Episode #29- Arrival at Kaiba Corp. Island
Kikaita vanished from my sight completely, a life now without my mother's soul begins. Though I only felt a third of her spirit absorb into my soul, as if trying to revive herself. I knew it would fail; losing to an Egyptian God Card, not even a solitary Zodiac soul could restore the ones lost.
I dropped to my knees, hitting the caps hard but feeling nothing, as if I was numbed out by anesthetic. I couldn't help but burst into tears in front of my possessor. As of now, I didn't care what I did in front of him. Nor did I care about the shackles cutting into my hands. Those hurt, only because they were made with my soul transition. I knew only one thing was coming out of this, my suffering was his amusement.
I heard his footsteps coming down the platform stairs as if he was a real human. There was no point in me running. He came close and kneeled to my level. "Ah, the satisfaction of one's suffering. I plan to put Yami in the same condition once I rule this world." He broke my silent weeping; I felt him smiling victoriously behind me, "Now that Kikaita is out of the way, you and I need to have a talk about your disloyalty to me. You do know what I'm talking about, don't you?" The scene of the Dueling arena vanished. Now the Shadow Realm took us both. I stood on my feet with the tears dried and only a bitter hatred in my eyes; he had his back to me with his head only turned to sight me.
I willingly stayed silent, letting only my hatred speak through the burning sensation behind my irises. Yami Marik made a full body turn to me; I kept a straight face as his dark eyes spotted me.
"First off, I'd like to play a small came of 'Would you Rather.'" He snickered after the name, I recognized the name from one of the radio shows I used to listen to in the mornings, "Answer me this: Would you rather spend an eternity in the Shadow Realm, isolated from any communication what so ever, or would you rather wake up and serve me as Pharaoh, doing everything I command on the spot?"
I hesitated to answer, but I already knew the words out of my mouth. "I'd rather be surrounded by the Shadow Realm. But I know once you achieve your goal, you'll drag souls out for more torture."
"With yours at the top of the list." He added on, "You and I have a lot in common, I'll admit that. For one, we both have had enough of our downsizing and rather take force to reach the top."
"We have nothing in common. You're the one who's been causing my suffering." I said with a straight face.
"You know, you're right, we have nothing in common." Yami Marik reversed his direction, "I'm just far more superior than you are. And as such you will do as I say until the Millennium Puzzle is hanging around my neck and the God Cards are in my hand, including Yin-Yang." The Shadow Realm withdrew and I was back in my room. The transition weakened me and I fell asleep almost instantly on the bed, though uncomfortable of him watching me behind my back.
My door cracked slightly and with little disturbance, even for Yami Marik to notice. I could tell his spirit was at a state of rest. The newcomer quietly slipped in and stepped cautiously towards the bed on its four paws, a beaded necklace tight in its jaws. It came closer and set the beads on the table next to the bed with not even a clatter of the beads glassy chimes.
I tossed on the bed to face the other direction. Half asleep, and the newcomer left as mysteriously had it appeared behind me, I saw what it had left; it was an heirloom and a powerful treasure of my kind. Yami Marik didn't seem to stir in my wake so I quickly snatched the necklace and tucked it under my pillow. I knew it was sent by my mother and I heard Raikoukou, 'You can fight...'
__________
The morning rose and shined through my window first. I wanted to wake up, from this nightmare. Really. My mom's gone, but she was correct-Yami Marik did not say anything about Raikoukou helping me. My eyes refocused to my room, invisible of the dark presence that still resides in my soul. I crawled out of bed and did the covers. I was still in my black outfit; my cloak, sword, and the SR Duel Disc were put off into one of the chairs. I felt the slight descend of the blimp near the ten o'clock hour, about the time I woke up. I got myself together and made one last browse of my Deck.
The room suddenly had a brisk draft and Yami Marik appeared to me, "'Morning." He greeted; the sound of his voice was something I got used to, but annoyed me as quickly as it came up.
"Likewise, I'm sure." I sighed with sarcasm and pulled the cloak over my head. The clock read ten 'til ten and I felt the blimp begin to descend slightly. I looked out my window and saw ahead a dark tower, in shadow by the sun's position, standing above a pile of rubble. "What in the Realm?" I gasped.
"That must be our next battle stage." Yami Marik concluded behind my back. I turned around and saw his image shifting through my cards. "But the good news is that Kaiba's God Card is now an easy targe-" He paused and flipped through my Deck again, "Firo, Spear Dragon, Spirit Ryu, where is Slifer?" His voice grew in anger.
"Was there a point in me having two God Cards while Yugi had none?" I said calmly; I fidgeted with the necklace from last night in my pocket.
"You're pushing it, Dragon. Allow me to demonstrate my powers over your soul again." Yami Marik threatened as the Millennium Rod materialized in his hand.
"Inhabiting my soul is as far as you go." I grumbled as the Shadow Realm swallowed the room once more, "I will not be controlled." I pulled out the necklace and jolted it out in front of me. I felt the pulses emitting from the beads, it negated Yami Marik attempt to control my being. The sounds of the beads pierced his ears like he heard a harsh sound and withdrew one step with both ears covered. Shadow Realm's barriers as well seem to draw back in cowardice.
"Wha...what was that?" He said in a muffled voice.
"At first, I didn't know why the demons were after the heirloom of my race, but now I do. Demons and ghosts are completely different, and yet somehow formed an alliance against the mortals. In these terms, two treasures to insure peace between these dimensions were created. However, the treasure that negates the demons-the Scroll of Spirit Earth, was never found after a ghost hid it away." I recapped a story I once read in my studies, "So the demons appear to be repaying that favor by liberating my kind of the treasure Beads of Spirit Sky, the very treasure that can negate ghost possessions. This is also the treasure that has sent my kind to Egypt since Miran did 5000 years ago." I finished and ringed the necklace under my cloak collar.
"Or so you think." He recovered.
"I know, that truth was a little late, but only a living Zodiac can use the power. So, from here on out, you do have my soul, but you don't control it." I stated in a no-nonsense manner. Yami Marik growled with rising anger before fading with the Shadow Realm's residue, restoring my room to its solid matter. I don't know what his real reaction was or how he's planning to counter my necklace, but at least now I have more protection than just his word.
The blimp finally landed a half-hour later after my most recent encounter. I couldn't be more unready for my next match. Yugi, Marik, or Ashley, the thought of Dueling any of them was nerve-racking. And adding to that, my fear and anger pleased my soul-keeper, but with the necklace that has been handed to me, surviving over five millennia on its thread alone, was stopping him in his tracks. Whether or not this artifact will keep him from weakening me, I can't tell.
I made a final check to my Deck after he perfected it to his status and I shifted out of the room in my cloak and everything, including the sword. I met up with Yugi and rode the elevator down with him. Yugi looked at me with his youthful curious eyes.
"Sleep well, Miranda?" He asked, distracting me from zoning out.
"Not really, but this is as ready as I'll be for the Finals." I smiled back. I felt Yami Marik pressing my 'sixth sense.'
"Thanks for Slifer." He added.
"It'll only be fair for the Finals. We each have a God Card now: You have Slifer, I have Yin-Yang, Ashley won Obelisk, and Marik still has his Winged Dragon of Ra." I changed tone when I touched the subject of Marik.
"Right. Well, here we are." Yugi nodded. The elevator stopped its descend and the doors opened. Everyone but Kaiba was out in the main concourse, waiting to get off the blimp.
"Miranda's up, it's show time." Ashley cheered. I just made a quick smile in return. Various dialogue was exchanged around the room for several minutes. It instantly fell quiet when two sliding doors opened and Kaiba stood with his arms crossed.
"We have arrived at Battle Tower, if the Finalists will follow me first, we can get the semifinals started." He stated and turned on a heel and exited the blimp. Yugi, Marik, Ashley and me followed him as a small group. The rest of them followed except for Serenity; from a side conversation, I heard she was going to stay with Mai.
The six of us, including Mokuba, stepped out into the outside first and touching earth after a horrid night in the sky. A tower about as tall as the Stratosphere Casino was our next Duel stage. It shot straight up on metal walls and jutted out into four points at the top. The four of us, the remaining Finalists, were amazed at now were still going to battle at high altitudes.
I took my eyes off the tower and watched Kaiba head for someone who stood next to the tower's entrance. A female, dressed in a formal outfit of charcoal grey and a jacket much like Kaiba's vest only shorter, blonde, crimped hair and glasses, awaited Kaiba's arrival. An awkward familiar feeling took me off my focus.
After a final word, Kaiba nodded and looked back to us, "Finalists, I welcome you to the final stage of Battle City. This used to be used for armed weapons until I turned Kaiba Corp. in a new direction. Now the remains of the past are in ruins, as will the defeated, and the tower we are about to enter is the symbol of my enterprising power." He made a speech and drew a glare on the us, especially Ashley, "Bowler, you and I will have a rematch on the first floor. And you'll be the first to experience the new rules of the tournament."
"New rules?" Ashley questioned.
"Exactly. I have no idea how I could have lost to you so I'm declaring a rematch now." Kaiba instructed, "And the referee of this Duel will be one of my new executives, Kathy Savage."
I snapped my fingers and cheered up more than, I guess, Yami Marik couldn't bear, "I thought you looked familiar." I stepped out of the crowd, "Kathy Savage, from school, right?"
"Miranda? I thought that name was recognizable." The female executive smiled as well and we high-five each other.
"How'd you get a job with Kaiba?" I asked in our long since seen unity.
"After graduation, I got the offer and accepted it." She replied.
"And the guys, how are they holding up?"
"They're doing fine the last I checked."
Kaiba stared dumb-founded at the both of us, "Wait, you two know each other?" He asked.
"Yeap." Kathy nodded.
"We were the only girls in the Duel Commitee back at my old school." I added.
"So Kaiba, exactly who beat you?" Kathy asked and stepped past me towards him.
"The one in the denim." He cocked his head towards Ashley. Kathy changed really fast to a temper-mental state only Yami Marik could tolerate.
"You're the one who defeated my Kaiba!" She yelled.
"Kathy, she's my cousin!" I cried before she had a chance at choking her. Kathy stopped in her tracks and looked to me with surprised eyes.
"She is?" Kathy asked and looked at the both of us, "You two look nothing alike."
"Let's get on with the rematch." Kaiba had enough and stepped up to the tower. The two-story-high doors swung open and a gust blew towards us.
__________
In minutes, everyone followed Kaiba down a narrow hall. Personally, I had a bad feeling about this. If Kaiba's out for revenge, he takes it more than seriously. Another set of doors opened far in front of us, posing some light to get us through.
We all made it to the end, a dim room soon brilliantly lit by spotlights at each corner. In the middle was just a plain circle wide enough to fit ten people standing across it with hologram projectors on its side.
Everyone stood silent as Kathy and Kaiba took their positions. Ashley followed momentarily after and got herself on the other end of the ring. The rest of us stood grouped together, anticipating the next show of the Duel.
I felt Yami Marik rise of on me, unnoticed by anyone else. "Kaiba's asking for a rematch? I'll turn this into a Shadow Game, maybe it'll be a change of pace to have Ashley in the Shadow Realm." He commented and I felt the pull out of my being.
'Don't think so.' I replied back in thought, 'There's something else you need to know about the sacred jewel. I counted the beads, each bead represents how many time you influenced me; whether it be weakening me or taking control of my being and masking my soul, I took that number of beads and crossed the thread before the rest of the beads.' I explained to "myself." 'You took affect on me exactly thirteen times, so I counted thirteen beads and crossed the thread into a small loop. Your part of the soul we use is trapped in that loop, so there are a few things that we've discussed before that are futile now: you can't control my body, you can't weaken my soul to do your whims, and you can't make access to another being because of this. You're stuck with me, ya dunce.' I told him straight, 'The only way you can break out of that loop is only the threads come undone.' I felt Yami Marik's rage grow, but if it did reach an impact of high standards, I was more than confident he couldn't break the beads' magic.
"This is it, Bowler. I demand this rematch to prove I have far more greater skill. Your last win was just a fluke." Kaiba accused.
"So you're also doing this rematch again? I have the family trait of pulling victories like a Sleeper. Heck, my cuz managed a win out of a Duelist with the most expensive Deck in the group." Ashley got in way over her head.
"Fluke cuz! My win against him was just a fluke! I only beat him with a Dark Hole/Monster Reborn combo and I got put down harder than that afterwards!" I called up.
"Heh, at least she'll admit to that." Kaiba commented.
"Say what?!" Ashley looked at me with shocked eyes like she'd seen a ghost.
"Enough, time for this Duel to begin, and what better setting to choose than a virtual advantage." Kaiba declared, "Computer, activate the Kaiba Corp. Hologram Setting Projection." He commanded and the floor's tile cracks lit up along with the spotlights. The setting changed from a dull, steel room instantly to a scene in some desert ruins. The sands covered all but the ring Kaiba, Kathy, and Ashley stood on and stone rubble surrounded the arena. A horizon of ocean bordered only one side of our position with the sun directed at high noon.
"Whoa, where are we?" Ashley looked around the scene.
"You fool, were still in the tower, but the hologram setting has chose us to play out our Duel in the Ancient Ruins." Kaiba replied with a touch of personal defense, "Here on this certain arena, certain classes of monsters will have an advantage or disadvantage. But why ruin the fun by telling you?"
"Interesting setting, Kaiba." Kathy complimented, and then turned to announce the Duel conditions. "This Duel will be fought at 8000 Life Points per player, the loser will forfeit their rarest card to the victor. The setting is the Kaiba Corp. Ancient Ruins." She declared professionally, "Now, Kaiba will make the first move."
"Only Kaiba knows which monsters this field can power up." Yugi spoke amongst the group, "Ashley's been put at a disadvantage. And just as the field, Kaiba may have stacked his Deck with the advantaged monsters."
"No way, that creep." Joey grumbled, "Come on, Bowler! K.O. this CEO!" He cried from the group.
To be continued...
Kikaita vanished from my sight completely, a life now without my mother's soul begins. Though I only felt a third of her spirit absorb into my soul, as if trying to revive herself. I knew it would fail; losing to an Egyptian God Card, not even a solitary Zodiac soul could restore the ones lost.
I dropped to my knees, hitting the caps hard but feeling nothing, as if I was numbed out by anesthetic. I couldn't help but burst into tears in front of my possessor. As of now, I didn't care what I did in front of him. Nor did I care about the shackles cutting into my hands. Those hurt, only because they were made with my soul transition. I knew only one thing was coming out of this, my suffering was his amusement.
I heard his footsteps coming down the platform stairs as if he was a real human. There was no point in me running. He came close and kneeled to my level. "Ah, the satisfaction of one's suffering. I plan to put Yami in the same condition once I rule this world." He broke my silent weeping; I felt him smiling victoriously behind me, "Now that Kikaita is out of the way, you and I need to have a talk about your disloyalty to me. You do know what I'm talking about, don't you?" The scene of the Dueling arena vanished. Now the Shadow Realm took us both. I stood on my feet with the tears dried and only a bitter hatred in my eyes; he had his back to me with his head only turned to sight me.
I willingly stayed silent, letting only my hatred speak through the burning sensation behind my irises. Yami Marik made a full body turn to me; I kept a straight face as his dark eyes spotted me.
"First off, I'd like to play a small came of 'Would you Rather.'" He snickered after the name, I recognized the name from one of the radio shows I used to listen to in the mornings, "Answer me this: Would you rather spend an eternity in the Shadow Realm, isolated from any communication what so ever, or would you rather wake up and serve me as Pharaoh, doing everything I command on the spot?"
I hesitated to answer, but I already knew the words out of my mouth. "I'd rather be surrounded by the Shadow Realm. But I know once you achieve your goal, you'll drag souls out for more torture."
"With yours at the top of the list." He added on, "You and I have a lot in common, I'll admit that. For one, we both have had enough of our downsizing and rather take force to reach the top."
"We have nothing in common. You're the one who's been causing my suffering." I said with a straight face.
"You know, you're right, we have nothing in common." Yami Marik reversed his direction, "I'm just far more superior than you are. And as such you will do as I say until the Millennium Puzzle is hanging around my neck and the God Cards are in my hand, including Yin-Yang." The Shadow Realm withdrew and I was back in my room. The transition weakened me and I fell asleep almost instantly on the bed, though uncomfortable of him watching me behind my back.
My door cracked slightly and with little disturbance, even for Yami Marik to notice. I could tell his spirit was at a state of rest. The newcomer quietly slipped in and stepped cautiously towards the bed on its four paws, a beaded necklace tight in its jaws. It came closer and set the beads on the table next to the bed with not even a clatter of the beads glassy chimes.
I tossed on the bed to face the other direction. Half asleep, and the newcomer left as mysteriously had it appeared behind me, I saw what it had left; it was an heirloom and a powerful treasure of my kind. Yami Marik didn't seem to stir in my wake so I quickly snatched the necklace and tucked it under my pillow. I knew it was sent by my mother and I heard Raikoukou, 'You can fight...'
__________
The morning rose and shined through my window first. I wanted to wake up, from this nightmare. Really. My mom's gone, but she was correct-Yami Marik did not say anything about Raikoukou helping me. My eyes refocused to my room, invisible of the dark presence that still resides in my soul. I crawled out of bed and did the covers. I was still in my black outfit; my cloak, sword, and the SR Duel Disc were put off into one of the chairs. I felt the slight descend of the blimp near the ten o'clock hour, about the time I woke up. I got myself together and made one last browse of my Deck.
The room suddenly had a brisk draft and Yami Marik appeared to me, "'Morning." He greeted; the sound of his voice was something I got used to, but annoyed me as quickly as it came up.
"Likewise, I'm sure." I sighed with sarcasm and pulled the cloak over my head. The clock read ten 'til ten and I felt the blimp begin to descend slightly. I looked out my window and saw ahead a dark tower, in shadow by the sun's position, standing above a pile of rubble. "What in the Realm?" I gasped.
"That must be our next battle stage." Yami Marik concluded behind my back. I turned around and saw his image shifting through my cards. "But the good news is that Kaiba's God Card is now an easy targe-" He paused and flipped through my Deck again, "Firo, Spear Dragon, Spirit Ryu, where is Slifer?" His voice grew in anger.
"Was there a point in me having two God Cards while Yugi had none?" I said calmly; I fidgeted with the necklace from last night in my pocket.
"You're pushing it, Dragon. Allow me to demonstrate my powers over your soul again." Yami Marik threatened as the Millennium Rod materialized in his hand.
"Inhabiting my soul is as far as you go." I grumbled as the Shadow Realm swallowed the room once more, "I will not be controlled." I pulled out the necklace and jolted it out in front of me. I felt the pulses emitting from the beads, it negated Yami Marik attempt to control my being. The sounds of the beads pierced his ears like he heard a harsh sound and withdrew one step with both ears covered. Shadow Realm's barriers as well seem to draw back in cowardice.
"Wha...what was that?" He said in a muffled voice.
"At first, I didn't know why the demons were after the heirloom of my race, but now I do. Demons and ghosts are completely different, and yet somehow formed an alliance against the mortals. In these terms, two treasures to insure peace between these dimensions were created. However, the treasure that negates the demons-the Scroll of Spirit Earth, was never found after a ghost hid it away." I recapped a story I once read in my studies, "So the demons appear to be repaying that favor by liberating my kind of the treasure Beads of Spirit Sky, the very treasure that can negate ghost possessions. This is also the treasure that has sent my kind to Egypt since Miran did 5000 years ago." I finished and ringed the necklace under my cloak collar.
"Or so you think." He recovered.
"I know, that truth was a little late, but only a living Zodiac can use the power. So, from here on out, you do have my soul, but you don't control it." I stated in a no-nonsense manner. Yami Marik growled with rising anger before fading with the Shadow Realm's residue, restoring my room to its solid matter. I don't know what his real reaction was or how he's planning to counter my necklace, but at least now I have more protection than just his word.
The blimp finally landed a half-hour later after my most recent encounter. I couldn't be more unready for my next match. Yugi, Marik, or Ashley, the thought of Dueling any of them was nerve-racking. And adding to that, my fear and anger pleased my soul-keeper, but with the necklace that has been handed to me, surviving over five millennia on its thread alone, was stopping him in his tracks. Whether or not this artifact will keep him from weakening me, I can't tell.
I made a final check to my Deck after he perfected it to his status and I shifted out of the room in my cloak and everything, including the sword. I met up with Yugi and rode the elevator down with him. Yugi looked at me with his youthful curious eyes.
"Sleep well, Miranda?" He asked, distracting me from zoning out.
"Not really, but this is as ready as I'll be for the Finals." I smiled back. I felt Yami Marik pressing my 'sixth sense.'
"Thanks for Slifer." He added.
"It'll only be fair for the Finals. We each have a God Card now: You have Slifer, I have Yin-Yang, Ashley won Obelisk, and Marik still has his Winged Dragon of Ra." I changed tone when I touched the subject of Marik.
"Right. Well, here we are." Yugi nodded. The elevator stopped its descend and the doors opened. Everyone but Kaiba was out in the main concourse, waiting to get off the blimp.
"Miranda's up, it's show time." Ashley cheered. I just made a quick smile in return. Various dialogue was exchanged around the room for several minutes. It instantly fell quiet when two sliding doors opened and Kaiba stood with his arms crossed.
"We have arrived at Battle Tower, if the Finalists will follow me first, we can get the semifinals started." He stated and turned on a heel and exited the blimp. Yugi, Marik, Ashley and me followed him as a small group. The rest of them followed except for Serenity; from a side conversation, I heard she was going to stay with Mai.
The six of us, including Mokuba, stepped out into the outside first and touching earth after a horrid night in the sky. A tower about as tall as the Stratosphere Casino was our next Duel stage. It shot straight up on metal walls and jutted out into four points at the top. The four of us, the remaining Finalists, were amazed at now were still going to battle at high altitudes.
I took my eyes off the tower and watched Kaiba head for someone who stood next to the tower's entrance. A female, dressed in a formal outfit of charcoal grey and a jacket much like Kaiba's vest only shorter, blonde, crimped hair and glasses, awaited Kaiba's arrival. An awkward familiar feeling took me off my focus.
After a final word, Kaiba nodded and looked back to us, "Finalists, I welcome you to the final stage of Battle City. This used to be used for armed weapons until I turned Kaiba Corp. in a new direction. Now the remains of the past are in ruins, as will the defeated, and the tower we are about to enter is the symbol of my enterprising power." He made a speech and drew a glare on the us, especially Ashley, "Bowler, you and I will have a rematch on the first floor. And you'll be the first to experience the new rules of the tournament."
"New rules?" Ashley questioned.
"Exactly. I have no idea how I could have lost to you so I'm declaring a rematch now." Kaiba instructed, "And the referee of this Duel will be one of my new executives, Kathy Savage."
I snapped my fingers and cheered up more than, I guess, Yami Marik couldn't bear, "I thought you looked familiar." I stepped out of the crowd, "Kathy Savage, from school, right?"
"Miranda? I thought that name was recognizable." The female executive smiled as well and we high-five each other.
"How'd you get a job with Kaiba?" I asked in our long since seen unity.
"After graduation, I got the offer and accepted it." She replied.
"And the guys, how are they holding up?"
"They're doing fine the last I checked."
Kaiba stared dumb-founded at the both of us, "Wait, you two know each other?" He asked.
"Yeap." Kathy nodded.
"We were the only girls in the Duel Commitee back at my old school." I added.
"So Kaiba, exactly who beat you?" Kathy asked and stepped past me towards him.
"The one in the denim." He cocked his head towards Ashley. Kathy changed really fast to a temper-mental state only Yami Marik could tolerate.
"You're the one who defeated my Kaiba!" She yelled.
"Kathy, she's my cousin!" I cried before she had a chance at choking her. Kathy stopped in her tracks and looked to me with surprised eyes.
"She is?" Kathy asked and looked at the both of us, "You two look nothing alike."
"Let's get on with the rematch." Kaiba had enough and stepped up to the tower. The two-story-high doors swung open and a gust blew towards us.
__________
In minutes, everyone followed Kaiba down a narrow hall. Personally, I had a bad feeling about this. If Kaiba's out for revenge, he takes it more than seriously. Another set of doors opened far in front of us, posing some light to get us through.
We all made it to the end, a dim room soon brilliantly lit by spotlights at each corner. In the middle was just a plain circle wide enough to fit ten people standing across it with hologram projectors on its side.
Everyone stood silent as Kathy and Kaiba took their positions. Ashley followed momentarily after and got herself on the other end of the ring. The rest of us stood grouped together, anticipating the next show of the Duel.
I felt Yami Marik rise of on me, unnoticed by anyone else. "Kaiba's asking for a rematch? I'll turn this into a Shadow Game, maybe it'll be a change of pace to have Ashley in the Shadow Realm." He commented and I felt the pull out of my being.
'Don't think so.' I replied back in thought, 'There's something else you need to know about the sacred jewel. I counted the beads, each bead represents how many time you influenced me; whether it be weakening me or taking control of my being and masking my soul, I took that number of beads and crossed the thread before the rest of the beads.' I explained to "myself." 'You took affect on me exactly thirteen times, so I counted thirteen beads and crossed the thread into a small loop. Your part of the soul we use is trapped in that loop, so there are a few things that we've discussed before that are futile now: you can't control my body, you can't weaken my soul to do your whims, and you can't make access to another being because of this. You're stuck with me, ya dunce.' I told him straight, 'The only way you can break out of that loop is only the threads come undone.' I felt Yami Marik's rage grow, but if it did reach an impact of high standards, I was more than confident he couldn't break the beads' magic.
"This is it, Bowler. I demand this rematch to prove I have far more greater skill. Your last win was just a fluke." Kaiba accused.
"So you're also doing this rematch again? I have the family trait of pulling victories like a Sleeper. Heck, my cuz managed a win out of a Duelist with the most expensive Deck in the group." Ashley got in way over her head.
"Fluke cuz! My win against him was just a fluke! I only beat him with a Dark Hole/Monster Reborn combo and I got put down harder than that afterwards!" I called up.
"Heh, at least she'll admit to that." Kaiba commented.
"Say what?!" Ashley looked at me with shocked eyes like she'd seen a ghost.
"Enough, time for this Duel to begin, and what better setting to choose than a virtual advantage." Kaiba declared, "Computer, activate the Kaiba Corp. Hologram Setting Projection." He commanded and the floor's tile cracks lit up along with the spotlights. The setting changed from a dull, steel room instantly to a scene in some desert ruins. The sands covered all but the ring Kaiba, Kathy, and Ashley stood on and stone rubble surrounded the arena. A horizon of ocean bordered only one side of our position with the sun directed at high noon.
"Whoa, where are we?" Ashley looked around the scene.
"You fool, were still in the tower, but the hologram setting has chose us to play out our Duel in the Ancient Ruins." Kaiba replied with a touch of personal defense, "Here on this certain arena, certain classes of monsters will have an advantage or disadvantage. But why ruin the fun by telling you?"
"Interesting setting, Kaiba." Kathy complimented, and then turned to announce the Duel conditions. "This Duel will be fought at 8000 Life Points per player, the loser will forfeit their rarest card to the victor. The setting is the Kaiba Corp. Ancient Ruins." She declared professionally, "Now, Kaiba will make the first move."
"Only Kaiba knows which monsters this field can power up." Yugi spoke amongst the group, "Ashley's been put at a disadvantage. And just as the field, Kaiba may have stacked his Deck with the advantaged monsters."
"No way, that creep." Joey grumbled, "Come on, Bowler! K.O. this CEO!" He cried from the group.
To be continued...