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Fanfic Chapter 93: Countdown to Destruction Pt 5: Sacrifice for Friendship
Episode Basis: Friends till the End Pt 3&4
Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! As hard as Harold tried, he couldn't break Marik's hold over Tea. He decided that the only way was to win his duel. So he summoned the monster Katy gave him: the ritual monster Serapheem. The direct attack of over 4000 was enough to free Tea of Marik's control. Meanwhile, Tristan, Duke, and Serenity were able to escape the Rare Hunters thanks to the timely assistance of Katy and Todd of the Four Horsemen. They met up with Mai Valentine who gave them a lift down to the pier. Now Yugi has to free Joey, but it just might end with one taking a permanent vacation in Davie Jones's locker.
Yugi drew Beta the Magnet Warrior. Beta the Magnet Warrior should help. Last turn, when Joey saw his Red-Eyes was in trouble, he broke through for just a moment. I have to make that happen again. But if Joey attacks and destroys that weakened Red-Eye, I could lose the duel! Either way, I'm going to have to be careful. "I place two cards face-down and summon Beta the Magnet Warrior in attack mode!"
Yugi left himself wide open for an attack, Marik thought as Joey drew Panther Warrior. Panther Warrior should be more than enough to finish off that Red-Eyes and the rest of Yugi's life points. He dropped some ice cubes into a glass and began filling the glass. All Joey has to do is attack with Rocket Warrior and he'll be doomed!
"Harold, tell me what's going on," Tea pleaded. "Why are Yugi and Joey dueling each other?"
"Joey's under the control of some nut job named Marik. He was going to make the two of you duel Yugi but I stepped in and provided assistance."
Tea gasped and thought, This was the creep that Ishizu was trying to warn us about! Marik. "Joey, you have to wake up!"
"Be silent!" A Rare Hunter commanded. "Or I'll detonate the bombs underneath you and send you all to kingdom come. And stay right where you are too!"
Tea turned to the others on the sideline. "Kaiba, Mokuba, can't you two do anything!"
"We can't risk harming you or the others," Mokuba replied. Unless my plan works. He looked at his Big Brother. The Kaiba Brothers nodded.
Kaiba stepped up towards the Rare Hunter. "You think you're pretty tough when you got a remote in your hand, let's just see how man you are when you're up against a superior force."
"Nice try, Kaiba, but if you think I'm going to put this remote down willingly…"
"I'm not expecting you to," Kaiba said with a smirk. He fingered the top card in his deck. "Say hello to my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Kaiba drew said card and threw it.
A/N: Okay, I'm going to say it now just to get it out of my system. "Say hello to my little friend!" There, I got it out of my system.
The card knocked the remote from the Rare Hunter's hand and sent it sliding away. The Rare Hunter turned to get it.
Which completely blinded him to Kaiba's physical attack.
With incredible speed and strength, Kaiba grabbed the Rare Hunter's arm and twisted it behind his back. He then wrapped his other arm around the Rare Hunter's neck and twisted so that the others were out of the Rare Hunter's line of sight.
"Can you two cover me?" Mokuba asked Tristan and Duke.
"What do you mean?" Duke asked.
"I mean stand in front of me so that the Rare Hunter doesn't see me go over the edge. Look, I'll explain later, just stand in front of me."
"Right, let's do it, Duke." The two formed a wall between Mokuba and the Rare Hunter. Mokuba climbed down the pier and jumped to the side of the dock. He could see the bomb strapped to the dock's support post. Mokuba reached into his vest and took out a mini screw driver.
"I summon Panther Warrior in attack mode!"
"Yugi, you're losing him," Yami reported. "Marik's hold on him is getting stronger."
"Next I'll switch Rocket Warrior back into its invincible mode!"
"Now, my mind slave, attack his Red-Eyes and win me his puzzle!"
"And I'll have him attack… Yugi's magnet warrior!"
The glass shattered to the ground. "Who does he think he is disobeying me like this? Doesn't he know my control is absolute?"
"Nice try, but by attacking you triggered my trap card: Magic Arm Shield," Yugi said. The prongs grabbed Rocket Warrior and sent it back at Panther Warrior. The Rocket Warrior/Attrition combo inflicted Panther Warrior.
(PW: 2000-500, 500-0)
I have to keep him under control long enough to beat Little Yugi! Marik realized.
"My turn is over and Panther Warrior gains back the 500 attack points it lost."
(PW: 0-500)
It doesn't matter now that it's weak enough for me to beat, Yugi thought as he drew a card. "I sacrifice my Magnet Warrior so I can summon Beast of Gilfer! Now, attack his Rocket Warrior!" A tornado destroyed the little warrior.
(Y: 1000)
(J: 1700)
"Are you there, Joey?"
"I already told you Joey is gone and your Red-Eyes is next!" The Rocket Warrior Attrition attack left the mighty dragon on the ground panting heavily, looking sicker by the minute.
And speaking of minutes, there were only ten minutes left.
Mokuba got the panel open and let it drop into the sea, hoping that Joey or the Rare Hunter didn't hear that. He took his screw driver and sliced through one of the wires. There, I severed the power connection to the transceiver, now this bomb won't go off. I just hope Seto can hold on to him until I can sabotage the other three. He began sliding down to the other end trying not to let Joey step on his fingers in the process.
So Yugi got in a good attack, Marik thought. It doesn't matter, I can either use my magic cards to beat Yugi or let time run out and allow all of them to go into the sea. Either way, I win.
"Please, Joey, you have to snap out of it! This isn't like you, this isn't who you really are!"
"I am who I am," Joey-Marik snapped. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn."
"Then I have no choice," Yugi said as he drew a trap card. "I set one card face-down. Beast of Gilfer, attack his Panther Warrior!"
"I reveal my trap card Skull Dice, and to ensure my victory I'll add the magic card Graceful Dice! Graceful Dice will power up my monster while Skull Dice will weaken Yugi's!"
"No it won't, I reveal my face-down card, De-Spell which destroys your Graceful Dice!"
"I still have Skull Dice!" The little demon rolled a two which cut Beast of Gilfer's attack points in half.
(BOG: 2200-1100)
It still wasn't enough though, as Beast of Gilfer's attack hit Panther Warrior and destroyed it.
(Y: 1000)
(J: 1100)
Joey-Marik smiled evilly, "I could just let the timer run out but out dueling you will be so much more fun." He gestured to the others. "Now all your little playmates will be here to witness your demise! My move!" Joey-Marik drew a magic card called Meteor of Destruction. Playing it would deal 1000 points of direct damage to the opponent. This is just the card I need to win, Marik thought. I'll have Joey play it and destroy his best friend. One more move and Yugi's gone for good!
Hurry up, Mokuba, Kaiba thought.
Mokuba finished dismantling the second bomb and began moving around the dock to the third one. Now things will get tougher because there was a good chance Joey could see his fingers.
"The card I now hold in my hand is the key to beating you, Little-Yugi!" Joey-Marik announced.
"Not if I can free Joey first!"
"Joey will never be free as long as I hold the Millennium Rod!"
The Rare Hunter thrashed around trying to loosen himself.
"There must be some way to stop Yugi and Joey from going over the edge," Duke said.
"Sure if you don't mind sacrificing their lives," Kaiba said as he shifted his captive into a sleeper hold.
"Good point," Duke said.
"Joey, this is your last chance to break free!" Yugi called. "Think about all your friends. Think about all the opponents you beat, all that you've accomplished! You do have a past, Joey, remember it! Remember your sister, the one who loves you the most!"
"Ser… en… i… ty."
"Be silent, Wheeler, you have no past, I control you!"
"Think about it, Joey, think about your past!"
The memories came flooding back to Joey. His duels with Mai, Rex, Bonz, Bandit Keith Espa, Weevil, and Mako. He even recalled his losing duels against Yugi, Duke Devlin and the Rare Hunters.
"I… remember… my past… it is real!"
"Silence, Wheeler, you have no past, only eternal servitude towards me! Now I order you to destroy Little Yugi!"
"NO, I WON'T DESTROY MY FRIEND!" Joey cried out.
Mokuba finally finished dismantling the bombs. He moved to the other end and climbed out
Right in front of the Rare Hunter who had escaped from Kaiba's grasp. "You, how did… what did you do?"
Mokuba pulled himself up and wiped his nose. "I stopped your plan so you won't harm anyone else!"
"NO!" The Rare Hunter dove for the remote and pressed the button.
Nothing happened.
"Told you," Mokuba teased.
"Why you little…" The Rare Hunter charged Mokuba but Kaiba intercepted and knocked the Rare Hunter out.
"Nobody threatens my little brother and gets away with it," Kaiba declared.
Yugi watched as Joey and Marik battled for control of Joey's body.
"I… I can't destroy Yugi."
"Play that Meteor of Destruction card or suffer the consequences!"
"No, I won't."
Okay, everything is all set, there's just one more thing left to do, Yugi thought. "Marik, I know you can hear me. You think you're so clever hiding behind your magic like a coward!" On the outside, it looked like he was simply pointing at Joey when in fact he was pointing right through Joey to Marik. "Well I have some news for you: there will be a loser in this duel and it's not who you think. It's not me, and it's not Joey either, it's you and do you know why? Because Joey is a free man! And even if this timer runs out, you won't win because you're not dueling any more!" The others were astonished at Yugi's declaration. "Face it, the only way you're going to beat me is if you come out here and duel me yourself. Or are you afraid that your weak magic won't stand up to the power of the Millennium Puzzle?"
"Fine, feel the full power of the Millennium Rod!" He summoned all of the Rod's power.
Joey screamed again as the Millennium Emblem appeared on his forehead. Serenity trembled at hearing her brother scream in pain but she didn't turn away.
"It's all over, Little Yugi," Joey-Marik said. "I play Meteor of Destruction!" A large meteor appeared in the sky and slowly descended towards Yugi.
(Y: 1000)
(J: 600)
"Yugi, no!" Tea cried and started to run over to him but Harold held her back. "Harold, please, let me go to him!"
"Tea, no, you'll just get hurt."
In the recesses of his mind, Joey Wheeler cowered.
"This is the price you pay for your defiance, Wheeler, now live forever with the memory that you killed your best friend!"
"Yu… Gi…"
With a scream that even startled Kaiba, Joey rose up, the Millennium emblem dispersing and his eyes returning to normal.
"No, Yugi was right," Marik realized. "Wheeler's will was too strong!"
Joey moaned, "Huh… Yugi, what's going on… why am I wearing your Millennium Puzzle?"
"I gave it to you, Joey, as a reminder of our friendship. Now you'll always have it as a reminder of how we defeated Marik together."
"I'm confused."
"I'm sorry, Joey, sorry it had to come to this. Reveal trap card: Mystical Rift Panel!" A fairy holding a mirror appeared and sucked up the meteor.
Very clever, Kaiba thought. Thanks to Mystical Rift Panel, Yugi can decide the outcome of the duel. He can choose to either attack Wheeler… Kaiba gasped as he realized what Yugi was going to do. Or choose to use it on his self.
"Joey, there's not much time, I just wanted to say thank you. When we first met, you were selfish, greedy, and cruel. But now, you've demonstrated that you have a true heart and courage. Courage I could never muster. Remember, we beat Marik together, our bond overpowered his magic. Keep an eye on my Puzzle, Joey, it's yours now."
"Yugi, no, don't do this!"
"It's my decision. Look after Tea and the others for me, will you? You might now be the only thing standing between Marik and the ultimate power he wants. Farewell, Joey, my true friend." Yugi removed his Duel Disk.
"Yugi…"
"Mystical Rift Panel, direct the attack squarely on me!" The mirror turned to face Yugi and the meteor resumed its course hitting Yugi dead center.
"YUGI!" Everyone cried.
(Y: 0)
(J: 600)
The timer clicked to thirty seconds. The direct attack had knocked Yugi unconscious.
"Hurry and free your self, Joey, you only have thirty seconds," Mokuba reported.
"I can't just leave, Yugi, I can't…" Wait a second Meteor of Destruction has one other ability. Since Yugi has a monster on the field, I can have it attack my life points so that Yugi's box will open. Joey looked at the dragon. "Red-Eyes Black Dragon, attack my life points directly so that Yugi's key will be revealed!" The dragon struggled to stand and unleashed a fire ball that struck Joey.
(Y: 0)
(J: 0)
Good old Red-Eyes, I knew you wouldn't let me down. "Yugi, I am not going to let you sacrifice yourself for me! You did more than just teach me Duel Monster strategies, you taught me that a true Duelist never gives up, that a true Duelist fights with his heart as well as his cards. I'm not going to give up on you so you shouldn't either!" He removed his Duel Disk and Yugi's Millennium Puzzle
Serenity reached up and untied her bandages, throwing them into the wind. Slowly, she opened her eyes. As they came into focus, she saw Joey grabbing the chain that held his shackle and swinging across to Yugi's side.
"It's Joey," she simply said.
Joey reached Yugi's key just as the timer reached 0. The anchor dropped pulling both of them into the sea. The others called out for them.
Joey swam over to Yugi and undid his shackles. Yugi, you're the best friend I ever had, thank you for everything, I'm just sorry it had to come to this.
Yugi surfaced gasping for air. Tristan dove in and grabbed Yugi; pulling him over to dry land. As Tea and Harold pulled Yugi up, Mokuba said, "Joey never took his key!"
"Give it to me, I'll dive in after him," Tristan instructed.
But Serenity was one step ahead of the rest of them as she took the key and dove right in.
A/N: And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Serenity is my favorite out of all the Yu-Gi-Oh females.
Joey was on his last breath trying to undo his shackle with Yugi's key. Nuts, this key won't work, I need the other one. As Joey's lungs began to give out, he saw a shadow coming towards him. Who's that? Is it Yugi coming back down to rescue me? As the person came into view, Joey's eyes practically bugged out. Serenity! Serenity undid Joey's shackle and the two of them swam back up.
Back on dry land, Joey asked, "When did you get here, sis?"
"Tristan and Mai brought me over."
"Hey Joey," Yugi called weakly. "Glad to see… you're all right."
"Yugi, I'm sorry."
"Hey, it's okay."
"No it's not! I almost destroyed all of us! There's no way I can show my face not after what happened. I… I might as…"
Mai went up to him and slapped him hard across the cheek. "Now listen up, you big galoot, you showed real courage today, just like at Duelist Kingdom when you were dueling for your sister. Don't you get it? You're her idol, Joey!"
"What kind of an idol gets turned into a zombie and almost destroys his best friends?"
"Stop feeling sorry for your self," Tristan joined in. "Serenity counts on you for strength, that's why she waited until now to take her bandages off!"
"And it wasn't craziness that caused her to dive in after you, but courage and love," Harold threw in.
Joey turned towards Serenity who was drying her self with Harold's shirt. "You can see? When did that happen?"
"Just now, while you were trying to save Yugi. When I saw you swinging across, that gave me a strength I never felt before, a strength that made me feel like I could do anything."
"Including diving in to rescue you," Duke added.
Serenity nodded, "So thanks… Big Brother."
"Any time, sis," Joey said as the two shared a hug.
Kaiba and Mokuba watched this tender reunion from a distance. Kaiba turned and said, "Let's go, Mokuba."
"Okay," Mokuba immediately agreed.
"Kaiba, wait," Yugi called back. Kaiba paused. "I wanted to thank you too. It seems I'm in your debt now."
Kaiba waved his hand dismissively. "I just did what I had to do. You can make it up by being at the finals." And the Kaiba Brothers went back to their helicopter.
Yugi turned to the others. "Wow, in all the excitement, I forgot about the finals. That may be where Marik will come after me next."
"Don't worry, Yugi, no matter what happens, we got your back," Harold assured him. Yugi nodded as the group continued staring at the setting sun.
The End
