Joey's POV

Yugi was the first to run off to cheer Yuna, but I was fast to follow! That girl helped me so much, even during DK. I'm not sure why she did that, other than she seeing me as someone she deems deserving of her attention, and I don't really care. She has just helped me again, this time way more than the other times. And so, I want to be there for her now. The had told me she's dueling Kaiba, but that she came to check on me before that and I'm guessing that that's when she gave me back my Red-Eyes.

I need to give it back to her; it's my ticket to getting to see her after the tournament!

Ever since we met on the ship to Duelist Kingdom, I always thought that she was very attractive, but something about her always made me dell like she's royalty. And that excited me. Her attitude could be called arrogant if she weren't so caring about everyone she deems deserve it, and that's pretty much. She can somehow see the best in people, while not ignoring the worst, and she doesn't allow anyone to feel insignificant. She's honest in what she says, no matter how hurtful, and that's something to respect. She always plays tough, but I saw her with Cecillia in Pegasus' castle. How she really acted her age, even if there was still a strong front up.

I heard, like the rest of the world, what she did for Pegasus and Cecillia, and I became a really big fan of her's. I know a little about a few of her countless projects in the past two years, but that's about it. On the Internet you could barely find anything, really. I even asked Yugi, Kaiba and Mokuba, who seem to know her a bit, but they said that they don't know anything that I don't already know. All three looked sad and a bit bitter when I asked them, but I ignored it.

But the more I learned about her, the more I liked her, and when I saw her again in Battle City ... I realized that I have a little crush on her. Which was very confusing, since I already knew that I have a crush on Mai.

But I don't have time to think about that as we just stepped into what looked like the place gladiators used to fight in ancient Rome. What was the name of the place, again?

''A coliseum?'' Duke asked in surprise.

''And there's even a crowd!?'' Tea exclaimed, but was barely heard as the virtual crowd cheered as Kaiba's Ultimate Dragon unleashed an attack at Yuna's monster that looked a bit like the Dark Magician.

''Well, that certainly wasn't here before! How didn't we notice it from below, on the ship?'' Tristan asks with a chuckle.

But only Yugi and I were paying attention to the duelists and together we called out ''YUNA!'' as the attack was about to hit her.

But with a sexy smirk and a cocky posture, she flipped the situation, de-fusing the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and winning on her next move! We all cheered, and before I knew it, Yugi had ran off and hugged the legendary Queen of Games. And she hugged him back!

So with a stupid grin on my face, I ran up to them to hug her as well. Her shocked expression could have been from both me hugging her and from being awake! I felt her go rigid and wondered what's up with the reaction until she relaxed a little.

''Joey! You woke up! But how? When?''I didn't notice how Yugi was fidgeting, or Mokua's nervous glance at his older brother from by his side. I still had arms around her even as I grinned at her small, half smile.

''I jus' woke up! Tha' was a great duel! Eve' if I got to see jus' de endin'. I bet ya had him sweatin' fro' beginnin' to end!'' I could just feel the guffy smile on my face, and Yuna chuckled a bit. The guffiness got bigger.

Yuna stepped out of my arms, but didn't move all that far, but I didn't know that it was only due to Yugi being that close to me.''The Duel was very intense. I doubt that there'll ever be a Duel like that ever again! And it was that way only because how great my opponent was. If it had been someone else, the Duel wouldn't have had the same tension like it did with Seto!''

My grin deflated a bit at the praise as well as the proud happiness behind it. But it completely disappeared when a long arm shot out and wrapped itself around Yuna's waist, pulling her away from me and almost flush to Kaiba's chest! I growled at him, but was completely unprepared for a growler that could have been his Blue-Eyes'! His glare was also a lot angrier and more intense than ever before as he subtly and slowly drew Yuna closer to himself and then stepped in front of her so she was out of my sight. I heard a faint ''Uff!'' and I'm guessing that Mokuba jumped to get a hug from the extremely pretty girl as well.

But as I tried to get a peek of the beauty, Kaiba hissed at me. ''What are you doing here, Wheeler? Even if you woke up, you should have stayed in bed to rest! Don't inconvenience my doctors if you made them chase you!'' The venom in his words could have made a retell snake jealous!

I harden my own eyes and was about to get in a sketchy remark, but Roland, Kaiba's chef of security, called the duelists to wrap up the Duel.

''That was some ending, the way Red-Eyes Black Dragon came through and helped you win!'' I grin at the girl who was now studying her new card, but I scowled at Kaiba who was only a few steps away from her.

I watch as Yugi walks up to Kaiba and tries to reason with him that the duel was great and that that's what matters, and that he now has new friends. He was looking in our direction as he said that and when Kaiba followed his gaze, he snorted. The nerve of that guy!

''Every single one of us is alone in the world. I've never had to ask for anyone's help. They're not my friends, and never will! I only have my rival and my brother!'' The douchebag insists. I was about to go there and kick his ass when Yugi and Yuna said in the same voice.

'' 'Rival' or 'friend'—where is the boundary?'' Kaiba looks at them, and suddenly he and Yuna are exchanging smirks as Yugi and Mokuba giggle beside them. The rest of us can only stare in confusion, with the exception of Roland who had a tender, revealed smile on his face.

''I don't really know. I'm just sure that we've crossed it at some point.'' I'm not sure what I was expecting to see on Rich Boy's face, but a tender smile definitely wasn't it. I swear that Tea was about to faint, and Tristan coughed a choked sound. Duke was half amused and half confused.

What the hell happened while I was asleep!?

Somewhere in California ...

Pegasus and Cecillia giggled at the antics of the two friendly rivals, glad to see that the awkwardness that had been there when thy first saw each other after two years completely disappeared.

''I'm really glad that they are okay now! I was really worried!'' Pegasus said with a fond smile as he watched the girl he and his wife had come to love like a daughter.

''Yes yes! Me too! But what was wrong with Seto during the duel? He was acting strange, like Yuna-dear didn't mean anything to him.''

''I think that the darkness of his past had taken over him and made him be a jerk. But it seems that his feelings for our dear Light of Hope are stronger than his hatred towards his adopted father.''

''Will he be alright?'' Cecillia asked her husband with noticeable worry.

''I don't know. As long as she is next to him, he'll definitely be fine, but what when the tournament ends and she leaves for Yale? Will he be strong enough to make sure that the darkness doesn't return?'' Pegasus wondered with a frown.

A new voice startled them both as they turn to see who spoke.

''I believe that, as Yuna-sama's rival, he will move on beyond that darkness and reach for the new future as he said that he plans to do. I wish to believe that he'll be fine.'' A girl, no older than 17 said from the entrance to the room. She was dressed as a servant would be, had shoulder-length, dark brow hair, although a bang was a deep green, and really dark green eyes, the same as the colored bang. A gentle smile was on her lips as she bowed low at the waist in greeting of her employers.

''Ah! Mia! How long have you been here?'' Cecillia asked the homeless girl Yuna had given a job and a place to stay. They never minded, seeing as Mia was very polite and nice. She also very much loved the girl that had stolen the whole household's heart with just her simple, true, pure smile of happiness. 'Yuna-sama' was the princess in all their mansions, all over the world. The staff adored her, and thus didn't hesitate to help her with everything. Especially seeing as she liked to help them out with their jobs, no matter what they said.

''Long enough to see almost the whole duel, I hope you don't mind. I really couldn't help it.''

Pegasus chuckled. ''Not at all! Why don't you sit here with us and watch the next duel as well, hmm? We gave everyone free time so that we could all watch our dear little Yuna win! Common, go on! Call everyone to come down here! Let's all watch the final duel together! They have some half hour to get here and we'll set up the movie screen! Get the chefs to make enough popcorn for everyone!''

Mia's eyes light up and she nodded before hurriedly running off to spread the message.

Somewhere in Egypt ...

Mana cheered as she saw her best friends laughing and smiling with the Kaiba brothers. Mahad chuckles at his little sister's enthusiasm.

''Isn't that just cute, Mahad? Aren't they just adorable?!'' Mana said with sparkles in her eyes as she hugs the life out of her brother.

''I guess they are, hmm? But he was lucky that he said that or I would have flew all the way to Japan just to kick his ass!'' The older boy fumed at the mere thought of such treatment towards the girl he sees as one of his reasons of not going insane from his training. He was pretty close to finishing it, and then his master, an old Priest of Anubis, will let him go and he'll be able to train Mana himself. The priest, pretty much like them, is one of the few people that still know of the old religion as more than just a part of history and was thus the only available to train the gifted siblings in the arts of ancient spellcasting. It wasn't as it sounds, but it was what it was, and their duty after finishing training was to help the reincarnated Pharaoh as best as they could.

They knew of the Ishtars for some time now, and they know that the twins are suffering from the effects of the Millennium Rod rejecting them as it's wielder. Mahad and Ishizu actually have a little somethin' somethin' between them, but they had pushed it aside untill they both live in the same place. Their siblings knew of their relationship, as well as another guardian by the name Shadi who protects two more Items.

Mana looked over to Mahad and asked him with all the seriousness she could muster.''Are you jealous of him being by the one he likes and the one you like, while you are here, stuck with me?'' before rolling on the floor in a fit of laughter as her older brother blushed to the ruts of his long, brown hair.

In the Kame Game Shop ...

Solomon chuckled to himself as he watched his grandchildren have fun with the Kaiba brothers he somehow saw as his own as well.

''She sure is something, isn't she?'' An old friend of his asked over the phone.

''I believe that she could achieve whatever she puts her mind to. It's a bit scary, don't you think Aurthur?''

''Yes, it is a bit. Especially since I started finding rather old objects in the area she suggested that I search!'' The elderly voice was very excited at the fact.

''Then, there'll be a discovery pretty soon?'' Solomon asked his old friend.

''Not that soon. The area is pretty big, but I found my first clue today! That child of your's is increasable! Thank her for me, please!''

''I will Aurthur, now you better get going before you wake your granddaughter up!''

''She's up, watching the duels! But you're right! If she hears me talking to you, she'll demand to meet Yuna in person! She wishes to duel her, you know?''

''Hmm? Really? Well, maybe one day! Hohoho!''

''Yes one day!''

Solomon ended the call, still watching the TV. 'My dear Yuna, if only you knew how many people love you and wish to be like you!'

Somewhere in Greece ...

''Yes! Onee-sama won!'' an excited Sasha celebrated with his friend, Teresa, and the father Yuri Noda.

''So excited, Sasha! You must miss her?'' Yuri said teasingly, yet very gently, knowing how much the girl meant to the young Qwaser.

''Very much. But I want to be stronger the next time I see her, so I must complete my training!'' Sasha answered and Teresa nodded. The adult knew how much both of the youngsters missed the amazing girl that was now smirking playfully with the taller boy who had been her opponent. The look of adoration on Sasha's face told him just how much the boy loved his ''onee-sama''. He knew that the girl was a big reason of why Sasha was as good as he is, seeing as he strives to reach her level.

'I dearly hope that you'll meet her again, some day, Sasha.'

Back on Alcatraz ...

Seto's POV

''Wait, Kaiba! I challenge you to a duel!'' I hear the Mutt say as the Mouto twins, Mokuba and I are making our way out of the tower. He was just behind us, his group of dweebs right at his heals. I noticed that the Gardner girl was stealing glances at me, but I ignored her as Yuna turned around to see what the commotion was about and my breath caught. The way light danced across her features made her look even more beautiful than she already was. Her crimson eyes seemed to glow, her bangs looked like real gold, her porcelain skin shined in the calming sunlight. It seems that sometime after the Gods' fight was over, the stormy clouds had disappeared, leaving a nice sunny day behind. I am aware that all the other males had gasped and are probably druling at the sight of MY Yuna in such natural beauty, as Tea hufs at how her friends are reacting to MY rival.

Tristan was blushing.

Duke was outright flirting with his eyes.

Joey was staring at her, daring to drag his eyes over her form!

I glared at them over my shoulder, and the smarter two immediately stop what they were doing. Wheeler actually dared to step closer to her while inviting her to cheer for him in his duel against me.

''You should really watch me! I'm gonna beat the crap outta 'im! I mean, you gave me som' tops an' all ... I'll really win if ye're cheerin' for me!'' Yuna shot him an incredulous look, and I got the same satisfaction I did as when she praised my skills while we were still on top of the tower.

Speaking of which, was it really smart to leave Marik up there, all alone?

Well, not that I really care! For all I care, it's better for him to just die before the duel against Yuna. That way, she'll be safe and be declared as the winner since the other wasn't alive to compete.

'I wonder if I could get rid of him and make it look like an accident? Hmmmm ... Possibilities, possibilities!' Although I was playing thousands of ways to kill the bastardly jerk, I knew that I wouldn't do it because Yuna wouldn't be happy with that. Besides, I have to deal with the Mutt right now.

I step between him and my crush, looking at her over my shoulder. She looked somewhat exhausted and her eyes were slightly glazing over, although I didn't know what from but assumed it was from the strain of our Duel, but she seems to refuse to show weakness in the presence of these dweebs. I smirk at the knowledge that she would have shown me and Mokuba, if the geeks weren't here. When our eyes met, I let some of the ice melt for her as I gently told her to get some rest.

''You deserve it. Rest so that you can kick Marik's scrawny Egyptian butt! Should you lose due to exhaustion, I'm never going to forgive you!''

Yuna chuckles, her eyes seeming a bit more focused now, and nodded. ''Although you have no right to call me out on taking care of my bodily needs due to your own collapses ... I really want to get a little rest in before the duel. Fighting against Ra could get rough! Then, I'm going to take a little nap and I'll probably come up straight for the duel, so don't wait up.'' She leaned up to me and added in a whisper. ''Why don't you show him why only you can be my true rival?'' She winked at me, waved to Mokuba, and left with Yugi to the blimp.

Mokuba snickered at the way I was staring at her retreating back until she was out of sight and scowled at him. He just let out a giggle and I growled playfully at him, making him almost fell over in laughter. My eyes soften for him, and a rare smile splits my face. But, even though Mokuba returned it, it disappeared when I saw that Joey had joined me with trailing Yuna with his eyes.

OH, THAT'S IT!

''It would be waste of my time dueling against a mediocre duelist like you. You're not even a Duelist, but just some kid who got lucky to get it all the way here! You have no skill, so face it, Joey! You stand no chance against a Duelist like me.'' I taunt him to get his attention ,and when it works, he immediately started yelling so loud that I swear the patients on the Battle Ship must have been woken up!

''Stop thinking you're too good for the rest of them duelists all over the wold! I'm sic of it! Why have ya even made this tournament?! To get those fucking God cards?! Do ya know why I entered? Because Yuna accepted my friendship! Because of this friendship, I want to beat Yuna in a duel and become a True Duelist—this is my Battle City. I'm no different from you, because ya also lost one duel. I feels sorry for ya that ya lost, but how about a duel for third place? Or are you too scared?"

When he finished, I could't help but laugh in his face. ''What do you even know about her? Nothing! Hell, Roland knows more about her than you'll probably ever even know! And since when have you dubbed yourself as her friend? You can't decide that on your own. Yuna doesn't make friends that easily.''

''That just means that she trusts me more tha' you! She became my friend bac' in DK when she-''

I grab him by the front of his shirt and hiss onto his face. ''Listen, you stupid Mutt! She doesn't make friends easily because she doesn't trust many people! The day when you can tell me her middle name, you'll be her friend!''

He looks smug. ''I know her middle name! Everyone does! It's Yami!''

I smirk, knowing that he fell right into my trap. ''But she only once used that name anywhere. So ... If you know it, ... Where did she use to use it? And who are the small group of people that are the only ones that address her by it?'' I lean back, sick to my gut by the gruesome smell coming from his mouth. Seriously, does he ever brush his teeth or at the very least wash his mouth?! It smells like something crawled up in there and died!

He was staring in shock and confusion at me. I snort, knowing that yes, everyone knew her middle name since it always says Yuna Yami Mouto, but only a few know that it used to be her gaming name. And only the guys from LME call her ''Yami-sama'', also something only a few of us knows.

''Now please tell me you're done! All this nonsense about friendship is starting to bore me. Especially since you don't even know anything!'' I snap at him and hes dorky friends.

''That's right—the last thing my brother needs is a lecture from you of all people, Joey!'' Mokuba jumps in.

''I can ignore the advice of a "bonkotsu" [ordinary] duelist.'' I add.

''Do not to look down on my brother!'' My brother finishes his thought.

The geek squad was staring at us, shock evident on their dumb faces. Joey recovers and has the gall to continue to annoy me. He was starting to REALLY annoy me and I decided to put him in his place once and for all!

''Dueling someone like you, Joey, would be a waste of time—I'd crush you. All the friends in the world won't save you from a True Duelist in a duel. This is a meaningless waste of time, but I never back down from a challenge. I'll complete the message Yuna didn't want to deliver to you when she told you to keep your card; You'll never reach our level unless you see this for what it is - A battle on a battlefield between two warriors! If you only see as far as a card game, then you don't deserve to call yourself a True Duelist, especially one of our caliber! Now, let's duel!''

'I intend to teach you a lesson you'll never forget, Mutt. A True Duelist doesn't need a friend's power. Yuna and I are the closest of friends, but as rivals we can't give each other that power because we need it! If you can't fight without that power, you're not worthy of Dueling her!'

Normal POV ...

On the ship, Ishizu says that the ultimate battle is fast approaching. ''Soon the Pharaoh will face my brother in a duel, and the fate of the world will depend on its outcome.'' She leaves the room where she's been watching over Odion.

Ishizu meets Téa at the foot of the steps leaving the ship. Téa tells her the time is near, then calls her "Sister," and Ishizu realizes that Malik is back to using the recording of the sound that controls peoples' monds.

Joey's POV

Flashback

''Eh! What do you mean I have already earned my card back!? I wanted to duel you for it!'' I had exclaimed as Yuna refused to take back my card.

''You have proven yourself to your heart and your cards. A True Duelist must have a special connection to his deck or he'll never know how to trust it. You need self-confidence, yes. But with the additional confidence in your cards, thoughts of defeat will never enter your head. And that's something every Duelist must reach to be successful. If thoughts of defeat enter one's head, then he already lost.'' Yuna says like some wise old shrink or something and I can't help but frown. I desprately try to think of something that would make keep the card 'till the end of the tournament so that I could surely duel her.

''But what if you need Red-Eyes like you needed him in your last duel?! Keep him until the end of Battle City and then we'll duel for it!'' I say, remembering it being our frst plan and pointing that out to the pretty girl.

''I have my own Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and I'm pretty sure that he will answer my call before your's will. I am it's master after all. And besides ... You need Red-Eyes Joey. You always have. He is your Ka!'' I look at her in confusion, and notice Kaiba standing nearer to her than deemed normal.

''Wait! What's a kha?''

''A Ka is the Egyptian concept of vital essence, that which distinguishes the difference between a living and a dead person, with death occurring when the ka left the body. The Egyptians believed that Khnum created the bodies of children on a potter's wheel and inserted them into their mothers' bodies. Depending on the region, Egyptians believed that Heket or Meskhenet was the creator of each person's Ka, breathing it into them at the instant of their birth as the part of their soul that made them be alive. This resembles the concept of spirit in other Egyptians also believed that the ka was sustained through food and drink. For this reason food and drink offerings were presented to the dead, although it was the kau within the offerings that was consumed, not the physical aspect. The ka was often represented in Egyptian iconography as a second image of the king, leading earlier works to attempt to translate ka as double.'' Yuna shruged, adding that that's what the whole world of archeology believes.

''Wait, does that mean that you don't believe that?'' Tea asked from a little to the left of Kaiba. There was a giant blush on her face as she came closre to us, and Kaiba in the process.

''The ancient Egyptians believed that a human soul was made up of five parts: the Ren(name), the Ba(personality), the Ka(vital spark), the Sheut(shadow), and the Ib(heart). In addition to these components of the soul there was the human body called the ha. The other souls were aakhu, khaibut, and khat. And there's the Akh. It was associated with thought, but not as an action of the mind; rather, it was intellect as a living entity. The Akh also played a role in the afterlife. Following the death of the Khat (physical body), the Ba and Ka were reunited to reanimate the Akh. The reanimation of the Akh was only possible if the proper funeral rites were executed and followed by constant offerings. But at one point in history, Egyptians believed that Kas can take a different form. They believed that it turns into a creature that then lives in a humans heart, and thus a true part of the human. The Ka are spirits that reflect the nature of the person that they come from. They are fueled by the energy of the soul, the Ba. Whenever you command a Ka you will lose Ba and if you lose all your Ba you lose your life. The strength of the Ba determines the strength of the Ka. That's how Duels orked when they just began, 5000 tears ago. A person with a good soul will have a spirit or good Ka, but a person with an evil soul will have a monster or demon Ka. Kas can sometime be a cause of darkness or evil appearing in a person's heart, but it has only happened once, and that was when two people tried to force a Ka into an unwilling someone.''

''What happened to that person?'' Tristan asks. We all look at her, but Yuna just smiles sadly.

''Kas, as in Egyptian Spirit Monsters, can be born Kas and inherited Kas. A born one is the one that is with you since birth, but the inherited Ka is a spirit you can attain during your life. You can have only one born Ka and up to three inherited Kas. Only one person was able to feed three BORN KAS, and there's a lot of legends about him. It's even said that he'll reincarnate. but he's not the person I was talking about, although those two knew each other. The Ka that was forced on the person was a forth Ka in his soul, and it started spreading darkness through a pure soul. It caused him to lose control of his body and mind, and he would have died if the other one didn't help him kill it through a battle that was remembered for centuries. He would have killed his own cousin if he weren't stopped ...'' With every word, Yuna sounded more distant.

''What I described to you a little while ago ... That's the ancient Shadow Game.'' We all gasp, but I was more confused than ever.

While we just stood there, Yugi suddenly approached Yuna and took her to the elevator, quickly followed by the Kaiba brothers and their chief of security. Before long, I was left with only my old friends on top of the Duel Tower.

I'm still not sure of what Yuna told us, but I didn't particularly care at the moment.

"Ore no turn. Draw." ["My turn. Draw."] Kaiba says, after saying our duel was boring.

I'm in not so good a situation right now. Kaiba destroyed Jinzo and played his Crush Card trap destroying all the monsters in my hand and deck with an attack of 1500 or more. A pretty devastating trap card.

I'm already sweating. I don't have any monsters on the field to protect me. And it's getting worse as Kaiba summons La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp (1800 ATK) and direct attacks me. I'm down to 2200 life points.

''Have you had enough?''Kaiba asks, while Tristan encourages me to hang in there.I look at my monsters, all weak ones, and wonder what to do. Then I draw Graceful Dice. I summon Swordsman of Landstar (500 ATK) and play Graceful Dice to increase its attack, depending on the roll of the dice.

Yugi's POV

The second we were behind closed doors, Yuna gave way to the visions and collapsed.

I was still by the door, so both of us were lucky that she had made it to bed. I wasn't surprised at all. I had actually expected her to give in a lot sooner, maybe right after she explained what a Ka is, but she probably didn't want to answer all those questions or to worry the Kaibas. I know that Seto would most definitely think that it's too serious and have her stuck with the doctors. Yuna's a doctor herself, and she knows that these visions aren't something you can tell to a doctor without ending in a restraining jacket. She explained to me that medical science actually will never be able to figure out how those dreams affect her like they do and how they're even possible. And Seto is not someone that's going to believe something that science can't prove.

I sigh, moving to Yuna's side and making her more comfortable. I didn't dare remove her Duel Disk, especially now that there are two God cards in her Deck. It might get her back sooner if it's there, instead somewhere else in the room. After the first, and only, time I woke her during a dream, Yuna told me that when the dreams or visions are just beginning she feels like something's tugging on her soul, like it's not something just happening in her head but an event her soul is witnessing live, or that she somehow got stuck in someone's head since she can hear their thoughts. I'm not sure if I ever really understood that, but I definitely had the explanation of the Ka and all else when I was younger. And on the day she woke up after falling into that critical state, I made a promise to be the first person who'll listen to her dreams and visions, that I'll take care of her while she's having them, and, the most important, that I'll do my best to stop her from waking up before they end.

I didn't know how long we've been like this, but I soon looked up just as Yuna steered. There was a knock on the door, and fearing that it will wake her up, I rushed to answer, thinking that it's Roland or Fugata here to call her for the duel. I got an unexplainable shock when I saw pale blond hair and lavender irises.

''Malik?! What do you want? What are you doing out of bed? How did you even wake up?!''

''Yugi, please let me talk to the Pharaoh.'' He pleaded, his eyes looking desperate. It seemed like just standing was taking a great effort from him, but I wasn't about to risk Yuna's life by waking her up from the dream.

''I'm sorry, but she can't ri-''

''Please! My sister could be in danger! And so could your friend Tea!''

''What did you do to them!?'' I almost yell, forgetting that Yuna is in the middle of a dream.

''He did't do anything that can't be fixed.'' A voice behind me said and we both turn around to see Yuna standing by the bed, straitening her clothes.''Let him in, Yugi. He's barely standing, get him a glass of water, please.'' I smile up at her when I saw that her eyes were as sharp as ever, meaning that she woke up from the vision on her own and will be fine. I nod, and after letting Malik in go to get him water. He sat down and nearly toppled over.

He didn't waste time after he drank some water, but he was now lying down due to Yuna's order.

''I woke up not long ago and remembered that that Tea girl still has one of our earpieces, and, knowing that I wouldn't have enough strength to look for my sister, I activated the earpiece to find her. I talked to her, but after hearing that you won and now have both Obelisk and Slifer, she said that the Millennium Rod seems to have reacted to Kaiba. I thought that it won't answer Marik anymore so I sent Tea up to the Dueling Tower and they, or rather Marik and I, started arguing and fighting and he defeated me and tried to eliminate the effects of the earpiece, not that the thing didn't die out anyway. But Ishizu and Tea are up there with him now and my sister no longer has the Millennium Necklace to defend them- Pharaoh wait!''

And before he could finish, Yuna was out the door at breakneck speed. As Malik and I were about to run after her, he collapsed and I barely caught him before he hit the floor. I put him back on the bed and covered him up, before running after my impulsively fast sister.

By the time I exited out of the blimp, I saw that she already entered the Duel Tower. I sigh, knowing that now I'll have to wait for the lift to go up, then down then up with me in it, so I run past the blimp, only to stop when I heard my name being called. I look over to where the voices were coming from, only to meet a murderess glare from Seto and a very worried look from Mokuba, while my new friends had expressions of confusion on their faces.

I look back to Seto, and gulp.

Well, SHIT.

I can now only hope that Yuna's going to come back down before Joey's and Seto's duel is over so that I don't have to explain anything.

Mokuba's POV

''You don't belong in my tournament!'' Nii-sama yelled at Joey from across the 'field', and I must agree. Joey relies on luck too much, and even the luckiest man alive can't beat my brother and his rival with only luck. Joey had made some really stupid moves up to now, but he seems to go from stupid to moronic.

Just as Seto was about to make his move, a three-colored blur in blue leather ran past Joey and nii-sama's duel, saying something like ''You better win, Card Prince!'' before continuing to run up to the Duel Tower, the multicolored hair swaying in the wind as the Queen of Games quickly entered my brothers tower.

A moment of stunned silence, before Tristan and Duke start asking what that was all about. Joey turns to join in on it, but Seto is still looking at the entrance of the structure he designed and built as a sign of New winning over Old, Seto's victory over Gozaboro. I know what's gonna happen to this place after the tournament, but it's not like we'll ever need it after the last duel.

''Nii-sama?'' He looks back to me. ''Did Yuna just call you 'Card Prince'?'' I ask, barely able to keep the innocent curious look on my face.

He scowls, before looking back to his boring duel. ''Shut up, Mokuba.''

I smile at him and was about to comment on something when Joey and Tristan spotted Yugi and called him over. I felt a bit sorry for him since Seto was alredy in a bad mood, and Yuna's sudden dash sure wasn't helping things.

He, however, soon returned his attention to the duel at hand. He summons Blade Knight (1600 ATK), and attacks Joey's Swordsman of Landstar. With Swordsman of Landstar's destruction, Joey's down to 1100 life points, and has no monsters on the field. Tristan's horrified—Joey just lost half his life points! Duke says one more attack like that, and Joey's done. Yugi doesn't say anything, but I suspect that he isn't even watching the duel. He has a very worried look on his face, but not a panicked one, so that's half good.

Nii-sama sets a card and ends his turn.

''I'm just getting warmed up!'' Joey says.

Joey draws, and summons Little-Winguard (1400 ATK) in attack mode. Tristan and Duke are surprised that Joey would play a 1400 ATK monster in attack mode, with Kaiba's Blade Knight on the field. He just broke the most basic rule of Duel Monsters. I have to agree with them, I could defeat this guy and he had wanted to take nii-sams's right at dueling Yuna!? The nerve of this guy!

Even nii-sama asks Joey what he's thinking. ''Is this some lame attempt at a strategy? Is this a bonkotsu strategy for a bonkotsu duelist?''

''Maybe.'' Joey says. Then he plays the magic card, Legendary Sword, to power up his monster by 300 points.

Yugi thinks that's a great move, suddenly paying attention to the due. He must have seen the stupidity before that card was played and wanted to see why his new friend made such a moronic move when he wanted to duel the soon-to-be Duel Queen. ''Now Joey can strengthen his Winguard and destroy Kaiba's Blade Knight.'' He explains to Duke and Tristan, who were confused. I know that Yugi is an kay duelist, but he must have picked up some tricks from Yuna like I did from Seto.

But Seto activates his set magic card, Absorb Spell, which takes the power-up from Joey's monster and gives it to his own, raising Blade Knight to 1900 points.

''It was a third-rate strategy from a third-rate duelist. You could never defeat a duelist with real talent. No matter what tricks you try to play, it's useless. You're only a bonkotsu duelist." Seto taunts him, and with reason. Even I could have countered that move!

'' Next time I'm dueling someone with talent, I'll remember that. Bonkotsu, bonkotsu. How dare you call me bonkotsu all the time!" He sets one card and ends his turn.

''I dare because it's true.'' Joey growls at the thing my brother just said.

How dare him be insulted, when he just said that my big brother doesn't have real talent!? I was really starting to see why Seto doesn't like the guy.

''Kaiba's a tough customer.'' I hear Duke say.

''Joey is, too. Look at his eyes—Joey is determined to win this duel no matter what.'' Tristan says.

Well, too bad for him! Nii-sama only lost in a fair duel to Yuna and no one else!

Normal POV ...

Yuna's Millennium Puzzle glows in response as she is riding the elivator to the top floor of the Duel Tower. 'I wonder what's causing it, but I suspect that it's not good! I hope I can get there in time.'

Meanwhile, on top of the Duel Tower, Marik is still wondering just what Kaiba and Yuna saw in the Millennium Rod's vision. He's pretty upset that the Rod would respond to them. It's his Millennium Item! He orders the Millennium Rod to show him the vision, but nothing happens. Angrily, he tosses the Rod away.

Téa, still controlled by Malik, picks it up.

Marik tells Téa to give back the Millennium Rod, saying she's meddling with forces beyond her control. He goes over to take it back, but the Rod glows and rejects him, throwing him down as the girl hits him with it. He wonders what's going on. 'No one can use the Millennium Rod but me!'

Malik-controlled Téa backs Marik up to the railing of the Duel Tower with the Millennium Rod. Marik realizes that his other self has taken refuge within Téa. Malik says it's his responsibility to stop Marik. Marik says Malik doesn't exist any more—it's only his Rod and destiny now. Malik says he knows, and he's returned to reclaim it from him. Marik says Malik is too weak, and he's the real wielder og the Item now.

Marik activates the Millennium Rod and knocks Malik down, saying he's just prolonging his demise. ''It's time to end our little game.''Marik begins to use the Rod to wipe out the strength and control of his other self, when suddenly Ishizu appears, ordering him to stop!

''Ishizu, to stay out of it! Or you'll perish as well!''

''Begone! Leave our younger brother alone! And begone the darkness that overtook you as well, brother!'' Isizu yells at the older of the twins. But when the girl Malik controls says that it's too late for him and the girl passes out, she turns her attention away long enough for Marik to advance on the two girls.

He's about to hurt her when Yami's voice orders him to stop. He was surprised with how authoritative the girls voice was, and even more so when almost all of the light of the Millennium Rod disappeared.

Marik sees the glow of the Millennium Puzzle in the Duel Tower elevator, and says he's become quite popular today! Yami walks out onto the Duel Tower, the rudy eyes of Yuna Yami Mouto filled with shadows, telling Marik he's gone far enough. Both of their Millennium Items glow, and darkness begins to envelop the tower.

''You don't know at how a big disadvantage you are here, little Pharaoh!'' Marik exclaims in glee, not knowing just how much he was mistaken. He wasn't aware that if he fought the girl now, he'd be facing the little part of her that was truly ruthless, the part even Yuna herself called Yami. The part that only wanted to win to protect those she considered important.

Marik, however, starts to panic as the Millennium Rod starts reacting in a strange way, as if wishing to be held by the reincarnated Pharaoh. The light was flickering and he knew that should he continue, the Rod might reject him altogether and he'd lose the only edge he has over the Queen of Games. As he looks at her stormy eyes, he decides to call off his attack. The light returns soon after Yuna stopped the little glow of the Puzzle.

Marik threatened her like always, before making a quick exit, for the first time truly horrified of Yuna.

Yuna looks over Tea to make sure her brothers little crush was okay, as Ishizu tells her all that happened before she came up. Yuna informed her that she talked to Malik and that he's probably resting in her room now. Not long after they fell into silence did Tea wake up. Yuna got up and left Ishizu to explain, which she did best to her ability. As the two called after her, Yuna didn't turn around, but did answer them with a short ''I have a duel to see'' before going down.

Yugi's POV

Joey draws Pot of Greed, which he plays, drawing two more cards. Now he's got the card he wants! He activates his set card, Graverobber, stealing Enemy Controller from Kaiba's graveyard. He uses another of its abilities to destroy Kaiba's Blue-Eyes at a cost of 1000 life points. He calls it the "Blue-Eyes Baka" as it goes to the graveyard.

That's his first mistake. Never, and I mean never destroy Seto's Blue-Eyes White Dragon then insult it! I could already see the anger ready to explode out of Seto as he glares death at Joey, who is rather shaken but is doing his best not to show it.

I swear only Yuna doesn't cower under that icy, death-wishing glare! How does she do that!?

He's down to 100 life points, but now he plays Monster Reborn to revive the Blue-Eyes White Dragon on his own side of the field! Duke and Tristan cheer, while Mokuba sadly says, "Seto!" Kaiba seethes while Joey uses the Blue-Eyes to destroy Kaiba's Blade Knight, muttering that Joey will regret it. His life points go down to 700. Then Joey summons Hayabusa Knight in defense, sets one card face down, and ends his turn.

That's his second mistake. Only Yuna and Seto are worthy enough for those magnificent dragons in Seto's mind, and I can't say that I don't agree. Their skill, fierceness and grace are the only ones enough to match the dragons' own. And to steal Seto's Blue-Eyes ... Well, Joey's dead, that's for sure.

Then he made his third and final mistake.

Joey started taunting Seto Kaiba of all people for the love of the God, about stealing his favorite card from him, saying that the Blue-Eyes looks good standing there behind him.

That was it. Seto snapped!

Kaiba is outraged that Joey dared to summon his Blue-Eyes White Dragon!

''You made made a big mistake by taking my Blue-Eyes! Now it's time for me to end this duel.'' He draws, still muttering under his breath that this is unacceptable.

I exchange a look with Mokuba, and we both start the count down of when the second dragon will make an appearance.

''There's no way I'll allow a third-rate duelist like you to use my Blue-Eyes!When Kaiser Seahorse is sacrificed, it can serve as a double sacrifice for a light monster, so I sacrifice it to summon my second Blue-Eyes White Dragon!''He laughs in a chilling way that made all but those who know him shiver. ''Now we each have a Blue-Eyes. How's that, bonkotsu? Now, you go to hell!"

Kaiba attacks Blue-Eyes with Blue-Eyes, and the dragons destroy each other.

Not something Yuna would approve of, I'm sure.

''you need to chill a little! Who knew you'd get so worked up over one little card!'' Joey exclaimed in horror. He obviously didn't know just how much those dragon mean to Seto.

''My turn isn't over yet!''Kaiba activates his own Monster Reborn, bringing his Blue-Eyes White Dragon back to the field. The dragon roars behind it's rightful respected master in a way it didn't when Joey had it. It just proved how big a difference it was between them.

''I and Yuna are the only ones with the skills necessary to wield a Blue-Eyes!'' he says.''Now it's time for me to finish you off, and expose you as the failure you truly are!'' He turns to his dragon and says "Come back to your real owner!",then looks back at Joey and tell him in an authoritative voice only matched by Yuna ''A guy like you can never use a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Now you'll taste the power of the Blue-Eyes, back in the hands of its real owner!''

Seto smirks. ''You were a fool to challenge me.''

Joey summons Baby Dragon (700 DEF) in defense mode and ends his turn.

''Blue-Eyes is ready to devour you!'' Seto taunts Joey.

"You're strong, Kaiba!"

Kaiba smiles. "You won't admit your failure?"

''No, I don't think so. It's exciting to fight against a strong warrior. That's the greatest fun!"

"You think this is fun?"Kaiba scowls.

Joey is taken aback. "What's wrong with that? Why do you duel, if you don't think it's fun?"

"As a bonkotsu, you'll never understand it. I won everything by fighting! Victory is everything to me! But..." He must have remembered his loss to Yuna, and couldn't speak. I feel sorry for Seto, but he does have fun when he duels. But usually only when he Duels my sister. That was proven some half an hour ago, when he smiled so broadly even if he was about to lose.

We had all expected him to snap at Joey that he's a fool or something, but we never thought that he'd say what he said next.

''Dueling isn't just what we think it is... It's so much more, that I don't even know how to describe it... It's something that calls out to my very soul! I wouldn't exactly call it fun. In fact, most of the time I'm very bored when I duel. I feel alive with only one opponent and no one else!'' His tone was first very distant and the saddest I had ever heard it be other then when he's talking about his old butler, Hobson, but it soon regained it's strength as he talked about Dueling my sister. ''But other than Dueling that one opponent, dueling is nothing but a chore to make Kaiba Corp. more popular. So ...Let's end this farce."

Kaiba draws Thunder Dragon, which he discards in order to add two more Thunder Dragons from his deck to his hand. Then, he plays Polymerization to fuse the two Thunder Dragons into Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon, and plays Quick Attack so that it can attack in the same turn it's summoned. Now Joey's Thousand Dragon is facing two powerful dragons—Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon, with an attack of 2800, and the Blue-Eyes White Dragon with 3000!

Kaiba attacks Thousand Dragon with Twin-Headed Thunder Dragon, reducing Joey's life points to 1700. Then he sends the Blue-Eyes to finish Joey off with a direct attack. The white lightning hologram explodes against Joey, taking the rest of his LP with it.

Joey loses. Mokuba cheers, telling Joey that he did okay, but he's still no match for his brother. But Kaiba just says he could have beaten Joey blindfolded and it was all a waste of time. Kaiba starts to walk away, but Joey tells him to hold on.

''Let it go. It's over.''

Joey's about to go after Kaiba, but Tristan and Duke grab him, telling him that it's not worth getting the shit beaten out of him. ''Or us!'' Duke adds. I chuckle and was about to go congratulate Seto when an unmistakable presence made the air simply electric.

We all turn to the Duel Tower and there she was, my sister, the Queen of Games, walking towards us with Tea and Ishizu hurrying after her.

Seto's POV

I sensed her presence before I turned around to see her.

And there she was, in all of her glory, Yuna Yami Mouto, the legendary Queen of Games, ... my friendly rival and secret crush. I can't stop the smile that made it's way to my lips as all my tension and irritation disappeared with in her presence.

She really looked more and more goddess-like beautiful with every breath she took. The way the sun shone on her made her look divine. Her goldenrod bangs were swaying around her face as the wind played with her unique hair. The sun reflected on every strand of the multicolored locks as the wind blew them around. Her ivory-like skin almost glowed in the sunlight, looking smother and softer than silk. The tight clothes she wore made her figure obvious to all those looking why the most beautiful woman in the world, Julie, wished to work with her. Her long legs definitely made leather pants look elegant, the tight shirt showed off her still very small breasts. Tea, and the older Ishizu and Mai, may have be a bit ahead in that race, but for her stature and age, Yuna's were great. Her tin arms, although hiding great strength, made anyone want to be held like she used to hold little Sasha. Man, I was really jealous of the kid when he or Yugi managed to wriggle into her lap for a nap or just get a big, great hug! Sometimes I was jealous of even Mokuba, my own brother!

Yet her eyes were what really made one's heart surrender itself to her. The sun was making them look like ebony-edged rubies, shining with their own light as their depths drew people in like siren calls. Her eyelashes were the longest and thickest ones that I have ever seen and many talk-show hosts agreed, often asking if they were even natural like that. They really complimented her heart-shaped face and the vine-colored windows to her beautiful, caring soul.

When she, along with everyone else, saw my tender smile, her face light up with one of her own, making the sun pale in comparison to the warmth and calming light it executed. She walked further away from the flustered Tea and gob-smacked Ishizu, ignoring all the drooling, lovestruck boys, and stopped right in front of me. Her smile curled at the corners, starting to turn into a smirk.

''Should I ask if my Card Prince won, or leave it be?'' She teased me, but that strange nickname made me want to blush for some reason. Or was it that she called me hers? In response I just raised an eyebrow, as if insulted, although she obviously saw the humor in my eyes and tone.

''If you must ...'' She giggles.

''Then the Card Prince is victorious. I knew you would win, but I must say that I expected him to last at least one more turn. Maybe I overestimated him?'' The last one was whispered to herself but I heard and snorted at her.

''You definitely did! He relayed on luck too much. By the way, ... What's this whole thing with 'Card Prince'? I know that I was dubbed as Kaiba Corp. King and the Ice Prince all over the world, but I never heard someone calling me Card Prince.'' I ask her in slight confusion, and my curiosity increased as she giggled a bit.

''That's good, because only I am allowed to call you that!'' I look at her sceptically.

''What do you mean?''

''Pegasus is the only person in the entire world that has more rare cards than you do, and he's the creator of the game! He was supposed to be the king of his own game, but I won, so he got stuck with the title of King of DM Cards. If he's the King, then you're the Prince of Cards, but I didn't want it to sound so similar, and so I changed it to Card Prince! Of course, if it bothers you, I'll stop ... Although I really like it and think it suits you ...''

I can't believe that a day like this actually came to happen. Yuna, as in Yuna Yami Mouto, the Queen of Games, one of the best world-class doctors that got her diploma in a single year, archaeological wonder, heartthrob of the world, my friend, rival and secret crush, ... was giving me the puppy-dog eyes! The PUPPY-DOG EYES! And it was incredibly cute! They were irresistible! Before I knew it, I told her that I don't mind as long as she doesn't do it all the time. I did like the sound of my name coming from her lips, in her voice.

We talked like that a bit, and I saw the geek squad coming closer to us and sent them a death glare. Thankfully, for them anyway, Yugi stirred them away from us. After all, I needed privacy and space to tell this to Yuna. And as far as I'm concerned, I need Mokuba there for support, although I knew that she'll understand somewhat.

I take her delicate hands into my bigger ones. Yuna looks at our joined for a few moments, before looking up into my eyes again. I don't know what kind of expression I was making, but it prompted her to squeeze my hands in obvious support and willingness to listen and help if she could. It made me smile, even if it was sad and short-lasting.

"My Battle City is over." I finally say after a minute or two of silence. The confused, worried expression made my heart skip a beat when combined with a head cocked to the side. It just made her really, really, really, really, REALLY irresistible!

''What do you mean? There's still the finals! Aren't you going to watch my last duel ...?'' She asked, suddenly sounding uncertain. I could have kicked myself for causing that right before one of the most dangerous duels of the whole tournament!

''Something came up, I'm afraid. I'm sorry.'' I tried to make that wrenching look disappear before it starts haunting my dreams, like her crying features when one of our old classmates broke her Puzzle sometimes does. But she just lowered her head so that I can't see her eyes from behind her bangs.''Yuna ...''

''I understand, don't worry. I was just really hoping that you'd be there is all ...'' Her voice trailed off and I lifted my hand to cup her cheek and was shell-shocked when she stepped away. She ignored my hurt and confused look as she turned and said to us over her shoulder.''Well, I have to go up now. I'll see you guys around sometime!'' And with that she entered my Duel Tower, soon followed by Yugi and the geek squad.

I was ledt alon with my brother, and for the first time it truly wasn't enough, just the two of us. However I wasn't going to dwell on it and so I turned to leave only to be confronted by Ishizu.

''I advise you to be the final duel.'' She said it was advice, but it sounded more like an order or even a threat because of the edge in her voice. ''Yuna will need your help to defeat Marik and fulfill her destiny.''

''No thanks. Battle City is over for me, and as soon as I put this behind me, the better.'' I say bitterly.

''You don't think Yuna with her two God cards can defeat Marik's Ra deck, do you?'' Ishizu asks in her all-knowing voice that just made me bristle.

''The possibility is very low. There is terrible power in the God Ra. But it's nothing to do with me. Yuna'll think of something.'' I start to go away from her. ''I don't care who wins.''

''Walking away now is a huge mistake.'' She insists, and even though I knew she was talking bullshit, my heart clenches. I continue with my icy exterior act, just so she would leave me alone.

''Let me guess, you read that in one of your ancient fairy tales.'' It wasn't a question, it was a mocking statement.

''Your own future is at stake.'' I stop, but don't turn to her. The feeling of dread was starting to pool in my stomach.

''Yuna needs your power to win. Like the Nameless Pharaoh needed his High Priest's.'' Ishizu says with all the conviction of the world. The stupid feeling intensifies.

''Have you heard that from some boring oracle?'' I ask her, my voice still mocking. I move away from her and start heading in the direction of my Battle Ship when she uttered something that made me stop on the spot.

"Pret kreto." It was in ancient Egyptian, those two words. That was all she said, yet I stopped instinctively. Something in me responded to those two words, to that title.

"Pret kreto"- in ancient Egyptian High Priest. I was beyond startled that I understood what she said.

''I know that you are able to read the ancient text, and that you know what is written on the stone. The High Priest may have been the Pharaoh's rival, but he was also his friend. Kaiba, you must do for Yuna what the High Priest did for the Pharaoh five thousand years ago—help his friend. Help your friend, Kaiba! Without you, Yuna can't win and will end up being Mrik's slave!'' Ishizu exclaims. ''If you continue to deny your ancient heritage, the entire world will suffer because of your stubbornness. Yuna, imprissoned, can't save the world from it's own darkness! Your rivalry with Yuna has been in existence for thousands of years, and will continue to exist for all eternity. As a skilled sorcerer, the High Priest, that is you, constantly challenged the Pharaoh, strengthening his skills in battle. It was with his help that the Pharaoh was able to save his people. History is now repeating itself, and Yuna needs you. These are the words on the stone carving, a three thousand year old stone found in the Pharaoh's temple. The words are prayers for the dead, and were dedicated to the dead Pharaoh by a friend. The person who left this emblem of friendship on the stone was the High Priest, who wrote the words on the carving himself:

"The dead body lies in a vessel covered by sand and dust—

Gold also lies there, and also a sword

The body wrapped in a sheath of time—

The corpse does not bear the king's name

In that time on the battle field of the soul—he cries out

A poem of war

A poem to a friend

Guide him to the place where long ago souls crossed."

I might not know what is said, despite my knowledge of ancient texts and culture, but I know what it's about. I know that the High Priest wished for the reincarnated Pharaoh to see this and find him one day. You found his reincarnation, Yuna! So, why are you resisting this?!''

My heart was hammering as Ishizu spoke the words I had read, although a bit brokenly and not exactly correctly, but the message was there and clear, in the mother tongue of my suppose past self. The words in their original language made something in me react very violently, and I barely rained in my newfound fear for my rival. Up to this point I didn't doubt that she could win, even without the card I found that would give her the best chance against Ra. Suddenly, an overprotective urge to take her in my arms and hide her from the world almost made me run up to the top of my tower at breakneck speed, but I somehow, barely, surpassed it in order to growl at Ishizu.

"What are you trying to say, Ishizu? I'm not interested in three thousand year old words written on a stone."

But reminds me that I put on this Battle City Tournament because of the God cards, and there is one duel left to be held on this Duel Tower—the battle for the Pharaoh's soul. The way she said those words only made that new side of me struggle harder to go and join my rival.

"You'll be sorry if you keep saying such stupid things!" The Duel Tower stands as a symbol of my hatred for my father. I can't stand the sight of it. Especially ever since Yuna chased the darkness that bastard created out!

''You must open your mind and accept it. The Duel Tower you built is the crossing of souls, a sanctuary you built with your own soul.'' With every word, my heart beat faster and clenched tighter at the same time, while my stomach lurched.

But it's all meaningless now. "Maybe I should sink myself into the sea now." I knew that Yuna would scold me for something as stupid as that, but it would be better than all these feelings I'm experiencing now. They would at the very least stop.

I ignore Ishizu and turn to my brother, telling Mokuba that we're going. But he mumbled something that had me stopping once again.

"I loved your smile back then."

I instantly knew that he was talking about the time before Gozaboro and ever since we met Yuna. My eyes soften as he continues going on about how it was not him, but Yuna who revived that same smile and my ability to feel like any normal boy should. How she made me love games and made me take pride in my work, unlike before that when I did it for just a few hours of sleep. Hoe it was Yuna who inspired me to finally take Gozaboro down and how she is our first real, true friend. How she brought hope and happiness into our lives and so much more!

I didn't contradict any of that, knowing that my rival was indeed the one responsible for all that and so so much more.

I stare at the Duel Tower.

How can I help Yuna? The reason I organized the Battle City tournament was to defeat her! But she destroyed my darkness and left me with the task of destroying my hatred for my adoptive father. Can I do it? Can I erase his(Gozaboro's) and my hatred, as the Duel Tower sinks into the sea?

Well, I can always try!

''Come, Mokuba!'' He looks crestfallen. ''I need to get a card from my room on the Battle Ship! If we don't hurry, I won't have the time to give it to Yuna!'' His head snaps up so fast that I hope he didn't get a whiplash from it. Both her and Ishizu stare for me for some time until I start taping my foot to inform them of my impatience. ''Well!? Hurry up, you two!'' Their jaws hit the ground as I swiftly make my way to the Battle Ship. They are soon to follow with Mokua cheering and Ishizu thanking me.

00000

As we were making our way out of the Battle Ship we passed both Yuna and Malik's room, only to find them both empty. Yuna's was normal, if you ask me, but Ishizu started panicking as she saw that her youngest brother wasn't there and neither was his recording of that strange noise that helped Marik and Malik control people.

The horrible feeling in my gut intensified, and I order my companions to hurry up.

00000

''Yuna has only a three percent possibility of winning. With One Turn Kill, Ra's power can't be compared to the other two God cards.'' I explain to Ishizu and Mokuba. We were climbing the short flight of stairs between the dueling arena on the top and where the elevator stops. ''I hold the one card that can defeat Ra. But it's not just a matter of holding this card—it has to be played in a certain way to take down Ra.'' I stop and turn to them. ''The card would only raise Yuna's chances to twenty percent. Everything else is up to her.''

''That's enough! She just needs a chance, and I'm sure you know that as well as I do, Seto.'' Ishizu said, and I don't know why I allowed her to call me by my first name.

I smirk and nod to her and her statement.

''To the top of my Duel Tower! Let's make it a twenty percent duel!" Mokuba laughs happily. We continue until the top, my thoughts all around the place.

'I could just stand by and watch Yuna fall at the hands of Marik. But i don't want that. And it might be interesting to see if Yuna has what it takes to use this card. Yuna once told me that trusting her cards gives her a connection to them. I tried it once and it worked. She always syas anything is possible as long as you give it your all and believe you'll make it. I'll entrust this card with those possibilities to Yuna. Can Yuna create a miracle?' I snort and shake my head. 'Oh, she'll create it!'

My party walks out onto the tower as the dueling platform rises, and Roland announces the beginning of the final duel.

''Pharaoh, you will soon learn what suffering is all about as you join your friends in the Shadow Realm!'' Marik laughs evilly as he mocks my rival. They were standing across from one another, ready for the duel to begin. '"I'll tear you apart and let you taste the joy of death."

My blood boils!

''Yuna! Hold on!'' Yuna turned to my voice,a happy expression on her pretty face.

''Seto!'' Her eyes soften. ''You came.'' She whispered. I nod to her with a small smile, but it's soon replaced by a serious look.

''I have something you need!'' I yell with all the protectiveness that I felt burning in my veins right now, after hearing that fucker threaten her. I take out the card and throw it at Yuna."Take this!" The card sails through the air and Yuna catches it without bating an eyelash.

'This is the ultimate test of Yuna's skill. If she plays this card correctly, there's a slight chance she'll defeat Marik. If not, it's all over. But I know that she can do it! ... If she decides to take the card at all...'

''Use it wisely.''

Yuna's POV

I didn't look at the card, my eyes focused on it's previous owner. I only caught a glimpse of it and I already knew that it was a very rare magic card. But I don't know what this card would do or how to use it ...

'Just like Seto to give me a CHALLENGE!' I got excited, wondering what the card would do.

''If he wants to win, you'll use that card.'' Seto said, then turned to Yugi and his new group of friends. "You said your friends' strength brought you victory in your previous duels, and that failed you against both me and Marik. But in a Duel, others' strengths are just a burden.'' He points at the card he just gave me, the one I had yet to look at properly. ''This card will show you that."

The gang all wonder why Kaiba would give a card to me, it seems. Joey doesn't trust Kaiba, nothing unusual, and advises me to toss that card right off the Duel Tower.

Like hell am I going to toss Seto's card! I'm not going to disrespect him like that!

''It's up to Yuna whether she keeps the card.'' Seto tells him dismissively, probably wanting him to shut up as much as I do.

Still not looking at the card, I don't even know it's name, I shuffle it into my Deck with closed eyes, knowing that whatever card it is, Seto wouldn't give me something that would only help my opponent. No, he has a desire to defeat me himself, to be the first to gain a victory over me. He surely never will give a helping hand to someone who wishes to take that pleasure from him. And every time I brushed his card, I felt a reassuring warmth in my chest that usually comes from my Dark Magician duo and Blue-Eyes, and lately from the two God Monsters. A warm feeling that a friend was protecting me. That I am safe.

I always feel safe with Seto around.

I ignore the surprised protests of Yugi's new friends and put my newly shuffled Deck into the Duel Disk, and look over to Seto. Mokuba had a look of delighted surprise, and Ishizu looked dumbfounded, yet happy. Seto himself, usually hiding his emotions and reactions behind his walls, let his mask of indifference fall as he just watched me put a card blindly into my Deck. He looked torn between joy at my blind trust in him and angry because of it at the same time. But, not a moment later, his eyes showed the same determination, understanding and trust my showed him.

''You and I might not always agree, but I still trust you Seto Kaiba!''