Yami: (Still dangling inches from the pit of doom.) SANCTUARY!
LE: What is this? The Hunchback of Notre Dame? Much as I love that movie, you're starting to get on my nerves.
Yugi: LUTHIEN, YOU PROMISED! SOMEONE REVIEWED!
LE: Oh? Really?
Bakura: Yes. A person by the name of Yami-fan girl. (Aside.) Dammit!
LE: YAY! I'M NOT AS HOPELESS AS I THOUGHT I WAS! (Pulls Yami to safety.)
Yami: Hey! Don't get your hopes up. After all, she only reviewed because she likes me.
Yugi: (Eyes bugging out.) Don't make her angry, Yami!
LE: (Eyes turning red.) I only spare you this time because someone reviewed. Next time you backtalk to ME it's into the pit with you, review or no review!
Bakura: Maybe Luthien's not all bad after all. I mean, she obviously doesn't like the Pharaoh, and she's not going to kill me because she likes me.
Yami: That's not true! Everyone likes me. I'm the good guy, for crying out loud!
LE: Don't care.
Yami: Excuse me? You mean to tell me that if he was about to destroy the world and I was the only thing stopping him then you'd still choose him over the rest of us.
LE: Well, seeing as how that's not gonna happen, I'll stick with Kura's yummy psychotic ness. For once he's right about something.
Yami: WHAT?
LE: Moving on…where did that last memory of Asinath's come from. And that voice at the end? Who keeps interfering? Why am I asking you all these questions? Lets see if any questions are answered in this chapter. I should also mention that the next couple of chapters are mostly manga-centric. So Yugi & Co. already know about Yami and they've met Shadi.
Mirror of the Soul
Chapter 9: On Wings Unseen
Lotaru stared hesitantly at the door in front of her. Behind her was the safety of her own soul room, the boundaries that she understood. In front of her was the dank corridor that separated her from Asinath. Asinath's soul was the danger now. Lotaru had never seen the divide so heavy with darkness. The short distance between them somehow seemed to be an eternity. The entrance to Asinath's soul was fashioned like a cliff face. Only where the mouth of a cave should have been, there was a great wooden door sealed with the Sennen eye.
Normally Lotaru did not fear to enter into the dark soul, but something was different now. The door had never been sealed in such a manner before. Asinath had once explained to her that Atem's soul would be sealed this way, not hers. How had the dark Millennium magic penetrated Asinath's domain? She knew that Asinath had sworn off her connection to that power. Her magic was her own, not something out of an evil item. When had this happened? During the duel with Atem? Lotaru could feel the dark Sennen power coursing through the soul of her yami. She felt evil behind the sealed door. But she also felt pain and confusion. Asinath wasn't the one causing all of this.
"Either way," Lotaru whispered to herself. "I have to know what happened."
Lotaru placed her hands against the heavy wooden door and pushed it open with all her strength. Cold fear gripped her and the evil energy hit her like a wave of poison gas, almost like a living thing. The door closed behind her as she entered and she was engulfed by the darkness. A short time ago her own sanctuary had been filled with darkness and she didn't understand why. What was this dark force that had invaded her other heart?
Lotaru could barely see the many hallways of mirrors she knew to be there. The air was so full of the strange darkness. She kept her hand on the wall as she struggled blindly forward. Someone…or something did not want her to find Asinath.
"Asinath?" she called out into the darkness.
Save her. Save her from herself.
"Huh?" Lotaru spun around frantically, trying to locate the source of the voice. But there was nothing.
Suddenly, the darkness shifted. The cloud parted and Lotaru saw Asinath. Quickly she ran forward before the darkness could swallow her again.
Asinath was sitting with her legs drawn up against her chest. She stared blankly into the darkness and the Sennen eye could be seen glowing on her forehead.
"Asinath! Look over here, Asinath!" Lotaru shouted as she ran towards her. "If you don't fight back, then both of our souls are going to be taken over!"
But Asinath didn't even move.
Don't bother.
Lotaru's head snapped up in panic. Another voice. This one was so cold and wicked that it sent chills down her spine.
The Princess is mine now.
Whatever it was that was talking to her, it was the evil presence that she'd felt. This was the thing holding Asinath's soul in its thrall.
"Asinath! Listen to me! You've got to wake up!"
Lotaru shook her yami violently in an attempt to snap her out of her trance, but it wasn't working. Nothing was working.
It's no use. You can't reach her! Not even your bond can break the spell I cast. She's mine, just like her lover.
Just then, Lotaru looked up and another figure appeared out of the darkness. It was Bakura. An evil sneer twisted his features as he walked towards the two, reaching a hand out to Asinath. Lotaru managed to tear her eyes away from the apparition only to see Asinath on the floor, struggling against the darkness that held her. All in an instant, the glowing eye on her forehead shattered and she leapt to her feet, knocking Lotaru to the floor.
"NO! DON'T TAKE AKEFIA AWAY!"
Asinath raised her hands high and set a great burst of light at Bakura. But the illusion vanished before the blast reached him, and the darkness receded along with him. But the voice that had spoken before was slow to fade.
You can't run forever, Asinath. I'm here…within. The ache you bear belongs to me…and I will have it.
Lotaru looked up to see Asinath kneeling next to her. She was staring fixedly at the spot where Bakura had vanished.
"Asinath…what just happened?" Lotaru asked as she sat up. "What was he talking about? What ache?"
Asinath shook her head slowly. It took her a few moments to actually look at her light.
"I…don't rightly know. But that wasn't Bakura. It was…someone else."
"Who?"
"I can't tell you that. You couldn't handle it."
"Why not? What happened with Atem anyway? Is- is Yugi dead?" Lotaru asked, afraid to hear the answer.
"No," Asinath answered bluntly as she stood.
"What? What happened? Why did you stop?"
"I…don't know that, either. A memory came to me from nowhere. Something reminded me that he's my brother. I just don't understand!" she screamed in frustration, turning away from Lotaru. "Why? Back then…why? If it had been that last battle I would have killed him without a second thought! Why now?"
"But-" Lotaru began hesitantly. "What happened? After you spared him? How did the Darkness enter this place."
"I- I called on the Mirror…during the battle."
"You WHAT?"
"I used the Mirror's power to disarm him. It didn't seem to matter anymore. After he died I would have had no reason to keep the Darkness at bay any longer. Akefia doesn't care for me anymore. I'm not even sure if his soul still exists. I was going to let it take me once the task was done. My thirst for revenge sustained me along with my desire for the Darkness to claim me and send me into nothingness. I deserve that fate. I am too tainted with the power of the Dark One to ever find peace," she said sadly.
"I've…never heard you talk like this, Asinath-"
"It's not as simple as I once imagined it to be."
"What's not? You mean to tell me that you would have just let the evil hiding in the Mirror take both of us?"
"No. I would have shielded you from him. I owe you that much," Asinath admitted.
"You were in no position to shield me from anything! That thing would have devoured my soul too if I hadn't come in here to wake you up. You never answered me. How did it get in?"
"Because I didn't try to stop him," Asinath answered bitterly. "I think…I think Amaroq saved me after I stood down. He brought me back to reality. I tried to give control back to you but when I came back to my soul room, he was already waiting for me."
"He? What he?"
"Zork. The Necros God."
For a moment, Lotaru didn't respond. Fear had frozen her voice.
"He- he's here?"
"Of course. It was he that you saw in the form of Akefia. He has always been here," Asinath replied passively.
"But I thought he was trapped in the Ring and the Puzzle-"
"Don't be so naïve, Lotaru. The Items have a connection. Even my spell couldn't hold him forever. He is powerful. I didn't think it would matter once Atem was dead. But now…" she trailed off.
"What about Bakura?"
At first Asinath didn't seem to have heard her. She began to stride away down one of the mirror halls. But she did answer as she walked away.
"I will save him. No matter what."
Lotaru took this as her cue to leave. She could see that she wasn't going to get anymore out of Asinath. Perhaps another time, when they were both calmer. But for now, at least Yugi was still alive.
She withdrew herself from the soul chamber and back into the physical plane to find herself lying beneath the shady branches of a tall tree. A long staircase leading up to the castle began not far from where she lay. She scrambled to her feet and hefted her knap sack for the trip up the staircase. When she reached the top she saw one of Pegasus' thugs standing guard at the main entrance. She could clearly see a heavy duty lock on the door so she figured the star chips were some kind of key.
(Don't go in yet,) Asinath suddenly broke in on her thoughts. (Can't you hear that?)
Lotaru closed her eyes and focused her ears. Yes…she could hear something. It was some sort of commotion.
(It's coming from the roof, and if it's happening at the castle then it must be big. We should check it out before we go in.)
Lotaru nodded briefly and made her way over to another set of stairs that led up to the roof. When she reached the top the first thing she saw was a Blue Eyes White Dragon…with THREE HEADS.
"Whoa," Lotaru breathed in awe.
(Even more "whoa". Look who's dueling.)
Lotaru tore her eyes away from the awesome beast to look at the two duelists. It was Yami and Kaiba. Joey, Tristan, Ryou, and Tea were gathered just outside of the field of battle.
(Don't go any further,) Asinath warned. (Considering what I've done, you're probably the last thing that rabble wants to see right now, and I know Kaiba doesn't want to see me. Let me shield you.)
Asinath quickly cast a spell of invisibility around Lotaru. Under the protection of the invisibility shield, Lotaru approached the field.
(How is he hoping to defeat that thing with a gaggle of Kuriboh?) Lotaru wondered as she surveyed the duel. (Is it his last resort? He can't possibly have anything that could actually defeat it could he? That thing's unstoppable.)
(No it's not.)
(How's that? How can they beat it?)
(Well, I don't know how Atem can defeat that dragon, but it's not unstoppable. The answer to defeating it is in your deck. The Blue Eyes' attack strength is only 4500. That makes it equal to the polymerized power of your four Agent cards.)
(You mean the Priestess of Avalon?)
(Yes,) Asinath said as the two turned their attention to the duel at hand.
"So is this some kind of a joke?" Kaiba asked furiously, referring to the wall of Kuriboh before him.
"Heh-heh, the joke's on you, Kaiba. When you attacked you thought I only had one defender, but now I have many. And I'm getting more and more defenders by the second," Yami said.
"No matter! Have you forgotten the incredible assault power my dragon possesses? It'll burn 'em to a crisp," Kaiba gloated before calling an attack.
"NEUTRON BLAST!"
All three Blue Eyes heads powered up at once and let loose a stream of fiery energy upon the wall of Kuriboh. For a moment the field was all smoke and it seemed that Kaiba's attack had worked.
"So there-" Kaiba began. But then the smoke cleared to reveal the intact wall of fur balls.
"But wait, what's going on here? My dragon's attack had no effect on your life points at all and those annoying creatures continue to multiply!" Kaiba shouted in frustration.
"That's right," Yami smiled triumphantly. "You can't take my remaining life points away Kaiba. Not until you wipe out all the Kuriboh. But as quickly as you destroy them, they multiply right back."
"Hairballs! For each one I destroy, two more take its place!"
(Ah, so that's what Multiply was for. Kaiba can't destroy an endless supply of monsters,) Asinath commented.
"That's right. 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 in its tracks. And that's just the beginning… for now I go on the attack!"
"You've nothing strong enough!" Kaiba countered.
"Watch me," Yami said confidently. "For I'm going to show you the combo that will bring your dragon down! Mammoth Graveyard(1400/800), Polymerization, and the Living Arrow card."
"What's a Living Arrow card?"
"Living Arrow allows me to use my other cards in combination, not with my own cards, but with my opponent's monsters. I'll show you. Normally, I make a fusion with my cards but for a new twist, Living Arrow lets me fuse my cards with your cards, opening up bold new possibilities," Yami explained.
"Now what?" Kaiba asked as Yami began to play the combo.
"I can use the magical power of the Living Arrow to bond my Mammoth Graveyard to the heart of your beast!"
"No, my dragon! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Kaiba shouted in rage when he saw the effects of the fusion.
"Since my Mammoth Graveyard is an undead type monster he can't properly fuse with your living Ultimate Dragon. Instead it causes your monster to rot and decay from the inside out. Each turn your Ultimate Dragon will lose attack points until your creature is no more. Your so-called Ultimate Dragon, and your victory, is rotting away, Kaiba. It's only a matter of time now. And there's nothing you can do to stop it."
"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!"
"So what do you say, Kaiba? Guess three heads aren't better than one," Joey taunted.
"Can't lose. The fate of Mokuba's soul rides on this game," Kaiba hissed to himself. "Attack now, Ultimate Dragon! NEUTRON BLAST!"
"Again?" Yami asked as the powerful attack decimated a portion of the Kuriboh. "When will you learn? The Kuriboh multiply faster than you can eliminate them with your neutron blasts."
"No! I will not, cannot be defeated!"
"I'll draw one more card and let my mammoth finish my turn," Yami announced.
"Go, Ultimate Dragon! NEUTRON BLAST!" Kaiba shouted desperately. Again the dragon attacked to no avail.
"Once again your attack has failed, Kaiba. My defense holds. And you have no other strategy to use against me. Your time is running out. You should never have challenged me, Kaiba. You see. My mammoth takes another 1200 points from your dragon. Even my weakest monsters can destroy it now."
Lotaru had long since stopped listening to Yami's commentary. Her attention was focused on the expression on Kaiba's face. He stood absolutely motionless as he stared at the rotting creature before him. His eyes were filled with horror and loathing such as Lotaru had never seen in him before, like he was standing in the midst of some terrible nightmare. She could see that in this moment, he had reached the end of everything.
(If you don't mind, I think I'll go and have a look at what's in his head,) Asinath said.
(WHAT?)
(Don't worry. It's not like it's cheating or anything. I just want to see how this will end,) Asinath reassured her as she separated her consciousness from Lotaru's. She sent her spirit across the field and into Seto Kaiba's mind. He was so wracked with his own guilt that he wasn't even aware of her. So she was able to observe his thoughts undetected. She watched his resolve for his final, desperate plan grow.
"This is it, Kaiba!" Yami shouted as he played his final card. "Prepare to meet your demise! Celtic Guardian(1400/1200), attack Ultimate Dragon!"
With that, the Celtic Guardian leapt forward and cleanly sliced off one of the rotting Blue Eyes heads.
Yami(400):Kaiba(400)
"Yugi," Kaiba finally spoke, looking up at his opponent. "It can't end this way. If I don't defeat you in this duel, Pegasus will keep Mokuba prisoner…forever. I can't let that happen. And even though I don't have a card that can keep you from attacking, I think I still have a strategy that will stop you in your tracks."
"What do you mean?" Yami asked, suddenly fearful.
"I'm going to force your hand, and win this battle, Yugi," he began. "I lost 500 life points from that attack…so, each of the squares on the ground will be 100 of my life points. I will move back as many life points as I lose. I lost 500 life points…in other words, I'll move back five squares."
As Kaiba spoke he began to move back. There were only five squares separating him from the edge of the roof. With his fifth step, Kaiba stepped up onto the ledge. Now there was nothing standing between him and the empty air…and it was a long way to the ground.
"Kaiba! Stop this!" Yami shouted frantically.
"I have nothing more to lose," Kaiba said calmly. "If you hit me again…if you win this game…I will die."
"Don't tempt me," Yami hissed, trying to talk him down.
"My fate is completely in your hands, Yugi. You'll decide this duel one way or another. Of course, if you don't surrender I might be hurt. You wouldn't want that, would you? If our positions were reversed, Yugi, I would push you over the edge without a second's thought."
"Stop it, Kaiba! You know this is dangerous," Tea pleaded.
"Come on! Drop this cheap ploy! And get down from that ledge and play fair! You know that Yugi doesn't wanna hurt you!" Joey shouted angrily.
Kaiba only smirked at this.
"He knows," Ryou said matter-of-factly. "He's counting on Yugi to surrender."
"But he can't do that," Joey protested. "If he loses to Kaiba, he won't get into the castle."
"I'm warning you, Kaiba. Don't push me too far. I must win to rescue my grandfather!"
"And I must win this duel to rescue Mokuba," Kaiba countered coolly. "The difference is I'm willing to risk anything to do it. You know I can stand up here all day, Yugi. And I'm certain you won't make any attack for fear that you'll knock me off. Even though you know by not attacking, you give up the only chance you have to save your grandpa. Which means I have the advantage over you. For in my case, there's nothing holding me back," he said as he drew one last card.
"A magic card," he stated as he played it. "Monster Reborn, which I'll use to resurrect the Blue Eyes head that was just destroyed by your guardian."
"What? Restore a head of the Blue Eyes?"
"Now one of my Blue Eyes with its normal attack points of 3000 has just been reborn. With all of your Kuribohs out I couldn't touch you, but now that you've put another attack monster on the field I can wipe out the rest of your life points, which I'll do next turn once the polymerization ban is lifted. Two of Ultimate Dragon's heads are still weakened, but the third can wipe out your guardian in a breath. Our life points are equal, Yugi. Strike now if you dare. Otherwise next turn I swear I'll take you down!"
Yami stood stark still. He was at a loss of what to do. Lotaru stood just behind him, hidden from the eyes of the others and trying to reach her own yami.
(Asinath, you won't let this happen, will you?) she asked frantically.
(Don't worry, Lotaru. If Atem does attack, I won't let Kaiba fall. I still need him alive. But I won't interfere unless he does attack.)
Asinath stared steadily at her brother through Kaiba's eyes. She desperately wanted him to attack and prove what she had known ever since that horrible day at the palace. That he was nothing but a killer. She needed to be right about this…needed to see in him the ruthlessness that had stolen Sephira's life.
"Yugi! Slit my throat with your card! That is unless you have the courage to unleash your attack!" Kaiba challenged.
(Do it,) Asinath hissed harshly, trying to urge Yami on through sheer will.
"Kaiba, I've never backed away! And I'm not starting now!" Yami declared with a horrible finality. "CELTIC GUARDIAN! ATTACK!"
As the guardian sprang forward, Tea started to run towards Yami, shocked at the choice he was making.
"Yugi! You can't! You can't take this risk! Call him back!"
Time almost seemed to come to a stand still as the Celtic Guardian ran forward to deliver the killing blow. Asinath smirked to herself. She had won. Kaiba wouldn't die and Atem had proven himself, once again, to be no more than a heartless murderer.
"You can't do this! You can't! This isn't like you. You've gotta stop!" she cried out, still trying to reach him. "YUGI!"
Suddenly, Yami collapsed to his knees in despair.
"STOP!" the voice of Yugi cried out in anguish.
The Celtic Guardian immediately stood down at its master's command. Kaiba smirked triumphantly at Yugi's quivering form.
"Couldn't do it, huh. WHITE LIGHTENING ATTACK!"
The reborn Blue Eyes head quickly let fly a devastating burst of energy, destroying the Celtic Guardian.
Yami(0):Kaiba(400)
Lotaru breathed a sigh of relief but Asinath was more than a little irked that little Yugi had interfered at the last minute. But she was still satisfied that Atem had called the attack.
Tea stood before Yugi, uncertain of what to do.
"YUGI!" the other three boys shouted as they raced forward.
"Are you ok, man?" Joey asked as he knelt down beside him.
"I almost couldn't control it," Yugi cried. "The other me…HE WAS WILLING TO GO ALL THE WAY AGAINST KAIBA!"
The others were at a loss of what to say at this point.
"I'm afraid, so afraid of this spirit inside me. I'm afraid of this game…the other me…"
"I'm sorry…sorry about your grandpa," Tea tried to console him. "But you did the right thing. You couldn't hurt another person, not even to save him. He wouldn't want to be saved that way."
"Then I guess he got what he wanted," Kaiba put in harshly as he gathered his winnings. "If Yugi had done what needed to be done, he would be entering the castle, not me. But he was too weak to follow through on his play."
"He spared you!" Tea cried out passionately as she shot to her feet. "Kaiba, he showed you compassion! Which is more than you deserve! You bet your life as if it meant nothing! You lost to yourself! When you realized you were going to lose, you didn't have the courage to keep living!"
"He lost the game," Kaiba countered.
"The game?" Tea asked incredulously. "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 you've forgotten what being human is about! Yugi has a heart, Kaiba. Yugi has us. Friends that'll stand with him to the end no matter whether he wins or loses some lousy game. And what do you have, Seto Kaiba? What do you have at the end of the day?" she asked defiantly. "Tell me? TELL ME?"
Kaiba stared at her for a moment, shocked that she had the gall to talk back to him. But he wouldn't let her stump him.
"I have all that I need," he hissed as he turned his back on them and headed down the stairs towards the main entrance.
"Yeah, keep foolin' yourself, Kaiba!" Joey shouted after him. "Yugi's twice the man you'll ever be!"
"Hey, cheer up, Yugi," Tristan said, turning back to their fallen friend. "You haven't given up just 'cause you lost half your star chips, have you?"
"Huh?" Yugi looked up at Tristan, speechless.
"That's right, Yugi. There's still time," Ryou added as he helped Yugi to his feet. "There have to be some duelists left on the island! You can still win more star chips."
"Yeah," Joey cheered. "We won't give up until you get your star chips back!"
"We're with you all the way," Tea agreed.
"Guys…thank you," Yugi murmured as he gazed around the circle of his friends. He knew that he'd been wrong to loose faith when he had all of them standing beside him. "Okay! I won't give up! I will make it to Pegasus' castle!"
"Are you sure you want to be doing that, then?" a voice suddenly broke into the circle.
The five friends looked up to see Asinath standing on the ledge just behind them. When she had rejoined with Lotaru, she had immediately dropped the invisibility spell. Now she was staring down the group with a look of superiority.
"What are you doin' here, Lotaru?" Joey asked angrily. "How can you even show your face?"
"Now do you see what I've seen all along?" Asinath asked, ignoring Joey's outburst. "Yugi's other self is a killer. A cold-blooded murderer. What happens, little Yugi, when you let him loose in the castle? How many more people will die before this is over?"
Yugi stared at her in shock. Lotaru…Asinath, whoever she was…she was right. His other self was dangerous.
"Don't let her get to ya, Yug. She's the scum that tried to kill you!" Joey said as he walked towards her. She stepped down from the ledge so that she was at an almost equal height with him. He grabbed the collar of her jacket with both hands and lifted her up to look her straight in the eye.
"And with good reason," she replied, calm as ever.
"What's your game, Lotaru?" Joey asked furiously.
"For the last time, I'm not Lotaru. My name is Asinath!"
"Yeah, whatever! Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just toss you off the roof right now!"
"Because you wouldn't be able to. I should think you would understand that by now."
"Let her go, Joey," Yugi said calmly.
"But Yugi, if we let her walk away she's gonna come after us again. We can't just let her go!"
"I don't know who you are," Yugi said, addressing Asinath. "And I'm not entirely sure I trust you, but it's starting to look like you might be right about the other me. So I'm going to let you go for now."
Asinath let out a wicked laugh at this.
"Yugi, Yugi, Yugi. Haven't you learned anything from that callous partner of yours? Never leave a wounded enemy alive."
"Well I'm not like that. I believe in second chances," Yugi said sincerely as he turned to walk away. "Come on guys. We don't have a lot of time left."
Joey set Asinath down to follow the others.
"You're gettin' off easy this time," he warned as he joined up with his friends to head down the stairs.
"You just keep thinking that, Joey," Asinath whispered once they were out of ear shot. "I love it when people underestimate me. Pride comes before the fall, as they say."
(In that case, Asinath,) Lotaru began sadly. (I have to wonder just how far you're going to fall when the time comes.)
(Don't try to use wisdom on me, Lotaru,) Asinath reprimanded as she relinquished control to Lotaru. (I've had my share of falls.)
But Asinath had not laid Lotaru's doubts to rest. The fact that she could shield her thoughts from her darkness now were proof of just how shaken she was from their encounter with Zork. Asinath was no longer in a position to help her defeat Pegasus. Who could tell how long it would take her to regain full control? And without Asinath Lotaru knew that she had no chance against the powers of the Millennium Eye. She needed a new plan. Zork's appearance had thrown everything into chaos. And, as luck would have it, a new approach was already taking shape in her mind.
Lotaru sat on the roof for the better part of an hour, mulling over her new plan. Much as this new idea terrified her it had suddenly become her only option. Asinath could not help her anymore.
Once the plan was set in her mind, Lotaru made her way down from the roof and back to the front gate. But when she approached the door, the guard tried to stop her.
"What are you still doing here?" he asked, clearly annoyed. "The four finalists have already been chosen."
"What? That can't be right! I have ten star chips too!" Lotaru protested, shoving her full gauntlet in his face.
"Well…you…I don't understand how this could happen. I'll have to consult with Mr. Pegasus-"
But Lotaru already understood how it could happen. It probably had something to do with the five extra star chips Pegasus had introduced into the game with Kaiba at the last minute. But either way, Lotaru didn't need to duel now. Now all she had to do was talk to Pegasus.
"Just let me into the castle. I'll clear this up."
"This is highly irregular. There's only supposed to be four finalists."
"Well I'm not entering as a finalist. But I have earned the right to enter."
"Rgh, all right fine. You qualify." Then he stepped aside and allowed Lotaru to place her star chips into the slotted lock. Then the door swung wide open and Lotaru walked in. Once the door closed behind her Lotaru began to hear the sounds of a duel coming from the room beyond the entrance hall. She rushed forward and found herself in some sort of dueling hall. A playing field was set up over a giant chasm. Kaiba was on one end and Pegasus was on the other. She had come into the room on some sort of viewing balcony and Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Tea, Ryou, Mai, and Bandit Keith were all just ahead of her. Tristan was the first to spot her.
"Look, it's Lotaru!"
Yugi, Joey, Tea, and Ryou all turned to look at her.
"Which one are you?" Yugi asked.
"I'm Lotaru, the real one. And as things stand I probably can't even begin to atone for what Asinath has done to you."
"Lotaru, who is Asinath? And how did you get in? There's already four finalists," Yugi pointed out.
"Not now. I didn't come here to compete in a tournament. What's happening down there?"
"Kaiba's fighting Pegasus for his little brother, Mokuba. Pegasus has been toying with him most of the duel. I think you know why," Yugi began, staring pointedly at her before continuing. "Pegasus is using something called Toon World. It has the power to-"
"I know the rules of Toon World, thank you very much," Lotaru said impatiently as she stepped forward to get a better look at the duel. She was all too familiar with Pegasus' tactics from his duel with Atrus.
"All right, well, Pegasus has already used it to turn one of Kaiba's Blue Eyes into a toon dragon and he's captured another one. When Kaiba tried to free it by destroying Pegasus' Dragon Piper Pegasus used a card called Doppelganger to copy Kaiba's crush card to infect Kaiba's deck. Kaiba's on his last leg."
As Lotaru surveyed the field, she saw that it was as Yugi said. While they had been talking, Kaiba had used Monster Reborn to resurrect his only option: Saggi the Dark Clown.
"It's your last move and you're going to spend it reviving a clown?" Pegasus asked indignantly. "Oh yes, that's right, Kaiba. He's the best you can do with my virus still about. Shame, when you consider all that's on the line."
"Mokuba," Kaiba whispered. "I've tried my very best."
"Your best failed you!" Pegasus shouted triumphantly. "Bikuri Box! Emerge and attack!"
With that, the demon jack-in-the-box rose up from the pages of Toon World and diced Saggi to bits.
"Forgive me, Mokuba. I am so sorry," Kaiba said, bowing his head in defeat.
"There are no more cards you can play. Therefore you lose, Kaiba boy," Pegasus said snidely. "And you've lost much more than just this duel, haven't you Kaiba? You've lost the only chance you had at rescuing your baby brother. You let him down. But don't worry, my dear friend. I will spare you the agony of carrying on in this world without him." As Pegasus spoke he drew a soul prison card out of his jacket.
"What is that?" Kaiba asked in alarm.
"It is the final fate of your soul, Seto Kaiba," Pegasus answered cryptically. The Millennium Eye flashed brightly and its magic caught hold of Kaiba's soul. Before long Kaiba's picture appeared on the card.
"Ah, the Brothers Kaiba. One in each hand," Pegasus joked. "But even though your cards are very close your souls have never been further apart. At least when I had Mokuba locked up you were both still living within the same dimension, but now you're worlds apart. Take away that empty shell," Pegasus commanded two of his lackies. "Teach it to wash dishes or something."
The group of friends standing on the viewing balcony could only watch in shocked silence as they dragged Kaiba's body away.
"Ok, tell me I didn't just see what I think I saw," Joey said.
"He's gone too," Yugi whispered. "Just because he was only trying to help his little brother out."
"Yugi-" Tea started.
"He was like us. He just wanted to save someone he cared for!" Tears were gathering in Yugi's eyes now. "Why Pegasus? Who are you to toy with our friends? Our families? I won't let you get away with it!" As Yugi's anger grew, he suddenly lost grip on the situation and Yami took his place.
As Lotaru's eyes shifted from the enraged Yami to the smirking Pegasus, she remembered their last clash. She remembered Atrus' defeated smile…and then his blank, lifeless eyes staring back at her. She remembered despair, new hope, and resolve. At first it had been resolve to defeat Pegasus…but now it was resolve to meet her end without fear and free Atrus.
"PEGASUS!" she shouted, interrupting Yami before he could continue with his tirade. Pegasus quickly shifted his focus to her and a mocking sneer spread across his face. Before he could say anything Lotaru climbed up onto the balcony ledge and launched herself over the side. She used a little bit of guidance magic to make sure she landed safely on the opposite end of the playing field.
"Ah, my dear Lotaru. We meet at last. But however did you get in? The four finalists have already been chosen."
"I think you know," Lotaru said, trying very hard to keep her temper in check. "By introducing five new chips into the game you insured that a fifth person could enter this castle. I've come to claim what's owed me."
"But Lotaru, you haven't earned the right to challenge me yet. Neither will you get an opportunity to."
"I didn't come here to play your little game. I came to make a deal with you."
"Oh, tell me more," Pegasus said with a smirk. He could see where she was going with this.
"As the fifth finalist, I know there's no room for me in the tournament. I'm not asking to compete. I'm asking for a trade. You've got something I want and I've got something you want. I want you to free Atrus."
"Wait a minute? Atrus?" Joey asked out loud. "What's he got to do with any of this? And how does Lotaru know Pegasus?"
"Quiet, Joey," Yami shushed him.
"But what do I get out of this deal?"
Lotaru sighed and bowed her head before answering. It was all over. Her mother had told her never to let Pegasus have the Mirror. Now it was too late.
"I'm sorry, Mom," she whispered.
"You get me," Lotaru said heavily. "My soul for his."
"But what of the Mirror?"
"It's included. But you can only take the Mirror when there is no longer a soul in this body."
Pegasus smiled greedily. Then he pulled out two new soul cards. One had Atrus' picture on it. The other was blank. "Agreed. I do hope you understand what you're getting yourself into."
"Wait!" Lotaru cried out before he could activate the Eye. "I want to see him one more time. I know you have him here. Let me see him!"
"An interesting final request but I'll grant it," Pegasus said, nodding to one of the guards. The man left immediately for the dungeon.
"Lotaru. What are you trying to do? You can't just give him the Mirror!" Yami shouted.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," Lotaru said with a tired smile. "I'll leave him to you, Yami. Don't disappoint me."
"But…Lotaru, do you have any idea what you're up against?"
"Oh, I have an idea. I think I know even better than you do what we're up against here."
"So you're just going to give up? Just like that? Without a fight?"
"I know what I'm doing," Lotaru repeated as she turned back to face Pegasus. "This is the only way."
(Lotaru, what do you think you're doing?) Asinath suddenly broke in. She had finally become aware of the situation on the outside and she was racing to stop it.
(Oh, Asinath, good of you to join us.)
(What's in your head? You're just going to surrender the Mirror? Surrender ME? What happened to the old plan. I can shield your mind from the Millennium Eye.)
(No you can't. You're not in control of yourself at all. As proven by the fact that you had no idea what was going on until now. You can't help me. I have to do this my way.)
(No you won't! I won't let you! I- I'll stop you!)
(You won't be able to,) Lotaru said confidently. (You're in no condition to. Besides, I never said anything about giving him the Mirror. It's only included if there's no soul in this body.)
"Yoo-hoo, Lotaru. Are you awake in there? I don't know if you noticed but there's someone here to see you," Pegasus said mockingly. Then he stepped aside and allowed two lackies to step forward. Between them they were dragging a ragged figure. When they stood him up on his feet, Lotaru could see that it was Atrus, exactly the way she had last seen him. A ripped black t-shirt, blue jeans, the black hair with the crown of white, the ice blue eyes that were usually so focused and intent…dead and empty. Only a shadow of what had been.
"Atrus," she whispered, her voice breaking.
(You don't have to do this, Lotaru. We can still go back to the original plan.)
(No, Asinath. It's too late. You know what this is like, don't you? To see someone you love dead before your eyes. I can save him. If you could have saved Akefia, wouldn't you have done it? I have to try.)
Asinath didn't argue.
Lotaru turned her gaze back to Pegasus.
"Our bargain?"
"Yes," he said, turning the Millennium Eye on Atrus. "Our bargain."
The Eye flashed briefly as it had with Kaiba. But this time instead of leaving an empty shell, the deadened eyes blinked once…twice. Atrus slowly looked around, testing his senses after a month of imprisonment. When his eyes fell on Lotaru he immediately sprang into action.
"Lotaru? Are you all right? What happened? What's going on?" he shouted as he sprinted across the arena.
But Lotaru didn't say anything. There was no time for words. She was just happy to see him safe. As he came closer Lotaru began to feel the Millennium Eye's grip on her but she wouldn't take her eyes off of Atrus.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered tearfully to him. His face was the last thing she saw before her world drifted apart like dust on the wind.
XxX
Atrus caught Lotaru's body as it pitched forward. Everyone else just looked on in shock.
"Lotaru? Lotaru! Don't do this to me. LOTARU!"
"Oh, Atrus boy, you are truly fortunate to have one so devoted to you. However, you're time is up."
Atrus turned on Pegasus, rage burning in his eyes.
"What have you done, Pegasus? Give her back!"
"I can't do that. We had a deal. She gave up her freedom for you."
Atrus slowly turned his gaze back down to Lotaru's lifeless body with dread in his heart.
"Why did you do it, Lotaru?" he whispered.
"Not that it matters. Lotaru's sacrifice was in vain. The Millennium Mirror is mine now."
"Don't count on it."
Atrus' heart leapt into his throat. At first he thought Lotaru had spoken. But then her eyes opened and he knew that it wasn't her. The eyes were still green but they lacked the warmth and passion that he knew and loved. They were cold hardened emeralds. It was Asinath that he now held in his arms.
Asinath quickly extricated herself from him and turned to face Pegasus.
"How can this be?" Pegasus asked. The Eye was glowing again. "A different soul? A dark soul…from the Mirror?"
"Yes. I may not be Lotaru, but my soul still inhabits this body. As long as I am here you cannot lay claim to the Mirror."
"Lotaru tricked me," he said angrily.
"No tricks. She said the Mirror was included only if there was no soul in this body. Was it really her fault that you didn't have the foresight to think there might be a second soul?"
"We will finish this tomorrow, Spirit of the Millennium Mirror," Pegasus said before turning and walking away.
Atrus stared at the nightmare that had always been hanging over his relationship with Lotaru with a twinge of fear. He knew perfectly well what this ghost was capable of just as well as Lotaru had.
"Asinath, what's going on?"
XxX
LE: I like it very much. I've been working so hard to get to this point.
Kaiba: And what's your definition of working hard? How long has it been since you updated this story? Six months, perhaps?
LE: Do you want me to kill you?
Kaiba: You won't do it. You haven't got the heart.
LE: All right Kaiba. Taste my shrimp!
Yami: Sea Bass
Bakura: Mutated sea bass.
Yugi: Whatever.
(Kaiba appears dangling over the pit of doom.)
LE: Oops. And somehow I don't think anyone would review to save you. But hey, I'll give the audience a chance.
Mokuba: Ach! HEY AUDIENCE! YOU'RE WATCHING THIS AREN'T YOU! YOU CAN'T LET HER DO THIS! DO SOMETHING!
LE: You know you like the story. Go on and review…(grumbles) even if it is just to save Kaiba.