"I...", trailed off the Pharaoh, his card shining brightly, "...DRAW!!!"
Turn 17, Yugi's Turn, 220 LP, 1 Card in Hand
The crowd all went silent as the Pharaoh finished with his draw. Everyone could only stare at what could happen next.
"I have a feeling this is the last turn...", mused Declan to himself, Claude suddenly whispering something to his ear.
"...I see", noted the CEO before accompanying his assistant. Henrietta could only look at her son as he left the room.
What card did we draw, Pharaoh?, asked the smaller Yugi from inside the spirit's consciousness.
I have no idea..., answered the Egyptian spirit, before turning the card around. What he then saw surprised both Yugis.
"I wonder if he got the card he needed...", trailed off Zuzu. Sora simply stated, "I would be worried if he did, I wouldn't lie."
"I didn't expect to see this card again of all places", noted the Egyptian spirit as he looked at its text. Yep, it was the same card as always.
Spider's Web.
Well, it's a Spell card, the smaller Yugi said. Spell Textbook's second effect now activates!
You're right..., trailed off the Pharaoh before speaking up, "Now Spell Textbook's second effect activates! Since the card I drew was a Spell card, I get to activate it immediately!"
He drew a Spell card?, asked Yuto from inside Yuya's consciousness.
"Which means I now activate Spider's Web!", continued Yugi as he showed his Spell to the crowd. "This card allows me to activate a Spell card that my opponent used on his previous turn!"
An unexpected effect, mused Celina. That couldn't mean anything good.
There was only one Spell card you activated last turn, noted Yuri from inside Yuya's consciousness.
"Oh, I see", spoke up Yuya. "So you're activating..."
"Yes, you're right", responded the Pharaoh. "I activate the Action Spell you used last turn, Quick Greed! I now draw two more cards with this effect!"
"More card drawing??", asked Sylvio.
Pharaoh, these cards will determine our future!, noted the smaller Yugi.
Yes, I can feel our Deck yearning for a miracle, added the spirit excitedly. It's time to bring it out!
"I now draw two more cards!", the Egyptian spirit stated.
Yugi's hand size: 2 cards
The Egyptian pharaoh then saw his two cards.
Wait, what?
These two cards he could swear he never saw before. And yet one of them seemed extremely familiar.
...
Claude accompanied Declan into a certain investigation room, complete with LEO Corporation employees typing about.
"Sir, were detecting large amounts of dimensional energy!", stated one of the researchers. "Our research shows these are tied to the blue portals!"
"Is that so...?", trailed off Declan, before turning to see an employee's computer screen. He furrowed his eyebrows at what he was seeing.
"Is everything all right, sir?", asked Claude.
Declan slowly stood up and began thinking, putting a hand on his chin.
"The blue portals we've been using...", began Declan. "They've gone haywire. If left to their own devices, this dimension alongside others nearby will merge together and collapse."
The entire room went eerily silent.
"What?"
"Is that true?"
"Are we going to die?"
The LEO Corporation employees began panicking about and asking questions, only for Declan to clear his throat.
The room went silent after his non-worded command.
"Is there something we can do to stop it?", asked the assistant, breaking the pregnant silence.
"Not a thing."
"Then...", trailed off Claude, a feeling of panic rising. "What will happen to us, sir?"
"...I don't know", spoke up the CEO before repeating, "I don't know what will happen next."
...
"Palladium Oracle Mahad?", asked the Pharaoh.
That was one of the cards he'd drawn.
"This is weird...", said the Egyptian spirit to himself.
What happened, Pharaoh?, asked the smaller Yugi.
"I feel like I've seen this card before", stated the Pharaoh, feeling a sense of familiarity from the card despite never seeing it before.
Well I've never seen it, responded the smaller Yugi before saying, Wait Pharaoh, look at the effect!
"Huh?", asked the Egyptian spirit before reading the card text. He then brightened up before saying, "I see! I activate the effect of Palladium Oracle Mahad from my hand!
"Palladium Oracle Mahad?", asked Devlin. "That's another card we haven't seen Yugi use."
The rest of the DM gang nodded in agreement.
Kaiba narrowed his eyes silently at the new card.
"Did something happen, Seto?", asked Mokuba.
"Since I've drawn this card, I'm allowed to special summon this monster from my hand!", explained Yugi as he summoned the new spellcaster. "Appear, Palladium Oracle Mahad!"
A new monster appeared on Yugi's field, golden armor and white cloth. It seemed to bring an aura similar to Dark Magician.
Palladium Oracle Mahad, Level 7, 2500 ATK, 2100 DEF
"And with that, the King of Games managed to bring out an unexpected ally!", stated Nico.
"I still don't know how that's going to help him win against Yuya", Gong mused, Zuzu turning to look at him. "Yuya still has the more powerful monster on the field."
Zuzu nodded her head in agreement, before turning to look at the field again.
Why did she feel that Yuya was about to lose?
"Battle!", Yugi pointed at Yuya's monster. "My Palladium Oracle Mahad attacks your Fusion Dragon!"
"What!?", asked Yuya.
But his monster has the lower attack points!, Yuto noted, Yuya saying he same thing in his voice out loud.
"Ah but not for long; Palladium Oracle Mahad's effect activates!", the Egyptian spirit waved his finger before continuing. "Any battle against a DARK monster makes Mahad's ATK double!"
"WHAT?", asked Yuya, the crowd showing the same shock.
Palladium Oracle Mahad's ATK: 2500 - 5000
Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon's ATK: 3300
Yuya's LP: 1100
"It looks like Yuya's about to lose the duel!", Nico shouted frenetically.
Yuya, activate it!, Yugo said.
Activate what?, asked Yuri.
"I activate Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice's effect from my graveyard!", shouted Yuya. "I'm allowed to banish this card to negate an attack!"
"What?", asked Yugi.
"So now my Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon is protected!", added the pendulum duelist, the Fusion monster roaring loudly.
Huh, I never would have thought your monster would protect mine, Yugo, Yuri noted to his Synchro counterpart. I'm genuinely surprised.
You bet it is!, celebrated Yugo. He then added with confusion, Wait what?
He negated our attack, Pharaoh!, noted the smaller Yugi from inside the spirit's consciousness.
It seems so..., responded the Egyptian spirit, before looking down on his last card. It seems as though this card being in our hand is destiny. Or maybe a twist of destiny.
Mhmm, seems like it, nodded Yugi in agreement. What do you think this means?
I don't actually know, partner, but I do know one thing for sure, answered the Egyptian spirit, taking a step forward.
And what is it?
"That I'm about to win this duel!", the spirit proudly stated, sending the crowd into a frenzied roar.
Wait, what did he say?, asked Yuto incredulously.
Yuya seemed to share the same expression. "But you don't have any attacks left!", the pendulum duelist stated.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that", responded the Pharaoh, surprising the tomato-haired duelist. "You see, when there is nothing else to do but charge forward, you make sure to double it in force! I activate the Quick-play Spell card, Double or Nothing!!"
The entire crowd went crazy once more.
"Anotha' new card!", stated Joey.
"When a monster's attack is negated, this card allows it to attack again with double the force!", explained the Egyptian spirit, his Mahad doubling in ATK.
Palladium Oracle Mahad's ATK: 5000 - 10,000
"10,000 ATK!?", shouted Yuya in shock, the rest of the crowd sharing the same thought.
"Yuya!", shouted Zuzu, trying to run towards the pendulum duelist.
"Attack again, Mahad!", the spirit ordered, his spellcaster raising his rod once more on the dragon. "Bring this duel to a close!"
"Help me search for an Action Card!", Yuya commanded his Fusion Dragon to search for an Action card, the dragon lifting him up his back. But by then Mahad had already blasted the monster with a piercing light blast, sending Yuya flying towards the ground.
"Hhrgh!"
Yuya's LP: 1100 - 0
Winner: Yugi
...
Declan silently walked back into the viewing room, Claude accompanying him.
Henrietta knew better than to say anything, instead focusing on cradling the young Riley in her arms silently.
"What do we say to the public, sir?", asked the assistant nervously.
Declan looked at the screen showing the duel's results in silence.
"...Nothing", he eventually answered, not turning to look back. There was no hint of neither panic nor despair in his voice. "There's nothing we can do at this point but accept the dimensional collapse. Making the public panic by then will not improve anything."
"I... see...", trailed off Claude. He then asked, "How much time do we have left, sir?"
"...Not much."
...
"...Yuya lost?", asked Sora, surprised at the revelation. The entirety of the Duel School shared the same reaction.
"No way!", stated Gong, Zuzu already gone by then.
"I win!", stated Yugi, the crowd sent into a mixture of cheering, shouts, and claps. Zuzu managed to approach the kneeling pendulum duelist, his face unrecognizable.
"Are you okay, Yuya?", asked the pink-haired girl as she lightly shook her friend's shoulders. His silence began to worry her.
Until suddenly:
"Heheh... heheheh... Hahahahahaha!", began laughing Yuya, hugging the worried girl in her arms.
"WHA-YUYA!", shouted the girl in panic with a flushed face, Yuya letting go of her before allowing her to whip out her paper fan.
"That was a really fun duel, Zuzu!", shouted Yuya with a heartfelt smile. He then grabbed Zuzu's hands with his own and explained, "I was just celebrating internally about how much fun I had; Sorry for scaring you like that."
The girl smiled softly at his words with a slight blush, before separating her hands from Yuya's. She then playfully knocked onto Yuya's forehead while stating, "You better be sorry, dummy."
Yuya smiled in response, before approaching the Pharaoh and shaking his hands.
"Huh?"
"I'm really glad we got to duel each other, Yugi!", stated Yuya as he continued shaking. "Getting to swing into action like this has never been this exciting before!"
Yugi slowly let go with a small sweat-drop and responded, "Y-Yeah, that was an excellent duel."
Quite the energy ball, noted the smaller Yugi.
Zuzu approached Yuya by his right side as Yugi added, "I had fun in this duel like no other; I'm looking forward to an eventual rematch!"
"Yeah", Yuya nodded confidently, before both duelists gave each other a proper, calmer handshake. The crowd went wild from there.
"And there you have it folks, the most exciting duel ever witnessed now brought to a close!", Nico stated excitedly. "And our winner this time is the King of Games himself, Yugi Muto!"
The crowd continued clapping, even the members from the Arc-V universe joining in. Yuya then held Yugi's right arm high, shouting at the crowd, "Ladies annnnnd gentlemen! Today's been possibly one of my best duels yet, hopefully you guys enjoyed the show as much as I did! Now let's give it up for the main star of tonight's show, Yugi!"
Yoko cheered at her son, "Woooooo, Yuya! That's how you play a duel!"
Yusho beside her have a gentle clap, albeit with a smile.
I'm proud of the duelist you became Yuya; one who has learned to have fun at even his own losses.You once again showed the world the Dueltainer you always wanted to be.
"He may have lost, but Yuya definitely hit the ball park again", Julia noted with a clap, the rest of the LEO school joining her.
Skip was this close to tearing up waterfalls at the duel (spoiler alert: he did, and ended up crying a lot at what he said was "a real beauty of a duel"). Declan and the others with him inside the room clapped silently.
"What a fantastic duel", stated Pegasus with a polite clap. Even Weevil and Rex gave a reluctant clap.
Kaiba didn't say anything at all, something from the bottom of his soul telling him something was about to happen.
"Well done, Yuge'!", cheered on Joey while making a weird face. "Never doubted you would win!" Him and the rest of the DM gang then stood up to approach the Egyptian spirit.
Well Pharaoh, we did it, Yugi stated from inside the Egyptian spirit's consciousness. We won this duel!
Maybe so, but we managed to have something much more valuable this time, the Pharaoh responded.
Huh?, asked Yugi. What is that?
Fun, answered the Egyptian spirit. It's not often we get to enjoy Duel Monsters for what it truly is; a card game for everyoneto enjoy.
Yugi looked at him silently before agreeing with a nod.
And Yuya..., the spirit added. He's not the average duelist one would normally meet. And I'm not talking about his otherworldly strategies and powerful dragons; I'm talking about his ideals as a duelist. He's a true duelist who shows pride and honor at the very core of his duels, but also makes sure everyone watching has fun.
Both Yugis looked at the smiling Yuya holding their arm.
I'd wish there were more duelists like him, the Pharaoh admitted to his partner. Duelists who could take Duel Monsters and share its happiness around the world.
Yeah..., trailed off the smaller Yugi with a smile. The Pharaoh was then hugged by his group, first Tristan, then Tea, then Joey, and the rest. Yuya has to let go the let the spirit celebrate with his group.
"Hey, Yuya", Gong said from behind Yuya, the pendulum duelist turning to look at his friend. "That was a great duel you did there."
"Yeah", smiled softly Yuya, handshaking Gong with happiness. The crowd continued celebrating.
"A nice duel you gave back there, Yugi", stated Duke, patting the Pharaoh on the back. "There were so many twists-"
FRRRRRFFFFRRRRHHHHHHFFFFFRRRRRRGGGGGHHH
Suddenly, everything began shaking, alarming the people into a confused and terrified frenzy.
"It has begun", stated Declan calmly, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"Hoh? Is there an animal stampede nearby?", asked Solomon with confusion.
"No, it's probably an earthquake!", stated Bakura, tugging Joey's shirt while adding, "C'mon, everyone, let's gets out of here!"
But alas, it didn't matter. A piercing roar, seemingly from a dragon, rang through everyone's ears.
"Just what is happening!?", shouted Smiley in panic, everyone running about in search for the exit. That same dragon's roar was heard the second time.
"Everyone, to the exit!", shouted Skip, motioning for everyone to follow him. Zuzu ran up to Yuya and grabbed his arm.
"Yuya, let's go!", shouted the girl. But the pendulum duelist didn't budge.
"...Yuya?"
"...I felt him", stated Yuya, his eyes not focused on anything but the suddenly-orange sky. "Zarc. I felt Zarc again, just this instant."
"Zarc?", asked Zuzu in surprise. "What does Zarc have to do-"
She couldn't finish her sentence, as a bright ball of light suddenly erupted from above the stadium. Everybody looking turned their heads away from the blinding brightness.
"Just what is...", trailed off Gong.
The ball of light suddenly exploded and expanded, consuming everyone in blinding light. Everybody tried to run, except Yuya and Zuzu. They just stood there, continuing to look at the bright light.
"I can't feel my counterparts anymore...", trailed off Yuya, almost silently.
"Me neither...", added Zuzu.
Everyone's screams were quickly deafened afterwards.
And all of the YuGiOh universes have been silenced by light.
...
Everyone across all dimensions were floating around in a white plane of existence, not being able to think about anything but instead float.
And in the midst of it all they saw a particular blue-haired girl's silhouette. They didn't know why or how, but they instinctively knew that what was about to happen next was her doing...
Yuya himself couldn't process what was happening. One instant he was in Paradise City, in the next he was who knows where, catching a glimpse of a mysterious blue-haired girl.
Suddenly, he felt himself being grabbed by someone, and just like that he began falling. He didn't scream, nor even felt fear. He couldn't process a single thought.
And so, he continued falling, eventually being swallowed by pure black...
...
The pendulum duelist suddenly opened his eyes again, turning to see a familiar plane of white existence. He wasn't the only one either, as he saw Yuto, Yugo, and Yuri each in their own bodies.
"...Guys?", asked Yuya, the rest turning to see him with sudden surprise. It was like they were momentarily hypnotized or something.
"...Yuya?", asked Yuto, the pendulum duelist nodding.
"Wait, so it's really you guys!", shouted Yugo. "And in your bodies too!"
"Yes, so it seems...", trailed off Yuri. He then pointed behind Yugo. "And look, we're not the only ones."
All four counterparts turned to see a white-haired teen with green highlights. They immediately knew who it was.
"...Zarc?", asked Yuya.
The man simply began as he approached the 4 counterparts, "You vessels don't know what just happened. But I want to alert you four before it fully happens; Your lives are about to change forever."
"Change? What are you talking about?", asked Yuto.
"And why call us 'vessels'?", asked Yugo annoyed. "We have names, you know!"
"Ray should be doing the same thing with her counterparts right about now", the white-haired teen added. "But as of us, I want to tell you guys one more thing."
He then paused himself, before stating, "Expect to see me again."
"Oh?", asked Yuri intrigued.
"Wait what!?", asked Yuya. "No wait, that doesn't make any sense!"
"And it won't", Zarc stated, now walking past the four counterparts. "Not until it happens. I'll see you guys later."
"Wait Zarc, you haven't explained anything at all!", Yuto shouted. "Come back-!"
Suddenly, everything was surrounded by white again.
...
Yugi had a similar experience, only that he was carried up instead of falling down. A golden light flashed before the teen, Yugi having to shield his eyes for a moment before opening them again.
And now in front of him was the Pharaoh.
"Atem...", trailed off Yugi, both individuals having received new memories.
Both DM and DSOD memories have been merged
"How...?", asked the smaller Yugi. "How come I'm seeing you again? This doesn't make sense, none of it does! One minute, we're dueling together against Yuya, and then next I get memories from the future, about how we learned your real name and you moving on. And then I also receive memories from another universe, Kaiba tried brining you back, Diva was there, and... and..."
"Calm down, partner", the Egyptian spirit touched Yugi's shoulders. "You need to be calm first to face the future with a steady mind. Yes, this is all confusing, but you're not alone; The others are just as lost, and it's up to you guys to stick through it together."
"I guess so...", trailed off Yugi. He then remembered something. "But I won't be seeing you again, right?"
"I wouldn't know myself", the Pharaoh started truthfully. "But I saw a silhouette of a blue-haired girl earlier. And somehow, someway I know that she's about to do a miracle. So this may not be the last time you see me."
"I'll be careful to leave that on a maybe", the smaller Yugi smirked. He was still lost and confused, but he knew that he had the Pharaoh's support no matter what happened, as well as his friends'.
"Well Pharaoh, I guess this is a see you later...", stated the smaller Yugi, Atem nodding silently in agreement. He then did something that surprised the Egyptian spirit.
Yugi hugged him.
"Thank you for everything, Pharaoh."
Atem himself didn't say anything at first, instead silently reciprocating the hug. Everything around them began reverting to white again.
"...Thank you for everything as well, partner."
...
Yuya groaned as he grabbed his head, struggling to stand up. He last remembered having a duel against the King of Games, and immediately being consumed by a bright light afterwards. He then remembered seeing both Zarc himself and a blue-haired girl of some sort.
"...Just what was that all about?", asked the pendulum duelist, before looking around to see that he wasn't the only one. There were many people in the stadium, either still lying unconscious or struggling to stand up. Many he recognized, others he didn't.
Yugi was also quick to wake up, helping Joey and Tea nearby. They were also quick to also help the rest of the gang, Solomon, Bakura, Tristan, Duke; In no time, everyone was standing.
"Man, that was weird", Joey held his head. "What was that all about anyways?"
"Beats me", responded Tristan. "Although, I feel weird for some reason."
"Wait Yugi, is Atem still inside you?", asked Tea, being the first one to catch on. The rest of the gang widened their eyes, with the exception of Yugi.
"Wait, that name...", trailed off Joey.
"Atem...", added Bakura in confusion.
"No, he isn't here anymore", Yugi stated. "I got to talk to him one more time, he said there's a chance we could see him again."
"For real?", asked Duke. "But isn't he supposed to be in the afterlife?"
"He is, and yet that blue-haired girl...", trailed off Yugi. The rest of the group knew what he was talking about.
"Yeah, I feel like she has something to with this", Tea stated worriedly. "But with what?"
Yugi shrugged, "I really don't have any clues-"
Suddenly, a cry of despair rang through his ears, as well as everyone else's.
"AOIIII!"
The pendulum duelist then ran to what appeared to be a circle of people, all seemingly surrounding something. Yugi and the rest of the group were quick to do the same. Yuya pushed through to see what it was, immediately widening his eyes at what he saw:
There were two people, a boy and a girl; The boy himself was a blue-haired adult with a neat suit, and the girl was younger, bloodied and bruised and a missing arm.
The man was kneeled on the floor, holding the unconscious girl in his arms. He only cried on her shoulder in despondency, repeating with dying urgency, "Please, please wake up, Aoi."
What surprised Yuya the most was that while he didn't recognize the girl, he could immediately tell that was the blue-haired girl he saw earlier.
"It's her...", Joey trailed off.
So she's the one responsible for this..., Yuya mused.
Suddenly, the girl began coughing, alerting the older man in surprise. He then turned to see the girl, showing him a weak yet heartfelt smile.
"...Hello again, big brother...", rang out the blue-haired girl weakly. "...I'm glad I could see you again..."
"AOI!", the man cried again, this time in happiness, while hugging what appeared to be his younger sister.
Yuya didn't know what was happening, he didn't know why there were so many unfamiliar people, or why he couldn't feel his own counterparts anymore. But in that instant he could only smile. The rest of the DM gang did the same thing.
Neither him nor anyone else knew yet that this would be the beginning of a new adventure...
To be continued
Author's Note: There you have it, the end of the story. I'm sorry for the slightly confusing ending, but trust me, I'll provide an explanation for this soon.
Basically, both this story and Maiden's Journey are connected, as both stories are required to be read to understand the next project I'm planning.
And yes, I'm planning a sequel for both this story and Maiden's Journey. That's basically the project.
Well, I hope you guys wait with excitement, as I won't take long to write what I think will be my best story yet. Look forward to it!
In the meantime, I hope you guys have a good day, and see you later!
- PebbleDragon78
P.S: If you don't plan to read the sequel, you can just end the story by saying that after the duel everything returns to normal and the DM cast return to their world. Then again, what I plan on writing next will have more than that, if guys are willing to follow along...
See you later, everyone. Thanks for reading.