Hi I know this has been a long time coming, and the few fans this story ever had well I have heard all of you and I do wish to finish this story, small secret it actually has a pretty advanced sequel. However, the truth is that I got busy with life and it hasn't exactly been easy and all of my stories took a back sit, I adore writing... but with life how it has been it has been hard to get the motivation or inspiration to upload a chapter.
Nonetheless, and after a mini rant, here is the next chapter to Ghost from the Past, hope you all enjoy it!
-
Domino City; 5:50 PM
"Okay!" Joey yelled, forgetting his earlier mood. "Yugi! Atem! Mana! Mai! Onward to the final dueling stage!"
Mana snickered; the blonde's mode swings were sometimes hard to follow. But she can understand his excitement, at the same time dread for what is to come. The others had no idea what is to come and she will do anything in her power to help Atem protect them. Joey may not like it, but if necessary, she'll help Atem eliminate Yugi and Joey from the tournament before Marik can do anything to them.
"Serenity," Joey said, his voice softening as he looked down at his sister. "I finally have something to say to you." She tilted her head. "Just watch me, Serenity! I'll certainly use the courage you gave me to win glory for you to see!"
Serenity smiled, but was soon pulled to the side by Mai. The blonde confidently placed her arm around the younger girl's shoulders. "But Serenity, in reality, sometimes there are hopeless situations. You need to remember that."
"I'm not going to lose, Mai!" Joey countered. Though his supposedly best friend chuckled.
"It's not just Mai," Tristian added in good humor. "There is also Yugi, Atem, Kaiba and this time even Mana."
Joey pouted, but Mai turned and winked at the other three finalists. "Well, now that we're at it, I want to make this clear with Atem. My power now, has respectively increased from the last time we dueled."
Joey straightened up and grinned, "hey! That's what we expect!"
Mana chuckled, nodding, while Atem smirked and Yugi voiced his agreement. Joey turned towards the brothers and his expression turned serious. "Atem… I won't forget my vow to duel you in this tournament."
The eldest Mutou inclined his head, "as you wish Joey, though, know I do not doubt your strength."
"Perhaps," Joey shrugged, "but it's something I have to do."
Atem sighed. He wasn't even going to try to talk the blonde out of the duel, but he can tell that Mana was suppressing her laughter.
"Hey!" Tea exclaimed, "let's set for the dueling grounds!"
Mana turned and looked at the car in disbelief. Luckily for the group Kaiba had not left, still waiting for his copter to arrive.
"Not to be the bearer of bad news, but I don't think we're all going to fit in Mia's car." Mana stated, loud enough for the CEO to hear her. It was Mokuba that turned and noticed the situation. He pulled on his brother's arm and quietly got into an argument. Atem noticed what was going on and shook his head.
Mai snorted, the girl had a point. No matter how she looks at it there is no way that the nine of them can fit. Kaiba sighed and gave his brother a small nod as the helicopter closed in to land. Mokuba ran back towards the group and stopped in front of the elder Mutou.
"Atem, if Mana and you want, you can come with my brother and me." The younger Kaiba offered.
Joey instantly cursed Kaiba and wondered why he wasn't being invited, immediately Tristian pointed out that the older Kaiba wasn't exactly his number one fan. If one looked at it objectively out of all of them Seto Kaiba was perhaps on friendlier terms with Atem. Not even Yugi understands the friendship between the two.
"You don't have to ask me twice," Mana instantly replied and walked over to the chopper. She screamed over her shoulder, "see you guys at the stadium!"
Atem chuckled slowly and gazed at his brother who gave him a slight nod. They both understand that this is the best option. "See you there!" he said waving at the group as he walked with Mokuba.
In the next second, the chopper was lifting off and the others were pushing themselves into the back sit. It was a tight fit and Yugi and Tea were being completely squashed.
Mai looked forward, "really?! Outrageous!" she complained. Luckily, she knows the location of the finals.
"How many powerful duelists will be in the final duel?" Duke asked.
Yugi tried to answer, though Tea's shoulder was crushing his chest. "Kaiba said that there would be ten people at the most."
"Me, Yugi, Mai, Atem, Mana, and Kaiba!" Joey continued, "right now there are six of us, but the remaining four are a complete mystery."
Over the car, a Kaiba Corp chopper passed them. It was heading in the same direction as them. Tea really wished that she was with them. However, her phone started to ring and she struggled to answer it.
"Hello…?"
"Hello, is this Tea?" an older voice asked.
"It's me, gramps!" she responded, having to scream because of the wind.
"Something terrible has happened!" Solomon Mutou exclaimed. "Yami Bakura has disappeared!"
"What?!" she yelled, "Bakura, he…?!"
The others turned to her, wanting to know what's going on.
"We took him to the hospital to treat his arm," Solomon explained. "I left the twins alone for a moment and they both vanished."
Yugi's eyes widened in shock, but Tea continued with the conversation. "But Ryou is with him right?"
"I think so," Solomon answered. Though before Tea could ask more or reassure the man, they arrived at a half built stadium.
-o-o-o-
Domino City: Region G Area 422
Domino Stadium, Construction Site
Up in the gallery two men hid within the shadows, watching as the Kaiba Corp helicopter landed in the middle of the stadium.
"Lord Marik," the man with a tattoo on his face said. "It's about time."
Marik gazed at Odion from the corner of his eyes. "Odion… do you still remember the promise I made to our father."
"Yes, I haven't forgotten," Odion replied.
"Good," Marik said, losing himself to his memories. "I… I plan to write an end to the accursed predestined lives of our family that has endured for the last three thousand years. In exchange for Atem's life. This is revenge for the darkness… the darkness that stole everything from me." Odion clenched his jaw and waited for his Master to continue. Marik chuckled, "I bet no one has had a dark and terrifying like mine in this world. To me, even falling asleep feels horrifying. Ever since I was young, I've always lived in darkness… to protect order. I could only believe in the bonds of my family.
"The pyramids that the pharaohs ordered people to build in ancient Egypt. Their shape is not as simple as it seems. It indicates directions underneath the sunlight and, at the same time shows the Pharaoh's absolute authority. However, authoritarians from dark areas who worship darkness appeared. Before long, magicians created seven tools to seal this darkness. The Millennium Puzzle among them is in the shape of an inverted pyramid. It is a symbol of darkness.
"To safeguard the darkness our family sacrificed many things, in the Book of Prophecies that is passed down, recorded that evil energies, the boy pharaoh's soul and heart were sealed together in the darkness… but after thousands of years. The evil energies started to pulsate once more, at the chosen time, the Pharaoh's soul and his Queen's will awaken too. In this reincarnation of their souls they will regain their memories, but it is I that possesses the final key."
Marik's eyes narrowed, "I won't give them their memories. I'll bury Atem in true darkness by the power of the Sun God! This is my only way to gain my freedom… the moment the memories are given to the Pharaoh and his Queen. My family would have finished its mission and would die afterwards. Our only way of surviving is killing Atem and Mana, plus getting hold of the pharaoh's real name."
The platinum blonde paused and his voice grew heavier, "Odion… if I was to fail… according to my promise to father… you have to kill me!"
Odion's face remains impassive, "yes, when the time comes, I, too…"
Though Odion never finished his train of thought. The copter finished landing and the two Kaiba brothers stepped out. Unexpectedly Mana and Atem exited after them.
"The two who possess the other God cards have arrived," Marik chuckled, focusing on his prey. They would not be leaving this tournament alive.
-o-o-o-
A man in a suit greeted the CEO and received the six locator cards from his boss. "We've waited a long time for you Mr. Kaiba. I thought you would find this place earlier than expected."
"We took a very boring detour," Kaiba explained as the other two walked towards them. The man in the suit arched an eyebrow and happily took their six locator cards.
"How many contestants have already arrived?" Kaiba wondered.
"Two," the man replied. "One of them has a strange tattoo on his face, and the other is named 'Namu'."
Kaiba narrowed his eyes and his thoughts mirrored that of Atem and Mana.
"All duelists who arrive here will receive this entry card," the man continued. "I'm sorry, Mr. Kaiba, you have to accept this card."
Kaiba took it without saying another word. The man in the suit also handed a card towards Mana and Atem.
"Only the people who have an entry card will be taken to the dueling grounds." The man informed, "there are five entry cards left. The time limit is seven o'clock pm. There is about twenty minutes left."
"Three people will be coming soon." Mokuba said over his shoulder as his older brother went off to the side.
"I'm going to make final adjustments to my deck." Kaiba said. "Be back in thirty minutes."
Atem and Mana decide to wait for the others outside. They should be arriving soon.
-o-o-o-
Domino City: Region H Area 04; 6:35 PM
An eerie laugh echoes through the dark lot as the low cries of the lost spirits attack their terrified prey.
"Activate Triangle Spirits!" The eldest Bakura commanded.
His skull face opponent cried out in fear. "No…! M… my ghost combo! Didn't even work at all!"
"This is my super secret combo's power!" Bakura said darkly. "Spirit form!"
"I lost!" Bones cried in despair as his life points hit zero.
Bakura chuckles evilly, "give me the puzzle card! Then die!"
With that final demand the Shadow Game ended and the elder Bakura exited the shadows. To his surprise his brother was sitting nearby, pointedly ignoring the loser of the game.
"You shouldn't be here," Bakura states, collecting the puzzle card and turning around. He made his way out and absently placed the locator cards on his Duel Disk.
"Someone has to keep an eye on you, brother." Was Ryou's simple response. "I know you are up to something, Bakura, and I know that it is the Darkness that's controlling you."
"Are you going to try and stop me, Ryou?" Bakura wondered. His voice was strained; the darkness had not completely consumed him yet. His older brother was still fighting it.
Ryou shook his head. He isn't an idiot. He doesn't have the power to fight Bakura. "This is between you and Atem, brother. I just want to make sure you're alright."
Bakura looked over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow, "you've got something planned?"
Ryou smirked, "I've set some precautions. I have seen the signs."
The older twin rolled his eyes and tilted his head towards the exit, "as you wish. We are near the finals… come."
Ryou smiled, but Bakura couldn't get rid of his frown. He worries for his brother and the time when he loses control. He doesn't wish to harm Ryou. He is his light in the darkness that is his life, the only reason why he doesn't surrender to the madness within.
-o-o-o-
Mai's car screeched to a stop and the three duelists stepped out. Mana and Atem were waiting patiently for them, both smirking at the disgruntled expressions of the others. Apparently, Mai is terrifying driving when she is in a rush. Tea wouldn't stop looking down at her phone in worry.
"Welcome to the destination of the Final Duel," the Battle City official greeted. "Your entry qualifications for the final duel had been validated. Congratulations to you three! Please accept this entry card."
Joey took the entry card.
"Hey! Who are the other participants?!" he asked.
"They will be gathering here shortly," the official replied.
A dark laugh caught their attention and they turned towards the entrance. Atem at first thought that it was Marik making his big entrance. Though the person who walked they all personally know.
It is Bakura, his twin following close behind him. Ryou had warned them that his brother was participating. He even gave Atem a clue of what Bakura's strategy may be. It isn't right, but Atem can tell that something is wrong with the elder twin. Like in the Duelist Kingdom, the madness of the Shadow Realm is eating away at the Millennium Ring wielder's mind.
The others were especially surprised at seeing the white head. Their jaws dropped in surprise. They had no idea that Bakura even knew how to duel. Kaiba came back and looked at the people who were arriving.
"There is only fifteen minutes until the time limit." The official stated, "if the duelists cannot arrive here by the appointed time, then the duelists will be disqualified."
Joey and Tea stared at Bakura, worried and wondering about his sudden appearance. Though, the blonde was distracted by the younger twin as he greeted them.
"Ryou, what are you guys doing here?"
The innocent twin shrugged, "it's a long story Joey. Honestly it's better if you don't know."
Joey arched an eyebrow, that didn't sound ominous at all. "With the wound your brother has, he should be in the hospital."
Ryou glowered, "you try getting him to do something when he doesn't want to."
He chuckled nervously, the older Bakura even made him nervous. How Ryou can deal with his brother on a daily basis is beyond Joey comprehension.
Atem's eyes narrowed; he could feel the Darkness within Bakura. Out of the three of them, now that he knows what to look for, the elder twin has suffered more from the darkness. It's ever present presence torturing the Ring wearer. Though thinking back now Bakura knows more about the Millennium Items and the Shadows, plus the powers they contain. He would suffer the consequences of the Darkness, but Atem was going to have to speak with Bakura in order to understand.
Though as the others tried to pester the answers out of the younger twin, Atem only stared at Bakura. In a moment of clarity Bakura understood what the elder Mutou was saying and nodded. They would speak before the duels begin.
Kaiba heard another set of footsteps enter the stadium. It was a platinum blonde duelist, Atem had to wonder if he is Marik. The ever constant darkness of this tournament has also touched this man's souls.
"Hey guys!" Joey exclaimed recognizing the newcomer. "That's Namu!"
'Namu' greeted Joey and Tea, while Mana couldn't help but ask how the others knew the duelist.
"Luckily, I cleared the preliminaries, but now I'm seeing the competition. I don't feel as confident." The newcomer stated.
Ryou and Bakura were having a silent conversation that only Atem noticed, but he couldn't guess its meaning. At the end Ryou sighed and smiled, and before Joey could say what was on his mind interrupted.
"It's you!" Ryou said cheerfully, as his brother closed his eyes to hide his misery. "You're the person that saved my brother!"
Namu's eyes brightened seeing the twins. "It wasn't a problem! How is your brother?!"
Ryou rolled his eyes, "he's too stubborn for his own good."
Name chuckled and Tea noticed that not everyone was in the loop.
"Atem, Mana, let me introduce you. This is Namu."
Mana smiled and gave the stranger a small bow, there's something about him that just doesn't feel right. Atem nodded in acknowledgement, but the guy is determined to speak with the elder Mutou.
"I've heard of you! You're the current world champion and King of Games." Everyone ignored the annoyed snort that followed the comment. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Atem arched an eyebrow, one thing he hates since Duelist Kingdom is the recognition and obsessed fans. Though Namu appears to be of the calmer type.
"Likewise," he replied. Soon after another duelist entered the stadium; he is tall and covered in a dark Rare Hunters cloak. Atem could barely make out a tattoo on his face, they seem to be Egyptian hieroglyphics.
"Are you Marik?" Kaiba demanded, wanting to know if this is the man that holds the third Egyptian god.
The tall man ignored the question and continued forward. "Atem, Kaiba, the Egyptian god cards will soon be with their rightful master."
"Atem…?" Yugi hesitantly asked. His brother hasn't explained what it is that is going on. What trouble he is facing.
Atem didn't take his eyes off the latest duelist, "later Yugi."
"Nine of the Ten duelists have arrived!" the official called them into attention. "Everyone that passed the preliminaries is here at this stadium. However, the final battle will not take place here. The real stage will be appearing in front of us soon."
"What?!" Joey exclaimed.
"The real stage?" Yugi asked. As a giant blimp started to descend into the arena.
"A blimp?!" Joey cried out.
"That's right," the official confirmed. "It's named the BattleShip."
"BattleShip?" Joey asked as slow realization dawn on the blonde.
"The Finals of Battle City will take place at the height of a thousand meters above ground!" The official stated. "Please go aboard. It will start exactly at seven o'clock."
"Battle in the sky," Mai commented as she made her way up the ramp. "A girl can get used to this."
Joey and Yugi were close behind her.
"I'm excited already!"
"I wonder where this blimp is flying to though?" Yugi murmured.
Atem stayed close to his brother, but kept a close eye on Bakura. "This will be exciting."
"Kaiba out did himself this time," Mana added.
Behind the duelists, Tristian, Tea, Serenity and Duke made to follow their friends on board. Though were stopped by the Battle City official.
"Hey… hey! People without the entry cards can't board the ship!"
Immediately, the four started to complain and tried to make the guy change his mind. Mokuba actually felt bad for them and knowing that his brother didn't particularly care, "Hey! I don't have an entry card! Let them board!"
"But Mr. Mokuba!" the official protested.
The four didn't even let the official finish and ran on board, before Mokuba changed his mind.
"Sounded like a yes to me!" Duke exclaimed, pushing Serenity forward.
Kaiba ignored the dramatics and went into the blimp. His mind is planning out the rest of the tournament. There is no way he is going to lose, especially with Obelisk in his deck. His only competition being Atem and Marik.
It was nearing the time limit and the tenth duelist hadn't arrived, but right before the official called to start up the launch process. Two figures appeared at the entrance. One of them handed in their six locator cards and took the entry card. The official, not wishing for another argument let the two pass without complaint. The final duelist, with their companion, entered the blimp with the door closing behind them.