Yami: Last time, Lord Bes, God of Games, forced Minkabh and me to battle out our problems in Duel Monster Chess. Normally it would not be a problem for me, but the tokens are really my friends, and they really die! I have to be careful, or else we may all be lost forever!

Chapter 16: Duel Monster Chess part 2

"The last act may be bloody however fine the rest of the play." Pasqual

Yami took a far more aggressive approach, thanks to Kaiba, and sent Nazo into the field. Her token landed directly onto a white pawn near the king.

The hologram depicted a forest clearing, with a swamp nearby. The central figure of the scene was a giant bug that looked like a cross between a roach and a grasshopper. It had a bowl haircut with turquoise hair and yellow bug glasses. It guarded the swamp, circling and searching for intruders. The screen read "Insect Soldier of the Sky". (3/1000/800)

Yami smirked. "Y'know, this death I'm not all too upset about!"

Nazo, dressed in silver, black, and gold armor, appeared on the field. (7/2800/2000) Her darker skin looked oddly brighter against the shiny armor, and her hair was very short and spiky. She held up her elegant sword as if she were born with it. Haga Insect screeched and flailed his little wings in panic as the blade sliced through each limb before obliterating the torso.

"Good job, Nazo-sa!"

Nazo smiled and saluted, imitating Mana and Keiko, before her image disappeared.

"Don't celebrate too quickly, boys," said Gozoburo as he moved a bishop. "Queen check."

Yami was about to move Nazo's token again, but Kaiba stopped his hand. He was staring straight into Gozoburo's eyes. {Not just yet, Pharaoh,} warned Kaiba. {Consider for a moment the combined strategies this game entails. If he placed a bishop to check the Queen, he must have a monster with that bishop more powerful than St. Joan. And there aren't many over her attack power.}

{It could be a fused monster,} said Yami

{Right, and the Queen is too powerful to lose so early on in this game.}

{So, what do you suggest?}

Kaiba's cobalt eyes narrowed, like they always did when he felt particularly aggressive. {Force his hand. Let's see that bishop he's itching to play.}

"Alright," said Yami. "I'll send this pawn to stand in your bishop's way." 'Sorry, Honda-kun,' thought Yami. 'But Kaiba's right. I need to put my emotions aside for now.'

Minkabh almost moved the bishop, but instead moved a pawn to attack Honda's pawn. The Cyber Commander (2/950/800) was caught off guard beside a junkyard by a large jet from beneath the rubble. Honda yelped as Gradius (4/1200/800) attacked. One quick flash of its cannons, and the brown-haired teen was unrecognizable.

Yami groaned and held his arms. Burning seared through his body as quickly as the flash came, and he watched dejectedly as Honda's spirit floated to Minkabh's pile. "Dammit," he cursed.

"You're fine," said Kaiba off-hand. "The bonkotsu is in a perfect position to avenge his friend."

"But that will leave him open to fight the bishop."

"Doubtful," said Kaiba under his breath. "Just move him. Trust me."

Yami grunted and moved Jonouchi's knight to attack Gradius. The junkyard appeared again, along with what remained of Honda's body. Jonouchi let out a roar of anger, matching his dragon, and both took to the sky. Red Eyes ripped off the cockpit's shield with its talons to reveal the pilot. Bandit Keith, hypnotized, did not even blink to acknowledge the assailants' presence. But Jou didn't care. He made Red Eyes pull Bandit Keith out of his plane and burn him to a cinder.

"Enjoying the show, Lord Minkabh," Yami hissed.

"Very much so," answered the wizard in earnest. "You know, even now, you take things too personally. The sacrifice merely placed a more powerful monster to defend your queen."

Jonouchi slid off of Red Eyes and walked towards Honda's body. The blonde looked so dazed. He sunk to his knees and stared at his old friend's remains, dejected and alone. Red Eyes let out a soft, mournful moan.

"This is sick," spat Yami, angry at the turn of events.

"It's not disappearing," said Kaiba.

"What?"

"I said it's not disappearing. Each time a battle has ended before, it's vanished. But why are we watching the action after the battle has finished."

"To further torment you," said Minkabh. "Especially when I reveal this! Trap card: Dragon Capture Jar!"

The junk rumbled, and a giant jar with the figure of a dragon burst from the metal. Jonouchi shielded Honda's body needlessly and called out to his dragon. The jar landed beside Red Eyes, who jumped into the air to avoid it. A beam of light shot from the depths of the jar and hit it.

Minkabh cackled. "That stupid priest didn't use his Eye first and walked into a trap! I knew you'd try to avenge your friend so…" He noticed Yami grinning and Kaiba shaking his head. "What's so funny?"

Gozoburo snarled, "You just wasted one of our cards!"

Minkabh looked utterly confused. Red Eyes easily moved away from the beam of light and destroyed the jar with a flick of its tail. "How…"

Jonouchi looked straight up at Minkabh, aghast. "You stupid fuck! Even a novice knows you can't do that while Lord of D is on the field!" He, Red Eyes, and the junkyard disappeared.

"Explain this," ordered Minkabh to Gozoburo.

"I'll tell him," said Kaiba, holding back his amusement. "One of our monsters on the field is Lord of D, whose special abilities include the negation of any Trap or Magic cards against Dragon-type monsters."

"And with your psychic abilities," added Yami, "you should have known we had this monster because of our conversation with Jonouchi-kun. You failed to consider the value of a pawn, and in doing so it cost you."

Minkabh glared. He refused to let the pharaoh get away with humiliating him. (Even though it was his mistake.) He moved another pawn towards the King.

{He's not taking much advice from his expert,} commented Yami. {That's going to be his major weakness during this game. They have separate strategies; they're not working as a team.}

Kaiba gave Yami a warning glance. {If you start going on about "friendship" and "teamwork," I'm quitting right now!}

Yami switched his King with his Rook. It placed him in a corner, but he knew Bakura would appreciate getting out and causing some damage. I was strange, but when Yami touched his own token, he felt a strong about of energy bursting through. It felt like the god cards, but different somehow. Jonouchi had not recognized the monster, so what could it be?

Minkabh moved the same pawn. Yami noticed that, if left alone for the next turn, Minkabh's pawn would attack Yugi. He moved Anzu forward to back Yugi up if necessary.

A few moves later, another battle appeared. Karim wore a strapped-on warrior's outfit complimenting his large muscles, and his skin was now greenish-brown. Guardian Grarl (5/2500/2000) came face to face with a glowing mass of slime. Yami noted on the board the name "Revival Slime (2/500/1500)" in defense mode. Grarl attacked and thought he destroyed the slime, but it returned without any reduction.

"I think you'll remember this combination, Boy Pharaoh," said Minkabh holding up two cards. "I heard all about the Battle City Tournament, and its play-by-play results. I use Polymerization to fuse Revival Slime with the Trap card Metal Reflection Slime."

The slime shifted and turned into Gardian Grarl, only with a different face. The fusion caused a missed turn, so when Karim attacked, the process was repeated. Then the slime Grarl attacked, and Karim's attack points were reduced to 625. The fight repeated again, and this time resulted in Karim's death.

The slime looked up and grinned. "You can't defeat an immortal with the same cards you had before, Pharaoh!"

Yami sneered. "My cards have improved, Yami no Marik! I settle with you later!"

In the next turn, Kaiba said that the best move would be to send Jonouchi to back up Shadi in protecting Yami's token. {It will benefit in the long run,} Kaiba insisted. So Yami moved his knight a few squares. Minkabh's bishop went after Nazo, as they expected.

The setting was in the shadow of a volcano. Nazo stood ready to protect herself from any monster that came near her. Until Gozoburo called out nother trap card, "Change Position." This forced Nazo to her knees, her sword useless on the ground beside her. (2000DP) A familiar figure emerged from the forest. Mr. Tanaka, Nazo's father, advanced towards her. His hair stood up in flames, and his gloved hand held a small ball of fire.

"NO!" Yami screamed.

Mr. Tanaka was the monster "Mr. Volcano (5/2100/1300)." He bent down beside his daughter and touched her chin with his free hand. "I heard you've allowed a man to conquer you, Nazo-chan."

Nazo said nothing. All she could concentrate on was the ball of flame.

"He killed me, you know, Nazo-chan. Your dear lover killed your dearest father. Now, why would you forgive a man with your family's blood on his hands?"

Nazo's eyes squeezed shut. She could feel the heat coming closer to her.

"I warned you, Nazo-chan. I said, 'Never let any man take you away from me.' Didn't I? I warned you that you would be punished if any man but me touched you, didn't I? Answer me!"

Nazo's eyes opened and she glared. "Go to Hell!"

Tanaka smiled. "Ladies first!" He set Nazo's tunic on fire.

Yami tried to cover his ears to mute Nazo's screams, but none came. Nazo took the pain without making a sound of agony. But Yami felt it. He felt the flames char his own skin, searing away the flesh and bone. When the pain subsided, he sensed his wife's spirit enter the deck on the opposite field.

Kaiba, normally so distant, put his hand on Yami's shoulder. He did not need to speak, but the gesture of concern was enough to earn a nod of response. The two rivals held a mutual respect for their loved ones. Yami took Keiko's pawn to move it forward. He felt the heat radiating from Keiko's anger. {You make that bastard pay, Yami,} she said.

Yami did not respond. His mind was devoid of words now. In his sorrow, much of his logical thought patterns had shut down. He now relied on Kaiba's ideas and words to support him.

The game continued. Anzu appeared as Maha Vailo (4/1550/1200), easily destroying Ryuzaaki as Hallkite Saurus (4/1400/700). 3 Keiko jumped forward further to defeat Noa as priest Asura. Unfortunately, this left space for Mokuba to face none other than Gozoburo Kaiba.

Mokuba wore a dragon skull as a hat and a long cape. "Lord of D (4/1200/1100)" Gozoburo arrived riding atop "Shinato, King of a Higher Plane (8/3300/3000)."

Kaiba took the reins to protect his brother. "I use the magic card 'Flute of Summoning Dragon' to call forth two Blue Eyes to defend Lord of D!"

Gozoburo drew a magic card. "I use De-Spell to stop your dragons, Seto! Now Mokuba is defenseless!"

Kaiba looked over the magic cards, but Yami put his hand over them and shook his head. Kaiba growled, but he knew Yami was right. This was a game. Personal feelings aside, Mokuba was a pawn, and in this situation he was expendable. Kaiba turned away as his brother disappeared from the field.

Kaiba glared hard at his foster father. He wanted to taste his blood! He loathed the man to no end! He deserved to die the most painful way possible! And he wanted it done now! He planned to save one card for later, just in case he faced a more powerful monster, but now was the time! To avenge Mokuba, he would use that card!

He told Yami to move Keiko to attack Gozoburo. Yami made no objections, trusting in Kaiba's knowledge of both chess and Duel Monsters. Keiko appeared in two forms on the field: One was dark skinned with short hair and one was light skinned with longer hair. Both wore identical blue, middle-eastern style dresses. "Gemini Elves (5/1900/900)" Since they were just moved, both Keikos got to attack first. This reduced Gozoburo's AP to 1500. But that also left him to attack her next.

Before that happened, Kaiba lifted another card. "I use the magic card 'Sebek's Blessing' to raise their attack points by the number they just subtracted from you! Now they're points double!"

It was true. Keiko and Kei's dresses fanned out and sparkled, indicating an increase of power to 3800AP! Gozoburo attacked and reduced them to 2300, still well over his! The two shaman attacked again and destroyed Gozoburo Kaiba once and for all!

The Gozoburo standing next to Minkabh screamed as his monster was destroyed. He clutched his throat, and light spewed up from his mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. He expanded, just as his token had, and exploded. Chunks of his flesh landed on the remaining players. The spot where he had stood smoked quietly.

Bes applauded. "Well played, Seto! Well played! Now Minkabh has no advisor!"

{EEWW!} yelled Jonouchi, who could see what happened thanks to his Eye. {Tarantino, eat your heart out!} [2]

Kaiba did not even flinch. He brushed off a piece of his foster father from his jacket and calmly said, "Your move."

Minkabh said nothing, but took another piece of Gozoburo off of his shoulder. "I'll just move my own Queen into play." He was now in position to attack Ryou.

Bes floated down next to Yami. "Yami-kun," he whispered, "I know you're still upset over your wife's death, but you are still the primary competitor. Rely on Seto too much, you do!"

Yami nodded to acknowledge his god. He had two choices on the field: Either he could sacrifice Keiko to bring Nazo back by placing her on the edge square, or he could protect himself, and Ryou, by moving Kaiba in on Minkabh's queen. The queen was still unknown, so it may be stronger than BEWD. Allowing Ryou to fight would show who the queen is. Keiko was now the strongest pawn on the board, and sacrificing her would be a waste of the perks of Kaiba's last move. On the other hand, Nazo was still stronger than Keiko. But Ryou and Keiko would have to die!

Yami closed his eyes. His heart bled. He suddenly felt his age, and all 3,300 plus years of ache and exhaustion landed on his soul.

{Atem! / Yami-kun!}

Yami looked down at the two Keikos' pawn. He heard one of them say, {I swore an oath three millennia ago to protect my queen.} The other said, {I pledged my loyalty to my best friend.} Then, together, Kei and Keiko declared, {We wish to bring Nazo back to the field!}

Yami looked over to Kaiba. Kaiba looked away, clearly dreading what Yami had to do. Yami moved Keiko's pawn to the edge. Minkabh replaced it with Nazo's, and the life force of the women switched to their respective places.

Minkabh attacked Ryoy's pawn. It revealed a six-armed Akunadean with swords for each arm. "Garma Sword (7/2750/2150)" It hacked poor Ryou to pieces.

Yami moved Bakura closer to Akunadean. Kaiba softly growled, "Have you lost your mind, Pharaoh! Necrofear isn't as strong as Garma Sword!"

Minkabh heard Kaiba's remark and moved his piece right in front of Bakura. Yami moved to attack. Akunadean Garma Sword stood near a village, preparing to attack. Bakura's eyes shone from the shadows with unyielding hatred! Akunadean had crossed the line; Akunadean had destroyed his hikari!

Yami handed Kaiba a card. Kaiba smirked. "Activate the magic card 'Shield and Sword'! Now, defense points become attack points!"

Akunadean Garma Sword shrunk slightly as his AP fell to 2150. But he continued to advance on the village. Bakura's sinister eyes from the shadows become and exact negative, so his pupils became white and his eyeball black. (2800AP) He emerged from the darkness, letting out a terrifying scream. Akunadean turned and saw sharp teeth. Bakura, the last son of Kuru Elna, survivor of the massacre, confronted Akunadean face-to-face.

Yami held some satisfaction as he heard his uncle's cries of agony. Bakura got his revenge, and by Yami's hand. Hopefully that would begin to make amends for the sins of his family in Bakura's eyes.

{You planned that! My reaction, Minkabh's move, everything! You cocky sonofabitch!}

Yami smirked and nodded slowly. His silence no longer resulted from grief over just Nazo, but of all of his fallen comrades and those Minkabh forced into fighting. Each one who died so far flashed in his mind: Ryou, Keiko, Honda, Mokuba, Karim, Grandpa, Pegasus, Keith, Ryuzaki, Haga, and Noa each held a place in his heart.

The game continued. Kaiba finally got to see some action in defending Bakura by attacking the Big Five (bishop aboard "Fortress Whale (7/2350/2150)"). Yami no Marik eventually destroyed his alter ego and sister (one pawn, one bishop) as they made their way towards Minkabh's token.

Yami needed to destroy Yami no Marik to get to Minkabh's king! In Battle City, Yami managed to defeat Yami no Marik's combo by sacrificing him. But this time, Yami did not have the magic card 'Cross Sacrification,' and he couldn't think of any other way. Even if he boosted up the attack strength of any monster, the slime would revive. And it refused to move away from guarding Minkabh.

Meanwhile, Nazo received her sweet revenge. With Minkabh concentrating on Yami no Marik, Yami moved Nazo to face her father again. This time, Minkabh did not have the same magic card. Nazo walked right up to her father, ignoring the fire in his hand, and began chopping him into small parts. First the hand, then between his legs, and then his other hand, etc.

Kaiba spent his time working out possibly moves to avoid the bishop and attack the king. He mentally explained his plan to Yami. Yami's mouth dropped at the risk, but Kaiba insisted it would be the only way to destroy Yami no Marik.

Yami moved Shadi's token a space, baiting Minkabh out. But Yami no Marik moved to attack Anzu instead. She appeared once again as the magician, this time watching out for an attack. But when she saw the slime glop towards her, she shrieked! It molded itself into her monster double, and opted to defense mode (1163DP). Anzu attacked, but Yami no Marik reshaped, and attacked her. She eventually disappeared in a dark stream of energy.

Jonouchi, immobile in the next square, could do nothing. He roared out in anger. Three of his best friends had been slaughtered!

Yami shut his eyes for a moment, feeling Anzu's pain. His confidence in his skills faltered again. This was really starting to look hopeless!

{Yami-sa,} Nazo sweet, alto voice soothed Yami's weary mind. {Don't give up hope. We all have faith in you. Do not forget that! No matter how terrible things may seem, we've always come through. The fifteen of us were willing to stand by your side and fight from the beginning. That has not changed. We believe in you! Yami-sa!}

Yami smiled. {Thank you, Nazo-sa. But what can I do? I must think of something.}

{Mou hitori no boku!}

Yami looked over at Yugi's token. It was glowing for some reason. He hadn't touched it since the beginning. He didn't want Yugi to go through any of this anymore. But did Yugi sense it? Did Yugi sense Anzu's death just now? How?

{Mou hitori no boku! Use "Time Acceleration" on me! NOW!}

Yami looked at the card he had seen Yugi buy for his deck, and he understood Yugi's plan. It would cost two magic cards, but it was worth it! "Magic card: Time Acceleration!" Silent Swordsman receives an extra 1500 attack points, and goes up to level 4!"

The light around Yugi's token got stronger. Bes leaned forward in his invisible chair and watched. "Interesting," he muttered.

Minkabh recognized Yugi as a threat and moved his faithful bishop closer to him. "Just because he got a power boost," snarled Minkabh, "does not mean he's capable of destroying my bishop!"

"Maybe not yet," said Yami. "But Silent Swordsman Level 7 has a useful affect to destroy any chances you have in saving that evil spirit!"

Minkabh looked at his stats. He had one pawn, one bishop, and his king. Yami had two knights, one pawn, one bishop, one rook, and his king. It would be best to kill the bratty prince before anyone else, before he reached level 7. After Yami moved his king forward a space, Minkabh moved Yami no Marik to attack Yugi.

They were in a forest setting once again. Silent Swordsman Yugi, who now looked about 14, did not bother preparing for an attack. He now had 3000AP. He knelt on the ground waiting. A Shen symbol on his forehead was glowing, and his eyes were shut. He merely looked bored.

As the goop slunk towards him, Yugi turned around. "About time, Yami no Marik."

Marik morphed into Silent Swordsman Level 4. "Little Yugi… Last time we met, you were helplessly being eaten alive by darkness, thanks to your other self's stupidity!"

"I'm not so helpless anymore. In fact, I'm gonna make sure you're sent back to the darkness, where you belong!"

Silent Swordsman Marik attacked. Yugi dodged the 2500AP sword, and got behind him. "Yami, activate the magic card!"

Yami flipped the card he had separated from the rest. "Swords of Revealing Light!"

The glowing swords crashed down around the dark knight. He touched them, trying to break free, but the burned his armor. Yugi walked up calmly to the opposite side. "You should understand the affects of the card, Malik! You can't attack for three turns."

The dark spirit sneered. "But, do you really feel up to attacking a defenseless opponent, you good-natured, pure-hearted simpleton?"

Yugi chuckled. "That's right, Malik. Defense is all you have. You are only able to regenerate when killed in defense mode, not matter how powerful your opponent is. I may not have control over your position now, but I can wait for the opportunity." He looked up at Yami and Kaiba. "End turn!" His power rose to 3500AP, and level turned to Level 5. The scene faded as Yugi grew to the age of 15, when he first solved the Millennium Puzzle.

Yami moved his own token forward. Minkabh moved his king to the right. Yami moved Kaiba's token two spaces right, one space up. Minkabh set his bishop ready to attack Jonouchi. Jonouchi took the offensive and destroyed Dartz and his monster. Minkabh quickly moved back one space.

As the board pieces stood, all Yugi had to do was defeat Yami no Marik to check the King. The scene reopened as the three rounds ended. Yugi was now Level 7, with 4500AP. Yami's smirk grew into a proud smile. Yugi's form was now as tall as his brother's, with a gleaming white cloak flowing out behind him, and silver wing-like armor on his shoulders. The circle on his forehead glowed brighter than ever before. Yami no Marik had remained at Level 4, but showed no signs of fear or awe. "This changes nothing," snarled Marik. "As long as I am in defense mode, I can reshape. Not even the gods can stop me!"

As the Sword of Revealing Light disappeared, Yugi raised his own sword with ease and pointed at his opponent. "You're wrong, Marik," countered Yugi. "I can stop you!" He raised his sword. "Activate special effect of Silent Swordsman, Level 7!"

Yami reached out his hand towards Minkabh's graveyard. "I call upon a magic card from your graveyard, and I call 'Change Position'!" The card flew into Yami hand, and he held it up.

The effect hit Yugi's sword, and he flung the spell at Yami no Marik. The evil spirit was forced to his feet. (2500AP) "Wh-What?"

"Attack now, Yugi!"

Yugi charged. The field exploded with light. Yami, Kaiba, Minkabh, and Bes all had to shield their eyes. They heard the SHING! of a blade slicing through air, and the rush of wind from Yugi's cloak. When they returned their attention to the field. Yugi was facing away from Yami no Marik, his cloak covering his body. A thin trail of blood appeared on Yugi's cheek. There was a pause, and the evil swordsman's upper half slid down from his legs. Each half seemed to melt slightly as the affects of Metal Reflection Slime wore off.

Bes stroked his chin as Yugi's form disappeared. "It seems to us that the younger brother may have more potential in this life than as a prince. We must keep one or two eyes on him as he grows."

Yami moved Yugi's piece to the opposite end on the board. "Check."

Minkabh stared at his pieces. Yugi's victory over Yami no Marik broke his spirit of games. But his hatred of the family drove him onward. To hell with strategy! To hell with this stupid game! He wanted royal blood! He moved his piece one space forward, in Nazo's direction.

"You can't move in to 'Check,'" reminded Kaiba.

Yami recognized the darkness in Minkabh's features. The Shadows of the Shadow Realm fed off of his anger, and in turn gave him power. Yami had tasted this destructive power. He needed to make sure to avert it from everyone else at all cost. He moved his token forward.

"Checkmate," Kaiba called out.

"Game does not end on 'Checkmate,' Seto," said Bes wagging a finger.

With no hesitation, Minkabh moved diagonally to face Yami.

Yami suddenly found himself on the battlefield. He wore ornate gold armor and large gold wings. (10/5000/5000). Minkabh's Dark Hydra (10/5000/5000) stared down at him, its many green eyes gleaming. He searched for the main one, Minkabh's, and called out to it. "Ousho! [4] You lost this game the moment you attacked my friends! You draw upon the powers of darkness to fight, but to live within darkness, one can only be alone! Even as I stand before you, I have the spirits and strengths of my friends beside me in the light! You have nothing!

"Sword of Heaven!" A golden sword crashed down and landed beside Yami. He held it above his head. "This weapon represents all of the lives you have used in order to face me, Minkabh! It increases my attack power by 300 points for every monster in your graveyard, giving me a grand total of 9500AP!" Yami charged at the Hydra.

"Activate magic card 'Contagion of Insanity,'" declared Minkabh. Yami could not stop himself now, no matter how quick his own mind reacted to the change. His attack hit Minkabh, but the monster did not take any of the damage. Yami felt the attack deflect against himself, decreasing his points by half. (Minkabh: 5000AP, Yami: 4750AP) He flew backwards, and landed on his wing with a disturbing crack! He yelped in pain.

The main head, wrinkled and haggard, smiled. "Your pathetic comrades cannot help you now, Boy Pharaoh! As long as you refuse to move in your believes, I shall force your body to do the same! I activate my trap card 'Seal of Crystal!'"

A green crystal formed around Yami, trapping him in place. He could not move to defend himself!

All nine of the Hydra's heads charged up to blast. Yami closed his eyes, concentrating on the magic of the Puzzle his father left him. His gold armor shone almost as brightly as the Millennium Puzzle that hung around his neck. As the Hydra attacked, Yami used the power of the Puzzle to activate a magic card called "Negate Attack" to block the assault.

Yami opened his eyes to see the barrier protect him. The color of the crystal surrounding him strongly reminded him of the Orichalcos crystals. He wondered briefly is Minkabh had anything to do with Dartz.

{You're finished, my old student! This ends now!}

'No,' Yami shouted in his mind desperately. 'There are too many people who count on me!' He thought of Nazo/Shukura fighting Bakura to protect him. He remembered how he managed to unite everyone's souls in order to defeat Laviathin. He thought of Kaiba, a protector in his own right, sacrificing his life points to give Yami strength against Dartz. He thought of Marik, the real one, willing to lose his soul to save the world. He thought of Yugi and his friends blocking Pegasus' mind tricks in the final battle of Duelist Kingdom. He could almost see their hands in front of him, coming together to form their "friendship symbol."

A light sparked in Yami's mind. The perfect card! {Kaiba!}

{What,} he asked quickly. He sounded as though he was tense from watching the battle.

{Activate "United We Stand!" It's my best chance!}

Kaiba, still in control of the cards, drew the magic card Yami requested. "I activate the magic card 'United We Stand,' raising Halankti's attack by 800 for every monster still on the field!"

The spirit forms of Kaiba, Jonouchi, Bakura, Shadi, and Yugi dove into the crystal with Yami. With the change in attack, the crystal shattered, and Yami spread his immense wings, fully healed. (9550AP) "You're right, Minkabh… This ends NOW!" A red aura surrounded him as he charged at the hydra.

1 Marik's "Immortal God" combo – See episode 140-142.
2 Quentin Tarantino – A director famous for blowing people up.
3 Maha Vailo – Don't forget, Anzu associates this card with Yugi!
4 "Ousho" – Yami called Minkabh his teacher, but in vulgar terms.

Yugi: Um… No preview today… Except that the battle ends!