Chapter 11:

The Puzzle and the Ring

Everyone at Yugi's' table exchanged glances as the next competitors were announced.

Kaiba chuckled. "I told you she would be gone by the first round. There is no way a novice like her can beat Yugi Muto."

Everyone glared at Kaiba. They hated to admit it though, but he was right.

Téa couldn't believe her ears. She was picked to duel Yugi Muto? Did god have a death wish on her? She looked over at Yami. He was looking off towards the duelling arena. She held out her hand to get his attention. A bright light blinded her momentarily. Soon little Yugi was looking up at her with tears in his eyes.

"Téa…I can't…"

"No Yugi, you can! We obviously have no choice…so please don't back down…please?" She leaned over to look her old friend in the eyes.

He shook his head in disbelief, but sighed and agreed. "Alright…then…" He began to walk towards the arena.

"Wait, Yugi!" He turned around quickly.

"Yeah?"

"I want you to duel at your best…I might surprise you and I don't want to win because you didn't give it your all…"

"But…"

She waved her hand in front of him. "No buts…how will I know if I am improving or not if you don't duel me at your best? That would be misleading…I won't accept that!"

Yugi sighed again and closed his eyes. "Alright, Téa. I respect your request. No matter who wins, we are all leaving here together."

Téa nodded happily. "Right!"

Another blinding light occurred and Yami was now back in place of little Yugi. His eyes suddenly opened wide in shock. Something was wrong with his powers. He didn't feel as confident as he usually did. He looked down at his millennium puzzle. It seemed ok. So what was wrong? He didn't like this at all…

Téa walked over to him, wondering why he was starring off into space. "Something wrong, Yugi?"

"No…nothing. Let's duel…" He began to head off to the arena.

He's lying to me…something is wrong. He looks unusually pale…She slowly followed him.

At the table, Mokuba fiddled with the golden puzzle piece he had stored away in his pocket. "Hehe, this should be interesting…"

"I never thought I would see this duel in my entire life!" Joey exclaimed, leaning forward in anticipation.

"I don't know who to root for this time…" Mai frowned.

"This will be a tough call to make…" Tristan added.

Bakura remained silent.

Yami walked up to the left side of the arena. Téa took the right side. She placed her cards on the table, her hands shaking slightly. Yami seemed to sense her nervousness.

"It'll be alright Téa…I promise you!" He called out from his side of the arena.

Téa nodded, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Her bangs were clinging lightly to the perspiration slowly dripping down her face. How the heck did it come to this? Here I am in Egypt, battling my crush to the death…in an arena full of top duellists from all over the world!

Yami shuffled his deck and kept his eyes on Téa the entire time. She's so afraid…I wish I could truly assure her everything will be ok, but even I don't know for sure. I can just keep her hopes up slightly with my encouraging words. Why did it come to this? I've fought some hard duels in the past. The duel with Joey at Pegasus' castle comes to mind. But never did I think I would find myself duelling Téa Gardner. Yugi's' childhood crush and my lovers' reincarnation…sometimes I wish I had duelled her for fun like I did the others. I just never tried or asked. I was always so nervous around her. Perhaps I was the one with the silly crush? I wish I knew her duelling potential and strategy. Then I would know what to expect and maybe…I could save her. But…I did agree to fight with everything I got. It's time I pushed aside my feelings and just get this over with! He placed his cards on the arena table.

"Ready, Téa?"

Téa nodded.

"Let's duel!" They said at the same time.

Yami and Téa exchanged glances.

"I play 'Celtic Guardian' in attack mode!" Yami placed the card down on the field.

"I had a feeling you would! I play 'Ancient Elf' in attack mode!"

Yami smirked. It seems her cards have improved since the last time she duelled.

"Attack 'Ancient Elf'!" After a quick flash, the 'Celtic Guardian' was no more. "I got him…" Téa gasped in surprise.

"I'm impressed, Téa! You've improved a lot."

Téa grinned.

Yami picked up another card and smirked. Hmm, I could play this now, but she knows me too well. I'll hang onto it for now…

Téa waited patiently, a strong look of confidence on her face. He's holding back…but I don't think it's because of me. He always believes so strongly in righting wrongs, but right now…he seems so…lost…

Yami sighed. She's changed so much…she's stronger and more determined. If I'm not careful, she might just win this duel! I have to concentrate!

Joey is practically on the edge of his seat. "Oh god…this is getting to be too close for comfort…I don't…whoa…ahhh!!!" Joey leaned too far forward and fell off his seat.

Mai rolled her eyes and reached for his shirt, stopping him from falling flat on his face. "Sit down and relax!" She snapped, pushing him back into his seat.

Bakura noticed Mokuba fiddling with the puzzle piece. "Hey, what's that?"

Mokuba jumped and tried to quickly grab the piece, but Kaiba snatched it out of his hand.

"Is this…?"

Mokuba laughed nervously.

Kaiba narrowed his eyes and glanced over at the arena. "Yugi…"

Yami Yugi plays a 'Curse of Dragon' and lays another card face down. Soon the score was 1550 in Téa's favour and 1500 for Yami. It was just getting to be too close a game. Téa had really improved. Things were finally narrowing down to their final moves. Téa was very scared. Yet one thing was bothering her. Why was she winning? She knew she would have been done in by now if Yugi would have played at his best. He told her he would, so it had to be something else.

Yami was very confused. No matter how many cards he played or how he planned his strategy, he didn't feel complete.

Spirit? What's wrong? Why aren't you duelling at your best? I know it's not because of Téa. I don't feel as if we are working together. Has something happened to the puzzle?

I don't know Yugi…I just don't know…

Kaiba eyed the puzzle piece; it's golden material shinning in the light. So, this is what Yugi assembled? How strange that these little pieces…could have such power within them. This could be nothing more then a child's' toy if it didn't have a spirit roaming within it. He looked up at the scoreboard. "Hmm, Téa is leading. 550 to 300…I'm impressed…"

Téa picked up her next card. "Hey…this is the card that Joey gave me…" She looked over at Joey and then towards Yami. "I wonder…?" She placed the card face down next to a hidden trap card. "I play this card…" She closed her eyes. I hope this works…

Yami picked up his next card as well. "This is the card Bakura gave me…but if I play it…" He placed it in his hand and pulled out another card. "I play this card face down!" He narrowed his eyes in determination.

Téa starred at his eyes. "He's set a trap…I just know it!" She looked at his 'Mystical Elf'. "Nice try, Yami!"

"Huh?" He looked up in surprise.

"But I'm prepared for you!"

"What?"

She flipped over her face down card and showed him 'De-spell'

"Oh no!"

"I know you played the "Book of Secret Arts' along with your 'Mystical Elf'! I've seen you use it before!"

This time both Joey and Tristan jumped out of their seats.

"Oh no! If she attacks now…Yugi loses!"

Téa felt tears welling up in her eyes. No! This can't be…

Yami was to put it mildly, very shaken. "How can this be…? He cupped the puzzle and his finger slipped inside a small hole at the bottom. 'What?" He lifted it up and saw a piece of the puzzle was missing. So that's what happened…

Téa gripped the edge of the arena tightly. Her teeth were clenched and her knuckles were white. "TIME OUT!" She cried.

Yami looked up at her in surprise. "What?"

"Yami…are you duelling me?

"Of course I am…"

"Then why am I winning? I know I've improved, but not that much! You aren't thinking out your moves…it's like you're letting me win! Why? You promised me…"

He held his hand out for her to stop. "It's not my fault! I found out what happened…" He held up his puzzle and she gasped.

"Yugi…what happened?"

Yami thought back to his conversation with Mokuba. He had felt a tug at his sleeve…and the puzzle jerked slightly. "MOKUBA!"

Mokuba cringed and tried to hide behind Kaiba.

Kaiba stood up and laughed. "So, my brothers prank almost cost you a duel to your weak girlfriend?"

Téa growled.

"It's almost too funny to think about!" He flipped the piece up in the air. "Catch!" He threw the piece to Yami.

"But, brother…"

Kaiba glanced down. "Quiet Mokuba…you may be my brother, but that was a very bad thing you did. There is no honour in duelling using cheap tricks. How do you know if you really are good if you do that? Téa had a chance to show her skills, but it was blown because Yugi couldn't duel at his best."

Mokuba sighed. "I'm sorry Yugi… Téa…I just wanted to see you duel without the powers of your puzzle.

Yami smiled. "That's not true Mokuba. Even though Yugi and I are different people, we still think with the same mind when merged. We play the exact same game…think the same way and use the same strategy."

Mokuba stepped out from behind Kaiba. "But why were you losing to her then?"

"Well, think about it this way. If you duel with full confidence and no distractions, do you win?"

Mokuba nodded.

"Ok, now imagine you lost that confidence and your thoughts were elsewhere, you were feeling weak, drained…would you win?"

Mokuba shook his head. "No…"

"Right, you see, I was worried about Yugi and…my home." He lifted up the puzzle. "So, I couldn't keep my mind fully on the game. That's why I was losing."

Mokuba bowed his head. "I think…I understand."

Téa sighed and put her head down. I thought I was doing so well…yet deep inside…I knew…

"Téa…?" Yami spoke gently. "I know how you must feel…but even at my best…you still…"

"Don't say it! I know it's not true. Just…get this over with. I know you'll save us all. You have to go on. My winning would do nothing to save the lost souls." She smiled, tears gleaming in her eyes. "I know you'll save me…you always do." She folded her cards up and began to place her hand on the deck to surrender.

"No! I can't do it Téa!"

"Why…?"

"Because…I…love you…"

Téa's eyes went wide. "Yami…" She smiled. "I love you too. You're my dearest friend…and I hope you'll forgive me for this…" She looked over at Amons. "I surrender…"

Amons smirked evilly. "Very well my dear…"

A light began to glow around her. She looked over at her friends and then towards Yami.

"Good bye…"

To everyone surprise, Yami ran over to her and pulled her into his arms. Both his puzzle and her ring began to glow. Another light flashed and their eyes went blank. The lights faded away, and Téa was unconscious on the ground, with Yami on top of her, knocked out.

Joey jumped out of his seat and ran over to them. "Yugi! Téa!"

Mai stood up. "Are they ok?"

Joey checked their pulses. "I don't know…I can't feel any pulse, and they aren't breathing…"

"Oh god no…" Serenity covered her mouth in shock.

Everyone grew silent at the table.

Amons stood up and clapped. "That was very entertaining! Next!"

Joey Wheeler and Rex Raptor

Joey flinched at the memory of his last duel with Rex. "Oh boy…this is going to be tough…"

Joey and Bakura walked over toward the lifeless bodies of Téa and Yugi.

Joey lifted Yugi up into his arms and carried him over to the table. Bakura carried Téa.

"Something tells me they aren't dead…keep an eye on them…" He told Kaiba.

Kaiba nodded. "Very well…"

"Téa?" A voice echoed through the strange abyss. "Are you alright?"

"Hmm…" Téa moaned. Her eyes suddenly shot open. "What? Yami? Am I…dead?"

Yami shook his head. "No…you appear to be in my soul room."

"What? Soul room?"

"Inside the puzzle…" She thought for a moment. "Oh! But…how?"

He shook his head again. "I don't know. It might have something to do with this…" He pointed to the ring on her necklace.

She lifted it up. "Is this a millennium item?"

"No…not really. It could have been mistaken for one. But only seven exist. This is just a ring…with a sorcerers powers sealed inside it."

"What? And you gave it to Téana?"

"Yes…but there was more to it then that…it was a treasured heirloom my mother had given me. She told me to give it to my future wife. I never knew what it held until Seto told me."

Téa stood up and stretched. "Yeah? Well I find it ironic you gave it to the one you loved as a mate and I end up with it 5000 years later. Yami…when you said you loved me…what did you mean?"

Yami stood up as well. "Just that…you are one of my closest friends and confidents. I love you just they way Yugi, Joey, Tristan and Bakura do. Aren't you my friend too? Didn't you say you loved me as well? You meant it that way too, right?"

Téa blushed. "Oh, of course! That's what I meant too…when I said I loved you…" She bowed her head. "I will admit…at first I thought you meant something else…but…never mind! So how do we get out of here?"

Yami sighed inwardly.

"Perhaps I can help you clear some things from your mind?"

They both looked up to see Shadi standing before them.

"Not you again. Did you probe Yugi's' mind again?"

Ignoring his question, Shadi lifted his hand up. "Enough talk, now…go back to where it all began!!!"

A light flashed and both Yami Yugi and Téa were frozen. Their souls left their bodies and their bodies collapsed to the floor.

Téana opened her eyes. "Was it all a dream?" She stood up and opened her curtains. It was another hot day in the desert. "It felt real…but no one can really see the future. Hmm, today I am supposed to meet Bel um Fal at our favourite spot." She threw on a scarf and walked out the door, waving bye to her mother. "I feel so nervous!" She reached the fountain and sat down. Soon, she saw her lover approach and greet her with a deep kiss. After some talk, he pulled out a box with a ring and slid it on her finger. They kissed again, but were interrupted by Seto approaching them.

"Well, well, who would have thought…?"

"Seto!" Téana blushed. "I'm sorry we didn't…"

"Didn't tell me? I understand. After all, it is forbidden!"

Téana backed away. "Forgive me…" She got down on her knees.

"Enough! Even though it's wrong…we are old friends…" He reached out his hand and helped her up. She's so beautiful…how dare that prince steal her from me! Some day…she'll be mine…it's forbidden for a common woman to marry a pharaoh to be…

Bel um Fal took Téana in his arms. "Leave her alone, Seto."

Seto glared but then smirked. "Very well your highness."

Bel um Fal sighed and crossed his arms. "What do you want anyways?"

"I came here to tell you to come back to the palace. He's coming and it seems a war really is going to break out."

"So…it can't be stopped?"

"No…"

"Very well… Téana I suggest you head home and prepare to pack. Your mother and you should leave here before things get worse."

Téana backed away. "No…I won't leave you. I want to stay and fight!" She clenched her fists together. "You can't make me leave!"

Bel um Fal took her hand in his. "I never could refuse you…but this time…I have too. Seto, take her home and see to it that her mother and her are gone by the morning!"

"NO!" She cried.

Seto nodded and flipped her over his shoulder.

"Bel um Fal! You can't do this!"

"Look, I have no choice. I promise you we'll be together again! Meet me back here at our spot when it's all over! We will be married!"

"Bel um Fal…" Tears started to drip down her cheeks. "I…"

He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Good bye my love…" He turned quickly, his red cape flowing behind him in the dry winds.

"Good bye…" Seto grunted and threw her down. "Listen to me! You can't marry him! It would ruin everything! He must have a wife of his status!" He gripped her wrist, pulling her up to him.

She pulled back out of his grip. "Don't touch me! What's happened to you? You were one of my closest friends when we were children. Now all you care about is power…and status! Why?"

Seto growled and turned to leave. "I was weak…"

Téana sighed and brushed the dirt off her robes. "What's happening to everyone?"

Seto walked away, holding something hard and round in his hand.

***

Seto walked toward the palace and spoke to the main guard. "Tell the prince…we have a traitor in our midst. This was found near the enemies' base." He held up the ring he stole from Téana. "It was a gift from the prince to his lady friend. She is the betrayer."

The guard nodded and headed off to the palace.

Téana packed her things and decided to have one last look at the palace she spent most of her childhood in. "Bel um Fal…when we first met…you were a snobby little brat. Now look at you…such a handsome gentleman…a great ruler to be and…my fiancé…now I have to leave you and most of my life? NO! I won't do it!!!" She ran toward the gates of the palace. "BEL UM FAL!!!"

The prince turned hastily at the call of his name. "Téana?"

She ran into his arms. "I can't do it…I can't leave you…my home…our friends…"

He sighed and held her close.

"My prince! Release her! She has betrayed us!"

Téana felt herself being pulled away from the prince and into the arms of a rough guard. He pinned her arms behind her back, causing her to cry out in pain.

"Where is this proof? I refuse to believe this!"

Seto smirked. "I found this at the enemy base! He showed him the ring. She's fooled us all!"

Téana gasped. "NO! It's not true!"

Bel um Fal looked at her and then Seto. He starred at the ring and his eyes suddenly shone a light crimson. He bowed his head; tears streaming down his cheeks. "It is the end for you betrayer!" He pulled out a sword and ran it through his lovers' chest.

She cried out and collapsed.

Bel um Fal took the ring from Seto. "Why?" He asked. A sudden commotion interrupted his thoughts. "Now what?"

A bright light flashed and Yami was kneeling on the ground. Téa was holding her chest.

"Wha…were we just…what happened?"

Shadi walked up to them. "I let you see your past through their eyes. You felt everything they went through. Now you see…young Téana was not the betrayer. Seto tricked you because of his selfish love for your fiancé…"

Yami stood up. "I know…I felt it all…saw it all…I was such a fool…I deserved my fate." He put his head down and clenched his fists.

Téa walked up to him. "Don't think like that. No one could have proven it untrue. It was perfectly planned. I know Téana understands. I know I do too. We can't change the past…but when can fix the present."

Yami looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "All of my friends…Jono…Honda…Maya…Téana…even Seto, who betrayed me. Everyone died…all because of this thing!" He ripped the puzzle off his neck, threatening to smash it again.

"NO!" Téa and Shadi grabbed his arm, holding him back.

"If you destroy it…all hope is lost!"

"Yami, you can't do this!"

"Urgh…LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" A flash of lightening surrounded him and Téa and Shadi flew backwards.

"Oh no! He's lost control!" Shadi shouted.

"What, what do you mean?"

"I mean, run!!!" He started to run through the labyrinth of the young pharaoh's' mind.

Téa soon followed. "What should we do?"

"Get as far away form him as possible!"

Yami rose off the ground, floating in the air. His eyes glowing bright red, dark circles were under his eyes. "So, they want to play a game if hunt the prey, eh? Sounds like fun!" He flew off towards the duo.

"When Yami lost control of his heart the darkness within the puzzle consumed him! You might say he is possessed!"

"Great…" Téa replied dryly.

***

"Ok, I can do this! I did it before! Oh man…he's got a new REBD! Where's Yugi when I need him? Joey whined.

Yugi was still unconscious along with Téa. But, deep inside the puzzle, Shadi and Téa ran from the demonic Yami, who was closing in quickly.

To be continued…