough to defeat Marik, but before he could call his attack, he passed out. Joey tears up, apologizing to Mai for not saving her.

Yugi can only watch, only now realizing why his sister wanted to distance herself from Joey. Mai had feelings for the blond, and he returned them, even if he didn't exactly know that. Yuna was sacrificing her chance at such a good friend to keep Mai happy.

'That's just like you, Yuna.'

The Kaiba Corp helicopter finally arrives.

Joey grabs Serenity by the shoulders, asking what's happening with Yuna. Téa tells him that she's dueling Kaiba, and Joey says, he has to get up there right now! Téa tells him he can't go, but Joey hurriedly pulls on his shoes, saying something about learning what a real Duelist is.

He runs from the room, while the doctor shouts at him to get back into bed.

In the hallway, Joey meets the medical team from the helicopter, who ask him where the patient is. The rest of the gang catch up with him, and the doctor reluctantly admits that the patient is standing right there. He explains that Joey was nearly in critical condition a minute ago, but Joey says it was five minutes ago, and he's fine now! He puts on his fierce face, saying he's in the best shape of his career. But the doctor insists it's too dangerous for him to leave now. He needs to be examined. Joey says he's all right and starts to run off.

Téa stops him, telling him he has to listen to the doctor. He was just in really bad shape and everyone was worried sick about him. She's upset because so many people have been hurt in this tournament.

Joey apologizes for worrying everyone, but says he has to go and be there for Yuna. He came back for a reason, he says. He made a promise to Yuna that he'll become a True Duelist during this tournament and that he'll duel her for the right for his Red-Eyes. But Yugi, before running off at top speed, told him that he has already earned the right to it.

Joey only then realizes that he was holding his Red-Eyes Black Dragon in his hand.

Yuna's POV

The score stands at me with 1500, Seto at 1900.

''You're at a big disadvantage.'' Seto arrogantly gloats.

''We both have two monsters on the field.'' Although I knew that he was partly right since his two Blue-Eyes White Dragons are more powerful than either of my monsters.

Kaiba sets two cards and ends his turn.

I draw, telling Seto that we've got a long way to go. I drew a magic card, thinking it will come in handy later.'No matter what card I draw, as long as I have life points left, there's a chance. I have to believe.'

I set one card, and switch the Red-Eyes Black Dragon to defense.

But Seto activates his trap card, Final Attack Orders, which requires all monsters on the field to be in attack also requires both players to choose three cards from their decks and discard the rest of the cards to the graveyard.

Kaiba chooses three cards he believes will assure his victory, telling me I might as well give up now, because his strategy is unstoppable!

''I will break your illusion of the past in a flash!'' Once again I flinch at his lack of knowledge that the past is truly a part of me that can not be taken away, even if I wanted it to be.

I study my cards, wondering which three I should choose.

I try to figure out Seto's strategy. ' Knowing him, Seto will use Monster Reborn to bring back his third Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and fuse the three of them into the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with Polymerization. That's two, but what would be the third?'

I selects three cards and end my turn, thinking it's all up to destiny now.

''It won't matter which cards you choose, you won't be able to beat me! This time, I win!''

He draws Monster Reborn, and uses it to revive his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. I watch as the third dragon raises from the graveyard with a roar. Then he activates his set card, Polymerization, and summons the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. The three-headed dragon is roaring, growling and glaring at me, each head switching the actions with the other two so they never did the same thing. Seto looks smugger than he did when he took Gozaboro down.

''Nothing will stop my three-headed beast!''

I know I have nothing on the field that can stop it. I'd better think of something fast.

''This is the creature that will strip you of everything you have once and for all!'' Fuck! The darkness was threatening to take him over again! I need to finish this as soon as possible!

''I got you exactly where I want you! I've played out this moment in my mind over and over again! Now here we are at the top of my tower, and all you have to hang onto is some rock from five thousand years ago. This duel is about the past—but it's not about an ancient battle you think we fought. It's about burying the past for good! Once I defeat you and win this tournament, I'll be Number One! Then I can close the book on my past and concentrate on my future!Ever since I was dropped off at the orphanage,'' Kaiba says,''I had to fend for himself and toughen up to protect Mokuba. Then we were adopted by the tyrant, Gozaburo Kaiba, who taught me to crush my enemies and trust no one. But nothing I ever did satisfied Gozaburo. Using the ruthless business techniques Gozaburo taught me, I outsmarted Gozaburo and took over his company. The bastard committed suicide. Now Kaiba Corp belongs to me. But there's one conquest left for me—to beat Yuna Yami Mouto, the Queen of Games, the only person who truly defeated me and even Gozaboro while he was still alive. Once I've done that, I can forget the past for good!'' With ever word, I felt that my decision about what I'll do after the tournament was more correct than I'd wish it to be. The way Seto was saying all of this sounded ... Like he wants to forget our past together. Not the ancient one, but the one of a couple years ago.

''Why do you fight me so much? Why do you wish to defeat me soo hard?'' I ask with my eyes fixed on the ground in front of me. I thought that I've seen Mokuba flinch sometime through this confrontation, but I'm not really sure.

"Why do I insist on fighting with you? Now I have the answer. Yuna, you are fighting for a lost memory of some dead guy... That's meaningless. For me, the past is past." The flinch this time shouldn't have escaped his notice."We were adopted by Gozaburo and lived an ugly life... My past is full of hatred and anger. It's not like you don't know, anyway, so why ask such a stupid question? You've been around those idiots a bit too much. But that's not what matters now. I am different from you—I'm only interested in the future. The past for me is a target to be smashed.'' The glare he gave me finally made me realize why people flinched when he suddenly looks their way. His eyes were soo cold. ''Yuna, you represent the past. After I smash your illusion and become the Duel King, then my future begins!"

I lower my head so that my eyes can't be seen from my bangs. ''Then you also wish to erase our past as well?''

Mokuba's POV

I watch with tears in my eyes. I didn't know my big brother felt this way about our past.

'I know things weren't easy at the orphanage, but we did have each other. Seto wants to forget everything, even the person he used to be—but I liked Seto back then.' I look at the picture of my brother in my locket, his first fulfilled promise, and think that nii-sama actually used to smile! Seto needs to realize that being at the top doesn't have to mean being miserable!

"Do you want to forsake the pure smile you have shown me?"I ask the picture.

However, when I heard Yuna ask that one question I looked up at her in alarm. She wasn't even looking at Seto, and when I looked over to him, I saw that he was shell-shocked by the question. But why would Yuna ask that question?! She knows that she is Seto's closest friend!

Could it be that she's had it with how he has been treating her ever since she came back?

Is she really going to leave Seto and mine life, forever?

God, I hope not! Seto wouldn't survive that!

He seems to have finally collected himself as he stuttered out. ''Wh-what? Of- of c-course not! I always want you to be a part of my life, Yuna! What's this all about so suddenly?''

But she didn't react to it at all. Instead she just lifted her head up, and for the very first time, I saw indifference on her face regarding my brother!

Seto's POV

My heart had clenched at the question Yuna had asked me, but the way she ignored my reply and, for the first time, looked at me with emotionless eyes almost crushed it, and I realized that I have probably screwed up beyond repair.

The thought that if I don't win this Duel, she'll leave Domino for forever awoke a bigger part of the darkness Gozaboro crated came to the front, desperately trying win the duel.

''Your reign is over,Yuna!''

''You never cease to amaze me.'' She replies, chuckling.

''Is it my superior dueling skills that you finds so amazing?''I ask cockily.

''It's your stubbornness and lust for power that I find puzzling. You will never defeat me with a heart full of hatred and mistrust.'' The eyes that were emotionless a second ago were now challenging and disappointed. I growl in anger, further proving her point.''You're a a good duelist, but I'm a little disappointed in you. You won't be able to beat me with hatred and anger."

I scowl at her.

Yuna activates her set magic card, Double Spell. It allows her to use any magic cards that I played in this turn. So she uses Monster Reborn to summon Buster Blader, which she'd discarded to the graveyard, and Polymerization to fuse Dark Magician with Buster Blader to form Dark Paladin. I look at the new form of her most trusted monster as he scowls at me and my Ultimate Dragon, just like when he does it as the Dark Magician. It was way weaker than my dragon, so what good will he do?

''Dark Paladin inherits Buster Blader's effect of gaining 500 attack points for every dragon on the field, so the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon power it up by 1000 points, to an attack of 3900.'' As if reading my mind, Yuna explained the special effect of her never-seen, new spellcaster.

I just laugh. ''Dark Paladin is still 600 points less than the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Not to mention that fused monsters can't attack in the turn they're summoned!'' I end my turn.

Yuna draws, and sets one card to end her turn. ''I vow to use this card to smash Gozaboro Kaiba's hatred and anger that he has implanted into you, Seto.''

I draw, laughing, telling Yuna I can now put and end to my past and move on.

''The past makes us who we are today. You must remember what happened before, so you can learn from it. It's our history that shapes our future!'' Is all that my rival said.

''It's time to move forward and not look back!'' I saw from the corner of my eye how Mokuba clutches his locket. I don't know why he's worried, I just want to forget the abuse Gozaboro put me through. ''The past is over, and nothing will change my mind! I need to take you down. Only then will I attain true greatness!''

''Fool!'' Yuna yelled at me with such force the I was truly surprised.''This Duel Tower, surrounded by rubble and destruction, represents your heart—a strong object surrounded by anger and hatred. As long as you're fueled by hate, you can never defeat me! If you stand at the top filled with hatred, you won't find real victory. You'll only have to find new hatred, and your future will be filled with endless hatred!'' The venom in her voice could have killed me in a second. It wasn't directed at me, I could tell.

It was directed at Gozaboro, at his men whom helped him in making me into an unfeeling machine. Or at least tried to do so. But Yuna had stopped them before they could succeed. And, for the very VERY first time ... I hoped my opponent would win.

The darkness that has used my moment of weakness wasn't going to give up, though.

''It's my inner rage that pushes me forward, and it's what I'll use to crush you, Yuna!'' The exclamation was soo classic Gozaboro that both Mokuba and I flinched.

"Then go ahead and direct all of your hatred towards me, and strike me down with your rage!" Yuna yelled back at both e and the darkness my adopted father made.

I attack with my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.

Yuna waits for the attack.

Mokuba and Marik are staring at the field with mouths agape.

''Let us become True Duelists in Battle City.'' The whispered parse was almost unheard over the roaring of my dragons and the sound of their lightning attack crackling. But I heard it and gasped.

Yuna activates his set magic card, Magician Formula. I counter with Absorb Spell, which takes the power-up away from Yuna's monster and gives it to my own. Now the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's attack is 5000!

''You're history, Yuna!'' I exclaim and the attack waves begin to reach Yuna and her Dark Paladin.

''It's over! The Pharaoh lost!'' I heard Marik yell gleefully. Mokuba leaps into the air, cheering.

Yugi,Joey and the others arrive at the top of the Duel Tower in time to see the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's attack. Yugi and Joey shout out Yuna's name.

I smile, saying, "I win."

''I don't agree.'' My eyes widen at the confidence and arrogance in that simple sentence.''I still have one face-down card left.'' I lok down and see that, yes, she dtill had a card down on the field.

"Kaiba, your power is from hatred. That power is very weak. Hatred and anger... isn't the weight of victory too heavy for you?"

She activates her set card, De-Fusion. My Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon splits back into the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, and the attack is stopped. ''Now there are two more dragons on the field, and Dark Paladin's attack increases to 4900.'' Yuna points out.

She draws. ''Seto, the card I'm holding will conquer the darkness that surrounds your good heart! Watch me!'' Like I could ever avert my eyes away from one of my only two sources of light. But her words alone are making the darkness waver and shiver in fear. The look she is giving me is sending a warmth and light to my hear, slowly chasing the darkness out.

''I play Diffusion Wave-Motion, paying 1000 life points to allow my Dark Paladin to attack all the monsters on the field. Go, Dark Paladin! Free my friend's soul and heart!'' The sorcerer doesn't hesitate to draw back his staff, only to thrust it back in front of him before raising it into the air. A ball of dark, crackling magic appears and sends waves of his magic across the whole three of my Blue-Eyes White Dragons are destroyed in one attack, wiping out my life points.

I have lost. I could feel the darkness edging away, afraid of the brightness if my Light of Hope. My heart swells once again in the aftermath of an incredible Duel and pride settles in my chest, even as it's smarting at the beating. But the feelings are amazing. It suddenly feel like a weight I wasn't even aware I was carrying had fallen off of my shoulders, and now I was free to fly the skies with my Dragons.

'I can finally touch the stars Hobson has been talking about!'

I'm not aware of what facial expression I had, nor what was going on around me, except for my little brother falling to his knees as I stand in shock of how relieved I feel. I'm barely aware that Marik is gapping at my rivals awe-inspiring skills or the cheerleader squad cheering by a relieved-looking Yugi who was continuously shout his sister's name and words of praise. The only words my rival deserves.

I was well aware of my rival and I looked her directly in the eye as she said "I told you your hatred and your lust for power would never prevail." in a rather gentle voice. It wasn't pity. We knew each other a bit too well to ever pity one another.

Her next words were said with raw pride and happiness.

"Seto Kaiba, you lost to me, but you have to defeated your hatred, your darkness. Your stepfather! You defeated him by finally letting go!" The smile she sends me was something people wouldn't mind starting a war over just to get it!''You did well, Seto. I am honored to have Dueled against you! Let's Duel again, someday.''

And I smiled my first huge smile in years, and I heard a chocked sob coming from my brother.

Yes, Yuna is definitely a true Light of Hope.

And our Duel, a battle where our souls crossed with that stupid Priest's and his Pharaoh's as well as with our most trusted, most loyal monsters, was most definitely destined and will be talked about for years to come.

On that day, mine and Yuna's souls and destinies crossed. Intervened. Never to be separated.

A/N: Wow! That's the longest chapter yet! I finally finished it! Sorry for the wait, I had to write it while watching Yu-Gi-Oh! in order for it to be accurate. I hope it turned out good and that a few things are clearer! I would like to make a note how somewhere I wrote ''duelist'' or ''duel'', and in other places it's ''Duelist'' and ''Duel''. When I say duelist/duel, it's usually talking about ordinary duels and not the ones that the greatest rivals had, and Duelist, as in a true/real duelist, like Kaiba and Yami.

Let me remind you that there's no real ''magic'' and ''powers'', but rather skills that aren't exactly usual for an ordinary person. I skipped Joey's duel with Marik because it bores me to write it, and it's not all that important for the story. Sorry if someone has been looking forward to it! Yugi-tachi starts existing as a constant in a couple chapters, sice, as you can see, Yugi started getting close to them.

But what decision did Yuna(fem Yami) make for after the tournament? You'll have to read to find that one out!

A note about the purpose of the dreams: Yuna is the only one who can have them, but has them due to the afteraffects of having an ancient soul merged with her own, or rather being the basis of her own soul. She was supposed to only have visions about her past life, but ended up having a knowledge of the whole world's history. And so she lives with a gift and a curse that are the visions/dreams. The reason she reacts so violently when woken up from them before they finish is because her soul is basically thrown into another persons life or some event, then harshly pulled back into her body. It serves as an abnormal shock and thus affects her like that.

And, no. Not all dreams are innocent.

And, as for the magic aspects of the ancient Duel and the Pharaoh's death ... I'll let you guess until Yuna herself explains it in one of the future adventures! It should be interesting.

I hope I cleared things up a bit and I would like to thank all those who still read this story! Thanks for the support! If there are any questions, please feel free to ask in a review or send me a message in my PM! I'll answer to the best of my ability!

R&R