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Fanfic Chapter 23: Rematch Pt. 3: The Ultimate Offense vs. The Ultimate Defense
Episode Basis: Face-Off Pt. 3
Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! Kaiba hit Yugi with a one-two combination. The first was infecting his deck with a Crush Card so that he can only play monsters weaker than 1500 ATK. The second was fusing all three of his Blue-Eyes White Dragons to create the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. This three-headed dragon has the power to finish Yugi off ten times over. Yugi thought the only way out was to give in, but he knew he couldn't. If he gave up, then everything he worked for would be for nothing. So with his friends lending support, Yugi called upon the Heart of the Cards. One card, will it turn the tables in this duel between dynamos or finish Yugi off for good?
"It doesn't matter what card you play, Yugi, you have nothing that can withstand the phenomenal attack strength of my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. You might as well give up."
"That Ultimate Dragon can wipe out the rest of Yugi's life points with one breath!" Joey exclaimed, "Kaiba has the upper hand and he knows it. He's just waiting for Yugi to back down."
"Well he's going to be waiting a while," Harold commented. "Because Yugi won't back down for anything, or anyone."
Yugi looked at his card and gasped. He looked at Kaiba and chuckled. "Kaiba, I just drew the card that will defend me against your Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon."
"Impossible!"
"Watch and learn." Yugi retrieved his Duel Disk. "This will mark the beginning of your downfall!" He placed the card on the center slot and threw it. The plate started spinning. "I summon Kuriboh in attack mode!" A brown fur ball with green claws and purple eyes appeared.
"That's ridiculous! In the game of Duel Monsters, Kuriboh is the weakest of them all."
Joey hated to admit it, but Kaiba was right. "What's Yugi thinking, playing that little guy?"
Kaiba still couldn't believe that Yugi would play a move like this. "Yugi, you're welcome to concede and forfeit the duel if you want, but come on, don't embarrass yourself by playing that runt of a monster." Kuriboh scowled at that remark. "You must know that it's the puniest monster with the lowest attack points in all of Duel Monsters! I've never known of a serious Duelist to keep one in his deck. Don't insult my intelligence by pretending that pathetic creature can defend against the unbridled might of my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"
Yugi's smirk never let him. "Kaiba, you're mistaken, this card will defend everything! And before this duel is over, your dragon will fall!"
"Nonsense! Hurry up and finish your turn so I can get on with smashing your Kuriboh and winning the game."
"As you wish." One of Yugi's cards turned to face Kaiba. "My final card will be the magic card Multiply. Multiply takes monsters whose attack power is under 500 and multiplies them endlessly!" Another Kuriboh appeared next to the first one, then a third appeared, and a fourth, and then two more. Soon Kuribohs were sprouting up all over the place!
"Is this some kind of joke?"
"The joke's on you, Kaiba, when you attacked, you thought I had only one defender, but now I have many and I'm getting more and more defenders by the second."
"No matter, have you forgotten the incredible assault power my dragon possesses, it will burn them to a crisp. Blue-Eyes, attack with Neutron Blast!" The large energy beam struck the wall of Kuriboh. "So there, I… huh?" As the smoke cleared, Kaiba saw that not only were the Kuriboh still there, but they were still multiplying.
"You can't take away my remaining life points until you destroy all of the Kuribohs. But as quickly as you destroy them, multiply right back."
"They're just hairballs!"
"You may have created the ultimate attack monster but I've created the ultimate defense, an ever-expanding army of furry protectors. They may not look like much but they've stopped your dragon's attack cold."
"I can't believe it," Harold said. "Yugi stopped the strongest monster in the game with the weakest monster."
"And that's just the beginning, for now I go on the attack!"
"But you have nothing strong enough!"
"Watch me, for I'm going to show you the combo that will take down your dragon once and for all!" Yugi's remaining cards turned around. "Mammoth Graveyard, Polymerization, and the Living Arrow card."
"Living Arrow?"
"Correct, Living Arrow allows me to use my other cards in combination not with my own monsters but with my opponents as well. Normally, I make a fusion with my cards but for a new twist, Living Arrow let's me fuse my cards with your cards opening up whole new possibilities!" Mammoth Graveyard came out and charged towards the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.
"Now what?" Kaiba asked.
"I can use the magical power of the Living Arrow card to bond my Mammoth Graveyard to the heart of your beast!" Mammoth Graveyard turned into a golden arrow and struck the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon deep in the chest. An image of the Mammoth Graveyard appeared on the dragon's stomach.
"Since my Mammoth Graveyard is an undead-type monster, it can't fuse properly with your living ultimate dragon, so instead, it will cause your ultimate dragon to rot and decay and each turn, your dragon will lose 1200 attack points until your creature is no more!" Smoke began to emit from all sides of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. "It's only a matter of time, Kaiba."
"There must be something I can do to save my ultimate dragon!"
"My Mammoth Graveyard has attack points of 1200, that means that each turn that goes by, he drains 1200 points from your ultimate dragon's attack power. Soon, it will be weak enough for me to destroy."
He's right, Kaiba thought frantically. "My dragon's getting weaker with every passing second and there's nothing in my deck that can reverse it!" Meanwhile, his dragon lost 1200 attack points.
(BEUD: 4500-3300)
"All right," Tristan cheered. "That single attack is bringing Yugi back from the brink!"
"Way to go, Yugi, you're the man! You've had it, Kaiba, there's no way you're gonna win this match!"
That's just like Yugi, Tea thought affectionately. Even when things are looking bad, he always manages to find a way to overcome his opponent!
Bandit Keith was thinking along the same lines. Never thought I'd live to see the day Kaiba was outfoxed, Bandit Keith thought. This Yugi-kid is good, there's just something about him… he's intense, that one. It's like he wouldn't let anything stop him from winning.
"I guess three heads aren't better than one," Joey cracked.
"More like 100+ heads are better than three," Harold replied referring to Yugi's expanding wall of Kuriboh.
"I can't lose," Kaiba muttered to himself. "Mokuba's life depends on this duel. Attack, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, White Neutron Blast!"
"Again?" Yugi asked as his Kuriboh were struck again. "When will you learn? The Kuriboh multiply faster than you can estroy them with your Neutron Blast."
"No, I can not be defeated!"
"I'll draw one more card and let my mammoth finish my turn."
Soon my dragon will be weak enough for Yugi to attack directly, Kaiba thought. The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's skin started to melt, its shiny scales becoming a dull gray.
(BEUD: 3300-2100)
"No, I have to keep trying! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, White Neutron Blast!" Again, Kaiba's dragon attacked and again, it failed. As the Kuriboh started multiplying again as Kaiba looked on stunned.
"You never should have challenged me, Kaiba, my mammoth takes another 1200 points away."
(BEUD: 2100-900)
The mighty dragon now looked like one big decaying boat wreck. It got to the point where even Yugi's weakest monsters could destroy it.
I can't believe it, I failed!
In his mind's eye, he could see his dragon, literally melting and dissolving down to nothing. I failed Mokuba, his soul will be trapped forever!
He could hear his brother calling out to him from the decaying dragon. "Help me, Seto, please, save me."
He saw himself as he used to be, a bright kid filled with hope and ideas, running to fulfill his promise to help his brother. But it was too late as Mokuba was consumed by the dragon's decaying corpse.
His past self turned on his present self. "Why didn't you help him? You promised you would rescue him, now look, he's gone and it's all your fault. IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!
In the outside world, Kaiba simply stood there, frozen with fright.
"Is he still alive in there?" Harold asked.
"I guess it must've sunk in that he lost," Tristan said with not an ounce of sympathy.
"True," Bakura agreed softly. "But it's almost sad to see a player of Kaiba's caliber take losing so hard."
Tea felt a pang of guilt. She always tried to find the good side of everybody. But since this duel began she just started stabbing away like the others.
It doesn't matter what card I draw next, any monster can defeat his weakened dragon. Yugi drew the Celtic Guardian. Perfect! "This is it, Kaiba, prepare to meet your demise!" The Kuriboh cleared the way for Yugi's Celtic Guardian. It attacked and sliced off the Ultimate Dragon's center head.
This is so cool! Tea thought, once Yugi defeats Kaiba, he'll be able to rescue his Grandfather!
"Hey, the Ultimate Dragon's still standing," Joey pointed out. "What gives?"
"That's because the Ultimate Dragon is composed of three Blue-Eyes White Dragons. Each dragon has its own attack power. Celtic Guardian took out one of the heads and Kaiba lost the 500 point difference in their attack strength."
(Y: 400)
(K: 400)
"But when the Celtic Guardian takes out another weakened head next turn, it will be destroyed and win the match."
"Bakura's right on the money," Harold confirmed. "Since the Mammoth Graveyard can't take away any more attack points, because its attack points are already too low, the next attack could win the game, unless Kaiba pulls a miracle from his deck."
Kaiba's eyes came back into focus. "It can't end like this," Kaiba told Yugi. "If I don't defeat you in a duel, Pegasus would keep Mokuba as his prisoner forever. And although I don't have a card that can keep you from attacking, I may have a strategy that could work."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm going to force your hand, so-to-speak. From now on, for every 100 life points I lose, I take one step back. The last attack cost me 500 attack points so I take five steps back." Kaiba backed up until he was on the edge of the tower.
"Kaiba, watch out!" Yugi warned. Kaiba didn't move.
"Now what's Kaiba up to? You think this cheap stunt's going to keep Yugi from winning the match and rescuing his Grandfather."
"It's not a cheap stunt, Joey," Harold revealed causing a gasp from everyone, even Yugi. "I know that look in Kaiba's eyes all too well. It's resolve. Kaiba's is willing to do anything to win the duel, even if it means losing his life; I used to throw my life awayrecklessly like that too. But I found out that needless sacrifices only bring pain and misery. Something tells me… that Kaiba will not learn the same lesson."
"Your move, Yugi. If you attack again, you will take my remaining life points and I will take steps back, and of course you know what happens."
"Don't tempt me!" Yugi snapped.
"My life is in your hands, Yugi. You'll decide this duel in one way or another."
"Don't do this," Tea argued. "This isn't the answer."
"It's like Harold said," Bakura said. "Kaiba doesn't care what happens to him as long as he wins the duel; he knows Yugi doesn't want to hurt him, so he's counting on Yugi to forfeit the duel."
"But if he does that, he won't be able to get into the castle," Joey argued.
"A no-win scenario," Harold quipped. "No matter what happens, when it's all said and done, Yugi will lose."
"Don't push me, Kaiba, I must win to rescue my Grandfather!"
"And I must win to rescue my brother, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes, can you say the same? I can stand up here all day, Yugi, but you're going to have to make a move sooner or later, and when you do, you'll either forfeit the duel to save my life and lose the only chance you have of saving your Grandfather, or win the duel and kill me. I have the upper hand over you and while you ponder your dilemma, I'll draw this one card." He showed it to Yugi: Monster Reborn. "Ah, it's a magic card. I use Monster Reborn to resurrect the fallen Blue-Eyes that Yugi's guardian attacked." A normal Blue-Eyes White Dragon's head stuck out from the decaying ultimate dragon.
"Yugi's Guardian can't take on that monster," Joey argued.
"It doesn't have to," Harold pointed out. "All Yugi has to do is make it attack one of the decaying heads and Yugi will still win."
"Because the Blue-Eyes White Dragon that was resurrected is part of a fusion monster, it can't attack on the turn it's special-summoned. So I end my turn and now for your decision, Yugi, will you risk killing me to save your Grandfather or save me and give up the chance to save your Grandfather. It doesn't matter to me either way."
"Kaiba, come down from that ledge now," Harold ordered. "Forcing Yugi to choose between saving one life and sacrificing the other isn't the way Duelists should behave!"
"Under normal circumstances, yes, but this is special."
I must!
I can't!
We must!
The Celtic Guardian tightened the grip on his sword.
No, it's not right! There must be another way!
There isn't.
"What's with Yugi?" Harold asked. "It's like he's arguing with himself."
"Trying to decide between saving Kaiba's life and his Grandfather's life, can you blame him?" Bakura retorted.
"Kaiba, I never backed down before and I'm not about to start! Celtic Guardian, attack!"
"Yugi, you can't!" Tea protested running onto the dueling field. "You can't take the risk!"
"Tea, come back here!" Tristan argued.
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Tea running to Yugi, the others trying to call her back, Kaiba actually looking surprised that Yugi would take the chance.
I don't like this darker side of Yugi, I want the old Yugi back! Tea cried out in her mind.
"Celtic Guardian, stop!" Tea skidded to a halt.
And so did the Celtic Guardian.
Yugi dropped to his knees. Somehow, the original Yugi overpowered the darker side of his personality and ordered the Celtic Guardian to stop.
"I… end my turn," Yugi struggled to say.
"I knew you couldn't do it," Kaiba said. "Blue-Eyes, attack with White Lightning!" The Celtic Guardian was destroyed.
(Y: 0)
(K: 400)
Harold slowly stepped to the center of the makeshift arena.
"Harold, don't, this wasn't won fairly," Tristan argued.
"I don't have any choice, Tristan," Harold said. "A Watcher can not be impartial to one Duelist or another. The duel is over, the winner is Seto Kaiba!" Kaiba stepped down from the edge and gathered up his star chips.
Tea stared at Yugi, who was sobbing. The fear of hurting Kaiba, the anger at himself for ordering the Celtic Guardian to attack, and his hatred for Pegasus for toying with them all surfacing at the same time. It was just too much for him to bear.
"Master Pegasus," Kimo called. "Just now, the battle between Yugi and Kaiba was decided. Seto Kaiba was the winner."
"Thank you, Kimo."
"Do you want me to admit him into the castle?"
"By all means, a deal is a deal."
"Right away, sir."
Pegasus turned off his cell phone. "Good job, Kaiba-boy, as promised, I will be your next opponent." Pegasus stared at a hand of Duel Monster cards. "But Little Yugi didn't fare nearly as well in this rematch between the two of you." Pegasus held up a card. "His spirit is broken and his Grandfather's soul… remains mine!"
"What just happened here?" Bandit Keith wondered as he watched Yugi's friends gather around the fallen Duelist. "That Yugi-kid was set to win the game but he threw it to Kaiba, I never heard of a Duelist doing that. Whether it is Duel Monsters or any other card game, forfeit is never an option."
Joey, Bakura, Tristan, and Harold had gathered around Yugi and Tea. Yugi's sobs could be heard.
"I almost… couldn't control it," Yugi said between sobs. "This other presence… he was willing to go all the way to win!"
"Another presence?" Joey questioned.
"What are you talking about, buddy?" Tristan wondered.
"Like me, Yugi has some sort of ancient spirit inside him," Bakura explained. "It has something to do with our Millennium Items."
"I know Yugi can be a different person when he duels, I never expected that to be literal," Harold commented.
"I'm afraid of this spirit inside me," Yugi admitted. "So afraid that… I will never duel again!" The others gasped.
"Yugi, be reasonable," Harold argued. "I know you can fight this, we'll help."
"No, I'll never duel again!" As if to emphasize his point, Yugi took out his deck and slammed it on the ground.
Tea got down until she was eye level with Yugi. She embraced her young friend, allowing him to cry on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," she said. "Sorry about your Grandfather, but… you did the right thing, and I know… your Grandfather wouldn't like it if you rescued him at the cost of someone else's life." Yugi looked up at her. Even through her tear-stricken face, Tea's confidence shown.
"Then I guess he got what he wanted," Kaiba said. "If Yugi had done what needed to be done, he would be entering the castle now, not me. But he was too weak to follow through on his play."
"That's it, partial or not, I won't allow Richie Rich here to slander…" Before Harold could wipe the floor with Kaiba, Tea stepped forward.
"He spared you!" Tea snapped. "He showed you compassion and that alone is more than what you deserve!"
"He lost the game," Kaiba pointed out.
"The game? THE GAME? Yugi may have lost one lousy Duel Monsters game, but at least he hasn't lost his heart, not like you, Seto Kaiba! You've spent so much time with your machines that you forgot what being human was about!"
Kaiba growled.
Tea was unaware of how that comment affected Kaiba and just continued her verbal scolding. "Yugi has a heart, and friends who care about him! And what do you have? What do you have at the end of the day?" Tristan was about to pull Tea off of Kaiba-bashing, but Joey stopped him. In his mind, Kaiba needed a good dose of reality. "Well? I'm waiting. Tell me!"
"I have all that I need," Kaiba simply said picking up his star chips and brief case and left.
"Keep fooling yourself, Kaiba, Yugi's twice the man you'll ever be!" Joey said to Kaiba's back.
"Well, that was a fun way to spend the morning," Bandit Keith commented as he left the tower. "Now to get down to the real fun."
"Your ten star chips qualify you to enter the Inner Sanctum," Kimo announced. The vault-like doors parted.
At last, I'm in, and I'm ready to face you, Pegasus! Once and for all!
Yugi's friends stood around him outside the castle, each caught up in his or her thoughts.
Joey: It never occurred to me that there could be two Yugis. It's almost impossible to imagine. As much as I want to save my sister, Yugi's Grandpa is in even more danger. Maybe… maybe I should pass some of my star chips on to Yugi. Serenity would probably agree with Tea that winning at the cost of someone's life isn't worth it. I just hope… she understands.
Tristan: Kaiba was a real jerk. I can't believe Mokuba actually looks up to an ice cube like that. Kaiba may have wanted to save his brother, but does that give him right to put Yugi down like some sort of hypocrite? I almost wish he was knocked off that ledge.
Bakura: There are seven Millennium Items. Yugi's Puzzle and my Ring both have spirits inside, spirits who were willing to do anything to win. I wonder… could the others also have their own spirits? Are they all malevolent? Is the spirit of Pegasus' Millennium Eye behind all this? Yugi was barely able to keep his spirit in check and mine ran rampant in my body. I wish my father never gave me this Millennium Ring.
Harold: Tea made a passionate speech, but something tells me Kaiba wasn't convinced. What was Tea thinking, running out onto the arena like that? Just to ask to Yugi to stop? Could she… nah, this is Tea we're talking about. I can't believe that for all the authority I was given, I'm unable to help Yugi. What good am I if I can't even help out my best friend? It's strange, at times it was like I could feel two sparks of life coming from Yugi. Is something happening to me as well as Yugi? DARN IT, why am I different from others?
Tea: I used to think that the mysterious Dark Yugi was cool, it was like having a secret identity, but now I'm not so sure. If the Spirit of the Puzzle was willing to kill Kaiba to win the duel, does that mean that it's evil? Then again… that spirit has helped Yugi out of tough situations like in his duel against the Fake Kaiba and Panik. It's almost too scary to imagine, but as frightening as it is, right now, Yugi needs me and the others. Hopefully together, we'll be able to restore Yugi's dueling spirit and get him into Pegasus' castle to rescue his Grandpa. Right now, it's the original Yugi who needs our help more than anyone else. Hang on, Yugi, just hang on.
