Chapter 10: The King of Games
The sun rose high over Kaibaland Kingdom and gifted the island with vibrant light. Every guest in the park had gathered in or around the Blue-Eyes White Palace's massive stadium elevated high above the ground.
Those unable to gain entrance into the stadium itself watched from dozens of colossal television screens around the park. The guests of Kaibaland weren't alone in witnessing the match, as its broadcast extended around the world.
Seto Stood in his private box with Mokuba, Kisara, and Magnus. The Dragon of Okinawa still felt overwhelmed at being invited by Seto to join him, though the Chairman seemed more interested in the duel at the moment.
Kisara remained close to her husband, but Mokuba struck up a conversation with Magnus, complimenting him on his skills and showing him a new card Kaibacorp was developing similar to the one Seto had given Magnus.
"I still can't believe you dueled on a motorcycle! That's so cool!"
Magnus nodded while smiling at the fond memory.
"Your story does give me some ideas." Mokuba started before he and Magnus saw Seto turn towards them.
"You dueled this Androus, do you think he has a chance?"
Magnus took a deep breath while looking down at the battlefield below. He thought back to years of watching Yugi take the dueling world by storm. Yugi and Seto had both been Magnus's inspiration and heroes, but Androus had challenged him more than any other duelist he'd ever faced. Even without the God Cards, Androus had brought Magnus tot he edge.
"Even without the God Cards, Androus would have a fairly good chance. But with all three, he might just do it."
Kisara giggled a little, and Magnus saw Seto smile confidently.
"I don't think so."
In another private box, Kasrin sat alongside Rebecca and Yugi's friends.
Rebecca sat close to the young Egyptian woman and placed her arm around Kasrin's shoulder in a comforting manner.
Kasrin wished to be excited for seeing Androus duel Yugi, but the man she loved was no longer recognizable from the spirit which dwelled within him. She wanted more than anything for Androus to be himself again.
For Rebecca, she feared for her precious darling given Kafele's threats.
"I'm scared for Yugi." Miho said while Tristan held her.
"Yugi can do this. He's beaten all three Gods when Atem used them. This Androus doesn't have a chance!" Yugi proclaimed before Mai elbowed him as she pointed to Kasrin.
"I mean, Androus will certainly-"
Kasrin shook her head while the stadium lights turned towards its battlefield.
Yugi carefully placed his deck in the new duel disk Kaiba provided him. It had been so long since he'd felt the weight of a duel disk or the sense of excitement from a duel about to commence.
However, his enthusiasm was dimmed by Kafele's threat. Despite the spirit's hate towards him, Yugi still felt sympathy for both Kafele and Androus.
The young Egyptian man was but a passionate duelist trapped in his current circumstances. As for Kafele, he was Atem's son.
Androus shook as he placed his own duel disk on while breathing slowly.
"I've waited a long time for this." Kafele spoke with terrible satisfaction while Androus glared at him.
"Kasrin left me because of you."
"We're here because of me! You're on the brink of achieving your lifelong ambitions because of me! You have the strongest deck in history because of me!"
Androus almost teared up while shaking his head.
"I wish I'd never met you."
"Don't give up on me now, Androus. We have a duel to win." Kafele merged himself with Androus as he had in their duel with Magnus.
Yugi saw the terrible smile on Androus/Kafele's face and put on a dedicated expression.
"Androus, I know you're in there. Don't let him control you, Kafele, before this is over, you will forgive your father."
"We won't show you any mercy, Yugi."
"Ladies and gentlemen, over the last week, you've seen the world's greatest duelists prove their abilities against each other. Now, the reigning dueling King Yugi Muto will have his crown challenged by the winner of the KC Grand Prix, Androus!"
A maelstrom of applause and enthusiasm came from the crowd.
"Now, we will determine who will sit on the dueling throne! Duelists begin!"
Yugi and Androus/Kafele activated their duel disks.
"Duel!"
Yugi and Androus/Kafele drew their hands and readied themselves to clash.
"Our turn! We summon Skilled Blue Magician in attack mode then activate the field spell Yami!" Androus/Kafele roared as they placed the field spell and turned the entire battlefield into a dark plane. At the same time, Yugi noticed the Pendant glow with an eye of wdjat over Androus/Kafele's forehead.
"Starting a shadow game already."
Androus/Kafele gave an almost evil grin.
"We will make you suffer as Kafele did. We will make Kafele's father understand his pain!"
Skilled Blue magician came out with a spell counter.
(Atk: 2000 Def: 2000)
"So, what are the rules of this shadow game then?"
"Hmp, simple, you feel the pain of life points damage."
"Fair enough."
Yugi's calm demeanor might have made Rebecca blush had the stakes not been so high.
Androus/Kafele, however, found it more annoying.
"Turn end."
"My turn, I summon Big Shield Gardna in defense mode."
(Atk: 100 Def: 2600)
"I set one card face down, turn end."
"My turn, draw. Activate magic card, shard of greed." Another spell counter appeared on Skilled Blue Magician.
"Next we summon Gaia the Polar Knight!"
(Atk: 1600 Def: 1200)
Androus/Kafele looked at the card Yugi had face down warily.
"Attacking Big Shield Guardna to shift him into attack mode is too obvious. His face down card must be a reverse card." Androus/Kafele said to themselves.
"We set one card face down, turn end."
"Why didn't he attack?" Tristan asked.
"He be afraid of Yugi's face-down card." Mai said while Joey nodded.
"I'd bed it's a reverse card. At least this way Yugi has a chance to offer Big Shield Guardna for a more powerful monster."
Rebecca was encouraged by this idea, but remained vigilant all the same, particularly at Androus/Kafele's face-down card.
Yugi felt similarly impressed at Androus's wisdom for not attacking. Had he done so, Magical cylinder would have wiped out half his life points. Now he had to be cautious of Androus/Kafele's likely reverse-card. He also couldn't use magic cards without helping Androus/Kafele summon a Gaia monster.
"My turn, draw. I summon mystical elf in defense mode, turn end."
(Atk: 1000 Def: 2200)
Many in the audience began to grumble at the duel's lack of excitement. This was the first duel Yugi had been in years, and so far, he'd summoned two monsters in defense mode. Kaiba, however, knew something was on the way.
"My turn, draw, activate Shard of greed's effect. Next, I activate mystical space typhoon." Yugi grunted as he saw Magical cylinder shatter and a third spell counter appear on Skilled blue magician.
"We now offer Skilled Blue Magician to summon Arisen Gaia the fierce Knight, reverse card open, call of the haunted."
Yugi saw Skilled Blue magician appear and realized in horror Androus/Kafele now had three monsters on the field and an all too eager smile.
"No way! He's not going to-" Joey started.
"We sacrifice all three monsters to summon Obelisk the Tormentor!" Androus/Kafele roared. The sky darkened around Kaibaland Kingdom with bolts of lightning struck around Androus/Kafele.
"Darling!" Rebecca cried out in terror.
Magnus and Seto watched in awe with the audience as the War God emerged behind Androus in all his terror and magnificence.
Yugi had seen Androus summon two Gods, but it still hardly made it easier for him. Even so, the duel king held his nerve. He'd beaten all three Gods at once against Atem, who knew them better than Kafele ever could.
(Atk: 4000 Def: 4000)
"Hmp, time to see if you're still worthy, Yugi." Seto said to himself.
"Attack Big Shield Gardna!" Obelisk reduced the warrior to dust with his divine fist.
"Turn end."
Yugi felt a hint of irritation that Androus/Kafele destroyed Magical Cylinder. Had he been able to use it here, he'd have won the duel. Still, there wasn't any time to dwell on that now.
"You can wield the Gods, just like your father."
"Atem couldn't defeat Zork even with the Gods, I will punish him for that failure!"
Yugi shook his head.
"I'll make you understand. My turn, draw Activate graceful charity! I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
"How is Yugi going to win now!"
"He can do it. He's the king!"
"No way, the wielder of the Gods is king, and that's Androus now!"
"Hmp, trap cards can't harm a God, but you know this don't you." Androus/Kafele chuckled.
"You must have some kind of plan then. But it won't work! Our turn, draw! Activate shard of greed's effect!" Androus/Kafele drew two more cards and smiled.
"We summon Breaker the Magical warrior!"
Yugi smiled.
"Reverse card open! Dark Renewal!"
A magical coffin appeared before Yugi that seized Breaker with its magic and dragged him inside with Mystical Elf. The crowd went silent for a moment, and Androus/Kafele waited anxiously before they saw him.
"Arise, Dark Magician!" Yugi's Ace monster appeared in his black-armored, blue-skinned, and white-haired form.
(Atk: 2700 Def: 2300)
Yugi felt a glimmer of hope when he saw a glimpse of excitement and passion in Androus's expression. At that moment, the young Egyptian man was back in complete control. Kasrin saw this too and shook a little.
"I know you're in there, Androus."
Androus/Kafele shook their head with a cautious expression.
"I should have known you'd rely on that card. I set one card face-down, turn end."
Many in the audience, including Magnus and Yugi, were taken back by this.
"He's not going to attack!" Joey cried.
"Why wouldn't he attack when he has Obelisk!?" Mokuba almost shouted.
"Hmp, because he's not a fool." Seto said, sounding almost respectful.
"Not attacking with God?" Yugi asked while smiling.
Androus/Kafele smirked back.
"We know you'd never bring out Dark Magician just to have him destroyed. Even if a God card can't be destroyed by traps, you clearly have a plan of some kind, and I won't be falling for it."
Yugi was now quite impressed at Androus/Kafele's temperance. Had Obelisk attacked, Yugi could have likely won the duel immediately. Even so, he could still utilize his trap.
"You saw through my trap, but I'm afraid it won't make much of a difference. My turn, draw, Activate pot of greed, then I special summon Watapon who I sacrifice to summon Dark Magician Girl!"
Androus/Kafele's eyes narrowed when they saw Dark Magician girl appear beside her Master and wink. Many in the audience applauded or grew bashful upon seeing her. Rebecca, and the others, however, remained frightful knowing Kafele's link to that card.
(Atk: 2200 Def: 1900)
"You think this will distract me, Yugi? You disrespect my mother by wielding her in my father's name against me."
"She'll bring you back from the darkness Kafele. Dark Magician Attack!"
Androus/Kafele moved back slightly upon hearing this.
"What!?"
The audience grew equally confused, though Seto and Androus/Kafele knew Yugi was up to something.
"Reverse card open! Magical Spirit! When a spellcaster enters battle with another monster, if his attack points are lower, by more than one thousand, he can raise his attack by two-thousand for one turn."
Androus/Kafele now understood and almost trembled.
(Atk: 4700)
"No way!" Duke cried.
"Way to go Yugi!" Joey cried.
"That's it, darling!"
"Dark Magician attack!"
Dark Magician flew into the air and faced the War God without a hint of fear. Welding Magical spirit, Dark Magician blasted Obelisk and destroyed him.
(LPAndrous/Kafele 3300)
Magnus couldn't believe it, in one swift move, Yugi had defeated an Egyptian God Monster.
Kaiba, however, merely nodded.
"I thought so."
The audience cried in burning enthusiasm, but Yugi and Kasrin almost shouted when they saw the shadows turn on Androus/Kafele.
"Androus!" Kasrin wailed as she saw her love wounded by his own shadow game.
Yugi looked similarly distressed, but Androus/Kafele emerged with a ruthless expression.
"Well played. Reverse card open! Division of power!" Two monsters appeared before Androus/Kafele, Gaia the Mid-Sun Knight, and none other than Dark Magician Girl.
Androus/Kafele finally smiled again as she came out before him and stared Yugi down.
"My mother fights for us, not you!"
Yugi took a deep breath.
"Dark Magician Girl attack!" Yugi's Dark magician girl destroyed Gaia the Mid-Sun Knight.
"Turn end."
"My turn, draw! Hmp, if you think we needed God's power to defeat you're wrong! Activate Magic card! Advanced Ritual art!"
Androus/Kafele sent two normal monsters from their deck to the graveyard and conjured up a gateway to Chaos. Magnus knew what monster would come out and felt his heart beat faster.
"Arise! Black Luster Super Soldier!" Androus/Kafele roared full of burning enthusiasm. The ultimate soldier came out beside Dark Magician Girl and faced Yugi down hard.
The Duel King, however, merely smiled.
"I find it interesting how much you rely on the Black Luster Soldier monsters, considering it was Atem's ka. Perhaps you do love him after all."
"No! It's merely a powerful and useful monster!" Androus/Kafele shouted back defensively. Yugi knew he struck a nerve and pressed on.
"Or perhaps it's Androus's favorite card. His pride and passion." Yugi and Kasrin once again saw Androus come back with a longing gaze towards his favorite monster.
"Black Luster Super Soldier..."
Androus/Kafele shook their head.
"He'll finish you here! Activate Magic Card, book of secret arts!"
The book formed in front of Dark Magician Girl and her more power.
"Black Luster Super Soldier attack!" The ultimate soldier lunged forward without mercy and struck Dark Magician down.
(LPYugi 3700)
Yugi grunted in agony upon feeling the Shadows take their toll.
"Yugi!"
"Darling!" Kasrin felt immense guilt seeing Yugi in pain because of Androus/Kafele.
Despite this, Yugi recovered quickly.
"Finish him!" Androus/Kafele roared. Black Luster Super Solider struck Yugi again, but nothing happened.
Androus/Kafele narrowed their eyes, well aware of what just happened.
"Kuribo, my trusted defender." Yugi said while discarding him.
"Well played, but it's not over yet."
With Dark Magician in the Graveyard, both Dark Magician Girls grew in power.
(Atk: 2500)
(Atk: 2800)
"Attack!" Androus/Kafele's Dark Magician Girl blasted Yugi's, destroying her and inflicting more pain from the Shadow Game.
(LPYugi 3400)
"I set one card face down, turn end."
"Yugi defeated Obelisk, but Androus turned it around just like that!"
"This is amazing!"
Yugi couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth inside him. The duel reminded him a bit of his ceremonial game with Atem.
"My turn, draw! I set two cards face-down and summon Crusader of Endymion!" Androus/Kafele looked at the monster with interest as he came out.
(Atk: 2100 Def: 1400)
"Next, I offer a light and dark monster from the grave!" Many grew particularly excited when they saw the spirits of Watapon and Kuribo open up a door to Chaos.
Androus/Kafele knew what this meant and braced themselves.
"Arise! Black Luster Soldier! Envoy of the Begining!"
The ultimate soldier and envoy of life took up arms beside Crusader of Endymion.
(Atk: 3000 Def: 2500)
"Attack Dark Magician Girl!"
"Reverse card open! Mirror Force!" Androus/Kafele shouted in an almost desperate manner.
"That's not good!" Duke muttered.
"Darling!"
Yugi kept a calm demeanor while raising a hand to his own face-down card.
"Reverse card open! Mystical Ref Panel!"
Androus/Kafele now shook when they saw mirror force come back and destroy Black Luster Super Soldier.
"Reverse Card open! Time Chain!" A pair of Chains seized Black Luster Soldier and Dark Magician Girl, taking them out of play while also saving Dark Magician Girl from Mirror Force.
"Well done." Yugi said.
"You won't harm my mother again!" Androus/Kafele snarled.
Yugi took another deep breath.
"Atem, if only you were here. I set two cards face down, turn end."
"My turn, draw! Activate pot of greed!" Androus/Kafele felt their eyes widen in excitement upon seeing what cards they drew.
Yugi had been expecting this and was ready.
"Activate quick-play magic-card, exchange!" Androus/Kafele's mouth dropped.
"Show me your hand." With fire in their eyes, Androus/Kafele revealed both cards, including the Winged Dragon of Ra.
"I'll take that." Yugi said like a parent as he chose the God card.
"Incredible!" Someone shouted.
"Yugi! You're the man!" Yugi almost stood up and danced before Mai dragged him back down.
"Please, you're daughter is watching you."
"Amazing." Kisara added.
Yugi continued to fill Magnus with awe as he watched Yugi's masterful skills.
Seto was intrigued to see his former rival still as he remembered. Yugi also noted Androus's other monster and knew if he could play it, it would possibly let him summon Ra and felt a great relief having stopped the combo.
Androus/Kafele, however, took one particular card from Yugi that would ease the loss.
"Activate your magic card, hand rebirth!" Yugi sighed as he was forced to discard Ra as well as the rest of his hand and draw six more with Androus.
"Are you kidding me!" Tristan muttered.
"At least he can't use it." Rebecca tried to assure them.
"Now, I summon Skilled Dark Magician!"
The Black-Clad Spellcaster came out and spun his wand around before aiming it at Crusader of Endymion.
(Atk: 2100 Def: 1900)
"Next, I activate Spell counter!" The magic card activated and placed a spell counter on Skilled Dark Magician Immediately before the card's effect placed another on him.
"Next, I activate Magician's Rescue! If I have a Spellcaster on the field, I can free another from the effect of a card! Be free, Dark Magician Girl!"
Dark Magician Girl Broke free at the same time a third spell counter appeared.
Now Yugi took a more defensive stance.
Androus/Kafele grinned once more and held their hands out.
"I'll show you the power of Magicians! Dark Magician, come forth!" Androus/Kafele's Dark Magician emerged in Skilled Dark Magician's place beside Dark Magician Girl.
(Atk: 2700 Def: 2300)
"Finish him!"
"Yugi!" Rebecca shouted. Both Magician's rushed ahead, ready to finish Yugi.
"Kafele, forgive me." Yugi said in a remorseful tone.
"What?"
"Reverse card open, Mirror Force."
Androus/Kafele trembled in horror when they saw the reverse card appear.
"No! Mother!" Despite Androus/Kafele's protests, Mirror Force shattered Dark Magician Girl.
Yugi saw the pain of watching his mother die briefly return to Kafele's eyes, and in its place, feral rage soon emerged.
"Activate quick-play Magic Card! Dedication of Light and Darkness!"
Before Mirror Force could strike Dark Magician, a white light enveloped him not just from the card but also from the Pendant, sending the mirror force's power away. When the lights faded, Yugi expected to see Dark Magician of Chaos, but instead saw something else.
All in the crowd were just as surprised upon seeing the monster before Androus.
It looked like the Dark Magician of Chaos, but with a slightly more Egyptian flair to him, and Kafele's face.
"Kafele!?" Yugi shouted.
Dark Magician of Chaos/Kafele grinned intensely.
"I told you, I am the Dark Magician of Chaos!"
Kasrin frantically looked back down and saw Androus was free of Kafele's influence.
Her beloved boyfriend tried desperately to catch his breath as Kafele's influence faded.
"Androus!" Yugi cried.
"My partner isn't without me. I'm still here!" Kafele looked back at Androus, who shook.
"We're going to finish this!"
"I, I."
"Androus, this is what you always wanted." Yugi spoke in a warm and comforting manner.
"Yugi-"
The duel King smiled in a way that filled Androus with passion.
"I want to continue."
Standing up tall, Androus nodded.
"Dark Magician of Chaos attack!"
Kafele unleashed his chaos Magic onto Crusader of Endymion, removing him from play.
(LPYugi2300)
"I set one card face down, turn end."
"My turn, draw! I activate the effects of a monster in my hand. When a spellcaster is targeted, I can special summon her, Palladium Oracle Mana!"
Androus shook more than he had ever done so before when he saw the Egyptian styled Spellcaster who looked exactly like Kafele's mother and very similar to Dark Magician Girl appeared.
(Atk: 2200 Def: 1900)
"I also activate the effect of the monster I just drew, Palladium Oracle Mahad!"
Mahad came out beside Mana and smiled with her at the same moment Time Chain broke and freed Black Luster Soldier.
Kafele narrowed his eyes at Yugi's array of monsters, Mana in particular.
"...I never imagined you'd be so ruthless, Yugi. Perhaps I should have expected such cruelty from my father."
"Kafele, is this what your mother would want?"
"My mother died because he wasn't there to protect her, to protect us! I will make you pay!"
Yugi sighed.
"Black Luster Solider, remove Dark Magician of Chaos from play."
Kasrin almost jumped when she heard this, fearing that Kafele would return to Androus.
"Reverse card open! Magical Veil!" Kafele was protected from monster effects as the card also ended Yugi's Battle Phase.
"Activate card of sanctity. Then I activate monster reincarnation and finally offer Black Luster Soldier to summon Ultimate Soldier-Warrior Pharaoh!"
The audience went silent, but none more so than Kafele himself when they saw Black Luster Soldier replaced by another version of the monster. The new Black Luster Soldier was clad in more Egyptian styled armor, and his face, like Mana and Mahad was just as Egyptian. The face of Yugi had his skin been tanner.
(Atk: 3000 Def: 2500)
The reaction on Kafele's couldn't have had more cruel satisfaction.
"This is your ploy! All you've done is brought out my father so I can destroy him!" Kafele laughed.
"I don't think so. When Warrior Pharaoh Atem is on the field and doesn't attack, he can destroy all your spell and trap cards.
With that, Yami vanished, and Kafele felt his power weaken slightly.
"I set one card face down, turn end."
Despite fortune turning back to Yugi, Androus and Kafele remained unphased.
"Yugi, we're not done yet. We'll do everything we can to win! This is my burning passion!"
Androus's vigor and enthusiasm gave Yugi a moment of relief upon seeing Androus back to his normal self. However, he would only remain so while Kafele stayed separate.
"My turn draw!" Androus and Kafele smiled at each other while nodding.
"This is where it ends, Yugi. Activate Magic card, monster reborn, come be reborn Tricky."
The monster rose up from the dead, but wouldn't stay for long.
"Activate Magic card, tricky spell four." The tricky split into three tokens around Kafele.
"Are you kidding me?!" Joey shouted.
The audience prepared themselves for what they knew was coming.
Androus shook with excitement, but Kafele smiled with terrible enthusiasm.
Once more, the sky darkened, and all three tricky tokens turned into red light before rising into the sky.
"Come forth, Slifer the Sky Dragon!"
Yugi thought back to himself and Atem facing their first God together under the bridge in Domino city. It was his defeat of this monster in the ceremonial duel that allowed Atem to enter the afterlife.
Now, Yugi would have to defeat the heavenly sky dragon once more to save Atem's son.
Slifer loomed over Yugi with both mouths wide open.
(Atk: 4000 Def: 4000)
"My father was supposedly the wielder of the Gods. Now he will be destroyed by them! Slifer attack Pharaoh Atem!"
Slifer roared with his lower mouth aimed at Atem.
"Goodbye!"
"Yugi!"
"Reverse card open! Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light! My monsters can endure!"
"But your life points won't!"
(LPYugi 1500)
"Darling!"
Yugi and Kafele expected immense pain to follow, but the Duel King felt nothing.
"What!?" Kafele muttered before turning to Androus who looked down at the Pendant.
"I'm sorry, Kafele, but that's not how I duel. No more shadow games."
Kafele looked ready to maul Androus, and Kasrin felt tears grow in her eyes.
"Fine! I'll have Slifer destroy you next turn! Activate blue medicine. Turn end."
(LPAndrous 3700)
"There won't be a next turn. My turn, draw!"
Kafele knew Yugi's threats weren't idle and remained vigilant with Androus.
"I activate Monster Reborn! Arise Black Luster Soldier, envoy of the beginning!"
"I don't think so! Slifer!" The God dragon unleashed his divine power upon Black Luster Soldier, only for Pharaoh Atem to raise up his shield and dissipate it.
"Huh!?"
"It's like you said, Atem is the wielder of the Gods. While Pharaoh Atem is on the field, I can negate the effects of God monsters."
"Hmp, it doesn't matter, Black Luster Soldier's effect still can't destroy a God."
"No, but who said he would."
Yugi emphasized one particular card in his hand.
"No, that card is in the graveyard!" Kafele roared.
"...He used Monster Reincarnation." Androus subtly reminded his partner.
The darkness began to break up as Mana, Mahad, and Black Luster Soldier all became enveloped in yellow light and flew into the sky.
Rebecca now trembled with Kasrin and the others.
Androus felt his legs wobble upon seeing the golden sphere emerge above them, illuminating Kaibaland as the sun would.
"Ra." Androus muttered.
Kafele had an almost crazed look about him upon looking up at the sphere.
"Ha! How foolish and arrogant! You can't wield Ra without knowledge of the ancient text! Without my father, you're helpless!"
Yugi took a deep breath and looked down at the text which appeared on Ra's card.
Yugi closed his eyes and began chanting in ancient Egyptian.
Seto took a step back with wide eyes.
"He's going to do it."
"What!? No! How can you read that!?"
Even without the Puzzle, an eye of Wdjat formed on Yugi's forehead, both frightening and intriguing his friends.
At last, Yugi finished, and Ra emerged from his sphere, the Sun God's divine light emanating around Earth.
"Yugi used Ra!"
"We get to see a clash of gods!"
(Atk: 7500)
Slifer tried to blast Ra with his second mouth, but Atem leaped onto Ra's head and blocked it once again.
Slifer roared at Ra in a great challenge, but it was for naught. Androus looked beyond excited to see a clash of Gods, but Kafele was the opposite.
Ra opened his mighty jaws and unleashed the sun's fiery inferno towards Slifer so intensely the heat could be felt across the island. Slifer let out a final roar before shattering.
Androus was knocked off his feet by the blow, but Kafele merely trembled.
Ra still loomed over Yugi, but Pharaoh Atem now stood before Kafele.
(LPAndrous 200)
"Yugi did it, all he has to do is attack, and he'll win!" Rebecca nearly leaped out of her seat and had to be held in place by Joey and Mai.
Yugi looked at Kafele, who stared hard at the Warrior Pharaoh. The hate in his eyes had vanished, replaced by pain and raw emotion.
"So this is how it ends...So be it. End my suffering."
"Kafele." Despite everything that happened, Androus still cared about his spirit companion and reached for him.
"No, you don't need me anymore. I'm sorry I laid my woes upon you, Androus. I needn't burden you anymore."
Even Kasrin began to feel sympathy for Kafele again.
The spirit teared up while awaiting the inevitable attack.
"Pharaoh Atem, attack!" The audience watched with mixed emotions as Atem lunged towards Kafele with his sword out.
Kafele closed his eyes and braced himself for the blow. However, nothing happened. Kafele opened his eyes to see Atem had stopped inches from him.
"What are you waiting for!? Do it!" Kafele barked out furiously.
Androus watched carefully with Yugi and soon realized what the Duel King did.
"Why won't you just do it! Curse you! Damn you!" Kafele dropped his staff and threw a fist. However, by the time it made contact, Kafele had transformed before Androus and Yugi.
The Dark Magician of Chaos was now the small boy they'd seen with his mother. Kafele's fist struck Atem's chest but had little impact. Yugi now shook as he saw his spirit partner kneel down and place his arms around his son.
Kafele continued to sob, and Atem let a few tears escape him while embracing his boy. Only Androus, Yugi, Kisara, and Seto could see what was happening proper.
Yugi became overwhelmed upon seeing Atem. However, he wasn't alone. Soon another familiar figure revealed herself and joined the tearful embrace.
"Mama." The child Kafele muttered.
Atem rose with Mana while holding Kafele in his arms before turning to Yugi.
The duel king had to hold back tears as he and Atem gave each other an emotional smile before nodding.
With that, the spirits passed on back into the afterlife.
Despite still wearing the Pendant, Androus no longer felt Kafele's presence whatsoever. He was gone.
"Winner! Duel King Yugi Muto!"
The stadium and park itself shook from the uproar of applause. Magnus sighed, almost hoping Androus would be able to win. Still, he couldn't deny how exciting it was.
"Yugi." Androus's voice snapped Yugi out of his trance.
"Androus."
The young man extended his hand to Yugi, who humbly shook it.
"Thank you for the greatest duel of my life."
Yugi nodded.
"Thank you for helping me rediscover my love of dueling."
"I what?"
Yugi smiled and looked at his deck with fondness.
"I thought I'd moved on from dueling. But this match reminded me of what I always loved about the game. I'm coming out of retirement."
"You, you are!"
"He is!?" The announcer shouted.
"He is!?" The audience echoed back.
"Duel Quest can still be completed, but that doesn't mean I can't duel either."
"So, we can have a rematch one day?"
Yugi locked hands with Androus with a competitive look.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Taking a deep breath, Androus looked at the Millenium Pendant before stroking it one last time.
"Yugi, Kafele was right about one thing. You are Atem reborn in this age. Therefore, you should have this." Androus handed Yugi the Millenium Item.
Yugi hesitated at first, but slowly placed the Pendant around his neck and smiled.
"You should have these as well."
With great reluctance, Androus offered Yugi the three God cards.
Yugi looked even more surprised by this.
"Are you sure?"
Androus nodded.
"There safest with you, besides, I don't need them."
Yugi took the God cards very carefully and stared at them for an eternity. Here he was with the Millenium Pendant and all three God cards. It was true then. He'd become Atem's successor. This wasn't upsetting. If anything, Yugi felt honored.
Smiling, Yugi placed all three God cards in his deck just in time to nearly be tackled by Rebecca.
"Darling! I knew you'd win, darling! Now you can duel me too!" Rebecca planted a long kiss on Yugi's lips at the same time Kasrin similarly leaped into Androus's arms.
"Kasrin, I-" She cut him off with a passionate kiss while tearing up slightly.
"No one's ever going to forget this tournament, Seto. I still wish I could have won, but-" Mokuba started before he, Kisara, and Magnus saw he'd vanished.
"Seto?" Kisara muttered.
"Look!" Magnus roared while pointing to the battlefield.
"Yugi!" Seto's booming voice silenced the entire island. Yugi and the others now saw Seto standing across from them with an activated duel disk.
With an intense but competitive look, Kaiba placed his deck in the holder and pointed towards Yugi in a challenging manner.
All eyes turned to Yugi, who smiled back and activated his duel disk.
"Duel!"
Epilogue: The Future
A month after the KC Grand Prix, Magnus pulled off the track in a massive stadium while on a modified motorcycle. The Dragon of Okinawa looked back at half-a-dozen other duelists on motorcycles who either rested or raced on the track.
"Magnus!"
Androus's voice caught Magnus's attention, and he turned to see his old Egyptian friend approaching with Kasrin.
"There he is, the dueling Pharaoh!" Magnus laughed before he and Androus locked hands.
"I didn't pick that title, nor do I think I've earned it since I never beat Yugi."
"Hmp, it speaks a lot to how far you've both made it in the pro league after just a month."
Kasrin giggled a little while sounding proud of their accomplishment.
"I thought you called the pro-league hubris!?" Androus laughed. Magnus shrugged.
"I said, calling oneself a pro is a hubris. Still, I imagine things have improved for your family." Androus and Kasrin smiled warmly before they showed Magnus pictures of their community now in good housing, clean cloths, and going to school.
"All your dreams came true then."
"You could say that." Kasrin said as she hugged Androus. Magnus noticed a ring on each of their fingers and laughed again.
"Ahhh, congratulations."
"What about you? I heard a certain dragon became a favorite of Seto Kaiba."
Magnus smiled with a hint of pride.
"You could say that. Mokuba and I are heading the development of a new type of dueling, Turbo Duels."
"Like that shadow game!"
"Hell yeah, it's been very fun." Magnus said as he looked over with Androus and Kafele towards Mokuba, who was in the midst of a Turbo duel.
"Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon, attack!" Mokuba roared as his monster finished the other duelist.
"What is that!?" Kasrin almost shouted.
"The future of dueling." Magnus revealed a silver card to Androus and Kasrin, who looked at in awe.
"Black Rose Dragon? Synchro monster? What's that?"
Magnus smiled.
"I could show you."
Androus returned the smile.
"Sounds good. We never had a duel without any God cards in my deck."
"Yes, we didn't."
Kasrin and the others, including Mokuba, all gathered. Magnus and Androus revved up their Duel Runners before racing off down the track. Within minutes they saw Black Luster Soldier-Super Soldier over Androus and the Black Rose Dragon over Magnus.
"This is the future of Duel Monsters."