The Quirks of Love

Part Seven: Higher Stakes, New Motivation

Yugi glared across the arena at Pegasus as the pompous duelist drew his first hand. No doubt he'd have plenty of cartoon cards at his disposal, it was so like Pegasus to make a mockery of the game by twisting the most comical cards into cheesy dueling demons.

The gold Millennium Eye shone out from Pegasus's long white bangs, I have you now little Yugi. True, you've gained experience over the years but without your little spirit friend to help you out you won't be able to mind shuffle and prevent me from reading your mind and learning which cards you have in play. So go ahead, bask in the fact that you can now survive with ease in The Shadow Realm. Little Rebecca is mine! And she will stay mine, and with her powers Cecilia will soon be mine again too!

Rebecca felt slightly weak after her battle with Yugi, she didn't know why. She'd felt lightheaded from the start. For some reason, this realm was taking a harsh toll on her.

Felaine glanced down at the perplexed and woozy teen crouched down by her side. "Don't worry young one, true this realm is no place for mortals. But your natural powers will provide you immunity from destruction in this place. Where others would surely meet their doom, you shall thrive. Time will heal the shock of The Shadow Realm and you will be well in it again, just as Yugi is."

Emerald eyes shot The Proclaimer a disgusted look once she finished speaking, "And just whose side are you on anyway?!" Rebecca demanded in a hurt tone, "You've brought us here claiming you were helpless to do otherwise yet you offer up advice and words of encouragement. Why?"

The cat smiled down and helped the teenager to her feet, "I take no sides. Yet every being has a heart child. While I can not change the outcome I can offer friendly support, for what it's worth. If it were up to me, and if I could do more, I would see to it that your little friend won. But have faith, mortals must learn to rely on themselves, and on the love of their true friends. So goes the lesson of life."

Rebecca turned away, she didn't want to listen to this mystical menace any longer. True, her statements sounded sincere and there was truth to what she said. But Rebecca was one to make her own destiny, she didn't want to rely on Fate to solve things for her. Whether or not Yugi was meant to win this battle, he just had to! To heck with Destiny! With tears swelling in her eyes she said a prayer in her heart for Yugi's safety. Whatever was meant to be didn't matter. She just wanted her friend to be safe, she'd never forgive herself if he lost everything because of her.

The battle had started and the life points stood 1600 Pegasus and 1400 Yugi. But it was once again the younger duelist's turn.

I have to pull a win out of this, Yugi thought frantically, Rebecca's counting on me. I can't let her down! Spirit of the Puzzle or not, I MUST WIN!

Yugi felt his eyes unknowingly travel upwards to meet Rebecca's teary gaze. She was counting on him, more than he knew. For his sake, she wanted him to win. A smile crept over his face and his cheeks reddened slightly, Rebecca had changed, or at least now, he was seeing the softer side of her nature. Something she hadn't shown him the first time they'd dueled.

She was different now, sweeter--still outspoken--but more compassionate. She'd learned what it was to duel with honor and use the heart of the cards. Somehow, even without dueling, she had discovered what it was to work with one's deck and fight with a true sense of purpose and integrity.

He wouldn't let her down, especially not now that she'd discovered such valuable things. He would win this duel and…he drew his card and stared at it for a moment, The Harp Angel, Yugi remembered when his grandfather had first given him this card. It hadn't been too long after his first duel with Rebecca…

"She's quite a powerful card Yugi," his grandfather had said, "then again, most angels are. I think you'll find her useful in a tight spot." Solomon had looked at the card before handing it to his grandson, "Almost looks like her doesn't it? Now if only people were more like the cards they resembled…"

Yugi's grandfather had been referring to Rebecca and how she closely resembled the card that he held. Rebecca had certainly been no angel that first duel. But now…now the card really did remind him of her, particularly because of how she was now acting. Shedding tears yet watching the battle with a determined glint in her eyes. And her cry of protest when Pegasus had proposed that Yugi risk everything for her. She genuinely cared about him now. And that's when it hit him, he cared for her too. Not just in the amiable manner that he cared for all his friends in but in a new and admittedly stronger way.

Oh no! Yugi gasped in surprise under the watchful eyes of the angel imprisoned above him, I love her?!

The pull at his heart confirmed the arising fears, sure enough--Yugi had fallen for the fiery, good-natured Rebecca Hawkins. Rebecca herself had realized the fearful fact too, and they stared at each other a moment in silent disbelief. Felaine didn't need a Millennium Eye to see what both duelists had discovered, folding her arms triumphantly she grinned at the astonished mortals. Things were going just as they were meant to, the time for the past and present to converge was near.

Pegasus had grown weary of the innocent 'puppy love' unfolding before him. It was time to read Yugi's mind and find out what challenging little card he'd managed to draw this time.

Yugi snapped back into the battle just in time and slapped his card down on the board, praying that it would at least help him put a dent in Pegasus's lead.

"I play The Harp Angel in attack mode!" he shouted as Pegasus entered his mind a second too late, "Harp Angel attack The Gloom Griffin with note of radiance!"

A bright golden glow swept across the field as the angelic duel monster plucked a cord on her harp. Rebecca felt a twinge of energy surge through her being as the attack struck the toony griffin head on leaving Pegasus's life points at 1200.

What she didn't notice was the smug grin on Felaine's face. That tell-tale grin would prove important soon enough, once Rebecca learned that Destiny had more in store for her than a mere unleashing touch.

******

Tea had one of her 'strange senses' again telling her that Yugi was in trouble. What sort of friend would she be if she didn't try to get to Yugi and help? So she quickly rounded up the others and headed for the game shop. Solomon and Arthur were back from their outing and a bit distressed to find that there was no answer from Arthur's hotel room.

"I've got a bad feeling about this guys," Tea shivered, "it's like back at Duelists Kingdom. I can sense that Yugi's in danger! And it feels like he's not alone."

"We'd better get over to that hotel," Joey nodded, "no telling what might've happened to those two."

"We can take my car," Mai offered tossing Tristan her cell phone, "Call Kaiba and Serenity. Tell them to meet us there. If anything's happened to them, we'll need all the help we can get."

Tristan nodded and started dialing as he and Tea hopped in the backseat of the brand new sports car. Joey rode shotgun as his girlfriend slammed her door and floored it to the hotel which was the last known whereabouts of their two missing friends. Somehow each knew--ancient magic was involved.

******

The door to the hotel room slowly opened and a male figure with mid length white hair and a piercing dark gaze entered. He looked around for several moments, passing his hand over the walls and stopping at the sofa. "Ah-ha."

I knew this place was worth investigating, the magical energy here is immeasurable! And I sense that whoever this new magician is, her powers will rival those of the pharaoh himself. With dark laughter he added, Such powers belong only in the hands of those capable enough of using them for their intended purposes. I shall bide my time and strike this itemless sorceress when her guard is down. She may even prove to be useful in making the almighty King of Games a mere puppet on strings for me to master!

"Up here!" a voice cried from down the hall. The spirit returned to the Millennium Ring just as the door was pushed open.

Tristan stumbled in and was shocked to see none other than Bakura standing in the living room area.

"Bakura?!" he gasped, "How'd you get here?"

"To tell you the truth I'm not too sure Tristan," Bakura confessed, "perhaps I just sensed that Yugi was in danger and was drawn here to help?"

Tristan eyed Bakura suspiciously, he had no doubt that it was the evil spirit of the ring that had led Bakura here, but the spirit didn't seem to have control now. "Well, it's a good thing you're here, we need your help."

"Always happy to be of service," Bakura answered cheerfully as the others filed into the room.

"So where are they?" Mai asked sounding a little irritated upon not finding a duel or magical fray of some sort.

"It's like they just vanished," Tristan answered.

"No," Tea had her eyes closed and spoke softly, "I can still feel Yugi, and Rebecca. They're here guys. But…somewhere else too. Like when Pegasus trapped Yugi in The Shadow Realm."

"Ya think that's where they are now?" Joey inquired, "The Shadow Realm? They could've been taken there from here."

Tea nodded. "We've got one chance everyone, we've got to use our friendship link to reach them."

"Yeah," Tristan nodded, "just like back at Duelists Kingdom, we'll join minds and reach Yugi, wherever he is!"

"Mind if we help?" a gentle voice came from the doorway as all heads turned.

"Serenity?" Joey smiled, "Of course ya can help sis. You've become one of the gang."

Seto was standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder, "I take it that goes for me too Joey?" He and Joey still had their differences but they did their best to get along, for Serenity's sake. She hadn't gone through that operation and got her sight back just to see the two men she loved most in the world go at each others' throats.

"Yeah sure," Joey added in more of a murmur, "you're a part of the team too now Kaiba."

"Thanks."

"Okay now," Tea motioned for the group to gather round, "let's all place a hand in the center and concentrate on finding Yugi and helping him to return home."

They did so and before long each saw a vision of Yugi and the chaotic duel in their minds. Pegasus was winning again, his life points stood at 400 while Yugi's were down to 300. It was a gonna be a close one. Worst of all, Pegasus had that eye of his. He was cheating again, reading Yugi's mind. That could only mean one thing…Pegasus had set the stakes and forbid Yugi from receiving aid from Yami.

Well, the one thing Pegasus had forgotten to shield himself against was them, and the power of their friendship. Just like before Pegasus would meet defeat and their bond would shine through. Not only that, they would get Rebecca back as well.

We're here Yugi! Tea's voice cried out.

With ya all the way pal! Joey added.

With a heavy sigh Seto added, You and me have had our differences Yugi, but one thing's for sure. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you BEAT Pegasus!

Thanks guys, Yugi grinned, it's good to know you're here now. Returning his focus to the duel at hand Yugi grinned mockingly at his opponent, Look out Pegasus, my friends are here now. And you're in for one heck of a surprise the next time you try to use your eye!

________________________________________________________________________

*Ugh, I know it's been ages since I've updated this fic but life keeps getting in the way. School's hectic and then we've been out of power cuz of an ice storm… I'll try and update sooner. Hope this was worth the wait. Review please, thanks! ^_^*