I LIVE! sorry if i scared some of you. since this is Halloween and this chapter scares me i decided to post today. hope you like it. and thank you Maddie, Trust me, i 'm not quitting any time soon.
Ok so business. I don't own Yugioh or Charlotte. I made up most of the cards in the Airi duel so don't go looking for them.
Prize the week for awesome goes to my Beta Noel for doing all her homework and my story. LOVE YOU NOEL! and a big THANK YOU to my readers. thank you for review and telling me to keep going.
This chapter was hard so PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU LIKE!
Enjoy
Chapter 23
Slifer's teeth glinted in the sunlight as he grinned down at the cage, like he was contemplating on whether to have Yami as dinner or dessert. Despite the situation Airi was impressed Yami was able to keep his head in the face of a terrifying monster.
"The beauty of this monster is that the power is limitless." Strings/ Marik taunted. "See I have two cards in my hand so Slifer's power is 2000. Now I play Pot of Great, allowing myself to get two more. Now my monster has 4000."
"You still have a limit to the number of cards you can hold in your hand, Marik." Yami said.
"Rules were made to be broken; don't you know that Pharaoh's Spirit? Oh wait I forgot, you can't remember how much power you had back then can you, Spirit? It's a shame. You could appreciate your demise so much better if you could remember. It will be a pleasure to send you and your pathetic host to the shadow realm."
"Gloating is a sign of fear, Marik." Airi said. "You haven't won yet. You might have power, but your nothing but a fraud. That power is Yami's."
"Isn't that sweet? Even in his time of need there are always blind followers trailing after the has-beens." Marik said.
"Yami, don't let him in your head." Airi said. "He's just trying to distract you."
"Don't worry Airi. I'm not beaten yet." Yami sounded confident, but Airi knew him too well to be completely convinced.
"Yugi I know you two can do this, so don't let him distract you."
"Got it." Yugi responded, though his voice wasn't as good at hiding emotion as Yami's.
Airi did her best to stay calm. She saw Yami draw a card, then look around the playing field. He still wasn't allowed to use Buster Blader because of that cage; still he seemed to have a plan as he played two face-downs.
"And now I summon Kuriboh in defense mode." After the small ball of fur appeared the cage finally disappeared. Airi allowed herself to sigh. It was a relief not to see him imprisoned anymore.
"Is that really all you can do?" The Marik-controlled Strings scoffed.
"Not so fast Marik. I reveal my traps card, Light Force Sword. Now Slifer's attack returns to 3000." Strings/Marik grunted in distaste as the points decreased. "Now Buster Blader, attack!"
Airi's hope rose, but a second before the attack could hit the dragon it went off course and hit Revival Jam.
"I should have mentioned Revival Jam absorbs all your attacks while it is on the field. And it comes back as well." The horrid contraption returned to the field. "My turn. I play Card of Safe Return, which allows me to draw three new cards every time Revival Jam reappears on the field." Slifer's attack points grew to 5000. "Now Slifer, destroy Buster Blader!"
The god opened his large mouth, power crackling forth like electricity. The bolt erupted down to the soldier, pixilating him in an instance. Even from her higher position Airi had to cover her eyes. Yami's side of the field was lacking a monster and his life points lessened.
"It is rather pathetic. How could you call yourself the powerful pharaoh when it is clear you are being outdone by me? You should give up now."
"Never." Yami drew. Airi was alarmed at the slight clip in her friend's voice, but she didn't know what she could say that would help. "I sacrifice Kuriboh to summon Dark Magician Girl in defense mode."
"Ha, now you will see Slifer's special attack." Marik's voice made Airi's blood run cold. "Every time you summon a monster, the second mouth shoots an attack at it reducing its attack points." The second set of teeth opened with a ready ball of destructive energy waiting to destroy.
"No!" Airi said.
"I play Magical hats." The Magician Girl disappeared under one of the four silken hats. Airi's breathing came easy again.
"That won't help you Yugi."
"I know how to play, Marik." Yami growled. "I place a card face down inside the hats."
"You're only prolonging your demise."
"There is always still a chance." Airi snapped. Yami and Yugi didn't deserve being criticized the entire duel.
"Airi, please." Yugi's voice came. "Don't let him get to you either."
She gritted her teeth, angry she couldn't do anything. At least Marik could only have five cards in his hand so Slifer did have a limit if it could be called that.
"Now I play Infinite Cards. Now I can as many cards as I want in my hand. Slifer's power is uncontainable."
Airi tried not to groan out loud. She had assumed too much.
"You still have to find my monster in the hats." Yami said.
"Then why wait? Slifer attack Magical Hats!"
The powerful ball of energy was prepared to fire, but Yami was ready.
"I reveal Magic Cylinder!" The spell rebounded, heading straight for Slifer, but instead of hitting the god Revival Jam took the hit, pixilated and reappeared.
"I should thank you Yugi; you gave me three more cards. Now Slifer has 8000 points."
"I make no move this turn." Yami's voice scared Airi more than Slifer's fangs. He sounded so fierce that the intensity of his tone made her shiver.
"Now you have limited my options. Slifer attack the hat on the left."
The massive monster destroyed the hat without difficulty. The hats disappeared, and took Dark Magician Girl with them. "You should give up now. You can see I have the perfect combination; you cannot touch my greatest weapon. Good thing you can't remember your past, Spirit. This would be such a disappointment to those you saved in the past. Knowing you failed here in the present would destroy all the confidence you might have earned."
Yami sank to his knees. Airi could hear Yugi's frantic attempts to get him to move, but he didn't rise. Yami's despair flooded through her unchecked. Airi's heart feel like it was being squeezed in her chest. He couldn't give up now.
"Yami-"
"Get on your feet Yugi." The unmistakable voice of Seto Kaiba rang out. Airi whirled around to see him and Mokuba standing next to her; she hadn't heard them approach. Seto's face was one to make anyone feel inferior. "Since when do you bow to rivals?"
Yami's eyes snapped up to his old rival. His gaze went from Seto to Airi. She smiled, praying worry didn't show in her eyes; she wasn't going to give up on him.
Something of his old fire returned to his sunset eyes. He looked back at Kaiba. "Never."
"Then get up and beat this nobody. If you still have what it takes, prove it now."
Transparent Yugi appeared next to Yami with a hand on his friend's arm ready to help him up. Airi couldn't hear what he said, but these words seemed to get through. Kaiba's words, though degrading, had snapped Yami out of his despair. He stood; ready to face his opponent again.
"Forgive me for scaring you, Airi." He looked up at her again. His voice was confident again, but his eyes were truly sorry.
"Just show this puppet who's Pharaoh."
With a nod, he turned back to the game.
"Do you think he has a chance Seto?" Mokuba didn't know the game well, but he could recognize 'Yugi' was in trouble.
"If he doesn't mess up."
"Seto." Airi turned to her ex. He didn't even give her a glance, but she made herself speak. "Thank you. If you hadn't shown up when you-"
"Save your breath, Airi. I already lost one worthy opponent, thanks to you. I can't afford to lose the only other one in this tournament."
"Pardon me, Mr. Kaiba." Airi's tone matched his, turning back to the game. "I forgot you didn't care about anything but winning."
"Why did you do it Airi?" Mokuba had come to stand closer to her so Seto wouldn't hear, not that he was paying much attention to anything but the duel.
"There's enough rivalry in this tournament without me."
Mokuba only shrugged, but seemed satisfied. By the further narrowing of his eyes she guessed Seto had heard her response after all, and hadn't liked it.
"Pray your brother isn't thickheaded, Airi." Seto said, eyes locked on Slifer. "I know how to beat it, but I don't know if your brother has the experience."
'He has heart and Yami. He has 5000 years of experience, thank you very much.' Airi wanted to say, but knew he wouldn't believe her. Still she wanted to know what he saw. She couldn't see how Yami or Yugi were going to get out of this. All she could see was the cards worked in a cycle, and no matter what Yami did Marik kept getting more cards and bringing back his monsters. If only he didn't get all those cards.
"I place one card face down and I summon Big Shield Gardna in defense mode." Yami said.
"Your memories must be bad, since you've forgot what happens already." Marik taunted. Slifer's second mouth opened again and the magic rocketed forth. The monster attack points went down by 200. "My turn Pharaoh." he said the title like it was an insult. "Slifer Attack!" Yami's monster didn't stand a chance against 11,000 attack points. It pixilated, leaving Yami's side barren of monsters. "Give up, Yugi, you can't win."
Airi clenched her fists. This was hopeless. There weren't any monsters in the world who could stand up to that thing. If only it had a limit of cards. Wait, it did.
"Yami, Cards"
He glanced at her, probably thinking she had finally snapped. Suddenly his expression cleared and he looked straight at Strings' duel-disk.
"Thank you Airi." To Strings he said. "I know how to defeat you Marik, I am going to make your monster destroy itself."
"It's about time." Seto said.
"How can he beat that dragon if it's even stronger than Seto's ultimate dragon?" Mokuba said.
"Don't worry about Yugi. He knows." Airi said. 'Please heart of the cards; let him still have the right card.'
"I place a card face down. Then I play the card Monster Reborn, returning Buster Blader to the field." Yami said.
"Are you that desperate? You can't summon without activating Slifer's ability."
Yami's expression didn't falter, even when Buster Blader's points were lessened. "I am well aware of that. Now Buster Blader, attack Slifer."
"Fool, you know Revival Jam will block your attack." Sure enough the other monster got between the god and the soldier. "I'll put you out of your misery next turn."
"There won't be a next time Marik. Now I reveal my face down card Mind Control, and I attach it to Revival Jam. I order it to reappear on my side of the field." The contraption reformed on Yami's side.
"So what, Yami, I will just get him back next turn."
"There isn't going to be another turn." Airi's heart rose at the confidence in 'Yugi's' voice. "Now I have summoned your monster to my side of the field, Slifer's second mouth activates." The reduced power bolt attacked on cue, powerful enough so revival Jam was destroyed. "Because of this you must take three cards, and now it appears again on my side of the field."
"NO!" Marik suddenly realized Yami's plan. It was all Airi could do to keep from jumping up and down with glee. Because of this cycle of destroying Revival Jam Strings had to draw three cards. After a few turns String ran out of cards, causing him to automatically lose the game.
"No, this is impossible!" Marik's voice shrieked. "I have an Egyptian God Card! I can't lose!"
"You just did." Mokuba was as excited as Airi.
"Now I know its weakness." Kaiba said, smugness evident in his voice.
"Don't count on it." Airi muttered so neither Kaiba brother could hear her.
"It is over, Marik." Yami said over the rants of the overly pierced bald man before him. "I have defeated you."
"Don't get too confident, Spirit." Marik sneered. "Slifer is nothing compared to the God Card I still have. You will be overthrown." With that String's eyes came back into focus, but he was too stunned to do anything.
Airi dashed down the slope of hill just ahead of Mokuba. Yami barely had time to turn before she plowed into him, hugging him so tightly they almost fell over into the canal.
"I knew you would find a way." she said. "You two were amazing."
"Thanks to your suggestion." Transparent Yugi appeared next to the startled Yami, grinning so widely he seemed to glow brighter than usual. "After you gave us a clue it was easier to figure out what we needed to win."
Yami's expression was hard to read when Airi finally let go. He mostly looked startled at being attacked without warning, which didn't happen very often.
"Here you go, Yugi." Mokuba had retrieved Slifer and String's Locator Card and was now holding them out. "That was a great duel. Don't get too attached to this card, though. My big brother is going to win it from you."
Yami only nodded as he accepted the cards.
"Impressive Yugi." Kaiba had finally joined them. "It's nice to see you still have what it takes."
"Thank you Kaiba." Yami said."
"Too bad you won't be keeping that card very long, because I'm going to win it from you." He pointed straight at Yami. "I challenge you to a duel."
A blood chilling laugh spit the air. All turned to see Strings again had the eye on his forehead.
"I just want you to know, Spirit, you will have the pleasure of seeing me soon." Marik's voice sounded even more horrible, if that was possible. "I will be arriving in Domino shortly, and then I will take your puzzle once and for all."
"Just try." Yugi said, forgetting Marik couldn't hear him.
"You will not earn my puzzle Marik." Yami's dangerous tone was back.
"Really? I wonder if you will stay that adamant when I have your friends."
"What?" Yami and Airi said in unison.
"As we speak my Rare Hunters are stalking those fools, and soon I will have them in my power. When that happens you will be more than willing to surrender you puzzle to me." The gold eye faded and Strings collapsed in a heap on the concrete.
If it was possible for spirits to go pale Yugi would have faded from sight.
"We have to find the others." he said.
"Come on." Yami's sharp tone shook Airi out of her shock. Both of them started running back up the slope to the street.
"You can't go, Yugi." Kaiba yelled after them. "I just challenged you."
"Not now." Yami yelled over his shoulder. "My friends are in trouble."
For the first few streets they found nothing. They looked in every ally they passed calling out their friends names as they went. Nothing.
"Yami stop." she said. She panted slightly as Yami and Yugi turned and walked over to her.
"What is it?" Yami said.
"Running around the city with no idea where to start looking for our friends isn't working."
"That's all we have." Yugi said.
"I know, but even as a group we can't be everywhere."
"We aren't splitting up." Yami said, correctly predicting her idea.
"We have to."
"But it's dangerous." Yugi said.
"Listen to me. I don't like it much either. But I think Marik will expect me to be with you, so he won't be looking for me if we separate. With two we can find the others faster." She looked from one face to the other; neither looked convinced.
"We're running out of time." She said firmly. "If you don't find the others, the Rare Hunters will. I can take care of myself, and in comparison I'm not important."
Something flashed in Yami's eyes, but Yugi spoke first.
"I don't like this, but you're right, sorta." he didn't seem to enjoy say this. "We'll cover more ground if we split up." Yami looked sharply at his host, and they seemed to share a brief conversation. Airi didn't hear what they discussed, but both seemed to come to some kind of understanding.
"Promise us you'll do your best to be safe." Yugi said, face grave.
Airi made sure she didn't smile; it was like she was the younger sibling.
"I promise." she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't forget I expect the same from you."
"Here." Yami opened up the card pouch on his belt and pulled out a card. Holding it out, he said. "You might need this if you're challenged." Airi took the card but he didn't let go. Surprised she looked into his red eyes. "Don't ever consider yourself unimportant, Airi." There was a tone in his voice she didn't recognize, but when he spoke aloud it was gone. "Be safe."
"I will." she said, sincere. Sliding the card into her own belt pouch she gave them each one last smile. "I'll find you later. Good luck." With that she disappeared down a side street. She made sure all second thoughts stayed at the back of her mind. They already disproved of her decision, it wouldn't make things easier if they could sense her doubt.
Domino seemed to have grown during the tournament. Airi was sure there weren't this many places to go in the city. When she finally stopped to rest she found herself in a side street a few blocks from the train station.
"This isn't getting you anywhere." she said to herself. "Running around like a bat at noon isn't going to find anyone better than if you stayed with Yugi."
She felt a slight jolt and again chills returned. Yugi must be dueling, that was the only thing which would project emotions that strong at this distance. She breathed deeply trying to sense kind of emergency it was. It was a duel, but besides that she couldn't feel anything dangerous. She resisted the urge to use the diadem to show her. That would only make her want to go to her brother, and she could help more by staying away and finding the others.
There had to be something she missed. Where would they most likely be? She hadn't looked at the train station yet; that might be a possibility. With this hope she turned, and froze. Someone was blocking her way out.
A dark cloaked figure, obviously a Rare Hunter, stood in the entrance to the alley. His hood was down, so she could see his face. He was an Egyptian, or she guessed at much by his tan skin. His long black hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and his eyes were such a pale blue it was like she was looking into a piece of glass. He didn't have an eye shining on his forehead, not that he was any less scary without it.
"Miss Muto." he said, voice was pleasant but had an undertone which made her skin crawl. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I heard a great deal of you in dueling circles, but I'm sure they don't give you justice."
"What do you want?" Airi said, trying to sound brave.
"Master Marik allowed me the honor of tracking you down. As I am the only Rare Hunter who knows you're dueling history like my own cards. I knew you would desert your brother and go off by yourself. I had the patience to wait and follow you until I decided to challenge you."
The word 'desert' stung Airi to the core. 'Yugi is still ok, and he has Yami.'
"Who are you?" she said.
"Rorrim."
"What do you want?" Airi
"To duel you."
"I guessed that. I mean why am I important when it is Yami's puzzle your master wants so badly?"
"Please don't bore me with questions. I would think that would be obvious. You are the one thing can completely crack Yugi Moto. When I reduce you to a sobbing mound, and show your diadem to your brother he will lose any reason to fight."
"Not going to happen." Airi loaded her duel-disk.
"I should have guessed you'd be stubborn." Rorrim calmly unfolded his duel-disk as well. "Ladies first."
Airi drew her card, hope rejuvenating when she saw her hand. She could tell this man meant business, and that she needed to a plan to get rid of him as fast as possible. "I play Jump the Gun. This allows me to play a level 4 or higher monster without making a sacrifice as long as I sacrifice 1000 life points. I summon Athena in attack mode. However because she has a high rank, I am not allowed to attack in the same turn as summoning. I end my turn." Airi knew he couldn't do anything. Even if he summoned a monster it wouldn't be powerful enough to destroy her monster.
Rorrim calmly drew a card, empty blue eyes sparking with a wicked gleam. "I hope you don't think I'm rude for rushing things, but I've been waiting so long to see your reaction I can't wait any longer. Giving up half my life points allows me to summon my monster to the field. Miss Muto, may I have the pleasure of introducing you to Soul Mirror."
A strange monster appeared. It looked humanoid, but was completely made out of glass; mirror glass to be precise. It waited for commands, but even remaining motionless it managed to make Airi's heart start racing in worry.
"Wondering what this is? This monster is a special one. The powers are simple enough to understand. This monster doesn't attack monsters. It attacks you directly. When it attacks, it not only takes your life points, but shows you who you really are. It makes you relive past events which shape you and make you what you are. I would suspect yours are some of the worse, seeing as you abandoned your brother."
"I did not." Airi could feel the evil coming off the monster. "I didn't abandon him."
"I beg to differ. Why is it you are here instead of with him?"
"His friends are in danger."
"You don't really care about that. You were hoping of taking down my master by yourself."
"You're mad."
"Am I? I show people who they really are. Ready to see yourself?"
Soul Mirror touched its temples, almost like it was going to read Airi's mind. A pressure started in Airi's head. She squeezed her eyes shut, and instantly she was transported to her memories.
Airi arrived home late, one of Seto's cars dropping her off. She had spent hours in the practice arena at KaibaCorp practicing for tomorrow's tournament. She knew her deck was almost unstoppable. Seto had said she had some of the strongest cards in the game. He would be so proud of her, maybe enough to actually come spend time with her. Everything would be different after this tournament; she could feel it.
She was surprised to see the windows of the above shop apartment still lit. She didn't think Yugi would still be up since it was nearly 1:00 A.M. Maybe Gramps had forgotten again. She unlocked the door and walked up the steps in the dim light coming from the kitchen. She had come home later than this, so she was used to wondering around in the dark. She slipped into the kitchen closing the door silently behind her.
"Back so late."
Airi turned to see Grandpa sitting in a chair. He was in his polka dot pajamas and nightcap, arms folded and looking very serious.
"Gramps, I'd thought you'd be in bed." Airi said, voice nonchalant.
"I was waiting for you to get home."
"Oh, well I'm back." Airi took a glass from the open dishwasher and poured herself a glass of water.
"You were supposed to be back by 11:00." Gramps voice was threatening, but Airi didn't care. She knew he couldn't do much about it.
"I always come back." Airi sipped her drink. "Anyway, when I'm dueling it takes time to get my game right."
"You never needed to be out all hours before."
"That was before I become a pro. You should know it is Gramps. You claim to be a professional a long time ago."
"Back in my day we didn't worry our families by staying up all night."
"Please, I'm not a kid anymore."
"You sound like that Kaiba."
Airi's eyes had flashed at his comment. "If you have something to say about him I would appreciate you being blunt with me."
"You claim it is your duel you are playing, but you've let Kaiba influence you and your deck. You don't even have time for Yugi."
"Strong word." Airi's voice was cold. The comment about Yugi made her uncomfortable so she changed the subject. "You've never met Seto. You don't know all of what he has done for me. It's because of him I'm in this tournament in the first place. I'd thought you'd be proud."
"I am always proud of you." It was impossible for her to read what he was thinking, and Airi had gotten expert at reading emotions. "You are my granddaughter. Yugi worships you, and you don't even remember him these days."
"I'm busy." Airi pretended to study her glass. She knew she wasn't home much, but she always had reasons why she couldn't. She had duels and Seto, so why should she feel guilty?
"You don't even have the heart of the cards anymore."
"I do."
"I've watched you on television, Airi. You crush your opponents like they are mean ticks on a checklist you want to get by as fast as possible."
"Why should I drag out the inevitable?" Airi snapped. "I'm one of the best duelists in the world; I shouldn't have to put up with dueling amateurs. Tomorrow I am going against the real thing, and will be the greatest duelist in the world."
"That is what you really want?" gramps pained expression only infuriated her.
"Can't you see I'm trying to become something!" she yelled. "Unless I'm something great no one will take me seriously. Seto needs someone his level. My level. What else is there?"
"Don't you know?" Grandpa said it softly, but it felt like a ton of bricks.
Airi's face went into its mask. She had managed to keep the uncomfortable feeling she felt far away. Now it only made her feel sick; with guilt or fury she wasn't sure which.
"I'm going to bed." Airi snapped the glass on the counter. Turning to the doorway she froze.
Yugi was standing in the doorway, apparently to see what the noise was about. He looked small than usual in his pajamas, an old pair which Gramps said had belonged to their dad so they were a little too big. Airi had no idea how long he had been standing there, but he must have heard everything. The look in his eyes stabbed her heart; was her brother scared of her?
She crushed the idea. She couldn't let herself be distracted now; she needed to focus on the tournament in the morning. She passed Yugi without giving him a second glance.
"What happened to you, sis?" She almost missed his soft question.
She responded with a slam her door.
"I told you." Rorrim's voice brought Airi out of her nightmare. "You are a heartless girl who had no respect for your own family.
"No I'm not." Airi refused to cry. She wasn't like that anymore. She had changed. But her words weren't helping the disgust she felt for herself. All the emotions she thought she had managed to put away for this duel were racing back to her. She had been a monster.
"Oh, I beg to differ. You repeated history just today." Rorrim's voice dug into her guilt like claws.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
"Don't fool yourself into thinking your special." he snapped. "I show people who they really are; the filth within. If you still not convinced of your guilt, don't worry. Soul Mirror is still around. I think that about does it for now. You are now minus 1000 life points. I end my turn."
Airi made herself breath slower. She wasn't going to let this creep get to her. She had already allowed her feeling to run rampant. Yugi could probably feel all that was happening and that would distract him. She had to figure out some way of ending this and ending it soon before she saw anything else. She glared at him as she drew, she really need some help. She looked at the card: Mirror Force. Great more mirrors. She decided to save it for now.
"Athena, Attack Soul Mirror."
The monster swiped at the glass dummy, but nothing happened.
"Another thing my wonderful monster does is it is completely unaffected by any attack of yours. Instead you receive 500 points of damage."
Airi had to get out of this, but she didn't know what to do. She dreaded the next attack but she wasn't sure if she could do anything. "I end my turn." Airi inwardly braised herself for what she knew was coming.
"Soul Mirror, Attack her directly."
Airi checked herself in the mirror. She looked sharp in her white pants and jacket over a black tank top and black dueling belt. She already felt like the champion. Seto was going to be so surprised and please. Glancing at the clock, she hurried to the kitchen. Seto would be sending the limo for her any moment.
She couldn't help hesitating slightly before entering. The encounter with Gramps continued to plague her mind. She was afraid he would try to talk to her again. She was relieved to find the room deserted. The night before had shaken some of her certainty, though not enough to change her decision. She helped herself to some red bean mochi in the cupboard, pulling out two and started eating.
She didn't know why she felt so uncomfortable. It wasn't like she was doing anything wrong. The monsters weren't real, just holograms. Heart of cards was something she could control, she wasn't any different then she had been. Yes her old cards were in a box under her bed but it wasn't like she had throne them away. Her deck might be a little different, but so what. It wasn't like Yugi's; his deck hadn't change, he kept every card he had ever owned. The thought of Yugi brought back a little of her guilt, but she swallowed it down along with breakfast. Being in a tournament wasn't going to affect him. It wasn't like he didn't have anything to do. She was sure he must have some friends, even if he never spoke of any, and there was that puzzle he was putting together, it was about time he finished it. The memory of the look on Yugi's face the night before nearly made her choke on her mochi. She gulped down some water. She would make it up him later, after the tournament was over.
The honk of a horn signaled Seto's arrival. Placing the glace in the sink, she hurried down the steps.
"Airi wait!"
She stopped, door already open. She turned to see Yugi, still in his pajamas, hurrying down the stairs. He was panting hard when he reached the bottom, something he never had problems with. "I wanted to tell you good luck before you left."
"Thanks." she looked him over, not sure if it was just the excitement or something else which was off about his breathing. Whatever she was it would wait, she was running late. She turned to go.
"Also I have something for you." Yugi said. He sounded a little worried, like he didn't know how to approach the subject.
"I am running late, Yugi." Seto hated to be late.
"You forgot something." Yugi held out his hand, and resting in his palm was her jade pendant.
"You went in my room." Airi said, eyes turning hard.
"I wondered if you lost it, but it was in your jewelry box the whole time."
"You went through my things!"
The honk of the limo behind her made her look round. She could barely see the silhouette of Seto in the back, but she could tell by his ridged position he was getting annoyed with the delay.
"I've got to go. I'll speak to you about this later." Airi took a step out, but Yugi gripped her hand. Frustrated she turned back, but the emotion drained when she saw the determined look in his eyes.
"Here." Yugi forced the necklace in her hand and closed her fingers around it. "Mom told you to take care of it."
Airi stared at him, hand feeling numb around the necklace. She didn't know if it was the look in Yugi's eyes or his words which hurt the most. Yugi let go of her hand, supporting himself against the wall. She could see there was pain in his face, from her actions or physical she couldn't tell.
"I hope you win." Yugi said, smiling.
The honk snapped her back and she hurried out without a word.
"What took so long?" Seto didn't look up from his computer as she slid into the car.
"Sorry, got delayed." She suddenly realized she hadn't said goodbye. She turned in her seat to look back at the rear window. Yugi stood in the doorway, waving. She didn't bother waving, the windows were too dark.
"Are you listening to me?" she hadn't realized Seto had been speaking to her. She turned back to him.
'I'll apologize when I get back.' she told herself, shoving the necklace into her pants pocket.
Airi didn't feel herself fall to her knees. The way she felt right now she couldn't feel a thing. Having those memories with her was bad enough, but reliving them was horrible. She felt contaminated, a failure. She had left without saying goodbye to her brother, the last person she ever wanted to hurt in the world. Had she been so blind she hadn't seen he had been in pain? What kind of person was she? Monster.
"Nice to see things clearly, isn't it?" Rorrim's calm voice felt like burns on her already wounded mind. "You haven't changed a bit. You ran off to face rare hunters yourself and left your little brother alone to face us."
'I am a failure.' Airi's hands trembled. How could she have done all those things?
"I've done you a service. Now you see you're not worth anything to your brother, it should be easy for you to give up now and hand over that piece of jewelry you're wearing. Why master wants crown from a worthless pawn like you, I can't imagine."
'Jewelry?' Almost in a trance her hand went to her neck. The jade pendant had gotten caught between the collar of her polo shirt and skin, slight pressure instigated to make it a little uncomfortable. She fingered it, her mind unable to fully grasp what she was doing. Somehow touching the pendant was filling her with calm. Without any help from Soul Mirror her mind started to play another memory.
Airi had almost forgotten how much she hated hospitals, but she was too ashamed and scared to care. It had been several hours since she left the tournament and she was sure the papers would be full of her leaving. Then again Seto had such an influence he might keep them subdued so he wouldn't look bad when he won; she already knew he would, he always got what he wanted. Well almost. He didn't have her anymore.
It had to be late. Airi couldn't make herself look up at the clock, or even move her head form its place on the mattress. She had taken up vigil by Yugi's bed and refused to move. Gramps was somewhere, probably gone to find the canteen. Airi stroked the back of her brother's hand with her thumb. This was the only thing which seemed real. She had just broken up with the most influential man in Japan, walked away from championship glory, and was staying in the one place she hated above all; she must be losing her mind.
She didn't think she deserved to be here. Gramps should have thrown her out of the hospital when she showed up. She had tried to apologize through her tears, but hadn't gotten too far into it before she found herself in his firm embrace, crying into his suspender strap. She had handed him her deck, telling him he could sell it; she didn't want to see that deck again. Her old deck was at home and it would do. She didn't care about cards right now, she would have been happy enough to forget they even existed for the time being.
She hated seeing Yugi so still. She wanted to know he was alright, but also dreaded when he did wake. She didn't know what kind of reception she would get, but she was prepared for whatever his reaction was. She hoped he would yell; she deserved it. Her body shuddered, tightening her grip on Yugi's hand.
It squeezed back.
Airi sat up. Yugi's eyes were open. He must have been lying awake for a while, not wanting to disturber her if she was sleeping. Despite having just come out of surgery his face was shining and he was smiling. Smiling? At her? Tears streamed down her face.
"Yugi' I'm so sorry. I thought I'd lost you. I didn't even have the decency to say goodbye. I'm a monster, no I'm worse. I'm . . . I'm . . ." she was crying too hard to get the words out.
A grip on her shoulder made her look up. Somehow Yugi had gotten the energy to push himself up. Using her as support he pulled himself up into a sitting position. Staring, she helped to stable him, sure the doctors wouldn't like this behavior from the patient.
Both pairs of violet eyes shone with tears. Yugi wrapped his arms around her neck, leaning against her in a hug. She held him tightly, tears dampening his pajamas. She almost didn't hear the two words he spoke in her ear.
"You're back."
"Are you going to kneel there, or do the sensible thing and surrender?" Rorrim's voice sounded so distant.
Airi gripped her necklace tighter. Yugi hadn't given up on her, even when she had been horrible. Past Airi had been a monster and he had still cared enough to try and help her out of it. He hadn't given up on her; she shouldn't give up on herself. Airi's eyes snapped open.
"It's not over yet, Rorrim." Airi stood wiping her eyes.
"What?"
"What you showed me was accurate, but out of date. You might see me like that, but that Airi is gone now. My brother believed in me back then and believes in me now."
"You're crazy." Rorrim didn't seem to comprehend she wasn't going to succumb to his card.
"Not any more, I'm just going to defeat you."
"You can't be someone different. It's impossible."
"That was the past. I may have the same name, but not the same heart. A dear friend told me my heart wasn't dark, but light. He could see who I became, and now I see it as well."
"I don't believe you. Your foolish hope can't save you from the power of the cards when it comes to your life points. I gave you a chance to surrender and you refused. Because of that little trip down memory lane you lose 1000 life points."
Airi's face was clam as her points drained. She wasn't going to lose. She drew a card. It was the one Yami had given to her earlier.
'Never consider yourself unimportant, Airi' she smiled remembering his words. She wasn't going to forget that again. She placed the card safely to the side. Now she had it she had a plan.
"I place two cards face down and end my turn." she hoped she could block the next attack. If it didn't, she was gone.
"You are finished. Soul Mirror, attack."
"I reveal my face down, Mirror Force." Airi said. The attack ricocheted off the light barricade and returned to its owner. The mirror made monster pixilated on impact.
"This is impossible." Rorrim was horrified to find he was vulnerable. "Soul Mirror is indestructible."
"No card is, Rorrim." Airi said. "You said Soul Mirror couldn't be attacked by my monsters. You attacked; I only reflected it back at you. When you attack someone else, you are hurting yourself; in some cases it will destroy you."
"So what. I have more cards in my deck, I will still destroy you."
"You won't get the chance. Because you attacked me while Athena was in play I can special summon Minerva, Sister of Athena." she turned over her other face down, the one Yami had given her. A monster almost identical to Athena appeared beside her. Minerva was taller and she wore silver armor. "Minerva is more like me than your monster was." Airi said. "When someone threatens her family she arrives to defend them. That's what siblings do. Distractions might happen, but we are always there for each other. Minerva and Athena, Attack Rorrim directly!"
Two streams of light erupted from the two monster's weapons, firing straight for the rare hunter. Rorrim screamed in anger and fear as his life points drained to nothing.
"You can't defeat me, you hypocrite. You are just of a destroyer as you were back then. People like you shouldn't be able to win." he broke off, as if something had interrupted him. "No, no master Marik, please show mercy. I didn't mean to. Give me another chance!" he started shrieking, an unearthly sound which reverberated off the walls of the ally. Airi watch helplessly as he writhed in some sort of torment, unsure how she could help.
"Airi!" came a familiar voice from behind her. She turned to see Charlotte and Duke running towards her. Airi was relieved to see them, at least they were safe. They reached her right when the unconscious Rorrim collapsed in a heap, cards falling everywhere.
"What on earth?" Duke stared at the agony stricken man in horror. "What did you do to him?"
"It doesn't really matter." Airi didn't feel very sympathetic to the fallen man. She looked at Charlotte. "Where have you been?" she looked from her to Duke.
"Later." Charlotte said, looking past Airi at Rorrim. "Should we do something?"
"It's too late now." the Rare Hunter sat up. His forehead shone with the symbol of the eye.
"Marik." Airi said.
"It's nice to speak to you, sister of the host." Marik's voice said. "I see you didn't fall to my servant. He said he had the perfect method to beat you. Apparently he deceived me."
"Airi, what's going on?" Charlotte whispered.
"You should consider yourself lucky." Marik said. "Even without breaking you I have all I need to break your brother."
"What do you mean?" Airi's stomach seemed to turn over when she realized what he meant before he spoke.
"I have two of your friends already. Once your brother gets to the pier he will be finished. The Millennium Puzzle will be mine." The eye faded and again the rare hunter collapsed.
"Ok, what is going on?" Charlotte hated not knowing what was going on.
Airi tried to act calm. Marik had some of her friends already and was going to make Yugi duel him. "We have to get there."
"The pier? That's across town isn't it?"
"We have to get there." Airi paused, and then walked to the fallen hunter's cards. She picked up one card. Soul Mirror.
"Hurry and get the locator card." Charlotte said.
"I don't need it." Airi glared at the card. She wasn't sure why she had even picked it up.
"What's that doing here? Pegasus never released it." Charlotte had come up to see the card.
"How do you know?"
"Dad told me." Tone of Charlotte voice stopped all further discussion.
"There is only one?" Airi glared at the card, voice hard.
"As far as I know. Airi are you alright?"
In one swift motion Airi tore the card in half.
"Oy, what are you doing?"
"No one will miss it." the piece floated to the ground. Memories were painful enough without being prodded. No one else deserved to go through what she did. Airi turned away from the pieces. "Let's go. We have to get to Yugi."
A/N: so how was it? Past Airi scares me so i hope it was ok. Please tell me it was alright. I know Minerva and Athena are really the same people in mythology, but hey, this is a story about a card game, i can do what i want, almost.
If you tell me what you like, and if I get a lot of reviews, i might be tempted to post sooner. the next chapter is mostly ready, just needs to get past my Beta. tell me what you like and it will get here faster.
Love you guys, and have a great Halloween! thank you for making my semester more worth it.
