Next chapter is here. For those who've missed the longer chapters, I should eventually get back to writing them (or when I'm in the mood to). For this duel, though, I think it's better to write it up in shorter chapters since it helps me to focus better. ^^

Also, I'll try to get another chapter up next week, but in the event that I'm unable to, it'll probably be because I'll be having my fourth covid shot, so I might experience some side effects. I wanted to let you all know, just in case. Anyway, enjoy the chapter. XD

Chapter 56

"Andy…"

Alex muttered her brother's name as she watched him remove his hood and reveal his face to everyone. She was momentarily shocked, but after a few moments, she took a breath and said,

"I thought it might be you, but there's clearly something off."

Mokuba asked, "What do you mean?"

Before Alex could reply, Max said, "If this really is Alex's brother, he should be around your age, Mokuba. But look at him. He looks closer to Alex's age."

Mokuba looked at the figure claiming to be Andy, and nodding, he replied, "Yeah, you're right. This must be some impostor."

The hooded figure smirked and said, "It's my doing. One of my powers, if you will. I can age people, but otherwise, this is your brother."

He looked at Alex, and Alex looked between him and Andy. She then turned her attention to Andy and said,

"If it's really you, then tell me something that only you and I know."

Andy replied, "If you insist."

He then told Alex of a childhood memory that only the two of them shared, which proved to Alex that this was indeed her brother. She had to acknowledge as such and said,

"I believe you, but how is this possible?"

Andy looked at the hooded figure and said, "Master, sis and I need some alone time."

The figure nodded and replied, "Of course."

He then snapped his fingers, and Alex and Andy disappeared. Kaiba looked angrily at the hooded figure and asked,

"Where did you take her?!"

The figure looked calmly at Kaiba and replied, "Your girlfriend is in no danger. I simply transported them to a place where they could talk alone, uninterrupted."

Alex found herself in what appeared to be her childhood home, the one where she, Andy, and her parents used to live, before her parents died and Andy disappeared. Andy looked at her and said,

"This place isn't real, of course. It's just a simulation – the Master's doing."

Alex looked back at Andy and said, "I have so many questions for you. I guess the first one is obvious – How are you here?"

Andy looked angrily at Alex and replied, "After you abandoned me in that void and decided to go on with your life, Master found me. After he was freed, he found me and offered to free me. In exchange, he promised that we would be reunited as a family, as it always should have been."

Alex looked sadly at Andy and replied, "I never abandoned you. But we were just kids when that whole thing happened. I didn't know how to go after you, but I never gave up on finding a way to get you back."

Andy replied, "As if I'd believe that. And before you say otherwise, I know about your original mission. If you had just killed Kaiba, we would have been together sooner. But no, you had to fall for him instead."

Alex replied, "It's not that simple-"

Andy interrupted, "It is that simple! All you had to do was kill Kaiba and then we would have become a family again. Killing him would have made that prison I was trapped in never exist in the first place. I don't understand what makes him more important than me."

Alex took a breath and then replied, "You're not seeing the entire picture, but to be fair, I used to think the same way. I looked into what happened, and it's complicated, but it comes down to this. Seto isn't the reason we all have suffered. Of course, I know he isn't innocent. I am perfectly aware of his flaws. But I've seen so much good in him, and there's the potential for more. I believe he can do wonderful things. He just needs some guidance and most importantly, love."

She blushed as she finished her sentence, and shaking his head, Andy replied, "So you think you can persuade Kaiba to change with the power of love? I didn't think you'd be so naive, sister."

Alex replied, "It's not a matter of changing him. Yes, he is changing slowly, but I'm not pushing him to do so. He should still be himself, but he shouldn't be punished for a crime he isn't responsible for."

Andy angrily replied, "The hell! I know what Kaiba ends up doing. He invents synchro summoning and then because everyone uses it, the entire human race practically goes extinct."

Alex replied, "Yes, but you should already know that Yusei and the other signers end up stopping that unfortunate end from happening."

Andy replied, "I know, but Kaiba's presence keeps popping up again and again. I could list all the 'crimes' he ends up committing, but I know you'll only take his side."

Alex sighed and replied, "This isn't a matter of taking sides, Andy. I decided to open my mind to possibilities instead of being a mindless soldier. But I see how much that bothers you."

Andy replied, "Of course it does. You abandoned me for him, but I see that you found my replacement."

Alex looked confused until Andy added, "Mokuba. So it seems like you have the perfect life now. Abandon your old family, and have a rich, famous boyfriend and a replacement little brother."

Alex was on the cusp of her tears flowing, but she did her best to reign in her emotions. It hurt her to hear such words from Andy, but doing her best to remain calm, she said,

"You may look my age, but you still have the maturity of a kid. I understand why, though. What do you want from me?"

Andy scoffed and replied, "That should be obvious, but I guess I need to spell it out for you. Abandon those idiots and join me and Master. He'll reform the world to his liking, and we'll have a place in it. We never should have been separated."

Alex replied, "I agree that it was cruel of fate to tear us apart. But through some weirdness, we are together again. Although I don't like that your master used such dirty tricks, I am grateful to him for bringing you back to me."

She smiled softly at Andy, but Andy's heart remained as hard as stone. Andy simply replied,

"So I take it that you won't change your mind?"

Alex replied, "If you know me well, then you should know that I can be stubborn about these things."

Andy shook his head in disappointment, and then he made a telepathic communication to the hooded figure.

Max looked angrily at the hooded figure and said, "Joey is right. This was a dirty trick."

The hooded figure feigned innocence and replied, "I have no idea what you're implying, young man."

Max replied, "It's obvious. You're afraid that we'll win, so you're using mind tricks on Alex."

Mokuba added, "That's right! Alex was hoping that you'd be honorable, but there's nothing honorable about this."

The figure looked annoyed and replied, "As if you three didn't have any tricks up your sleeves. It's obvious that you were anticipating my arrival."

Max replied, "We got some help, but yes, that's right."

The hooded figure nodded and looking at Alexa, he asked, "Did you have anything to do with this?"

Alexa replied, "Perhaps. It never hurts to have help, especially when you're involved."

The figure replied, "Why, I should-"

Suddenly, he heard Andy communicating telepathically with him, and getting the message, he snapped his fingers and brought back Alex and Andy from wherever they were. Max and Mokuba looked at Alex and relief written on their faces, Max asked,

"You ok, Alex?"

Alex nodded and replied, "Yeah, I'm alright. Could be better, of course, but no harm done."

Mokuba smiled and replied, "I'm happy you're ok, Alex."

He looked more closely at Alex and then quietly added, "You really are ok?"

Mokuba could see that Alex was upset although she was doing her best to hide her emotions. Meanwhile, Kaiba was relieved as well that Alex was back although he couldn't see her face. However, he could guess that Alex was trying to keep things together and do her best to focus on what she had to do. He wanted to free himself from his prison and rush towards her but didn't know how to do so.

Alex smiled a bit at Mokuba and replied, "As I said, I could be better, but I'm ok, all things considered."

Andy looked at the hooded figure and said, "I apologize, Master. I had hoped it would have been as simple as persuading sis to join us, but she is just as stubborn as I remember."

The hooded figure simply shook his head and replied, "No matter. I expected as much. She has this resolve. It's quite admirable."

Andy replied, "I agree although her life choices could be better."

He paused and then continued, "If you will allow me, I would like to take over the duel for you."

Max overheard Andy's request and yelled, "No way! That goes against the rules."

The hooded figure replied, "He is correct, annoying as he may be. But I would be curious to see how you do against your sister."

He looked thoughtful and then said, "I propose this. If all parties agree that you take over for me for the time being, then we'll allow it."

Andy smiled and replied, "I'll agree to that."

He looked towards Max, Alex, and Mokuba, and said, "I understand if you three won't agree. I don't want to make things unfair towards any of you."

Alex replied, "We need a couple of minutes to quietly consult among ourselves."

Andy nodded and then Alex, Max, and Mokuba moved far enough away so that they wouldn't be overheard. Alexa put herself in front of the group and added,

"Just to make sure that they won't be eavesdropped."

Andy scoffed but didn't say anything.

Alex, Max, and Mokuba huddled together, and Alex asked, "What do you think?"

Max replied, "You know this is another mind trick. He wants to duel us because he thinks it'll rattle you."

Alex nodded solemnly and replied, "I know, and I'm already aware. Technically, we don't have to agree to this since it is going against the rules that were established. But I think we should do it."

Mokuba looked surprised and replied, "Why?"

Alex looked at Mokuba and replied, "That person is Andy. I have no doubt about that. But something inside him is twisted. Now I don't know if it's because of that guy's doing or whatnot. However, I think we can get through to the Andy I know through a duel. I believe that's the only way to reach through to his heart. He's so bent on believing that I'm making a huge mistake. But I want to persuade him that he's wrong."

Mokuba replied, "Through a duel?"

Alex nodded, and Max replied, "It could work, but this is risky. We don't know what tricks he could pull. Yes, he may be your brother, but he's clearly changed. But I'll go with what you want, Alex."

Mokuba nodded and added, "If this is what you want to do, Alex, then I'm with you, too. We can get through to him, and then the two of you can be a family again."

Alex smiled softly at the two of them and replied, "Thanks."

The three of them then returned to their previous spot, and looking at Andy, Alex said,

"We agree with your proposal."

Immediately, Joey replied, "What?! Alex, I know you're a genius, but this is a really bad idea. Just trust me on this."

Alex sighed and replied, "I know you only want to help, Joey, but we know what we're doing."

She looked at Kaiba and although Kaiba didn't say anything, he looked back at her. His face was unreadable, but Alex could sense that Kaiba was going to trust her, so she simply turned back towards Andy and said,

"Whenever you're ready."