The Quirks of Love
Part Eight: A Link to Victory
Pegasus seemed unfazed by Yugi's triumphant glare. He drew his next card and placed it on the field, "I'll lay this card face down in defense mode. Your turn Yugi boy, and you'd better make it a good one."
"Oh I will Pegasus." Yugi beamed and drew the top card from his deck. One would be hard pressed to find a duelist with more faith in his deck and the heart of the cards than Yugi. Okay cards, don't fail me now.
Grinning sinisterly Pegasus prepared to use his eye. He'd gotten quicker at it so that Yugi wouldn't have time to slap down a card again before he was prepared to defend himself against it.
Naughty naughty, a familiar voice mocked as Pegasus tried to pry into Yugi's thoughts.
"What?" he gasped.
No fair cheatin' to win there Pegasus.
Joey? Pegasus couldn't believe it, somehow Yugi's friends had found them, AGAIN!
That's right ya loser. Joey Wheeler and there's no way any of us are lettin' ya get your mitts on Yugi's thoughts. Just like before we're guarding our pal's mind from your eye and there's nothin' you can do about it!
"NO!" Pegasus cried, staggering back on the duelist platform.
"I see you've found out my friends are here." Yugi smirked. "And don't worry about trying to guess my card, I'll show it to you. I summon Charcane the Armored Dragon!"
Rebecca looked up, "That's the same card that Yugi was showing me at the shop."
"Charcane use Fiery Inferno Blast and destroy Pegasus's hidden monster!" Yugi ordered.
"For all the good that will do you," Pegasus laughed, "It's in defense mode, my life points are safe!"
"Oh really?" Yugi grinned flipping over another card on the board. "Not if I switch it to attack mode with Sword and Shield!"
Pegasus was speechless as his monster switched to attack mode just before it was destroyed by Yugi's rare dragon.
"And I believe that leaves you with zero life points," Yugi smirked.
That'll teach him to use such powerful monsters when his life points can't suffer the blow of their destruction. Mai stated from her post guarding Yugi's thoughts.
"YOU WON!" Rebecca cheered.
Yugi nodded, "Yes, it just takes the right motivation."
I'll say, Joey laughed, Yugs would do anything to get that puzzle of his back.
I don't think that's what Yugi meant Joey, Serenity smiled.
Yugi blushed, grateful that Rebecca couldn't hear the conversation going on in his mind.
"The battle has been won Pegasus." Felaine spoke causing both Rebecca and the puzzle to vanish and reappear by Yugi's sides as he got off the platform. Rebecca happily noted that her thick shackles were gone. "Perhaps now you'll learn not to tamper with life and death, especially when it puts others at risk. In your arrogance you've forgotten what it truly is to duel with honor. Thus, you've failed and lost all gains."
Pegasus slumped over the platform, "I've tried for years, and still…she's gone."
"That's right Pegasus, she is gone." The Proclaimer spoke solemnly. "And no amount of trickery or magic is going to bring your love back to you. And what kind of man would she be coming back to anyway? Do you really think she'd want to see you this way?"
Pegasus didn't speak.
"Consider your losses here great lessons in life. May you find the peace of mind you long for and the love that's never left your side. Death is strong, souls are stronger and made so by love."
"I almost feel sorry for him." Rebecca whispered to Yugi.
Yugi looked firm but understanding, "Yeah, but he's been at this for years. Maybe now he'll leave us all in peace. And search for resolution instead of altering what's just meant to be."
Felaine turned and focused on Rebecca, "Faith child. Remember who your friends are. And don't be afraid of what's meant for you. I hope this experience has proved beneficial. Everything happens for a reason. You'll discover the purpose of this one soon enough."
More confused than ever Rebecca glared back defiantly at the strange creature. "All I learned was that these powers are more of a curse than I thought."
"But you're more skilled with them now." Yugi pointed out.
"Yeah, maybe…but like that puzzle of yours, everyone's gonna be after what I possess." she sighed.
"Then perhaps you can guard each other." Felaine made a sweeping gesture and the whole realm seemed to dissolve around them. "Take care duelists, lest we should meet again."
Before they could blink the mist cleared and they found themselves back in the hotel room with Yugi's friends.
"What a creepy lady." Joey stated. "Talk about gibberish, I didn't get a word of that."
"That's no surprise Joey," Seto snickered, "unless it comes off a drive-thru menu you really don't get it anyway."
"Watch it…" Joey warned. Serenity laughed and nervously got between the two.
Yugi and Rebecca looked around the room. "Where's Pegasus?"
"Bet that cat lady took him back to where she found him." Tristan guessed, "And I say good riddance."
"Oh c'mon Tristan," Tea observed, "he's just sad about losing his wife."
"Doesn't give him the right to go messin' with other peoples' lives like that." he insisted.
Bakura slipped out of the room unnoticed, "So little Rebecca Hawkins is the possessor of such great powers? She should be an easy enough rival to overpower. Still---I hesitate to strike now…little Yugi might interfere, and with his puzzle no less. No…I'll have her powers for my own soon…without Yugi or his spirit meddling!"
Yugi pulled the chain of his Millennium Puzzle back over his head. "There, back safe and sound. Man, it's been a while since I've been solo on a battle that challenging."
Indeed, the spirit nodded from within, but now our bond is restored and Rebecca has better control over her powers. Not bad for a day's work.
"So what's he saying Yugi?" Rebecca asked a little shyly from behind. "The spirit of the puzzle, I mean, you seemed kind of zoned out so I figured you were talking to him."
"Oh, yeah." Yugi laughed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Well, Yami's alright. It was just a close call. We're both used to those by now."
"That's good," Rebecca replied, "I'm glad he's okay. And thanks…for um…rescuing me back there. And for helping me train with my powers."
"No problem." Yugi was blushing now, he HATED that he knew he was! "So um…how much longer did you say your visit was?"
Rebecca sighed and looked out the window, "Not long enough I'm afraid."
"That's too bad," Yugi was genuinely heartbroken to hear this, and Rebecca could tell.
"There'll be other visits." she offered comfortingly.
"Not eight years apart I hope." Yugi smiled.
Now Yami was picking up on some anguish, Are you alright?
Fine…came Yugi's halfhearted answer. Yami didn't pressure him to say more, admittedly he too was feeling a bit distraught at the moment.
"Well," Rebecca exhaled and flipped the bangs from her view, "I'd better call my grandfather and tell him we're alright. And Solomon's probably worried sick about you so-"
"Yeah," Yugi turned away, "I'd better be getting back to the shop."
"You can catch a ride with us." Mai offered, "There's plenty of room."
"Yeah," Tristan laughed, "we'll just shove Joey here in the trunk and I'm sure Bakura won't mind riding with---Hey! Where'd he disappear to?"
"I think he left after the duel." Serenity answered.
Tristan shook his head staring out the door and into the empty hall, "Guess he did."
"Ready to hit the road?" Seto asked his girlfriend, "Mokuba's gonna drive the babysitter nuts if we don't get back soon."
"Sure." Serenity chuckled, "Bye Joey! See you guys tomorrow!"
"Bye!" Tea called and grabbed her coat off the couch, "See you tomorrow too Rebecca?"
"Maybe." she answered staring after Yugi.
"We'll see her." Mai winked to Tea gesturing towards Yugi, "We've got the perfect bait."
Rebecca's cheeks reddened as she watched them head out the door. Once it shut behind them she turned to her deck and unleashed her two favorite cards. Then she walked over to the window and watched sadly as her rescuer sped away.
"Tears Mistress?" The Winged Huntress inquired.
"Yes Anli," Rebecca replied to the card using the nickname she'd given her, "I'm a little sad now, that's all."
"Why?" Anli pressed.
"Because our Mistress has yet to express her feelings of love towards the man to whom she now owes her freedom." The Dark Night Sorceress said flatly. "Mortals have a tendency to take matters of the heart very seriously.
"As always," Rebecca sighed, curling up on the large padded window sill, "you're right Sonyette."
"And why do you mortals hide your love from each other? What is it you fear?" Anli persisted true to her usual inquisitive nature.
Smiling weakly Rebecca tried to explain, "I guess it's because we fear having our hearts broken."
"Better to have a broken heart," Sonyette stated, "instead of one that's never used."
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*Sonyette is pretty practical yet compassionate. Anli is curious and combative. Both are VERY loyal to Rebecca. I think that pretty much explains their characters for now. Since I made them both up I own both of them and any dueling cards that weren't in the series. Ugh, near the end of the story and I'm adding more to my disclaimer, lol. Please review!*