Yuri
Surrounded by his princely friends, Yuri proudly explored the Spire of the Kings. He looked over a balcony and saw the Glass Palace dubbed Prince Dallian Academy, glowing brightly in the middle of the Bay of Kings, where he would soon take courses to fulfill his requirements for the university level of Duelist Academy. He went up to a garden known as Evangelia's Sanctuary, where the egg containing High Queen Evangelia Galaxy-Eyes fell from the sky and smashed into the pool. There were students everywhere conversing with one another with excitement. Some would be returning to the school, others, like Yuri, would be heading there for the first time.
"YURI!" a girl called from a marble fountain in the center of the garden.
A big grin formed on Yuri's face, for he recognized her at once. He could never forget the flaming orange-haired mage who saved him from bandits while on the road to save Serenity from the clutches of King Forrest.
Phoenix Lockheart, donning her academy uniform sprinted towards Yuri and the princes.
"Phoenix!" Yuri called. "It's so good to see you."
"I thought I would never find you guys!" Phoenix said, giving Yuri and the others a spine-cracking hug. "So how did it go? Your exam I mean."
"You should have seen it!" boasted Ryon. "Yuri mopped the floor with Vellion Crowler."
"Vellion Crowler?" Phoenix said in astonishment. "He did not!"
"Oh, he did," Jon said crossing his arms proudly, behind Yuri. "That legendary monster everyone was talking about was Ancient Gear Golem. And to make matters worse, Crowler fused them together to make a beast unlike any I've ever seen."
"Oh, that Crowler," Phoenix scoffed. "I heard he was quite the showman. No surprise he'd shine the spotlight on himself by taking on the High King."
"Yeah, but Yuri showed him a thing or two with his own legendary monster, the Black Tyranno," Michael said, slapping Yuri on the back. "The news has been buzzing like crazy on Dueling Network. Looks like there's a lot of students eager to meet our new king."
"Or take him down," said Stas. "I know plenty of hotshots at the academy who will be looking to add Yuri as another notch on their belts."
"Were it so easy," said an all-too-familiar voice.
"REN!" Yuri shouted and dashed for his friend who was slowly walking down the steps of the hotel to join Yuri and the others.
"It's good to see you little friend," Ren said grasping Yuri's hand after a loud slap. "Sorry I left you so suddenly in Rassay, but there were some duties I had to tend to, concerning my parents."
"Such as?"
"Well, letting me go to the Glass Palace and study with you for one. I think this will be an excellent opportunity to sharpen my Dueling skills. Maybe we can finally Duel."
"Yeah, finally. Hey, guys, can you excuse me for a moment? I would like to speak with Ren in private."
"As you say, Your Highness," said Marcel. "Come, gentlemen. I wish to make for the bar."
"Same here," said Jon. "I wonder if they have any mead."
"Mead?" laughed Stas. "My Berja friend, you are in the East now. We have something different drinks. Come, let me show you. Your taste buds will dance with joy."
"More like wail in agony," chuckled Michael. "That stuff you drink burns. We'll see you later, Yuri. Ren, it was good meeting you. Yuri spoke highly of you when we trained together in Aurelia. I hope we, too, can Duel sometime."
"I'd be honored, Your Grace," Ren bowed.
Michael waved and followed the others.
"And who is this?" Ren said approaching Phoenix.
"Oh no," Yuri groaned. It felt like an eternity since he had been by Ren's side. He had completely forgotten he was such a womanizer.
"I am Phoenix Lockheart. Apprentice mage at the Citadel, and My Lord Yuri's soon-to-be Court Magician. And you?"
"Ren Kakihara, former agent of the Emboldorian Secret Service, and Yuri's best friend. He and I grew up together. I must say, Yuri, you sure know how to pick 'em. She's a pretty one, she is. Mayhaps after I'm done talking with Yuri I can take you to dinner."
"You flatter me, agent," grinned Phoenix. "However, I am not attracted to men."
"Oh!" Yuri exclaimed.
"Forgive me," said Ren. "But still, a pretty young thing nonetheless. I wish you well on your quest. The Court Magician of the High King is the highest honor for any mage. I hope to see you around school then."
"Very well, Ren," Phoenix did curtsy. "I will see you soon."
She left them. Ren following her every move back into the school.
"What a fiery angel," he said, followed by a whistle. "You had something you wanted to talk to me about, Yuri?"
"Yes. Any news on Crystal?"
Ren grinned.
"She's doing fine," Ren answered rather vaguely.
"That's not what I wanted to hear," said Yuri, urgently. He was in no mood for Ren's games, always playing calm and cool like nothing bad ever happened.
"Brett Martinetti is nowhere to be found," Ren assured him. "For all I know, Yuri, he could be at the bottom of the Atlantic dancing with the fishes in cement shoes. The Martinettis do not like failures in their family, and Brett losing the Millennium Tournament all those months ago, was a tremendous failure. But I have taken Leon's final words into account. I've tried asking my father to send an agent or two to keep an eye on Aquarius, but it is out of the ESS's jurisdiction."
"Oh, and I wasn't?"
"That's different you're the High King of Termnnia."
Yuri kicked the ground. He knew Ren was right.
"I want to see her." Yuri gave a heavy sigh.
"She's where she belongs," said Ren. "I know what she had with us was special, but we have to let it go."
"I can't do that. I love her too much."
"Love, huh?"
"Not that way," said Yuri. "We have a brother-sister bond is what I meant. I have no chance with a girl like her, remember?"
"That's not true," said Ren. "She was rather affectionate for you, not me. As charming as I was, there was something about you she loved more."
"Be that as it may, I can't. According to Yugi, I have to marry by my twenty-first birthday."
"So I heard," chuckled Ren. "Well, there's no shortage of suitors at the academy. From what I hear, every princess, baronetess, Dame, and other girl of nobility are fighting to the death for your heart."
Yuri chuckled. "If you would have told me an army of girls would be squabbling for me a year ago, I would have been skeptical."
"YURI!" someone called out from the crowd across the street.
Ren whistled and slicked his hair back.
"Goddesses be praised!" he exclaimed. "The Delight of Termnnia approaches," he referred to Mai Valentine, one of Yuri's guardians and teacher of Termnnian history. She was with Yugi, Joey, Téa, and the others.
"Hey, there he is!" shouted Joey. "My main man!"
"Yuri!" Tristan called as they dashed across the street. "Is that you?"
"You must be Ser Tristan," Yuri said shaking his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you at last."
"And I am Duke Devlin, you're teacher in the art of business and finance."
Yugi had a large grin on his face, observing Yuri reunite with his group of friends, all taking care of him since the day of his birth.
"Yuri, so good to see you!" chimed Serenity. "Of course, we're meeting under better circumstances now."
"Yeah, this time I can finally greet you without having to free you from an ancient fortress guarded by enemy soldiers."
"Come, here," Serenity said extending her arms. Yuri moved forward and gave the sweet girl a hug. He was so much taller than her. He could rest his cheek on the top of her head, smooth to the touch by her silky light brown hair. He kissed her on the top of the head before letting her go.
"And how about one for me, big guy!" Mai called out. She hugged Yuri in a spine-crushing embrace. He let out a groan of anguish, but he felt…bliss for his chest was being pressed against her large breasts. She smelled of exotic perfume and her hair graced his nose with the scent of cherry blossom.
"I envy you little man," Ren grinned. "Do you know how many men wish they were you right now."
Mai let Yuri go. "Yuri, we were going to head to my apartment. Why don't you come with us for a while so we can properly catch up?"
"I think that's a great idea," said Duke. "We haven't seen you in a while. Eighteen years to be exact. And it's not like we could have chance to talk when you got here, because Yugi shipped you off to Aurelia so quickly."
"It had to be done," Yugi said disconcertingly. "The God Cards had to be found and quick."
Joey agreed. "Yeah, speakin' of which, I'd like to hear the tale about how you did it! The bards are singin' the song of your adventure like crazy, man."
"I guess so," said Yuri.
"Would you like to come too, sweetie?" Mai asked Ren.
"As much as I would, I'd like to explore the Spire and catch up with Yuri's princely group. Besides, you lot took care of the prince after the disaster with Anubis. It's only fair you had some alone time with him. I've hogged him from you for the past eighteen years."
"As you wish," said Yugi.
Ren bowed for the Heroes of Rassay and turned away to walk into the hotel.
"Come," said Mai. "I live just a few blocks away."
Yuri followed until they arrived at a white limestone building where they took an elevator to the penthouse suite.
"Nice," said Yuri examining the lavish home of the woman they called Termnnia's Delight. They sat on a white sofa surrounding a lit-up table with an assortment of alcoholic drinks.
"It pays to be the hottest woman in Termnnia," Yugi whispered in Yuri's ear.
"That it does," Mai said, hearing Yugi's comment. "I got the men of the realm wrapped around my finger. They will do anything for me. As for this place, I won it from Ser Rex Raptor."
"The Knight of Teeth?" said Téa. "How did you do that?"
"I promised him I'd let him do whatever he wants with my body so long as he beat me in a Duel. And the little bastard wanted straps and a blow job."
"Eww," cringed Yuri.
"She even used her charms to let us take care of you," giggled Serenity. "His Royal Highness, High King Antar, was rather cautious when it came to letting anyone see his newly adopted son."
"I take it my other father didn't require any erotic needs."
"Naw," laughed Mai. "High King Antar was a gentleman. It was because of him, women got many freedoms in the land. He was a crusader for our needs."
"Speaking of father," said Ser Tristan. "Who do you think is your real father, Yuri?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we finally know the reason your right eye glows green. It's the mark of your divine power. You're some half-divine demi-god from what I read in the reports."
"Goddesses above," gasped Serenity. "I can't believe our Rose made love to Exodia."
"She was fooled into doing it," said Yuri. "Exodia was freed from his bonds the night Yugi used him in a duel."
Yugi grinned from the corner of his mouth and blushed.
"And then what?" Mai asked.
"He took the form of a handsome elf; whose looks were something not even my Celtran mother could resist. He led her into the woods and had his way with her. And it looks like I inherited some of his power because of that. So, I guess we have to thank Yugi for my power."
"You're right!" said Téa. "If Yugi hadn't played Exodia that night, you'd be a normal baby and Anubis…"
"He would have killed me too." Yuri twiddled his fingers as he looked at the floor.
"Wow," said Duke. "That's a lot to think about. Just summoning Exodia takes a miracle. And Yugi did it."
"He performed a miracle and gave us a miracle," said Serenity.
"Hey enough of this babblin'!" said Joey. "Yuri, why don't you and I have ourselves a duel. No phantoms or Duel Disks, just a friendly game, anything goes."
"Anything goes, huh?" Yuri rubbed his chin. "I haven't played like that since I was five. Back in the days when me and my friends summoned monsters to the field regardless of their summoning condition."
"Yeah?" Yugi asked.
"It was so weird," said Yuri. "We slapped fusion monsters onto the mat without Polymerization and ritual monsters without their rituals. My friend Patty once summoned a Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth without using the Cocoon of Evolution. It was game-breaking, but it was fun. Hey, I have an idea, why don't you guys put your favorite cards into my deck so it can be like we're all playing?"
"Yeah, I like that," Joey agreed. "I'll lend ya one of mine, the Flame Swordsman! I've had such a love for this card since I was kid."
"Well, he can't be as cool as this," said Tristan. "Read it and weep, the Cyber Commander!"
"I can see why," said Yuri. "He kind of looks like you."
"I thought so too," said Tristan.
"Dark Magician, hands down," Yugi said holding up his card.
"I like this one," said Téa. "The Magician of Faith."
"Harpie Queen, baby!" Mai said taking out her favorite card.
"I like this one," said Serenity. "Guardian Angel Joan."
"All those are pitiful compared to my Orgoth the Relentless," said Duke.
"I've got to warn you, Joey, with all our cards combined into Yuri's deck, you won't stand a chance."
"Oh, we'll see," said Joey. "As I recall, I ranked third place in the Kaiba Corp Ball last year."
"It's good to be together again, guys," Téa said joyfully.
"I thought this day would never come," said Yugi. "It was kind of hard to see Yuri go. Yuri's like family."
"Yeah, he's right," said Joey. "You're one of us now, Yuri."
"I appreciate that you guys." Yuri added the cards into his deck. Mai came back with standard paper game mats for them to play on. "All right, Joey, let's get this Duel underway then."
"Eeek!" Téa shrieked, seeing the silhouette of a person on the balcony.
"Who's there!" shouted Mai, taking out a small pistol holstered in the garter hidden under her skirt.
"Guard the prince!" Yugi commanded.
"Show yourself!" shouted Joey. He, Tristan and Duke huddled around Yuri.
A man in black armored robes appeared from the veil of the white curtains. Yuri felt a cold chill run through his body when his eyes beheld the man. The spiky pink hair, the cold narrow eyes, the pale skin, and that sinister smile.
"Bakura!" shouted Tristan.
"It's Bakura!" Téa cried out in shock.
"Yuri," Bakura said, coldly. "It's been a while, my boy."
"You know him?" Serenity asked, desperately.
"I've seen him before. He guarded me when I was a child."
"Don't let those good deeds fool ya, Yuri!" said Joey. "This guy is the sleazy slimeball who led Anubis to Rose and Gabriel!"
"What!"
"It's true, little Yuri," said Bakura. "And now, I have come to conclude my business with you once and for all."
He formed his hands into an arch over his chest. There was an ominous glow coming from within. Something gold began to morph from the light.
"A Millennium Item!" cried Yugi.
"You mean like your puzzle, Yugi?" Yuri asked.
"Yes," said Bakura. "The Millennium Ring. And with is power I will take us to the Shadow Realm."
Mai's suite faded away. Yuri and the others were then surrounded by cold, unforgiving darkness.
"Why are you doing this Bakura!" Yuri shouted.
"Because, little Yuri, you and Yugi both have something I want. And I aim to take it from you!"
Yuri suddenly felt like his very soul was ripped out of his body. The last thing he saw before the shadows took him were the lifeless bodies of his friends falling limp onto the ground. And the last thing he heard was Bakura's cruel chuckle as an inky blackness overtook him.
Bakura laughed villainously as he approached Yuri and Yugi's unconscious bodies.
"At long last," he said. "The legendary Millennium Puzzle is mine. Along with a new host for me leech upon."
Yuri's pendant shined brightly and rose off his chest.
"It can't be!" shouted Bakura. "The Pendant of the Kings!"
"Didn't think it would be that easy, did you?" Yuri muttered as he raised himself back up.
"What! How can you be resisting my shadow magic?"
"A magic feeble compared to Anubis's power," Yami said getting up as well.
Bakura grinned. "Well, I admit I was rather careless thinking that one with divine power could be taken down so easily."
"What do you want, Bakura?" Yuri asked.
"What I want is your body, Yuri. And Yugi's Millennium Puzzle."
"Well if you want to have any of those, you're going to have to Duel me for them," said Yuri.
"Yuri, are you sure?" Yami asked. "This can be very dangerous. This is a Shadow Game. And the stakes are much higher."
"I can take him, Yami!"
"If you insist. Remember to trust in the heart of the cards. Believe in yourself and in your deck. For if you do, you can overcome anything."
"Right. Let's do this Bakura!"
"At long last, I shall get what I want," Bakura sneered.
Yuri-4000 LP
Bakura-4000 LP
Yuri saw his cards and gasped in disbelief. He wasn't using his dinosaur deck, but the one he was going to play with Joey for fun.
I gotta remain calm. Everyone's favorite cards are in this deck. If I can use them right, maybe I can win. After all, this Duel is anything goes.
"So, tell me, Bakura, why did you take care of me all those years ago? I believe I called you my angel once."
"It all started back when you destroyed the Dark Lord Anubis. He had a long list of followers under his wing, one of them being High Mage Heishin, a sorcerer from Sobek, a land far, far south of here. It is often called the Golden Continent, for the land is so rich in gold that even the poor swim in it. It was in this land the seven Millennium Items were created by a pharaoh in ancient times. And these items hold the power that I want. Heishin has seven mages who guard these items, but three of them are here in Termnnia."
"Three?"
"Yes, I was given the Millennium Ring, actually, I took it after winning it in a Duel against that useless Mountain Mage, Atenza. Another one, the Millennium Necklace is in the procession of your cousin's sorceress. I will claim her item after I am done with you two. But back to Heishin. He was a proud supporter of Lord Anubis, and he was most displeased that you went and got him killed, for Anubis was a sorcerer with all the gold and women a man could ever want. He was far richer than the pharaoh I can assure you, for he is a son of Horakhty the Mother of Monsters."
"NO!"
"Yes. And with Anubis gone, Heishin lost all his funding. So for revenge, he sought out the most powerful organization of assassins in Termnnia. The Sisterhood of Odivia. They are infamous for always getting their contracts done, and had it not been for my intervention, they would have ended you many years ago."
"Why did you keep him from them!" Yami shouted. "TELL ME!"
"Because I knew Yuri had a special power within him. And fell whispers from the shadows told me they would continue to get stronger. It was then I learned of Exodia fucking your mother in the woods. She fell for his bait, hook line, and sinker, Yuri. And then the Lord of all Monsters mounted her like the bitch that she was!"
"SHUT UP!" Yuri shouted.
"Yes, release your rage. It will only make your powers grow stronger, Yuri. This is something the sisters could not see, no matter how I explained it to them. But their master, Denethon, refuses to see reason. You're nothing but a contract to him, but I see you as the greatest weapon walking the earth since the Divine Beasts. That is why I let you live and took care of you all those years ago, Yuri. I was biding my time, waiting for your powers to fully develop, and develop they have. For you have slain the ten monsters Zorc sent to stop you, wield a mighty weapon forged by the goddesses and control the three most powerful monsters in the world."
"You can't wield them," said Yuri. "Only the High King of Termnnia can."
"I know, but that's where the Millennium Puzzle comes into play. It allows its wearer to control the Divine Beasts regardless of their contract to the High King. It was how the Great Hero defeated Zorc eons ago."
"So you can control my God Cards too, Yami?" Yuri asked.
"Mmm," Yami nodded. "It is one of the many powers the Puzzle grants me. But it is an ability I withheld from using, for the God Cards are the monsters of the king."
"But I will not be so foolish as to let this power go to waste," said Bakura. "Now let us get this Duel underway. The shadows are hungry and they wish to feast on your soul. They will bring me one step closer to what I desire. And what I desire is you, Yuri. I desire your body. I must have your body all to myself. And once I claim it, I shall inherit the limitless power of Exodia that courses through your veins. And with Yugi's Millennium Puzzle around my neck, Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra will obey me. The greatest powers in the world will be all mine!"
"We'll see," said Yuri. "For starters, I place this card onto the field in defense mode. The Cyber Commander, Tristan's favorite card."
The card started to glow. Then a small figure came out. It was the Cyber Commander, only it wasn't.
"Tristan!" Yugi said in shock.
"No way, Tristan?" said Yuri.
"Whoa," Tristan groaned. "What kind of crazy dream is this?" He examined himself. When he saw that he was wearing the weapons and armor of the Cyber Commander he screamed in shock. He turned around and saw Yuri and Yami looming above him like two giants.
"What's going on!" Tristan shouted.
"Ah," grinned Bakura. "The Cyber Commander. He looks tough, but now let's see if he can stand against this. The White Magical Hat."
Bakura summoned a villainous gentleman with a monocle and wearing a purple suit with a flowing white cape and a tall white top hat.
White Magical Hat
ATK/1000 DEF/700
"Attack!" Bakura shouted.
The White Magical Hat sprinted towards Tristan and whacked him in the gut with his cane.
"TRISTAN!" Yuri and Yami shouted.
"What have you done to him!" Yuri demanded.
"He went to the discard pile, otherwise called the Graveyard in Duel Monsters."
"No. Tristan," said Yuri. "He's gone. It…it can't be."
Tristan cautiously walked through a dark cemetery. It was biting cold and dark as the abyss, save for the greyish-green sky above and the pale silver moon looming overhead. He began to panic, wondering where everybody was. Then he stumbled upon a grave that rose out of the ground in front of him. The marker had his name caved onto it.
"No way according to this tombstone, I'm dead! But this can't be!"
"Oh no, Yami, I'm so sorry. Tristan's gone because of me!"
"It's okay, Yuri," said Yami. "Calm down."
Bakura laughed. "That's right Yuri. Tristan has perished because of your sloppy opening move."
"Don't listen to him, Yuri, focus. If we can win this duel we might get Tristan back!"
"So, what are you waiting for?" said Bakura. "It's your move, little Yuri."
"Okay, for my next move, I summon Joey's favorite card. The Flame Swordsman."
The card glowed and then Joey appeared. He yelled with fright upon seeing Bakura stand over him. He turned and saw Yuri and Yami and screamed even louder. Then he examined his state of dress.
"What's goin' on!"
"Joey, listen to me," said Yami. "Bakura has taken us to the Shadow Realm and has somehow sealed your souls into your favorite cards. Yuri played Tristan a short while ago, but he was sent the Graveyard."
"Graveyard!" shouted Joey.
"Yeah, the others are somewhere within my deck," said Yuri. "So we better finish this game quickly before they're drawn."
"Okay, Yuri, I believe ya, I still think I'm going crazy, but, I'll go along wit dis."
"I will use my Flame Swordsman to attack your White Magical Hat." Yuri said announcing his battle phase.
"Aw yeah!" said Joey. "Here we go!" he dashed for the enemy monster and used his red sword to slash him across the chest.
Bakura-3200
Yuri-4000
"Nice work, Joey," Yuri said with a nod.
"Lucky move," said Bakura. "I shall set this card in defense mode."
"You should refrain from attacking, Your Highness," Yami advised.
"Good call," said Yuri.
"No, it's too risky!" boasted Joey.
"Joey, don't do it!" shouted Yuri.
"I'm going in!" Joey said, feeling rather invigorated of his skills as the Flame Swordsman.
"WAIT!"
He dashed for the face-down monster. It flipped over and revealed itself. A blue clay jar with a one-eyed shadowy fiend hiding inside.
"No, Morphing Jar!" cried Yuri.
"HASSAN CHOP!" Joey shouted cutting the creature in half.
"What a dolt," sniggered Bakura.
"Huh, wait, what did I do you guys?" Joey asked looking up at Yuri and Yami.
Yuri shook his head. "When the Morphing Jar is attacked, it forces us to discard our hands to the Graveyard. We're lucky I didn't have anyone else's soul cards."
"Oh no, sorry Your Highness!" Joey bowed shamefully.
"It's all right," said Yami. "Now Yuri and Bakura can draw a fresh new hand."
"It's a whole new game now," said Bakura. "For with a new hand…" He played another monster face-down in defense mode. "Comes a whole new perspective. The game…" he slapped a trap card down. "Ever shifting."
"How can you do this to the game?" Yuri asked desperately. "This is supposed to be fun."
"Fun?" Bakura laughed. "This is how Duel Monsters should be played, little Yuri. Did you know only kings were allowed to play the game hundreds of years ago?"
"Is that true, Yami?" Yuri asked.
"Yes, kings would play Duel Monsters to peacefully settle their disputes. It was a game for kings and only kings."
"He is right," said Bakura. "So you see, Duel Monsters was never a game of pleasure, little Yuri. Duel Monsters is and forever shall be…a game of thrones."
"My turn," said Yuri. "Yami, look! I drew Yugi's Dark Magician."
"Play it, Yuri," Yami said with a grin.
"But what if you go down there?"
"I won't leave your side, Yuri. Remember who I am?"
"I see," Yuri was still nervous, but he trusted Yami. "I summon, the Dark Magician!"
Little Yugi opened his eyes once he rose out of the card. He was wearing he black outfit of his alternate Dark Magician card.
"Wow," said Joey. "There really are two of you."
"And now," Yuri played a spell card. "I play Monster Reborn to bring Tristan back."
The field was illuminated by a bright light. Tristan rose from the ground.
"Hey, what's going on?" Tristan said when he saw his friend dressed as their favorite cards.
"Check it out, Yuri and Bakura are two dueling giants battlin' for our souls."
"Wait, but if that's Yugi right there, then who is that up there?"
"Have you forgotten I share my body with another, Tristan?" Yugi asked.
"That's right!" Tristan snapped his fingers. "The spirit of your Millennium Puzzle."
"So that makes four of us," said Joey. "Which means Téa, Mai, and Duke are gonna be drawn too. Oh no! my sister also put her favorite card into Yuri's deck too!"
"It's not like I can play them anyway," said Yuri. "There wouldn't be enough space on the field."
"Then we better end this match before any of them are drawn, especially my sister. I don't think she can grasp the idea of this Duel."
"He's right." Yuri nodded in agreement. "Okay, Yugi, take out his face down monster!"
"You got it, Prince Yuri!" said Yugi. "DARK MAGIC ATTACK!"
The monster flipped.
"No! Another Morphing Jar!"
"Now we discard our hands for a fresh new one," said Bakura.
Yuri discarded his hand then drew. He picked up Duke and Mai's favorite cards.
"Shit!" said Yuri.
"Just play them, Yuri," said Yami. "Everything will be all right."
"So you say," said Bakura. "But wait till I activate this card, Just Desserts. This card will decrease your Life Points by five hundred for each monster on your side of the field, Yuri."
A hand reached out of the card, reaching out for Yuri before grasping his beating heart. Yuri held onto his chest, for it felt like the hand was about to rip his heart right out of his chest.
Bakura-3200
Yuri-2500
"Yuri!" Yami shouted he caught him before falling backward on the ground. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I can still fight!"
"So, start your turn and show me what you can do," Bakura urged him.
"Very well, Bakura. I summon Orgoth the Relentless."
Duke appeared onto the field, towering above the others in his Orgoth armor. All they could see was his eyes peering through the visor of the helmet.
"What in the hell is going on?" Duke asked.
"We're in a Shadow Game, and you're Orgoth the Relentless." Joey answered.
"I what!" cried Duke. He saw his armor and he held the diamond-bladed sword in his hand. "It's official I've lost it."
"I think we all have man," laughed Joey.
"And what's the deal with Yuri and Yugi up there?" Duke asked, feeling puzzled. "Why are there two of you?"
Yugi grimaced. It seemed the only ones who knew about his symbiosis with Yami was Joey, Tristan, Téa, and Yuri.
"It's hard to explain," he finally managed to say. "Just do what he tells you to do, and we'll all go back to normal."
"Looks like we better finish his fast before Mai and the girls get played," said Yuri. "Do you trust me, Duke?"
"Sure, not that I'm complaining. I mean, this may be a dream but it looks like I harness the power of Orgoth the Relentless. Just tell me what to do, Yuri."
"It's his move," said Yuri.
"Well played, Yuri," said Bakura. "So, you think your other friends will be safe in your deck, eh? Remember, I have one more Morphing Jar in my deck. So it would be unwise to keep them in your hand. In fact I will lay this card, face down in defense position. Could it be my last Morphing Jar? You'd be risking Mai's soul if you attacked."
He's right, if my hand exceeds six cards, I'll have to discard some cards. And I can't afford to just throw away my cards. I might need them. Then again, I can't just toss Mai away either.
"I will make this simple for you," Bakura smiled. "I activate this field spell card. Zone Limit Break!"
"What's that do?"
"It is a rare and powerful card that alters the very playing field, Yuri. For a cost of two thousand Life Points, we can choose to add two more spaces to our playing field. Now you must choose between adding spaces to the monster zone, or the spell and traps. I choose to add two more zones in my spell-trap card zone. And you?"
"I have no choice, I will add two to my monster card zone."
Bakura-1200 LP
Yuri-500 LP
"And just so you know, the card forces us to pay one hundred Life Points for each card we have in the desired field zones we decided to expand. And you have a total of four monsters so that's four hundred Life Points."
"Aw man, Yuri's down to his last one hundred Life Points," said Joey. "Dis aint good."
"Don't worry guys. I've got this. Soul of the Pure. Which will increase my Life Points by eight hundred."
Yuri-900 LP
"We're safe for another few turns though," said Duke. "If Yuri doesn't summon any more monsters that is."
Yugi shook his head. "Yeah, but, regardless if it gets attacked or not Morphing Jar's effect activates once it's flipped up. Mai will be in a lot of danger no matter what you do. She's not safe in your hand."
"So it looks like I have to play her," said Yuri. "I summon, Harpie Queen! In attack mode!"
Mai opened her eyes once she came out of her card. "Wow, where am I?" she spotted Yugi and the others. "Hey!" she called. "What's up you guys? What's going on?"
Yugi waved back. "Hey Mai-URK!"
"Nyeh!" cried Joey.
"Oh man!" said Tristan. "That's awesome."
"This dream just gets better and better," swooned Duke.
"What's with you guys?" Mai asked. "Is it cold here or is just me…AAAAAAH!"
She covered herself. Harpie Queen was a female monster that wore hardly anything. "What's going on!" Mai shrieked. "What am I wearing?"
"What are you not wearing?" Yugi croaked. "You're almost naked!"
"Well," Yami said clearing his throat. "That's…. unexpected."
"Whoa," said Yuri.
"Well, Mai," Joey said with a grin on his face. "You've sure changed this drastic Duel into a Fantastic duel! Rrrrow."
"What is going on!?" Mai asked covering herself with her feathery blue wings. "And why are Yugi and Yuri giants. For that matter why is Yugi right there and up there!?"
"Well, Mai, look at it dis way," said Joey. "There are two Yugis. The cool one up there and the puny one down here!"
"ARGH!" Yugi cried falling to the ground dramatically. "You big lummox that's now how it works at all!"
"Easy, Yug, I was just kidding."
"You forget, I have the power of the Dark Magician in this match. I'll show you who's puny around here. DARK MAGIC ATTACK!"
Yugi targeted the face-down monster and performed his attack. The card flipped, revealing a purple lizard with large red lips. It squeaked manically even as it was blasted.
"Nice work, Yugi!" said Mai.
Yugi's celebration was then cut short. A surge of electricity went through his body inflicting him with burning pain. He fell to his knees.
"What happened, Yugi!" Tristan dashed for his friend.
"Yugi! You okay!" Mai cried out in concern.
"I don't know, but whatever is going on it's making me go numb."
Bakura sneered. "You should know that a non-zombie monster that attacks the Electric Lizard gets paralyzed for one turn."
"I will end my turn by playing a card face-down," Yuri said, slapping his card onto the field.
"Let me attack next, Yuri!" Duke demanded. "I'm ready to teach this creep a lesson!"
"I don't know if a should," said Yuri. "Every monster I've attacked only wound up having a nasty flip effect. I don't know what he could do to you guys."
"Baby, you can't just keep ignoring him," said Mai. "He'll ruin you even quicker."
"He nothing but a frightened child," Bakura chuckled coldly. "A weak little boy who is not fit to be king. Now, it's time to start hitting you where it hurts! I use Card Destruction! Now we discard our hands and draw the number of cards we had previously."
Yuri grimaced. "His hand was still pretty big. He discarded his hand and drew. "Damn it!" He drew Téa and Serenity's cards.
"Oh no," said Yami.
"And now," Bakura raised a card from his hand. "I activate the ritual spell: Puppet Ritual! Now I shall tribute these two monsters from my hand to summon the mighty Psycho-Puppet!"
Bakura's monsters, a King of Yamimaki and a Clown Zombie, appeared over the field, hung by puppet strings. A vortex of purple flames swirled on the battlefield and engulfed the two monsters. They moaned in despair while their bodies withered away leaving two purple orbs which were their life force. The orbs lowered down to the field and merged together to make a larger orb which then turned into a wooden puppet with claws and sharp teeth and lifeless black eyes. A red symbol painted on his chest.
Psycho-Puppet
ATK/2000 DEF/2350
"Mighty?" scoffed Duke. "I can take on that deranged puppet!"
"You will do no such thing," said Bakura. "For once I equip him with Axe of Despair he will be the most potent monster on the field."
A horribly crafted ax appeared in the puppet's claws. He danced around, his wooden body making clapping sounds with each movement.
"What's that card do?" Joey asked.
"The Axe of Despair raises a monster's attack by one thousand!" cried Mai. "Now that puppet has three thousand attack points!"
"And all I need is to attack one of you to end this duel and claim what is mine. Psycho-Puppet, attack Yuri's pretty Harpie Queen!"
"Yuri help me!" Mai cried as the puppet dashed for her, raising up his ax, ready for the kill.
"MAI!" Joey shouted. "NO!"
"I don't think so," said Yuri. "Activate face-down card, Draining Shield!"
"NO!" shouted Bakura.
"That's right, not only will my shield block your attack and save Mai, but it will also increase my Life Points by the attack points of your monster!"
"Argh, damn you, Yuri!" snarled Bakura.
Bakura-1200 LP
Yuri-3900
"Yeah!" Joey pumped his fist. "Yuri's got the lead!"
"Well played, sweetheart!" said Mai. "Great dueling!"
"Yeah, but now it's Yuri's turn," said Duke. "And he has to pay Life Points to keep us out."
"Yuri, why not just not pay for the card's tribute and discard it?" Tristan asked.
"I can't," said Yuri. "If I do, the card forces me to destroy all the cards in the zone I chose to enhance."
"Eeesh!" went Joey.
"That's fine, I have Life Points to spare. And now, I activate the spell card, Double Summon, which lets me summon an additional monster this turn. And don't worry about Life Points anymore, guys. For with this next card, I can get more Life Points with each attack. I summon Guardian Angel Joan in attack mode!"
"That's Serenity's favorite card!" gasped Mai.
The Guardian Angel Joan card shined brightly. After a display of glittering lights a rain of white feathers, Serenity appeared onto the field wearing the elegant robes of the powerful fairy monster she chose as her favorite card.
"Huh? What's going on?" she asked. "Where am I?"
"Serenity!" Joey shouted, dashing for his sister. But Tristan and Duke beat him to her.
"Serenity, you look so magnificent!" said Duke.
"Magnificent!" Duke said, shoving him aside. "She looks radiant!"
"All right, you move out of the way!" said Mai. "Sheesh, give the girl some space and some answers, why don't you?"
"What's going on?" Serenity said softly. "Why are you all dressed like that?"
"There's a duel goin' on, sis," said Joey. "Yuri and Bakura are two duelin' giants fighting for our souls. Yuri' winning by the way! He's creaming that evil nutcase."
"Wait a minute, if that's Yugi right there, then who's that up there?"
"It's a long story, sis."
"Now for my next move," said Yuri. "I play this monster in face-down defense position."
A light shone underneath the card. Téa, now the Magician of Faith, lifted herself up. She was confused and frightened, but upon gazing her eyes on her friends, her spirits lit up.
"Hey!" she said happily. "What's up!"
"Hold it!" shouted Duke. "You're supposed to be face down."
"What's going on?" Téa asked, feeling perplexed. "What are those getups you're wearing."
"Take a look at yourself," said Mai. "You're better dressed than I am, that's for sure."
Téa saw her ornate robes and the golden staff in her hands. "What is this!?"
"I'm just as confused as you, Téa," said Serenity. "I don't know what this is? Have I gone crazy?"
"Not unless we've all gone crazy," chuckled Yugi.
"I know this looks like something out of the Twilight Zone, Serenity," Yuri said to her. "But you're going to have to trust me. I'm going to need you to take out that puppet monster Bakura's got."
"Ya can't be serious, Yuri!" snapped Joey. "As strong as Serenity is, she's still no match fer dat deranged puppet.
"She's right," said Duke. "What's the deal, Yuri? She's only got twenty-eight hundred attack points. She's still no match for the puppet."
"Not until I activate this," said Yuri. "Mystical Space Typhoon!"
Bakura growled. Now Yuri was able to destroy the puppet's axe, reducing its attack back to 2000.
"Nice, moves, Yuri!" cheered Duke. "All right, Serenity, show that puppet who's boss!"
"All right, I'll see what I can do!"
Serenity summoned thirteen holy blades which spun in a ring in front of an arcane circle behind her. She held out her arm and directed the swords to attack, slicing Psycho-Puppet to splinters.
"This can't be!" cried Bakura. His Life Points dropping to 400.
"You go girl!" cheered Mai.
"Great, job Serenity!" said Téa.
"And now," said Yami, "with her special ability, Yuri gains the attack points of the monster Serenity destroyed, raising his Life Points to fifty-nine hundred!"
"All my friends are out on the field, now, Bakura. You are no match for their combined strength!"
"We'll just see about that," laughed Bakura. "This duel is far from over, Yuri. You may be ahead significantly, but let's see you deal with me taking down your friends one by one. Starting with this card," he held it up for him to see. "The powerful Nobleman-Eater Bug."
"What is that?" Serenity wailed with fright when Bakura slapped the card face down on the field.
"It's a beefed-up version of the Man-Eater Bug," explained Yugi. "That monster has the ability to destroy one monster on the field when it's flipped up, but the Nobleman-Eater Bug, a superior creature, can destroy two."
"Oh no!" said Téa. "Now that means two of us are going into the Graveyard."
"Uh, guys, I really don't want to go back to that Graveyard," shivered Tristan.
"It's my turn," said Yuri, his Life Points dropping to 5200. "The Horn of Heaven!" He said seeing the card he drew.
"Ah, you can use that card to negate the summoning of one monster," said Yami.
"Hey, that's great!" said Mai.
"There's a catch," said Yuri. "In order for me to activate the card, I have to offer one monster."
"So that means one of us has to go to save two," said Duke.
"Graveyard, here I come," said Tristan. "Yuri, let me go."
"But I just brought you back from the Graveyard, Tristan."
"No!" Joey shouted. "Let me go, Yuri!"
"But, Joey, I'll have no means to get you back!"
"I don't care," said Joey. "That bug could target my sister! Please, Yuri, choose me for the offering."
"Very well,"
"Joey!" cried Serenity. "Please!"
"I end my turn," said Yugi.
"Hah, and I will start mine by flipping up my beast!"
"Come here ya bug-brain!" shouted Joey, charging for the card. He jumped on top of it and raised his sword. The card activated and the five-meter beast shot out furiously, trying to shake Joey off.
"Yuri!" shouted Joey. "Activate the card!" Joey shouted, holding on to the bug's neck.
"Joey," sobbed Yugi. "If Yuri activates that card…"
"Prince Yuri, please!" shouted Joey, lodging his sword into the beast's mouth. "I don't want to want my friends to get hurt!"
"JOEY!" cried Serenity. "PLEASE NO!"
"Joey, if you go to the Graveyard you will actually die!" Duke implored him to stop.
"If I don't go down, two of you will be destroyed!" Joey continued wrestling with the beast. "Your Highness, as a friend, please, activate the card. Sacrifice me!"
Yuri nodded reluctantly. "I will activate my trap card, Horn of Heaven! Which will negate the summoning of your Nobleman-Eater Bug! Sacrificing my Flame Swordsman to do so."
A bright light enveloped Joey and the Nobleman-Eater Bug.
"Don't worry about meeeee!" Joey cried out. Then he vanished.
He wandered aimlessly through the darkness. Though he still carried the powers of the Flame Swordsman, Joey Wheeler was still fearful for his life. There was no sign of his friends. No sign of Yugi, the spirit of the puzzle, or even Prince Yuri. All that greeted him in this dark world were the grinning skulls resting on the ground or perched ceremoniously on the tombstones with candles stuck in their mouths and eyes. He heard not a sound but the wind; only it took Joey a moment to realize that the wind was the sorrowful wailing of the lost souls that wandered this place. The moon above showered the world in a pale silver glow of which Joey gave thanks, for it lit his way.
"At least my sista will be okay," Joey muttered, trying to be brave. "I hope Yuri gets them all out okay. It may have locked me here forever, but it will bring me sum peace knowin' Yuri and the others are alright."
He heard a moan that chilled him to the very bone. Like a thousand screams of death groaning together in unison. The air grew colder, and the candles in the cemetery suddenly went out. Joey turned around, and his eyes beheld a phantom known well by all duelists. A phantom in a dark brown robe flew towards him from the fog. Piercing eyes like blue lamps gazed into Joey's soul. The scythe in his bony fingers with putrid fluorescent blue flesh. A charm of Duel Monster cards strung together with gold thread hung proudly around his neck.
The specter made another horrid wail and raised the scythe.
"The Reaper of the Cards!" Joey cried. "And he's coming to get me. OH NO!"
Yuri's eyes were still glued to the spot where Joey had vanished trying to hold back against the Nobleman-Eater Bug. He was powerless to stop his activation, which would allow Bakura to destroy two of Yuri's monsters. Thanks to the Horn of Heaven, the effect was negated at the cost of one of Yuri's monsters. Joey, acting as the Flame Swordsman.
"He's gone…" whispered Tristan. "Just like that. My best buddy is gone!"
Serenity just fell to her knees. No emotion came out of her, for too great was her angst. Not a tear nor sob came out of her. She went as pale as a ghost.
Yuri scanned the field. All his friends were crying. Yami, sitting beside him, was balling up his fists until his nails drew blood. He shook violently and puffed profoundly trying to keep his emotions in check, not for his sake, but for Yuri's.
"What a waste of a monster," Bakura taunted with a chortle that made Yuri want to jump over the table and crush his bird-like windpipe. He heard Téa sobbing the loudest. And that's when it hit him. The moment he realized his option a white aura illuminated from Téa's body.
"What's going on?" sobbed Mai.
"Of course!" Yugi said with a snap of his fingers. "She's the Magician of Faith! Yuri can flip her over and activate her effect which lets him bring one magic card from his Graveyard to his hand."
An arcane circle of white light rotated underneath Téa. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as she chanted a spell in an ancient language. A glittery white light snaked out of Yuri's Graveyard.
"And here's the spell I choose to bring back!" Yuri announced with joy. "Monster Reborn!"
He revived Joey in time. The Reaper of the Cards was just but an inch away from reaping Joey's soul.
"JOEY!" everyone shouted.
"Well done, Yuri!" Yami exclaimed happily. "I knew I could count on you!"
"Aw, Yuri, thanks, man!" Joey cried, falling to his knees."
Bakura was not pleased.
"You waste your turn and your cards trying to help these fools!"
"My friends are not a waste of time!" Yuri retorted sharply. He felt his emotions boiling up inside of him. He had just about enough of this shadow game and was ready to put Bakura into his place.
"Well, Yuri, let's see if you can defend them from this. I summon Lady of Faith, then use the spell card Change of Heart. This powerful spell lets me control one of your monsters for the duration of the turn. And I choose your little angel, Guardian Angel Joan. Once I attack with her not only will I gain Life Points equal to the monster she battles with, but another one of your friends will be sent to the Graveyard."
"No leave me alone!" shouted Serenity.
"You don't have any choice in the matter, young lady!" Bakura slapped his spell onto the field.
"Yuri!" Mai shouted, embracing Serenity. "Isn't there something you can do?"
"I'm sorry…I…I don't know."
"LOOK!" shouted Yugi pointing at the creature depicted on the card. It was a woman with a grayish-blue robe and one wing of an angel and the other a membranous demonic black wing. But the woman's face was replaced by what seemed to be a more docile form of the demon Yuri was dueling with.
"It's Bakura!" Tristan shouted.
"The real Bakura!" Téa cried out as well.
"Bakura!" Yugi called out to his friend. "You've been sealed into your favorite card too?"
Bakura gave an angelic smile with sorrowful eyes touched by sheer joy. He knew what he had to do to aid Yugi and help him escape his enslavement by the doppelganger above.
"I want to help, but we must act quickly, Prince Yuri!" He dashed for the evil Bakura's Lady of Faith and took over her body.
"What are you doing?" Yuri asked.
"Your Highness!" Bakura sobbed at the prince. "You must forgive me. I was too weak to hold him back. I had a chance to save your mother and father, but I failed. Now I must atone for my failure and offer my life as an apology."
"But Bakura, you can't!" Yugi implored him to reconsider his decision. "This is a Shadow Game. If you get attacked, you won't ascend into the Garden. You'll be trapped in here forever."
"I don't care it's better than being enslaved by a murderous evil spirit. Attack me, Prince Yuri, for your mother and father. DO IT!"
"BE QUIET!" the evil spirit commanded.
"I have a better idea!" Yami said. His puzzle began to shine. "If the ring can pull souls from people, perhaps my puzzle can put them back!"
There was a bright flash of warm radiant light. The real Bakura took the place of the spirit. He looked around confused.
"All right!" cheered Joey. "The real Bakura's back!"
"But where's the evil one!" Mai asked.
There he was. Yuri's angel. Standing across the field dressed as the Lady of Faith.
"THIS CAN'T BE!" the evil spirit shouted.
"Yuri, I'll leave the rest up to you, my friend," Yami said patting the prince on the back.
"Yugi, destroy him now!" Yuri ordered.
"You got it, Prince Yuri. DARK MAGIC ATTACK!"
The evil spirit screamed when the magical blast hit him. He shattered to pieces and was gone.
The evil spirit looked around the cemetery after he was teleported away from the playing ground where he dueled Yuri.
"NO!" he growled, slamming the ground with his fist. "Yuri's infinite power and the Millennium Puzzle where almost mine!"
He heard a crunching of footsteps behind him. It was the wizard Denethon. The master of the Sisterhood. He shook his head in disappointment and made a click with his tongue. He clutched his black staff with rage.
"You have failed me for the last time, Thief!" He turned and walked away down a dirt path. The Reaper of the Cards wailed happily upon the discovery of a new soul for him to take. The evil spirit of the Millennium Ring babbled in horror as the specter of doom approached him, eagerly clutching his scythe.
His bloody scream echoed into the night. Denethon smirked and strolled into the darkness of a forest at last rid of the fool who held his assassins back.
"Are you okay, Bakura?" Yugi asked.
"I am now, thanks to you both," Bakura said rubbing his eye. "Prince Yuri. Forgive me. Forgive me please!"
He fell to Yuri's feet and embraced his legs, sobbing with regret. "I wanted to tell Gabriel and Luvia about the coming of Anubis. But he was too strong. The spirit of the ring contained me, and I could only watch as Anubis murdered your poor mother and father."
"It's not your fault, sweetie," Mai said sympathetically.
"Aw, Bakura, don't cry," Serenity said taking him so he could cry in her arms. She rocked him back and forth like a baby.
"I don't hold you at fault for what happened," Yuri said with a weak smile. "There was nothing you could do."
"If only I was strong enough!" Bakura wailed into Serenity's breast. "You'd still have parents. They would still be alive right now. Wishing you farewell seeing you into the school. I'm sorry you were burdened to be High King. I'm sorry you had to endure those terrible monsters in the mountain. I'm sorry we had to send you away. I'm sorry for everything."
"That wasn't up to you," said Tristan. "Even if you did manage to save Rosie and Gabe; Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra would still have chosen Yuri for the Diamond Throne."
"He's right," said Yugi. "What's done is done. There isn't anything we can do for Luvia and Gabriel. They're at peace now and are watching over their son. Our loved ones may be gone from our sides, but they will never be gone from our hearts. Once there is love, you're stuck with them for life. Now, Bakura, let's forget about this mess. The spirit is gone, and you haven't been formally introduced to our new ruler."
Bakura raised his face off Serenity's chest. He sniffed and wiped his tears away with his sleeve.
"It's good to meet you finally, Your Highness," Bakura shook Yuri's hand. Yuri, felt it soaked with tears.
"Well met, Bakura. From what I understand you are my teacher in the Magical Arts program."
"I was supposed to be," Bakura sniffled. "But I've been gone for so long; I might have lost that title already."
"No, you haven't." Yugi smiled. "We made sure to keep your job at the academy safe. Chancellor Sheppard is still willing to let you keep your job."
"And if he doesn't, rest assured I'll have a talk with him." Yuri boasted.
"Thank you. All of you. I am lucky to have been blessed with a circle of friends like this. Prince Yuri, I look forward to a great semester."