Joey had been ecstatic to arrive at the castle's steps. He had done it. He was in the final four. That was further than he thought he would get, even if he had a lot of faith in himself. He also knew he would get a room upon entering the castle, one that would provide him and Kaiba with the privacy that they needed to...do anything they wanted. He hoped Kaiba was succeeding in rescuing Mokuba. He wanted the brunette's attention to be all on him when he entered the castle. He wanted Kaiba to watch him duel and, hopefully, win the tournament, but Joey knew it would be hard to convince the brunette to do that and even harder to give his friends a reason why Kaiba would be watching.

Despite all of that, Joey still had a huge smile on his face. That is, until he saw that Kaiba was standing at the top of the staircase with a funny look on his face. If Joey didn't know any better, he'd say that Kaiba was scared. But that couldn't be. What could the brunette possibly be scared of?

He had his answer a couple of turns into the duel, when the ultimate blue eyes white dragon, his lover's favorite card, was rotting away. His heart sank as Kaiba suddenly became unresponsive. He had never seen the brunette like that before. He wished he could do something to help. His heart was split between not wanting Yugi to lose the chance to save his grandfather and not wanting Kaiba to lose the chance to save his brother. He had no idea what to do, what outcome he wanted, but it didn't matter. It looked like Yugi would win either way.

It's okay.

I'll go up to him and promise to save Mokuba.

One of us is going to win.

If it's Yugi, he'll help Mokuba as well.

We can fix this, Kaiba.

Please stop looking like that.

If Joey wasn't frightened enough by Kaiba's state, he became downright horrified when Kaiba started walking backwards.

He can't be doing what I think he's doing.

He's just upset.

There's no way he would…

"If you win this duel, Pegasus will keep Mokuba prisoner. I can't let that happen," the brunette said firmly as he got on the ledge. Joey's whole body froze with fear.

"What the hell are you doing?!" he screamed, unable to stop himself. No one noticed anything off, though. They were all shouting similar phrases at the brunette. There's no way Kaiba hadn't heard him. Joey had shouted at the top of his lungs, but the brunette didn't even hesitate, flinch, or look at the blonde. Joey's heart raced. He internally begged Kaiba, as if the brunette would telepathically hear him.

Please, look at me.

Give me a sign.

Tell me you're bluffing.

You've gotta be bluffing!

At least let me know you can hear me.

That you know I am still here.

We'll get Mokuba back.

But I don't want to have to tell him that his brother…

JUST DON'T DO THIS!

Yugi suddenly emerged in spirit form next to Yami, frightened. The spirit wasn't going to back down, and he hoped that Yugi hadn't come out to talk him out of attacking the rotting dragon. This was the only way to save Yugi's grandfather. Yami was sure that Kaiba wouldn't give the old man a second thought once he was in the castle. Joey would. The blonde would demand Solomon Moto's release, but he'd need to win against Pegasus to actually rescue the old man. Yami liked Joey. He really did, but the spirit wasn't sure the blonde could beat the creator of the game. So, that only left him. He was the only one who could help Yugi, and nothing would stand in his way.

Yami could sense Yugi's hesitance. His aibou wanted to attack so he could save his grandfather, but didn't want to harm Kaiba. In that moment, the spirit felt nothing but absolute hate towards the brunette. How dare he make Yugi feel guilty about rightfully winning a duel and saving his grandfather? How dare he threaten to take his life? He must know how pure Yugi's heart is. Yami's Aibou wouldn't attack, even if he loses the chance to save his grandfather as a result. He wouldn't risk another's life.

But Kaiba would.

He is trading one life for another.

He doesn't care about anyone but himself.

No good man would put another person in this kind of situation.

He thinks I won't attack him?

Well, he's wrong.

Spirit, stop!

Yami's train of thought came to an end when he heard his Aibou pleading with him.

There must be another way.

There isn't, Yugi.

Maybe we can talk to him…

Tell him that things are going to be okay.

That we'll demand Mokuba's release if we win the tournament?

Like he would do the same thing for grandpa?

That's not the point, spirit.

Come on, let me take charge again.

I'll talk to him.

Aibou, he's bluffing.

You don't need to talk him out of anything.

He's just trying to trick you because you're kind.

Trust me.

Spirit, wait!

"Kaiba, I've never backed away, and I am not starting now!" Yugi suddenly yelled with a furious look on his face. Joey's heart stopped.

NO!

The blonde was just about to explode in protests. He needed to stop Yugi. Kaiba might actually jump. He doesn't look like he's joking. How could Yugi not see that?

Tea beat the blonde to it, running towards Yugi at lightning speed, screaming at him to stop the attack. Joey's friend seemed to have some kind of epiphany within a split-second and called off his attack just in time. The brunette smiled and stepped off the ledge as if nothing had happened, then took half of Yugi's star chips and went into the castle without another word.

Joey tried to snap Yugi of the stupor he was in, but it was useless. Yugi looked broken. He wouldn't move, wouldn't speak, wouldn't even look at any of his friends. Joey offered half his star chips to Yugi, thinking that would help. His sister needed them, but Serenity was only losing her sight. Yugi's grandfather would lose his entire life. Besides, he already had a back-up plan. He could ask Yugi for the money if the small one wins, then pay him back in installments for the rest of his life. None of that mattered right now though, because Yugi. Wouldn't. Speak.

You really did it this time, Kaiba.

I can't ever forgive you for doing this.

If you had just had a little faith in us...a little faith in me, we could've all gotten what we wanted.

Now, it looks like only one of us will, and, of course, that has to be you, you jerk.