Episode #44- Double Duels, Part 6
Kaiba and Yugi returned sights back to the Duel Tower. The platform itself was smoking from the aftershock of the Gods colliding. The only thing was, the Gods were gone. Kathy peered over the platform edge and saw both Yami and Kaiba kneeling in exhaustion. "Kaiba? Kaiba, are you all right?" She asked as she pulled herself onto the platform again.
"What...just happened?" Kaiba staggered to his feet first. Yami stood on the opposite end, but seemed to recover faster than Kaiba from the time warp.
"We were shown our origins, our ancient pasts in Egypt. Now do you believe in destiny? We were destined to Duel just like in the past." Yami explained as calmly as possible. Kaiba's response was an expression that spoke volumes.
'I know who I am. I am Seto Kaiba, CEO of Kaiba Corp.! I have nothing to do with this Egyptian fairy-tale!' He thought dejectedly and tried to look at Yami again. Again he saw the matching image of the battling Pharaoh from his vision. 'Why can't I get this out of my head?! That battle was so real, but it couldn't be! This has been happening ever since Ishizu gave me Obelisk. Then I could read the text on The Winged Dragon of Ra clear as crystal. And now these visions! No, I will not lose just because of these mind tricks!'
"Kaiba, you're all right?" Kathy smiled and looked around the field, "But what happened to the God Cards?"
"Kaiba, do you understand the significance of what we've witnessed? We were destined to Duel just as before, 5000 years ago." Yami said.
"That was just an illusion. There is no way I am involved in any of this. Besides, I leave the past behind. That's why I destroyed my stepfather's work and built my Duel Tower over it." Kaiba replied. "Now it's time to end this so I can claim my title as Duel Champion."
"Kaiba, I am fighting for much more than just a tournament victory, I'm fighting to save the world." Yami barked, "Miranda may not be in to destroy the world. But if Ashley is right, and Marik's dark half has been brought back, then the world is at stake."
"As if, Yugi. Once I get Slifer, I'll have both God monsters to defeat Miranda and then get The Winged Dragon of Ra." Kaiba fired back. "She can keep Yin-Yang the Eternal if she wants, I already see flaws to summoning it."
"Just make your move..." Yami lowered his tone in Kaiba's disrespect of his mission.
"Now you're making sense." Kaiba cocked and drew. "I'll set one card faced down and end my turn." He finished his move and thought ahead of the game. 'I have a more reliable monster anyway, Blue-Eyes White Dragon.'
"My move," Yami drew his next card, "and I play Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts in defense mode." He said and Gazelle appeared in a protective pose.
"I activate the trap, Clone. Just as its name suggests, it creates a clone of a monster on the field." Kaiba stated as a mirror image of Gazelle appeared on Kaiba's field.
"I end my turn."
"You have just made your final move, I'm about to play my Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Kaiba proclaimed.
"But in order to do so, you have to sacrifice two monsters. You only have one." Yami pointed out.
"And one monster is all I need when I play this magic card: Cost Down." Kaiba activated another card. "By discarding one card from my hand, I can drop two level stars from the monsters in my hand. So that reduces my Blue- Eyes White Dragon's level from 8 to 6."
"So now your Blue-Eyes White Dragon will only need one sacrifice."
"Exactly." Kaiba offered off his clone of Gazelle to summon up his Blue- Eyes White Dragon. The infamous Dragon levitated off the platform in opposition to Yami.
"Al'right Seto!" Mokuba cheered. Kathy watched on with her fanfare.
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Yugi's Gazelle with your White Lightning!" Kaiba commanded of his Dragon. The White Dragon charged and fired its stream of lightning, incinerating Gazelle without resistance. "Face it, Yugi, you have nothing. I end my turn here."
'Kaiba has summoned his Blue-Eyes White Dragon.' Yugi pointed out, 'If the vision is true, I have to summon the Dark Magician. It's probably the only way to defeat him.' Yami agreed and drew his card.
"We both saw that vision, and I'm about to prove it, by summoning the Dark Magician!" Yami announced. "I activate Monster Reborn to call back my Dark Magician from the Graveyard." Just as he played, the lights glittered in resurrection of his Magician.
Kaiba stood in shock for a moment, then calmed himself. "So you've summoned the Dark Magician, it doesn't prove anything. And worse, its attack is 500 points lower than my Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
"Kaiba, it's time to accept our destiny from 5000 years ago." Yami stated.
"Real Duelists make their own destinies, not rely on a rock to determine fate." Kaiba countered.
"Then I'll place one card faced down, and end my turn." Yami finished his move. 'It's true that the Dark Magician has fewer points than Blue-Eye White Dragon, but Magic Formula should take care of that.' He thought.
"It's disappointing to see you put all your faith into some folk tale. You are no pharaoh so stop playing pretend. The Duel is here, the Duel is now, not 5000 years ago." Kaiba reinstated and drew his card. "I'll place one card faced down and play Cards of Demise: this magic card gives me five cards from my deck. But after five turns, I'll have to discard my entire hand." He stated and drew his new hand. 'I've seen how Yugi have played his Duels. One of those faced-down cards will power up his Dark Magician, and the other is meant to stop the attack of my Blue-Eyes White Dragon.' He strategize in thought. "Yugi, your trick won't work this time. Now I summon Lord of Dragons in attack mode." Kaiba declared as his master of the Dragon revealed himself once more. "While Lord of Dragons is on the field, effects towards my Dragons will be negated."
"My Dark Magician can easily destroy your Lord of Dragons, his attack power is over two-fold." Yami pointed out.
"If you're so confident, then why don't you attack me?" Kaiba taunted, "I'll end my turn."
"I'll attack you all right." Yami drew his next card, "I'll summon Beta the Magnet Warrior in defense mode." He announced as another one of his magnetic monsters was summoned. "Now Dark Magician, attack his Lord of Dragons with Dark Magic Attack!"
"Now I'll activate my trap card, Magical Trick Mirror!" Kaiba sprung up his trap, startling Yami to confusion. "This trap allows me to play any magic card I choose from your Graveyard and activate it myself. So I'll use your Monster Reborn to summon my Obelisk!"
"You won't have Obelisk for long, it'll only be here for one turn." Yami pointed out as his Magician continued to make his move.
"I know I won't be able to attack with Obelisk, but I'll be able to block your Dark Magician's attack!" Kaiba boasted as the God Card returned to the field.
"Way to go, Seto!" Kathy and Mokuba cheered in unison. The Dark Magician was cut off from attacking further and sent Yami's Life Points to 1500.
"It's over, Yugi! Slifer is as good as mine!" Kaiba proclaimed his ownership of Yami's God Card.
Yami Marik's newest monster in play still kept her eyes down to the ground, speechless even as Raikoukou and Miran tried to get her attention. She landed softly on her feet over the chips of the crystal she was confined to.
"What kind of monster is that? I can see from here she won't be out here for long." Kevin smirked.
'That's what he thinks, obviously oblivious to what this Revived Priestess can really do.' Yami Marik thought with a smirk of his own. "You have a lot to learn and with very little time, you foolish mortal. The Revived Priestess has several powerful effects." He stated as four cards ejected from his Graveyard. "First off, when Tsunami is summoned, I can return the Tri Cards you destroyed and add then to my deck." The Priestess held her staff high and jammed the end into the ground, shining from the point was a small version of the near completed Zodiac circle Kevin destroyed a turn ago. All happening while Yami Marik shuffled the deck with the added Tri Cards.
'Master Tsunami, what are you doing?!' Raikoukou barked, literally.
"Master Tsunami?" Yami Marik teased, "I'm afraid I am now Tsunami's Master." In that statement, Tsunami finally showed her face. Her cheeks were scarred from the events before her death, and her eye glazed over with no thought behind them. Though all together, her impression was permanently put to place as a look to despise her opposition and that alone demanded her enemy's death.
"What have you done to my mother you fiend!" Miran cried, trying to hold back tears.
"This one I'll take credit for. Tsunami was also in my bargaining with the Spirit of the Millennium Ring, and she willingly surrendered with my word that Miranda won't be harmed." Yami Marik answered. I just rolled my eyes and sighed. "Now for Tsunami's second ability." Tsunami left her staff jutting out of the ground and opened her hand of paper talismans. She pulled one and kept it separated while she put away the rest.
"And that would be?" Kevin expected more of a monster with only 0 attack and defense points.
"She can freeze your Dark Paladin from attacking." Yami Marik finished. Tsunami charged forward with the talisman ready. Dark Paladin went on the self-defensive and tried to swipe her feet out from under her. Tsunami jumped at the second and reached out behind Dark Paladin with the talisman. The paper attached fast and Dark Paladin looked like his sword suddenly was twice as heavy as it should be and dropped to the ground. Tsunami landed on one foot and used the same foot to bring herself back to Yami Marik's side.
"What have you done to my Dark Paladin?" Kevin resisted his anger.
'How did I think I'd be able to handle him? Miran's falling apart and just as he uses Tsunami.' I thought, but with feeling he will soon pull another soul and use it as a monster itself.
"Now that the field is set, Tsunami can attack your Life Points directly." Yami Marik announced. Tsunami revealed an old-fashioned bow with another paper talisman. She stretched it, ready to fire.
"With what attack points? She has nothing to attack me with." Kevin mocked Yami Marik, big mistake.
"You shouldn't be laughing at what you don't know." Yami Marik chuckled slightly, "Or did you know that Tsunami will gain half of the opponent's overall attack of the monster that she has cast her spell on?" Kevin jumped as the math he did end Tsunami with an attack of 1950. An aura glowed from Dark Paladin's sword and a chain of energy streamed to fit as Tsunami's arrow on her bow. "Tsunami, attack when ready." Yami discarded from his hand.
"Die Seideigo." She muttered harshly and released the bow, her quote determined but mistaken. The light arrow darted fast over Kevin's Dark Paladin and collided right into Kevin's heart. He reacted with steps back and pain of his heart.
'Crud! What was that?!' Kevin thought as the arrow finally shoved itself through his chest. Even after, he held the spot Tsunami hit. His Life Points dropped to 6050 while Yami Marik upheld his 1700.
"Kevin!" I cried from my bonds, again trying to break free from them. Oddly, I was lowered until my feet barely brushed the ground next to Yami Marik. He took his time while Raikoukou and Miran tried to check Kevin for wounds.
"Well, don't you feel stupid to believe a cowardice spirit like Mirandragon could save you?" He asked me rhetorically. "Perhaps you need a recap at what has happened these past few days." The Millennium Rod materialized in his hand and held the head of the scepter towards me. The eye on it glowed and flashed images before me.
First was while I was at the pier during Battle City, when I was reintroduced to Marik. The point was Miran turning tail, and had me take dominant control. Despite Miran's warnings, he had nothing against me that time.
Next was when I first saw Yami Marik. Miran made no effort to keep my soul and that was the first time I was sent to the Shadow Realm. Even though she appeared again to try and save me, I was the one to sever Marik from Yami Marik.
Then was Miran's Duel against Yugi. In the fast forward, many points were missed for Miran to win the Duel, and through it all it appeared she was holding back.
Last was Miran's second attempt to free me. The point of it all was that Miran's fear was the cause of her loss. Yami Marik saw that, and so did I.
My vision returned with a decision of trust. I kept my head low and avoided eye contact to Yami Marik. "Well, can't you see all Mirandragon have been doing to you was holding you back?" He asked but I averted my gaze. I saw his hand come from under my chin and held firmly so I was looking at him straight in the eye. "Last offer: If I win, Mirandragon won't pester you anymore." I remained silent. Yami Marik changed expression to an angered- offended looked in his eyes, "What's wrong, I'm not good enough to talk to?" Yami Marik released my jaw, but in the same second struck my face with the Millennium Rod. I was only cut rather than injured to an extent because my hair was in the way of the blow. Though I kept the backlash of the hit, my head completely turned away from everyone else.
"Miranda!" Kevin cried. Just like Tsunami, I ignored the attention as my eyes were hidden in my red streaks. My view through my bangs was somewhat clear but I tried to hide my disgrace. From the cut marred on my right cheek, a thin trickle of blood began to flow from it and stain the collar of my kimono to black. "Oh, that's it! Get ready for a second afterlife, you creep!" Kevin drew his card, "And this will end it. You only have 1700 Life Points left and Tsunami only has 1950 attack points. This Duel is over."
"It's far from over, Hunter. For if you destroy Tsunami, her soul can never be restored." Said Yami Marik.
"I know that Tsunami can't be destroyed at a result of battle. But I'm playing these magic cards, One Shot and Diffusion Wave-Motion." Kevin declared the activation of his cards. "First off, One Shot can allow my Paladin to attack this turn, even with the restrictions of the talisman."
"I thought you knew Tsunami can't be destroyed."
"That's where Diffusion Wave-Motion comes into play. Once activated, it negates all effects of monsters that are attacked by my Dark Paladin. All I have to do is pay 1000 of my Life Points." Kevin smirked as Dark Paladin reached behind him and ripped the paper talisman off his back. "The game is over. Dark Paladin, attack the Revived Priestess!" Kevin commanded. His Dark Paladin again took another attack to Tsunami, this time she held back her spells and shrieked in pain before she disappeared.
Yami Marik had a tricky look on his face and folded over his arms. Kevin looked shock of the outcome, "You're Life Points should have gone to zero! What gives?!" Kevin asked.
"The only thing that Diffusion Wave-Motion has against me is the fact that it destroyed Tsunami, but the only effect that pulled through was one that was in effect through her existence in this game, and that is any damage resolving her is reduced to zero." Yami Marik revealed one of his evil grins. "Playing those two magic cards was a waste of energy. And on top of that Tsunami won't be resurrected if I'm defeated-huh?" Yami Marik saw from Tsunami's card on his Duel Disc a white spirit flame. It leaped from his Duel Disc and was absorbed by Raikoukou willingly. "How, she was supposed to be destroyed!"
"Eh heeeeh-my-fault." I admitted with a small but happy voice and look to Yami Marik with a glare. "I prayed to Yin-Yang to protect Tsunami, and he found the only way to do so is to restore her soul in a loyal ally's soul, namely Raikoukou's."
"Alright Miranda! We'll have you out by next turn now." Kevin smiled with an accomplishment of teamwork.
"Don't forget about Helpoemer, that one attack will cost you a card." Yami Marik said as the Graveyard hand stole Spear Dragon from Kevin.
"Big deal, now that you have no monsters on the field, I can attack your Life Points directly next turn." Kevin pointed out. "And then Miranda would be out of your twisted grip for sure this time."
"Think all you want, I still have a turn to defend myself." Yami Marik drew. Just as he did, I forced him to draw Tri of Wind. 'I know you did that, Miranda. Sad it has no effect.' He thought and glared at me without turning his head. "I'll play Monster Reborn to bring back Tsunami in attack mode."
"I discard to negate the effect." Kevin announced and discarded his last card. Again his Paladin backfire Yami Marik's plan. Yami Marik seemed thrilled about it.
"Fool, I only played Monster Reborn to get you to use up Paladin's effect." Yami Marik snickered. "I have one more card I want to play, it's called Instant Zodiac Summoning." Yami Marik played the last card out of his hand. His Duel Disc ejected five cards from the deck and he grabbed the all, revealing to Kevin that they're the Zodiac Tri Cards.
"How did you do that?!" Miran jumped.
"Easy, by using this I can summon Yin-Yang the Eternal Dragon, and this also gives me five new cards after he is summoned." Yami Marik stated as the Zodiac Ring appeared above us and dropped Yin-Yang's infinite body from it. He then drew his five cards and even a wider smile scarred his face.
"Yin-Yang will have an attack power of 13000!" I cried.
"I wouldn't fear, not now." Yami Marik laughed to himself. "Things are about to get worse. I'll pay half of my Life Points and sacrifice Yin-Yang to summon The Winged Dragon of Ra!" He exclaimed, throwing us all in a confusion. Yin-Yang lit up in a swerving line of fire and was replaced with The Winged Dragon of Ra, brimming with a power output like none other and boasted an enormous attack of 13850, and Yami Marik's own Life Points decreased to 850.
"He is dead serious..." Kevin mumbled, but loud enough for Yami Marik to hear.
"Dead is right!" He agreed, "Winged Dragon of Ra, attack!" Everyone waited but Ra stood still. It didn't make a single move to obey Yami Marik. "Huh? Now what's wrong?"
"You sacrificed Yin-Yang to summon The Winged Dragon of Ra, your mistake was using him for your sacrifice." I explained, "In Kevin's card graveyard lies his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Yin-Yang cannot attack if a Dragon existed on the opponent's side of the field." Kevin gave off a deep sigh of relief and kept his 5050 Life Points.
"Very well, since you put it that way I'll leave The Winged Dragon of Ra in attack mode to protect my Life Points and end my turn." Yami Marik finished.
Kevin drew, 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon saved me, and it was in the Graveyard. But now I need something to finish this Duel.' Kevin looked at the card he got. "I'll play Pot of Greed, it allows me to draw two new cards."
"Like they'll help..." Yami Marik mocked as Kevin saw his chances fly wide open.
"Now I'll play Monster Reborn to bring back Tsunami!" He announced, startling Yami Marik and giving me something to smile about. Raikoukou let the white spirit flame eject from its body as she reappeared. She appeared to no longer be under any control and free to give Yami Marik a grim look.
"Well, I highly doubt you'll get anything from her. The Winged Dragon of Ra is invulnerable to her spells." Yami Marik stated.
"Maybe not, but she does gain half of Yin-Yang's attack power." Kevin found the loophole as a wave of energy slipped from Yami Marik's Graveyard and became Tsunami's arrow. "With Yin-Yang's attack power, Tsunami now has an impact of 6500 points." Kevin declared. The light arrow had waves circling it like a whirlwind, clueing on its awesome power.
"No! I can't lose my grip now, not after how far I've gone!" Yami Marik panicked.
"Adios, psycho-boy." Kevin slipped the last card in his hand to the Graveyard. Tsunami released the arrow and drove it right into Yami Marik's heart with an impact nearly four times the force than what Kevin got; even I felt the aftershock.
'I'll come back, count on it! I will not rest until I have the God Cards and the Millennium Puzzle!' Yami Marik cried in thought, one that I could hear.
'Oh would you just shut up!' I replied in telepathy before an explosion of light flashed out all of the darkness. I felt the Holding Arms and Holding Legs shatter in the light that blinded us all.
The light didn't seem so blinding for a brief moment, if felt like I was floating in air. I thought I knew where I was going until a pair of my hands clamped my shoulders. Instantly I recognized them. "Bidding a final farewell?"
"You know it's hard to kill someone who's already dead, I am not rid of so easily." Yami Marik murderously whispered close to my right ear, "I'll come back when you need me, and you will need me..." He came closer and lapped up a drop of blood off the bottom of my jaw from the cut he inflicted. I felt entranced, void of doing anything and empty of any thought. He then pushed himself away from me; the light blinded me again as I managed to cross back to the real world.
My vision refocused back in the hallway of the aircraft. In front of me stood Kevin and Raikoukou, both at a stance like they were staggering. 'Master Miranda, have you returned?' Raikoukou asked in it usual telepathy.
I make a curve of mouth off on one side of my face. "I have, Raikoukou. I'm back to my old self." I said. Raikoukou slink by Kevin and jumped up on me. Though Raikoukou was a spirit, its mass still got me down to the floor. The fox-spirit came up to me like an owner-sick dog and began to lick my left cheek. "Hey Raikoukou, settle down." I laughed and at least got to ring Raikoukou's neck in an embrace.
Kevin still stood in the hallway with a relieved look. Faintly, Miran appeared again. "Kevin, I don't know how much I can thank you for freeing Miranda."
"We both did. I know it was you who gave me Pot of Greed at the last turn, then Monster Reborn." Kevin looked to the spirit. Miran blushed lightly. "I heard your hope to rescue Miranda, though I don't why the psycho calls you a coward."
Mai came out of the room and looked to the hall. "Aw, isn't that sweet? Rai's give Miranda a lick of good luck." She cooed. "Well, what are we waiting for, let's get back to the others and hope Miranda hasn't missed her big entry yet." Marik and Ashley were right behind her. I managed to get Raikoukou off of me and flipped my hair off my face, upon noticing still a trace of blood on my knuckles and a cloth wrapped around the palm of my right hand. I wiped it away and kept my right cheek hidden under my bangs.
Out side a light shine through the window and even flared up the hallway. Ashley rushes back into the room and checks for herself. "Guys, Obelisk is back!"
"That Duel's going to be over quick." Marik pointed out. "We better go, now." Everyone agreed and we trailed our way out from the blimp. Once outside, our steps beat like rapid hearts as we rushed to the tower.
"Marik, wanna doing me a favor?" I asked as he looked over his shoulder, "I'll be the restroom, mind telling the suit to wait five minutes if the duel is over without me?"
"Of course." Marik agreed as we made to the elevator. Fortunately, Mokuba was right there as if he was heading for the blimp to meet us.
"Hey, Miranda, you're all right!" Mokuba cheered.
"How's the Duel progressing?" Kevin asked.
"It's probably going to be over soon, Seto just revived Obelisk." Mokuba bragged of how his brother can't be beat. "Well, what am I telling you for? You should see for yourselves." He opened the elevator door and all of us filed in.
"Mokuba, wanna stop at the floor with the restrooms?" I asked probably the most embarrassing question out of this entire trip. Mokuba stopped the elevator halfway up the tower long enough for me to back out of it.
"We'll meet ya at the top." Said Mokuba and the doors closed. I sprinted towards one of them and glanced into the first mirror, pushing my red bangs aside. The wound was still open, but blood wasn't spilling out like it had earlier. Then I examined the cloth on my palm. "How'd I get this?" I asked myself. Miran appeared in the reflection.
"I'm afraid I'm at fault of that one. I had an accident while I was Dueling." She admitted. I slid the cloth and saw the nearly healed scar running my palm from side to side.
"It's ok." I replied and turned on the faucet, running warm water on it. Then soaked the cloth and wiped my face. Miran's image was soon to fade. Long seconds past as I finished up, catching from a corner of my eye another image in the mirror. I flashed my eyes to look behind me, nothing but the bronze tile lining the walls. I sensed Miran returning.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Nah, I must have been seeing things. Shadow Realm's been doing that to me." I answered, but still with the bothersome sense of emptiness. I dried off and headed up to the top.
Kaiba watched with pleasure of Yami's backfire that now limited him to 1500 Life Points. His monsters were Lord of Dragons, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and Obelisk all in opposition to Yami's Dark Magician and Beta.
"Obelisk won't be on the field for long, Kaiba." Yami pointed out.
"I know, but Obelisk have served his purpose." Kaiba answered, still seeing Yami in the damaging effect of the backfire.
"I'll place one card face down and end my turn." Yami stated and end his turn. In effect, Obelisk receded back into Kaiba's Graveyard.
"Yugi, it's time you live the moment and forget about the past. I'm about to finish this Duel and advance to face Miranda, if she wakes up." Kaiba remarked.
"She is up, she's just in the restroom!" Ashley cried from the sideline. Getting everyone's attention, the group that accompanied Raikoukou back to the craft returned except for one.
"Well, she better hurry up, the Duel is about to end." Kaiba retorted and returned glance on Yami. "Now to play my final move to win this Duel."
'It can't end like this. I have to win to get my memory back.' Yami thought but could do nothing to protect himself.
"Now, Lord of Dragons will go to defense mode, and the I play Flute of Summoning Dragon to summon my other two Blue-Eyes White Dragons from my hand." Kaiba made his play as now the trio White Dragons were summoned.
"Yeah, Yugi doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hades now." Kathy cheered on Kaiba.
'I've had my problems with one Blue-Eyes White Dragon, now how am I supposed to fight all three of them?' Yugi thought.
"Now I have four monsters on the field, while you have your Dark Magician and your pathetic Magnet Warrior. You have no chance." Kaiba stated. "I'll advance to the Finals and wipe out Miranda just as easily. But what am I wasting my breath for?" Kaiba looked back to Yami in astonishment, now a Red-Eyes Black Dragon was in opposition. "What?"
"When you played Flute of Summoning Dragon, all Dragon-class monsters were effected, including the Red-Eyes Black Dragon Joey gave me." Yami said, recalling earlier in Battle City where he won Joey's Black Dragon back from a Rare Hunter.
"Well, it still won't matter. All of your monsters are weaker than my army of Blue-Eyes White Dragons." Kaiba smirked, "Now my Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack the Dark Magician with your White Lightning!" Kaiba commanded; his first Dragon made an assault.
"Reveal trap, Magician Selection!" Yami countered with his first trap card. "This card stops your Dragon's attack and sends it to your weakest monster, your Lord of Dragons." A barrier shielded the Dark Magician and bounced the attack back, destroying the defensive Lord of Dragons. Kaiba fumed with an anger that was weak enough to keep inside.
The elevator ride up to the top seemed to take forever. The glass capsule clicked its way through of the top. Miran stood next to me in the same impatience, both of us were anxious of the next Duel. We knew that whomever we faced, they'd be aiming for The Winged Dragon of Ra. Flashes of images were soon to haunt me like an eternal slid show. Mostly they were of Yami Marik.
Miran shifted sight over me as I tried to keep a straight face, but my hand was shaking. "Is anything wrong?" She asked, breaking the images and getting my attention back.
"No, I'm fine. Just nervous." I answered.
"If you want, I will play your Duel for you."
"No!" I gasped before covering my mouth, having second thought of exactly what got me there. "I mean, we'll both Duel together." Silence invaded again, but not long enough for anyone else to make a reaction. The doors slid open to a line of stairs that led outside. But outside I saw three Blue-Eyes White Dragons.
I exited the elevator and made my way to the top floor, shocking to everyone I was standing on my own two feet again, except for Kaiba or Yami.
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Attack Yugi's Beta!" Kaiba commanded his second attack. It went without flipping another one of his traps as Beta disintegrated in the blast. "Now it's your Red-Eyes Black Dragon."
"Aw man, Yugi!" Joey cried from the sidelines. The third White Dragon was preparing the attack.
"Go, Spellbinding Circle!" Yami countered as a light circle impounded the White Dragon and reduced its attack.
'No!' Kaiba thought in denial.
"Red-Eyes Black Dragon, counterattack!" Yami declared his assault as a fireball destroyed Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
'It doesn't matter, I will still be the winner and get Miranda's Winged Dragon of Ra after Yugi's Slifer.' Kaiba thought.
'I have to win, to get Yami's memory back.' Yugi thought as the attack succeeded
To be continued...
New cards played
Instant Zodiac Summoning: Magic card. This card can only be activated if you have no set magic or trap cards on the field. Discard your entire hand. From your deck, place "Yin-Yang of the Zodiac" and the Tri Cards on the field to Special Summon "Yin-Yang the Eternal Dragon". Then shuffle your deck and pick up 5 cards to play as your hand. Discard your hand when "Yin- Yang the Eternal Dragon" is removed from the field.
Yin-Yang the Eternal Dragon: Dragon/God. Monster/Effect, 9/3000/3100. This monster can only be Special Summoned when "Yin-Yang of the Zodiac", "Tri of Earth", "Tri of Fire", "Tri of Water", and "Tri of Wind" are on the field. Increase the ATK and DEF of this card by 1000 points for every Dragon-Type monster on the field and in both Players' Graveyards. If a Dragon-Type monster exists face-up on your opponent's side of the field, this monster cannot attack. This card cannot be targeted by Trap, Magic, or Monster effects.
One Shot: Magic card. Select one monster that cannot attack on a turn this card is activated. That monster can attack this turn. That monster is destroyed at the end phase of the turn.
Kaiba and Yugi returned sights back to the Duel Tower. The platform itself was smoking from the aftershock of the Gods colliding. The only thing was, the Gods were gone. Kathy peered over the platform edge and saw both Yami and Kaiba kneeling in exhaustion. "Kaiba? Kaiba, are you all right?" She asked as she pulled herself onto the platform again.
"What...just happened?" Kaiba staggered to his feet first. Yami stood on the opposite end, but seemed to recover faster than Kaiba from the time warp.
"We were shown our origins, our ancient pasts in Egypt. Now do you believe in destiny? We were destined to Duel just like in the past." Yami explained as calmly as possible. Kaiba's response was an expression that spoke volumes.
'I know who I am. I am Seto Kaiba, CEO of Kaiba Corp.! I have nothing to do with this Egyptian fairy-tale!' He thought dejectedly and tried to look at Yami again. Again he saw the matching image of the battling Pharaoh from his vision. 'Why can't I get this out of my head?! That battle was so real, but it couldn't be! This has been happening ever since Ishizu gave me Obelisk. Then I could read the text on The Winged Dragon of Ra clear as crystal. And now these visions! No, I will not lose just because of these mind tricks!'
"Kaiba, you're all right?" Kathy smiled and looked around the field, "But what happened to the God Cards?"
"Kaiba, do you understand the significance of what we've witnessed? We were destined to Duel just as before, 5000 years ago." Yami said.
"That was just an illusion. There is no way I am involved in any of this. Besides, I leave the past behind. That's why I destroyed my stepfather's work and built my Duel Tower over it." Kaiba replied. "Now it's time to end this so I can claim my title as Duel Champion."
"Kaiba, I am fighting for much more than just a tournament victory, I'm fighting to save the world." Yami barked, "Miranda may not be in to destroy the world. But if Ashley is right, and Marik's dark half has been brought back, then the world is at stake."
"As if, Yugi. Once I get Slifer, I'll have both God monsters to defeat Miranda and then get The Winged Dragon of Ra." Kaiba fired back. "She can keep Yin-Yang the Eternal if she wants, I already see flaws to summoning it."
"Just make your move..." Yami lowered his tone in Kaiba's disrespect of his mission.
"Now you're making sense." Kaiba cocked and drew. "I'll set one card faced down and end my turn." He finished his move and thought ahead of the game. 'I have a more reliable monster anyway, Blue-Eyes White Dragon.'
"My move," Yami drew his next card, "and I play Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts in defense mode." He said and Gazelle appeared in a protective pose.
"I activate the trap, Clone. Just as its name suggests, it creates a clone of a monster on the field." Kaiba stated as a mirror image of Gazelle appeared on Kaiba's field.
"I end my turn."
"You have just made your final move, I'm about to play my Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Kaiba proclaimed.
"But in order to do so, you have to sacrifice two monsters. You only have one." Yami pointed out.
"And one monster is all I need when I play this magic card: Cost Down." Kaiba activated another card. "By discarding one card from my hand, I can drop two level stars from the monsters in my hand. So that reduces my Blue- Eyes White Dragon's level from 8 to 6."
"So now your Blue-Eyes White Dragon will only need one sacrifice."
"Exactly." Kaiba offered off his clone of Gazelle to summon up his Blue- Eyes White Dragon. The infamous Dragon levitated off the platform in opposition to Yami.
"Al'right Seto!" Mokuba cheered. Kathy watched on with her fanfare.
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Yugi's Gazelle with your White Lightning!" Kaiba commanded of his Dragon. The White Dragon charged and fired its stream of lightning, incinerating Gazelle without resistance. "Face it, Yugi, you have nothing. I end my turn here."
'Kaiba has summoned his Blue-Eyes White Dragon.' Yugi pointed out, 'If the vision is true, I have to summon the Dark Magician. It's probably the only way to defeat him.' Yami agreed and drew his card.
"We both saw that vision, and I'm about to prove it, by summoning the Dark Magician!" Yami announced. "I activate Monster Reborn to call back my Dark Magician from the Graveyard." Just as he played, the lights glittered in resurrection of his Magician.
Kaiba stood in shock for a moment, then calmed himself. "So you've summoned the Dark Magician, it doesn't prove anything. And worse, its attack is 500 points lower than my Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
"Kaiba, it's time to accept our destiny from 5000 years ago." Yami stated.
"Real Duelists make their own destinies, not rely on a rock to determine fate." Kaiba countered.
"Then I'll place one card faced down, and end my turn." Yami finished his move. 'It's true that the Dark Magician has fewer points than Blue-Eye White Dragon, but Magic Formula should take care of that.' He thought.
"It's disappointing to see you put all your faith into some folk tale. You are no pharaoh so stop playing pretend. The Duel is here, the Duel is now, not 5000 years ago." Kaiba reinstated and drew his card. "I'll place one card faced down and play Cards of Demise: this magic card gives me five cards from my deck. But after five turns, I'll have to discard my entire hand." He stated and drew his new hand. 'I've seen how Yugi have played his Duels. One of those faced-down cards will power up his Dark Magician, and the other is meant to stop the attack of my Blue-Eyes White Dragon.' He strategize in thought. "Yugi, your trick won't work this time. Now I summon Lord of Dragons in attack mode." Kaiba declared as his master of the Dragon revealed himself once more. "While Lord of Dragons is on the field, effects towards my Dragons will be negated."
"My Dark Magician can easily destroy your Lord of Dragons, his attack power is over two-fold." Yami pointed out.
"If you're so confident, then why don't you attack me?" Kaiba taunted, "I'll end my turn."
"I'll attack you all right." Yami drew his next card, "I'll summon Beta the Magnet Warrior in defense mode." He announced as another one of his magnetic monsters was summoned. "Now Dark Magician, attack his Lord of Dragons with Dark Magic Attack!"
"Now I'll activate my trap card, Magical Trick Mirror!" Kaiba sprung up his trap, startling Yami to confusion. "This trap allows me to play any magic card I choose from your Graveyard and activate it myself. So I'll use your Monster Reborn to summon my Obelisk!"
"You won't have Obelisk for long, it'll only be here for one turn." Yami pointed out as his Magician continued to make his move.
"I know I won't be able to attack with Obelisk, but I'll be able to block your Dark Magician's attack!" Kaiba boasted as the God Card returned to the field.
"Way to go, Seto!" Kathy and Mokuba cheered in unison. The Dark Magician was cut off from attacking further and sent Yami's Life Points to 1500.
"It's over, Yugi! Slifer is as good as mine!" Kaiba proclaimed his ownership of Yami's God Card.
Yami Marik's newest monster in play still kept her eyes down to the ground, speechless even as Raikoukou and Miran tried to get her attention. She landed softly on her feet over the chips of the crystal she was confined to.
"What kind of monster is that? I can see from here she won't be out here for long." Kevin smirked.
'That's what he thinks, obviously oblivious to what this Revived Priestess can really do.' Yami Marik thought with a smirk of his own. "You have a lot to learn and with very little time, you foolish mortal. The Revived Priestess has several powerful effects." He stated as four cards ejected from his Graveyard. "First off, when Tsunami is summoned, I can return the Tri Cards you destroyed and add then to my deck." The Priestess held her staff high and jammed the end into the ground, shining from the point was a small version of the near completed Zodiac circle Kevin destroyed a turn ago. All happening while Yami Marik shuffled the deck with the added Tri Cards.
'Master Tsunami, what are you doing?!' Raikoukou barked, literally.
"Master Tsunami?" Yami Marik teased, "I'm afraid I am now Tsunami's Master." In that statement, Tsunami finally showed her face. Her cheeks were scarred from the events before her death, and her eye glazed over with no thought behind them. Though all together, her impression was permanently put to place as a look to despise her opposition and that alone demanded her enemy's death.
"What have you done to my mother you fiend!" Miran cried, trying to hold back tears.
"This one I'll take credit for. Tsunami was also in my bargaining with the Spirit of the Millennium Ring, and she willingly surrendered with my word that Miranda won't be harmed." Yami Marik answered. I just rolled my eyes and sighed. "Now for Tsunami's second ability." Tsunami left her staff jutting out of the ground and opened her hand of paper talismans. She pulled one and kept it separated while she put away the rest.
"And that would be?" Kevin expected more of a monster with only 0 attack and defense points.
"She can freeze your Dark Paladin from attacking." Yami Marik finished. Tsunami charged forward with the talisman ready. Dark Paladin went on the self-defensive and tried to swipe her feet out from under her. Tsunami jumped at the second and reached out behind Dark Paladin with the talisman. The paper attached fast and Dark Paladin looked like his sword suddenly was twice as heavy as it should be and dropped to the ground. Tsunami landed on one foot and used the same foot to bring herself back to Yami Marik's side.
"What have you done to my Dark Paladin?" Kevin resisted his anger.
'How did I think I'd be able to handle him? Miran's falling apart and just as he uses Tsunami.' I thought, but with feeling he will soon pull another soul and use it as a monster itself.
"Now that the field is set, Tsunami can attack your Life Points directly." Yami Marik announced. Tsunami revealed an old-fashioned bow with another paper talisman. She stretched it, ready to fire.
"With what attack points? She has nothing to attack me with." Kevin mocked Yami Marik, big mistake.
"You shouldn't be laughing at what you don't know." Yami Marik chuckled slightly, "Or did you know that Tsunami will gain half of the opponent's overall attack of the monster that she has cast her spell on?" Kevin jumped as the math he did end Tsunami with an attack of 1950. An aura glowed from Dark Paladin's sword and a chain of energy streamed to fit as Tsunami's arrow on her bow. "Tsunami, attack when ready." Yami discarded from his hand.
"Die Seideigo." She muttered harshly and released the bow, her quote determined but mistaken. The light arrow darted fast over Kevin's Dark Paladin and collided right into Kevin's heart. He reacted with steps back and pain of his heart.
'Crud! What was that?!' Kevin thought as the arrow finally shoved itself through his chest. Even after, he held the spot Tsunami hit. His Life Points dropped to 6050 while Yami Marik upheld his 1700.
"Kevin!" I cried from my bonds, again trying to break free from them. Oddly, I was lowered until my feet barely brushed the ground next to Yami Marik. He took his time while Raikoukou and Miran tried to check Kevin for wounds.
"Well, don't you feel stupid to believe a cowardice spirit like Mirandragon could save you?" He asked me rhetorically. "Perhaps you need a recap at what has happened these past few days." The Millennium Rod materialized in his hand and held the head of the scepter towards me. The eye on it glowed and flashed images before me.
First was while I was at the pier during Battle City, when I was reintroduced to Marik. The point was Miran turning tail, and had me take dominant control. Despite Miran's warnings, he had nothing against me that time.
Next was when I first saw Yami Marik. Miran made no effort to keep my soul and that was the first time I was sent to the Shadow Realm. Even though she appeared again to try and save me, I was the one to sever Marik from Yami Marik.
Then was Miran's Duel against Yugi. In the fast forward, many points were missed for Miran to win the Duel, and through it all it appeared she was holding back.
Last was Miran's second attempt to free me. The point of it all was that Miran's fear was the cause of her loss. Yami Marik saw that, and so did I.
My vision returned with a decision of trust. I kept my head low and avoided eye contact to Yami Marik. "Well, can't you see all Mirandragon have been doing to you was holding you back?" He asked but I averted my gaze. I saw his hand come from under my chin and held firmly so I was looking at him straight in the eye. "Last offer: If I win, Mirandragon won't pester you anymore." I remained silent. Yami Marik changed expression to an angered- offended looked in his eyes, "What's wrong, I'm not good enough to talk to?" Yami Marik released my jaw, but in the same second struck my face with the Millennium Rod. I was only cut rather than injured to an extent because my hair was in the way of the blow. Though I kept the backlash of the hit, my head completely turned away from everyone else.
"Miranda!" Kevin cried. Just like Tsunami, I ignored the attention as my eyes were hidden in my red streaks. My view through my bangs was somewhat clear but I tried to hide my disgrace. From the cut marred on my right cheek, a thin trickle of blood began to flow from it and stain the collar of my kimono to black. "Oh, that's it! Get ready for a second afterlife, you creep!" Kevin drew his card, "And this will end it. You only have 1700 Life Points left and Tsunami only has 1950 attack points. This Duel is over."
"It's far from over, Hunter. For if you destroy Tsunami, her soul can never be restored." Said Yami Marik.
"I know that Tsunami can't be destroyed at a result of battle. But I'm playing these magic cards, One Shot and Diffusion Wave-Motion." Kevin declared the activation of his cards. "First off, One Shot can allow my Paladin to attack this turn, even with the restrictions of the talisman."
"I thought you knew Tsunami can't be destroyed."
"That's where Diffusion Wave-Motion comes into play. Once activated, it negates all effects of monsters that are attacked by my Dark Paladin. All I have to do is pay 1000 of my Life Points." Kevin smirked as Dark Paladin reached behind him and ripped the paper talisman off his back. "The game is over. Dark Paladin, attack the Revived Priestess!" Kevin commanded. His Dark Paladin again took another attack to Tsunami, this time she held back her spells and shrieked in pain before she disappeared.
Yami Marik had a tricky look on his face and folded over his arms. Kevin looked shock of the outcome, "You're Life Points should have gone to zero! What gives?!" Kevin asked.
"The only thing that Diffusion Wave-Motion has against me is the fact that it destroyed Tsunami, but the only effect that pulled through was one that was in effect through her existence in this game, and that is any damage resolving her is reduced to zero." Yami Marik revealed one of his evil grins. "Playing those two magic cards was a waste of energy. And on top of that Tsunami won't be resurrected if I'm defeated-huh?" Yami Marik saw from Tsunami's card on his Duel Disc a white spirit flame. It leaped from his Duel Disc and was absorbed by Raikoukou willingly. "How, she was supposed to be destroyed!"
"Eh heeeeh-my-fault." I admitted with a small but happy voice and look to Yami Marik with a glare. "I prayed to Yin-Yang to protect Tsunami, and he found the only way to do so is to restore her soul in a loyal ally's soul, namely Raikoukou's."
"Alright Miranda! We'll have you out by next turn now." Kevin smiled with an accomplishment of teamwork.
"Don't forget about Helpoemer, that one attack will cost you a card." Yami Marik said as the Graveyard hand stole Spear Dragon from Kevin.
"Big deal, now that you have no monsters on the field, I can attack your Life Points directly next turn." Kevin pointed out. "And then Miranda would be out of your twisted grip for sure this time."
"Think all you want, I still have a turn to defend myself." Yami Marik drew. Just as he did, I forced him to draw Tri of Wind. 'I know you did that, Miranda. Sad it has no effect.' He thought and glared at me without turning his head. "I'll play Monster Reborn to bring back Tsunami in attack mode."
"I discard to negate the effect." Kevin announced and discarded his last card. Again his Paladin backfire Yami Marik's plan. Yami Marik seemed thrilled about it.
"Fool, I only played Monster Reborn to get you to use up Paladin's effect." Yami Marik snickered. "I have one more card I want to play, it's called Instant Zodiac Summoning." Yami Marik played the last card out of his hand. His Duel Disc ejected five cards from the deck and he grabbed the all, revealing to Kevin that they're the Zodiac Tri Cards.
"How did you do that?!" Miran jumped.
"Easy, by using this I can summon Yin-Yang the Eternal Dragon, and this also gives me five new cards after he is summoned." Yami Marik stated as the Zodiac Ring appeared above us and dropped Yin-Yang's infinite body from it. He then drew his five cards and even a wider smile scarred his face.
"Yin-Yang will have an attack power of 13000!" I cried.
"I wouldn't fear, not now." Yami Marik laughed to himself. "Things are about to get worse. I'll pay half of my Life Points and sacrifice Yin-Yang to summon The Winged Dragon of Ra!" He exclaimed, throwing us all in a confusion. Yin-Yang lit up in a swerving line of fire and was replaced with The Winged Dragon of Ra, brimming with a power output like none other and boasted an enormous attack of 13850, and Yami Marik's own Life Points decreased to 850.
"He is dead serious..." Kevin mumbled, but loud enough for Yami Marik to hear.
"Dead is right!" He agreed, "Winged Dragon of Ra, attack!" Everyone waited but Ra stood still. It didn't make a single move to obey Yami Marik. "Huh? Now what's wrong?"
"You sacrificed Yin-Yang to summon The Winged Dragon of Ra, your mistake was using him for your sacrifice." I explained, "In Kevin's card graveyard lies his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Yin-Yang cannot attack if a Dragon existed on the opponent's side of the field." Kevin gave off a deep sigh of relief and kept his 5050 Life Points.
"Very well, since you put it that way I'll leave The Winged Dragon of Ra in attack mode to protect my Life Points and end my turn." Yami Marik finished.
Kevin drew, 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon saved me, and it was in the Graveyard. But now I need something to finish this Duel.' Kevin looked at the card he got. "I'll play Pot of Greed, it allows me to draw two new cards."
"Like they'll help..." Yami Marik mocked as Kevin saw his chances fly wide open.
"Now I'll play Monster Reborn to bring back Tsunami!" He announced, startling Yami Marik and giving me something to smile about. Raikoukou let the white spirit flame eject from its body as she reappeared. She appeared to no longer be under any control and free to give Yami Marik a grim look.
"Well, I highly doubt you'll get anything from her. The Winged Dragon of Ra is invulnerable to her spells." Yami Marik stated.
"Maybe not, but she does gain half of Yin-Yang's attack power." Kevin found the loophole as a wave of energy slipped from Yami Marik's Graveyard and became Tsunami's arrow. "With Yin-Yang's attack power, Tsunami now has an impact of 6500 points." Kevin declared. The light arrow had waves circling it like a whirlwind, clueing on its awesome power.
"No! I can't lose my grip now, not after how far I've gone!" Yami Marik panicked.
"Adios, psycho-boy." Kevin slipped the last card in his hand to the Graveyard. Tsunami released the arrow and drove it right into Yami Marik's heart with an impact nearly four times the force than what Kevin got; even I felt the aftershock.
'I'll come back, count on it! I will not rest until I have the God Cards and the Millennium Puzzle!' Yami Marik cried in thought, one that I could hear.
'Oh would you just shut up!' I replied in telepathy before an explosion of light flashed out all of the darkness. I felt the Holding Arms and Holding Legs shatter in the light that blinded us all.
The light didn't seem so blinding for a brief moment, if felt like I was floating in air. I thought I knew where I was going until a pair of my hands clamped my shoulders. Instantly I recognized them. "Bidding a final farewell?"
"You know it's hard to kill someone who's already dead, I am not rid of so easily." Yami Marik murderously whispered close to my right ear, "I'll come back when you need me, and you will need me..." He came closer and lapped up a drop of blood off the bottom of my jaw from the cut he inflicted. I felt entranced, void of doing anything and empty of any thought. He then pushed himself away from me; the light blinded me again as I managed to cross back to the real world.
My vision refocused back in the hallway of the aircraft. In front of me stood Kevin and Raikoukou, both at a stance like they were staggering. 'Master Miranda, have you returned?' Raikoukou asked in it usual telepathy.
I make a curve of mouth off on one side of my face. "I have, Raikoukou. I'm back to my old self." I said. Raikoukou slink by Kevin and jumped up on me. Though Raikoukou was a spirit, its mass still got me down to the floor. The fox-spirit came up to me like an owner-sick dog and began to lick my left cheek. "Hey Raikoukou, settle down." I laughed and at least got to ring Raikoukou's neck in an embrace.
Kevin still stood in the hallway with a relieved look. Faintly, Miran appeared again. "Kevin, I don't know how much I can thank you for freeing Miranda."
"We both did. I know it was you who gave me Pot of Greed at the last turn, then Monster Reborn." Kevin looked to the spirit. Miran blushed lightly. "I heard your hope to rescue Miranda, though I don't why the psycho calls you a coward."
Mai came out of the room and looked to the hall. "Aw, isn't that sweet? Rai's give Miranda a lick of good luck." She cooed. "Well, what are we waiting for, let's get back to the others and hope Miranda hasn't missed her big entry yet." Marik and Ashley were right behind her. I managed to get Raikoukou off of me and flipped my hair off my face, upon noticing still a trace of blood on my knuckles and a cloth wrapped around the palm of my right hand. I wiped it away and kept my right cheek hidden under my bangs.
Out side a light shine through the window and even flared up the hallway. Ashley rushes back into the room and checks for herself. "Guys, Obelisk is back!"
"That Duel's going to be over quick." Marik pointed out. "We better go, now." Everyone agreed and we trailed our way out from the blimp. Once outside, our steps beat like rapid hearts as we rushed to the tower.
"Marik, wanna doing me a favor?" I asked as he looked over his shoulder, "I'll be the restroom, mind telling the suit to wait five minutes if the duel is over without me?"
"Of course." Marik agreed as we made to the elevator. Fortunately, Mokuba was right there as if he was heading for the blimp to meet us.
"Hey, Miranda, you're all right!" Mokuba cheered.
"How's the Duel progressing?" Kevin asked.
"It's probably going to be over soon, Seto just revived Obelisk." Mokuba bragged of how his brother can't be beat. "Well, what am I telling you for? You should see for yourselves." He opened the elevator door and all of us filed in.
"Mokuba, wanna stop at the floor with the restrooms?" I asked probably the most embarrassing question out of this entire trip. Mokuba stopped the elevator halfway up the tower long enough for me to back out of it.
"We'll meet ya at the top." Said Mokuba and the doors closed. I sprinted towards one of them and glanced into the first mirror, pushing my red bangs aside. The wound was still open, but blood wasn't spilling out like it had earlier. Then I examined the cloth on my palm. "How'd I get this?" I asked myself. Miran appeared in the reflection.
"I'm afraid I'm at fault of that one. I had an accident while I was Dueling." She admitted. I slid the cloth and saw the nearly healed scar running my palm from side to side.
"It's ok." I replied and turned on the faucet, running warm water on it. Then soaked the cloth and wiped my face. Miran's image was soon to fade. Long seconds past as I finished up, catching from a corner of my eye another image in the mirror. I flashed my eyes to look behind me, nothing but the bronze tile lining the walls. I sensed Miran returning.
"Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Nah, I must have been seeing things. Shadow Realm's been doing that to me." I answered, but still with the bothersome sense of emptiness. I dried off and headed up to the top.
Kaiba watched with pleasure of Yami's backfire that now limited him to 1500 Life Points. His monsters were Lord of Dragons, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and Obelisk all in opposition to Yami's Dark Magician and Beta.
"Obelisk won't be on the field for long, Kaiba." Yami pointed out.
"I know, but Obelisk have served his purpose." Kaiba answered, still seeing Yami in the damaging effect of the backfire.
"I'll place one card face down and end my turn." Yami stated and end his turn. In effect, Obelisk receded back into Kaiba's Graveyard.
"Yugi, it's time you live the moment and forget about the past. I'm about to finish this Duel and advance to face Miranda, if she wakes up." Kaiba remarked.
"She is up, she's just in the restroom!" Ashley cried from the sideline. Getting everyone's attention, the group that accompanied Raikoukou back to the craft returned except for one.
"Well, she better hurry up, the Duel is about to end." Kaiba retorted and returned glance on Yami. "Now to play my final move to win this Duel."
'It can't end like this. I have to win to get my memory back.' Yami thought but could do nothing to protect himself.
"Now, Lord of Dragons will go to defense mode, and the I play Flute of Summoning Dragon to summon my other two Blue-Eyes White Dragons from my hand." Kaiba made his play as now the trio White Dragons were summoned.
"Yeah, Yugi doesn't have a snowball's chance in Hades now." Kathy cheered on Kaiba.
'I've had my problems with one Blue-Eyes White Dragon, now how am I supposed to fight all three of them?' Yugi thought.
"Now I have four monsters on the field, while you have your Dark Magician and your pathetic Magnet Warrior. You have no chance." Kaiba stated. "I'll advance to the Finals and wipe out Miranda just as easily. But what am I wasting my breath for?" Kaiba looked back to Yami in astonishment, now a Red-Eyes Black Dragon was in opposition. "What?"
"When you played Flute of Summoning Dragon, all Dragon-class monsters were effected, including the Red-Eyes Black Dragon Joey gave me." Yami said, recalling earlier in Battle City where he won Joey's Black Dragon back from a Rare Hunter.
"Well, it still won't matter. All of your monsters are weaker than my army of Blue-Eyes White Dragons." Kaiba smirked, "Now my Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack the Dark Magician with your White Lightning!" Kaiba commanded; his first Dragon made an assault.
"Reveal trap, Magician Selection!" Yami countered with his first trap card. "This card stops your Dragon's attack and sends it to your weakest monster, your Lord of Dragons." A barrier shielded the Dark Magician and bounced the attack back, destroying the defensive Lord of Dragons. Kaiba fumed with an anger that was weak enough to keep inside.
The elevator ride up to the top seemed to take forever. The glass capsule clicked its way through of the top. Miran stood next to me in the same impatience, both of us were anxious of the next Duel. We knew that whomever we faced, they'd be aiming for The Winged Dragon of Ra. Flashes of images were soon to haunt me like an eternal slid show. Mostly they were of Yami Marik.
Miran shifted sight over me as I tried to keep a straight face, but my hand was shaking. "Is anything wrong?" She asked, breaking the images and getting my attention back.
"No, I'm fine. Just nervous." I answered.
"If you want, I will play your Duel for you."
"No!" I gasped before covering my mouth, having second thought of exactly what got me there. "I mean, we'll both Duel together." Silence invaded again, but not long enough for anyone else to make a reaction. The doors slid open to a line of stairs that led outside. But outside I saw three Blue-Eyes White Dragons.
I exited the elevator and made my way to the top floor, shocking to everyone I was standing on my own two feet again, except for Kaiba or Yami.
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Attack Yugi's Beta!" Kaiba commanded his second attack. It went without flipping another one of his traps as Beta disintegrated in the blast. "Now it's your Red-Eyes Black Dragon."
"Aw man, Yugi!" Joey cried from the sidelines. The third White Dragon was preparing the attack.
"Go, Spellbinding Circle!" Yami countered as a light circle impounded the White Dragon and reduced its attack.
'No!' Kaiba thought in denial.
"Red-Eyes Black Dragon, counterattack!" Yami declared his assault as a fireball destroyed Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
'It doesn't matter, I will still be the winner and get Miranda's Winged Dragon of Ra after Yugi's Slifer.' Kaiba thought.
'I have to win, to get Yami's memory back.' Yugi thought as the attack succeeded
To be continued...
New cards played
Instant Zodiac Summoning: Magic card. This card can only be activated if you have no set magic or trap cards on the field. Discard your entire hand. From your deck, place "Yin-Yang of the Zodiac" and the Tri Cards on the field to Special Summon "Yin-Yang the Eternal Dragon". Then shuffle your deck and pick up 5 cards to play as your hand. Discard your hand when "Yin- Yang the Eternal Dragon" is removed from the field.
Yin-Yang the Eternal Dragon: Dragon/God. Monster/Effect, 9/3000/3100. This monster can only be Special Summoned when "Yin-Yang of the Zodiac", "Tri of Earth", "Tri of Fire", "Tri of Water", and "Tri of Wind" are on the field. Increase the ATK and DEF of this card by 1000 points for every Dragon-Type monster on the field and in both Players' Graveyards. If a Dragon-Type monster exists face-up on your opponent's side of the field, this monster cannot attack. This card cannot be targeted by Trap, Magic, or Monster effects.
One Shot: Magic card. Select one monster that cannot attack on a turn this card is activated. That monster can attack this turn. That monster is destroyed at the end phase of the turn.