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Fanfic Chapter 159: Conquering Hatred Pt 1: Friendship vs. Pride
Episode Basis: Battle for the Bronze Pt 1

Mokuba: I know our past was rough. The Orphanage was little better than a jail. And Gozaburo was a slave master. But there was one thing I always loved about our past: my Brother's smile. It showed that he was human, that he actually cared. But now, the only time he smiles is when he's winning at Duel Monsters. And I actually heard him say that he wanted to bury the past. He wanted to forget who he used to be. Perhaps… perhaps that was why Yugi won the duel, because he honored the past and used it to forge his future.

The duel was finally over. Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragons were destroyed in one shot by Yami-Yugi's Dark Paladin. Even Yami-Marik had to admit that he was glad that the Pharaoh won. It meant he would be given the pleasure to banishing both the Pharaoh and his host to the Shadow Realm while he obtain the Millennium Puzzle, the remaining Egyptian God Cards, and the power that he had sought for so many years.

"Kaiba, your heart is filled with anger and hatred, a burden that heavy shall never breed victory, just more anger, more hatred."

But Kaiba wasn't listening, just lamenting how the whole tournament was set up so he could emerge as victor. "I wanted to put the memory of my step-father behind me. But… now… Yugi won… I'm nothing." He lowered his head.

Roland was hesitant, he definitely wanted to claim Kaiba the victor, but now was not the time to be partisan. "The winner of this match is Yugi Moto! He will go on to face Marik Ishtar in the Battle City Finals." The dueling platform lowered.

"All right, Yug, way to go," Joey called as he, Tea, Tristan, Duke, and Harold ran up to him.

For the first time in a long while, Yami-Yugi genuinely smiled. "Joey, you're awake!" He cried happily. "But how…?"

"Hey, you don't think I would let a freak show like Marik get the best of me, huh? Besides, I promised you I would be there to help you win, so here I am."

"This is awesome," Little-Yugi said appearing besides his spiritual equivalent. "The whole gang is together again." Yami-Yugi and Joey shook hands.

"That was some ending, the way my Red-Eyes Black Dragon came through for you at the end."

"Yeah, Joey may have been snoozing, but the Dragon sure wasn't," Tristan cracked.

Joey let out a weak laugh before continuing, "The point is I was there for you, bud."

"Yes, both you and Harold were there for me." Yami-Yugi turned to Harold. "Harold, your cards as well as Joey's Dragon was a big help in letting me win this duel. You've fulfilled your promise, Harold you were there to aide me. Harold, Joey, thank you, I'm glad to have you for friends."

"What are friends for?" Harold asked as he, Yami-Yugi, and Joey all put their fists together. The others just smiled at the three Duelist friends.

Kaiba was still finding it hard to accept his loss. "How could my cards and strategies all fail me?"

"Oh quit your bellyaching," Amara said rolling her eyes. "I was upset when I lost too but I sucked it up and moved on." Amara and Mokuba looked up as Yami-Yugi approached Kaiba.

"That was the most challenging duel I have ever fought," Yami-Yugi said.

"Save it," Kaiba said not wanting to hear his pity.

"I mean it. You are one of the strongest Duelists in the world. But destiny favored me."

"I don't need your pity!"

"I see," Yami-Yugi said neutrally. "You haven't learned anything from this duel, have you? You were fueled by anger and hatred and a drive to forget your past. But I was fueled by my faith in my past and in my friends. I couldn't have won this duel without them."

Kaiba clenched his fist, "Every single one of us is alone in the world. I never had to ask for anyone's help."

"I used to think that same way," Harold said. "I thought I was all alone in this world. But then I met Yugi and he showed me how good it felt to rely on others and to have others rely on you. If I hadn't met Yugi, I probably would be half the person I am today."

"Kaiba, I have helped you dozens of times just as you helped me. I wouldn't be the Duelist I am today were it not for you pushing me to be my very best. You may be my strongest rival, but I also consider you my friend. And I know that deep down you feel the same about me. But you're too full of hatred and rage to realize it."

"Friendship is for fools," Kaiba snapped. "I duel alone, depending on others is for the weak. I'm not interested in having any pals to slow me down." He got up. "It's time for me to accept my defeat like a man. Since there's no one else I rely on, there's no one else I can blame." He flung his Egyptian God Card at Yami-Yugi who expertly caught it. He and Mokuba started to walk away.

"Kaiba, wait a minute," Joey called. Kaiba stopped. "In the Olympics, there are three medals: gold, silver, and bronze. If this was an Olympic event, the winner would receive the gold and his opponent the silver."

"What's your point?" Kaiba asked.

"The gold and silver may be already taken by Yugi and Marik, but the bronze is still up for grabs. So what do you say to a duel for the bronze… unless you're scared to face me for it." Kaiba just continued to walk away. "So you think you're too good for the rest of us, huh? I used to be a stubborn jerk just like you. I picked on others and thought I was all that. But deep inside, I was alone. And I hated it. But then, I found myself in a tight spot and Yugi stuck up for me. Through him, I realized that sticking up for others actually makes you stronger, not weaker.

"Yugi changed my life that day by sticking up for me and I always thanked him for that. He stuck up for you too but have you said thanks? I certainly didn't hear any. In fact, take away all your Kaiba Corp. goonies and who do you got?"

"Please tell me you're done," Kaiba said rolling his eyes. "All this talk about friendship is starting to bore me."

"Yeah," Mokuba jumped in. "The last thing my brother needs is a lecture from you!"

"How can you be defending him after what he said?" Joey asked Mokuba. "If he prefers to be alone, then he doesn't need you, does he?"

"That was harsh," Tristan commented.

"Yeah, but necessary," Amara added. "If you heard some of the stuff he said during his duel with Yugi, you would think that Joey's actually being lenient on him."

"I thought you didn't back down from a challenge," Joey told Kaiba. "But now it seems like you're afraid of losing to me!"

"Dueling you would be a waste of my time."

"Prove it."

"Fine, I will."

"Seto!"

"I'll annihilate you so bad you won't want to play Duel Monsters ever again."

"We'll see, Mary Sunshine."

Ishizu paced up and down Odion's room. The ultimate battle is fast approaching, she thought worriedly. Soon the Pharaoh will face my brother with the fate of the world depending on the outcome. She got up and left the room.

Outside, the others converged at the foot of the Duel Tower. "I'll destroy you even without my Egyptian God Card."

"Then take your best shot," Joey dared.

"I won't need my best shot."

"Then take your worst shot for all I care, I have a duel to win."

"I've never seen Joey this confident," Duke commented.

"Yeah, what's the deal?" Tea asked.

"That's the way Joey works," Tristan said. "He always seeks out the strongest opponents and fights them to the very end."

"But can he withstand it?" Harold wondered.

"Joey has come a long way through Battle City," Yami-Yugi commented. "Remember the way Marik looked when Joey withstood Ra's attack? He was genuinely afraid. If Joey utilizes all he's learned during Battle City, he stands a good chance of beating Kaiba."

"Or at least earning some respect from that stuck-up snob," Tristan added.

"That'll be the day," Amara commented.

"Tea, take me to my sister!" Tea's eyes glazed over and she silently walked away, unnoticed by everyone except Harold who also quietly snuck off after her.

"Let's duel!"

(J: 4000)
(K: 4000)

It's time to show this third-rate wannabe what real dueling is all about. "I summon Ryu-Kishin Powered (1) in attack mode!" A magenta-colored gargoyle appeared. "I also set two cards face-down and end my turn." He'll never survive my Crush Card/Shrink combo.

"You'll have to do better than that," Joey said. "I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight in attack mode. Gearfried, attack Ryu-Kishin with Battle-Lance Attack!"

"I activate my face-down card: the magic card Shrink."

"Nice try, smart guy, but I know all about your strategies. You were hoping to weaken my monster with that magic card. Too bad magic cards don't work on Gearfried."

"Awesome," Tristan exclaimed. "Joey's actually using his head out there."

"There's something different," Duke cracked. "Joey better be careful not to think too hard or he might hurt himself."

Yami-Yugi looked around. "Where's Tea?" He asked.

"Probably just went to the bathroom," Tristan said dismissively.

"Hey, Harold's not here too," Amara pointed out.

"I'm sure Harold can handle himself," Duke said.

"Don't be so sure about that," Kaiba said to Joey. "I reveal my face-down card: the magic card Shrink. I can use it to reduce any monster's attack points by half. But I'm not planning on using it on Gearfried, I'm using it on my own monster."

(RKP: 1600-800)

(J: 4000)
(K: 3000)

"I may take damage, but since now that my Ryu-Kishin has less than 1000 attack points, I can activate my other face-down card Crush Card which not only destroys Gearfried, but every monster card in your deck with over 1500 attack points!" Smoke surrounded Gearfried and destroyed it. It then went into Joey's deck.

Harold hid behind a slab of metal. Through a crack in it, he could see Tea heading towards the blimp. Is she going to tell Serenity about Joey's duel with Kaiba? She's walking a little funny. He then saw Ishizu step down the ramp.

Joey mourned the loss of his powerful monsters. "A weak Duelist should have weak cards. Just admit that you're in over your head and leave before you hurt yourself."

"Forget it, this duel is just getting started and I have strategies you won't believe!"

"You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Kaiba asked with a sigh. "My draw, I summon La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp (2) in attack mode! La Jinn, attack him directly!" The genie lost a sphere of energy at Joey.

(J: 2200)
(K: 3000)

"Tea, is something wrong?" Ishizu asked.

"The time is almost here… sister."

Ishizu gasped, "Marik's good side is back!" She exclaimed.

Harold gasped as his duel with Marik came back to him.

"Bah, pathetic, dark monsters are the strongest Duel Monsters around!"

"To you, light monsters may be weak, but to me they represent hope for all those lost in the darkness! And hope is stronger than any magic, Tea proved that as she hoped to protect her friends from being destroyed. And now you're going to see the true power of the light, for when Wingweaver's attack points are high enough and the right magic card is used…" Harold drew the card, smiled, and showed it to his opponent. It was the card he got from the female Rare Hunter, Mary.

"A ritual card!"

"An incredible transformation takes place!" Harold slid the card into his Duel Disk and activated it. Light gushed from the card. Wingweaver flew upward as the light fell around her. "And the ultimate powers of light are released, transforming Wingweaver into… SERAPHEEM!" From the sky descended a beautiful angel with long blonde hair and green eyes dressed in a white wrap-around dress. Her two white wings spread out before her. Everyone gasped, even Yugi and Joey-Marik stopped in their duel upon seeing the sight. "Now behold Serapheem's special power!" Serapheem sent up a beacon of light which came down in four orbs and Shining Abyss, Neo the Magic Swordsman, Shining Friendship and Mystical Elf all appeared behind Serapheem.

"But… I destroyed those monsters!"

"Serapheem can resurrect up to four normal light monsters on the field, but that's not all, she also gets 200 extra attack points for each monster she resurrects. Serapheem, attack her life points directly with Ultra Luminosity!" Serapheem held up her hands as energy began collecting in them. Holding the orb in open hand, she slammed it with her palm and sent it flying. The orb struck Tea causing a massive flash of light which blinded most of the bystanders.

I thought that defeating him in a duel would free Tea from his control but apparently it was all for nothing. I have to free her from Marik once and for all… even if it takes my soul!

"Have you had enough, Wheeler?" Kaiba asked.

"Hang in there," Tristan cheered.

I'm trying, Joey thought. But what can I do? He drew a card. "Excellent, I summon Swordsman of Landstar in attack mode and then power him up with Graceful Dice!"

"Graceful Dice is a good way to turn weak monsters into strong monsters," Yami-Yugi commented. "He can turn this duel around."

"All right," Tristan cheered.

"Yeah, but La Jinn has 1800 attack points," Amara pointed out. "Joey would need to roll a 4 to increase his monster's attack points enough."

"Come on," Joey encouraged to the cherub as it rolled a blue die. "Papa needs a new pair of shoes."

The die landed on a 4.

(SL: 500-2000)

The Swordsman blasted right through the genie. "Looks like your genie granted my wish instead," Joey joked.

(J: 2200)
(K: 2800)

"You can not win a duel on luck alone."

"Maybe, but it can sure give my Swordsman enough attack points to break your genie."

"You may have won the battle, but not the war! That victor will be me!"

"Oh boy, here he goes again," Joey groaned.

"You first appeared to me to tell me to protect Odion and I have," Ishizu told Tea-Marik.

"Yes, and I have been hiding in Tea's mind ever since. Through her, I've learned that it was my dark side that killed our father. I also learned that the reason you participated in this tournament was to save me from myself. Despite everything I done in my quest for power, you knew there was still good in me. But… I'm afraid that that side of me is almost gone forever!"

"No," Ishizu pleaded. "If the evil you succeed, the good you might be gone forever and the whole world might suffer!"

"That's right, and I can't let one duel decide the outcome of so much. It's time for me to step in and reclaim my body." He turned and ran off.

"No, wait!" Ishizu called but it was too late.

"Don't worry," Harold said stepping up beside her. "I'll watch over him."

"Harold!"

"I heard it all," Harold said. "Marik is controlling the first person who ever cared about me. And if he goes, so does she." Harold took off after Tea-Marik.

"Good luck, Harold," Ishizu muttered and leaned against the pillar for support.

To Be Continued

Duel Monster Database

(1)
Name: Ryu-Kishin Powered
Level: 4
Type: Fiend
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 1600
DEF: 1200

(2)
Name: La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp
Level: 4
Type: Fiend
Attribute: Dark
ATK: 1800
DEF: 1000