YAHOO! didn't take a month to write this one. VICTORY DANCE!

Thanks again to Noel my Beta, and More THANK YOU to all those who read the last chapter and a BIGGER THANK YOU to all who reviewed.

I don't own Yugioh, Charlotte, or the computer i sending this from. But Airi is mine and the idea for this retelling is mine.

Enjoy!

Chapter 24

"Ok, so how were you planning on getting there?" Duke had a point even if Airi hated to admit it. The ordeal with Rorrim had taken up too much time. She had to get to Yugi, and soon, but walking seemed like her only option.

"Look, I want an explanation." Charlotte gripped Airi's arm and lead her away from the sprawled form of the rare hunter. "You look about to fall over, Sit." She forced the other girl on a box at the end of the ally by the overlook. "This has something to do with your brother supposedly saving the world thing right?"

"Yes." Airi jerked her arm free from Charlotte's vice like grasp. "Yugi and I split up to find you and the others, because Marik has threatened to use them against Yugi to get the puzzle. Unfortunately, I ran into a mirror happy creep instead."

"So the Maricreep's friends have Joey?"

"Yes and Tea from the sound of it." Airi figured using Tea would be an effective strategy to get to her brother.

"Great, I can't leave that numbskull alone for a second." Worry was evident in sarcastic comment.

"Wait, what are you two talking about?" Duke looked completely lost, not a normal look from him.

"If you didn't spend all your time flirting with your fan club you might learn something." Charlotte snapped.

"Look I don't-"

"Chill you two!" Airi's stood up, flashing eyes silencing the others. "I don't have time to tell you Duke, but just know guys dressed like that" She pointed back at Rorrim. "Are bad and we have to get to the pier without getting caught by any of them."

"Ok least I know who I have to take out." Duke walked over to look down to the street below. They could hear the noise of the trains whizzing nearby as they traveled to their different destinations. "Wait, isn't that Tristan?"

The girls were beside him in an instant. Sure enough Tristan's pointy hair cut was unmistakable even from a distance. He was arm in arm with a young lady with long brown hair and a bandage over her eyes.

"Serenity?" Charlotte's identification was followed with a smack to her forehead. "She was getting the bandages off today. What kind of a moron am I?"

"She's cute." Duke's comment earned him a punch on the shoulder from Charlotte.

"Stay focused Diceboy."

"Look out!" Airi saw three cloaked figures approaching the distant couple. They saw Tristan pull Serenity on his back and duck into the ally. The hunters followed right behind.

"They're heading for the main roads. We can cut them off. Let's go." Duke was already running as he spoke, the girls behind him. They dashed down the allies, slowing only when Duke raised a hand. They could hear the sound of a girl screaming, and a voice that sounded like Tristan yelling insults and threats. Duke pulled out a die from his pocket, and disappeared around the corner out of sight. Airi heard some outcries and the clattering of the die on the pavement. She and Charlotte finaly rounded the corner, finding all heck had broken loose.

Tristan and Duke had each downed a rare hunter. Serenity was open to attack, unable to defend herself because of her bandaged eyes. Charlotte took out the remaining one while Airi pulled the younger girl out of the way. Confused, Serenity tried to take a swing at Airi, missing by foot.

"Serenity it is ok." Airi told her. "We're friends of Joey."

"Joey?" the counter attack stopped. "Where is he?" Serenity looked around, though it was pointless.

"He's not here. We have to get to where he is." Airi said, leading her farther from the fight. "I need you to trust us. Charlotte's here too."

"Hey, Serenity." Charlotte was back from knocking Rare Hunter heads together. "Everything is going to be alright."

"There's something you're not saying." Serenity's face looked in her friend's direction. She let go of Airi and managed to find Charlotte's arm, gripping it tightly. "There is something the matter, or they wouldn't be chasing us."

Charlotte and Airi shared a look.

"You three stop chatting and get going!" Tristan's shout made the older girls look round. More rare hunters were arriving. "We'll hold them off. Get Serenity out of here."

"Right." Charlotte took Serenity's hand and she and Airi dashed back out of the ally away from the hunters.

"Where do we go?" Charlotte called up to Airi who was slightly ahead.

"I don't know. Let's cross this street and figure-" she suddenly gasped, clutching her side. She hadn't been paying attention to the rising excitement which she felt when Yugi was dueling. The sudden jolt of pain caused her to stumble out into the street, right in front of an approaching car.

"Airi!" Charlotte's scream merged with the screech of brakes. Airi braced for impact. The car stopped an inch away from her knee.

"Hey Moron, what were you . . . Airi?" Mai's voice was the most welcome sound in the world. "Airi I could have killed you!"

"Mai, I'm so glad to see you!" Airi said, running round to the side of the car. "Can you help us? Yugi's in trouble, so is Joey and Tea. We are being chased-"

"Slow down." Mai's annoyed face went to concern at the other girls panicking. "You're being chased?"

"Yes, by rare hunters."

"Can you give us a lift?" Charlotte was beside her, still holding Serenity's hand.

"Are you alright?" Serenity said, looking in Airi's general direction.

"I'm fine, Serenity."

"Who is this?" Mai said.

"Joey's sister Serenity." Charlotte made the brief introduction. "Look we have to get going, do you mind giving us a lift?"

"What about Tristan and Duke?" Serenity's said.

"That's them right?" Mai pointed behind the other girls shoulders. Duke was sprinting out of the alley closely followed by Tristan.

"They're at the pier." Tristan panted out. "I managed to knock it out of one of those cloaked jerks.

"We already-" Charlotte started to say when Airi gasped again, clutching her side again.

"Get in the car." Mai ordered. "Boys, get in the back with Charlotte. Serenity and Airi gets shotgun."

"But-" both boys looked put out about not sitting next to Joey's sister.

"Shut up and get in the car." Charlotte cut them off; putting Serenity's hand in Airi's before climbing in with the boys

"Good thing I have automatic." Mai muttered to herself as putting up the armrest in the front, creating a third seat. Airi and Serenity got into the front of the car while the others climbed into the back. Airi made sure the other girl was buckled in.

"The pier right?" Mai said.

"Yes." they all said.

"Be there in five." Mai floored the accelerator. The car shot forward.

Airi was too distracted to pay attention to anything else. The painful jolt she had felt was like the ones she felt during Yugi's duel with Arkana. She took a deep breath, trying to contain her fear. She knew she had to know.

'Where is Yugi?' she thought, closing her eyes.

She was looking down on Domino Pier. There was a slight platform where two duelists stood. Airi was horrified to see both of them were chained up to what looked like an anchor which in turn was attached to some sort of clock device. Her heart froze even more to see the duelist where Joey and Yami. Yami was slumped over, pain and sweat evident on his face. Trails of light smoke trailing up from him apparently from a attack.

The figure across from him looked like Joey, but there was something wrong. His eyes were dark, and his face bore an evil grin. Even without the eye on his forehead Airi realized he was possessed.

Suddenly the puzzle flashed and Yugi stood there. Her brother stood, shaky but determined. Possesd Joey looked upset about the switch, or at least she lip read something like that. Yugi answered calmly, something about how he was going to be there for his friend and knowing about Joey being in there. Airi's heart seemed to leap into her throat as she realized what he was doing. He was going to do this without Yami between him and the enemy. He was going to take the attacks directly.

"No." she said aloud.

"Airi are you ok?"

Serenity's voice snapped Airi back to the car ride. The other girl had her hand on her arm.

"You went all tense. Are you worried about your brother?"

"Yes I am." Airi said. "Thanks Serenity, I needed that."

"I have always felt a strong connection to my brother. I'm sure you have a similar one to yours."

'You have no idea.' Airi thought.

"I'm sure everything will work out." The other girl continued, and gave Airi's arm a friendly squeeze. "From I've heard of Yugi he is an amazing duelist, and Joey is two. Our brothers are going to be alright."

"I hope so." Airi said.

"Don't you two worry. Both those boys know their stuff." Mai said, swerving to avoid a car which didn't move fast enough.

"I can't wait to see my brother duel." Serenity beamed at the thought.

Airi didn't say anything. She didn't want to tell Serenity her brother wasn't dueling under his own power. She would find out soon enough. Another shot of pain shot thought her. Too soon.

"Here's the pier." Mai's brakes screeched as she turned into the boat district. "Now we have to find which one-"

"Turn down here." Airi ordered. She could feel the presence of the puzzle.

Mai turned without question. A few moments later Duke yelled he could see something up a head. As they drew closer Airi's heart skipped a beat. She saw the Red-Eye Black dragon hovering above the human figures. They were here.

"Oh no, who invited Moneybags." Charlotte's grumbled at the sight of two other familiar figures.

Mai honked the horn, causing the Kaiba's to look around.

"Tea!" Duke and Tristan said. Airi finally realized there was another part of the pier where a contraption like chair sitting next to a crane. In the chair, strapped in by the ankles and wrists, was Tea. Her face was strained and where she was staring at the duelists.

Airi was out of the car in a moment running blindly forward. Coming closer everything became clear. She stopped in her tracks, horror clouding her mind.

Yugi lay face down on the pier, barely conscious. Smoke was rising around him from another attack. Joey, eyes unnaturally dark, was taunting him, asking if he had given up yet.

"Yugi." Airi whispered. She took a step, but someone gripped her by the shoulders. She turned her head sharply; ready to punch whoever it was stopping her.

It was Yami.

"If you try to intervene they'll hurt Tea." he told her. Nearby she heard Kaiba telling the others the same thing. Airi looked back at the crane and realized it was holding a metal box over Tea's head. A grinning Rare Hunter held up a remote.

"What is going on here?" she demanded.

"Marik has Joey under his power. Either one of them has to beat the other and send them into the water to drown, or the time will run out of time and they both will go down." the look in his eyes would have been enough to burn a building.

"Why is Yugi dueling by himself?" she couldn't understand why Yami with her; she wasn't being blasted.

"He says he has an idea how to get to Joey, and he needed to duel alone to make it work."

"Looking like that?" Airi's voice was starting to sounded slightly hysterical.

"I don't like this either, but I trust Yugi. He knows what he's doing."

"Yes but alone?"

"Airi, please?" Yami's voice was laced with pain as he moved to stand by her side, hands still on her shoulders.

"It's just, can't you help him out. He's being blasted away."

"Airi." Yugi's voice came over the conection. She turned to see he had pushed himself halfway up. Ignoring the ranting of possested Joey, Yugi staring at her, violet eyes burning with a fire she hadn't seen before. "I'll be alright. I can get to Joey, he's in there, I know it. Trust me, and don't intervene. Please, you've been through enough."

With a jolt Airi realized he had felt her duel with Rorrim. "Yugi-"

"It will be alright, I can do this."

She saw Yugi's eyes look at Yami. She was sure there was a private conversation, probably about her, but didn't feel like probing. Yami protectively placed his arm around her. Airi reached down and took his free hand gripping it tightly. "Please, be careful."

"Just trust me."

"I'll try."

Somewhere behind her she could here Serenity's worried voice, and Charlotte's telling her to keep the bandages on. Mai said something about trusting her brother. Airi took some deep breaths. She had to trust Yugi. He knew what he was doing, or he was good at pretending. Even if he didn't have a plan, she had to stay calm. The only disadvantage of feeling the others emotions was they could be distracting to both of them.

"Aren't you going to give up, little Yugi." Joey's voice had the same echoed sound of Marik's other possessed puppets. "Has my attack made you speechless?" He laughed, a distorted rendition of Joey's friendly sound.

"I'm not giving up on my friends, Marik." Yugi pushed himself up to a kneeling position, still shaky. Airi instinctively tried to step forward, but Yami didn't let her budge. Glancing up at him she saw his face was stern. It was clear it was all he could do not keep from taking over and beating this imitation Joey. She squeezed his hand for reassurance.

Yugi stood unsteadily, but didn't fall. His eyes didn't look away from Joey's face. "I know Joey is in there, and I am not going to give up until he is back."

"You will not succeed. Face it, Joey is gone." Marik taunted.

"Joey I know your there." Yugi slowly started to walk to the side.

"Not so fast. My turn isn't over yet." Joey summoned Rocket Warrior. "Until the turn is over, the monster he attacks will lose 500 life points."

"Joey, wait." Yugi was still walking, slowly but surely.

"Now I play the spell card Attrition." the card took down Yugi's Red-Eye attack points down the 400. With a lump in her throat Airi realized the dragon was really Joey's. He was gone if he was attacking his best friend and monster.

"Joey, please this isn't you."

"It's too late, Yugi. Your friend is gone. I switch Rocket Warrior into its invincible mode. Now I can take out your Red-Eye Black Dragon without any damage to myself." Airi could sense something was wrong. Joey, though still having Marik's voice, looked like he was fighting with himself. Maybe Yugi's plan was working.

"Just wait a little longer Joey. I need to give you something." Yugi was almost to Joey, taking off the Millennium puzzle as he went.

"What is he doing?" Mai voiced the question they were all thinking.

Yugi stood in front of the confused looking Joey. "I want you to wear this Joey." he draped the puzzle around his friend's neck. "It is my most precious possession. Now a piece of me will be with you." he managed a smile. "Take good care of it."

Joey stared blackly at Yugi as the smaller boy started the slow march back to his side of the field.

"What is going on?" Charlotte's frustrated voice came from somewhere behind Airi.

"He's doing what he did for me." Airi whispered. Without thinking her free hand rose and touched the jade pendant around her neck.

"I don't like this." Yami said. "I see what Yugi is doing but now I can't take over if things go wrong."

"Can't you do something to help brake Marik's control?" Airi said.

"No. My connection is only with you and Yugi."

"Then let's hope something good comes out of this."

Yugi had reached his side of the playing field. He turned, facing Joey. He still looked horrible, the attacks taking their toll, but he stood a little straighter. He was giving this duel all he had. She hoped he didn't get himself killed because of it.

Joey/Marik seemed to snap out of the stunned silence. Faint flash of uncertainty is his eyes a moment before ago vanished. Marik was back in control.

"You are a fool, Yugi. Giving me the puzzle means you admit defeat. I can't use this because I haven't won it from you. But now you can't use it either." Joey took it off. "I can't get my rare hunters to retrieve it later."

"Joey, Don't!" Yugi looked horrified. Airi could hear the others behind her saying things similar things but she couldn't understand them through the pounding horror in her ears. Grinning like a mad man, Joey pulled the piece of the puzzle which had the eye on it.

Yami gasped, hand gripping his chest. He fell to one knee, the force of the puzzle hitting him like a direct attack.

"Yami!" Airi knelt next to him, holding on to his shoulders, like that was going keep him from fading.

"Please don't!" Yugi pleaded.

Joey froze, arm still upraised to throw. He seemed to fighting control again. Slowly the arm came down, and he was staring at the piece. Airi suddenly remembered that piece was the one Joey had bright back after Yugi had been beaten up two years ago.

"You don't want to go swimming for that." She called out to him. She could feel the other starting at her. She stood, one hand still gripping Yami's shoulder to make sure he didn't fade on her. "You were quite soaked the last time you threw that in water. Remember Joey? All that trouble over a piece. I don't thing you want to do it again."

Everything seemed to freeze. The only sound was the movement of the waves splashing against the pier. Airi didn't dare to breath. Joey was still staring at the puzzle piece. Something seemed to flashed across his face. Was it recognition? Joey put the piece back, and placed the puzzle around his neck.

"Don't count this as a victory, Yugi." Marik's voice came out with frustrated venom. "We only have 14 minutes left before both of us sink to the bottom."

"I don't plan on that happening, Marik." Yugi said.

Airi knelt again next to Yami. He had relaxed slightly, lines of pain fading from his face. If was capable of breathing she was sure he would be panting. He still smiled in response to the grip she still held on his arm. "Thank you Airi."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes." he looked sideways at her. "I guess I'm not as undefeatable as I look."

"Don't let Yugi hear you say that, you do have a reputation to uphold."

"I don't plan on it."

"Get up Airi." Seto's low voice didn't lose any of its sharpness. "If your brother is going to win this, he doesn't need to see you are defeated."

Airi didn't favor him with an answer.

Yugi glanced over at her, eyes shining with gratitude. "Thanks sis."

Airi nodded, though she didn't think her voice had helped at all. She and Yami stood, holding hands. Even though she couldn't do anything about the duel, it made her feel better to know he was there.

How she managed to watch the rest of the duel Airi didn't know. She wasn't even sure what happened through most of it. She could remember the muttering behind her as her friends tried to think of ways to save Tea, while at the same time telling Serenity to keep her bandages on. The duel continued to get worse as it went on. If Yami hadn't been there she was sure she would have throne herself at Marik and pummeled him, Joey or no Joey. Yami's firm grip of her hand was the only thing that kept her back.

The minutes ticked by slowly. The duelists were down to their last few life points.

"I could just let time run out for you." Marik said. "But destroying you is much more fun."

"Isn't there anything we can do?" Serenity's voice came from behind Airi.

"Trust your brother." Mai said kindly. "It will work out." Airi could hear the unspoken 'somehow' in Mai's voice.

"One more turn Yugi, then you will be gone forever."

"Not until I free Joey." Yugi was looking worse. Airi was amazed he was still standing. If Yami's hand had been of flesh and blood she was sure she would have squeezed all the feeling out of it.

"There has to be a way." Duke said anger, dripping from every word.

"Forget about me!" Tea's voice was cracking. "Just save Yugi, don't worry about what happens to me!"

As if on cue, the rare Hunter in the crane leaned out, waving the remote threateningly and grinning.

"Seto, can't we do something?" Mokuba said. "She did save my life."

Airi's heart leaped with hope. She glanced over at her ex, managing not to smirk in triumph. Seto looked away from the duel and glanced at his brother. He turned slightly and started whispering into a hand radio.

"Airi, what is it?" Yami said.

"Mokuba should have said something earlier. Tea saving Mokuba means Seto is indebted to her, something he can't stand."

"Let's hope he can do something."

"Guys, something's wrong with Joey." Tristan said.

It was true. Joey's jaw was clenched and he was shaking. A card was in his hand but he seemed to be fighting whether or not to play it.

"Joey, Brake free!" Yugi yelled. "You can do it!"

Joey grabbed his head. "Get out of my head!" he screamed. He fell to his knees. "I can't destroy him. He's my best friend!"

"Fight it Joey!" Yugi said.

"Don't let him back in Joey!" Charlotte said.

"Come on Joey!" Mai said.

"You're hiding like a coward Marik!" Yugi's anger and pain came out unchecked. "There will be a loser of this duel, but it won't be Joey or me, it will be you. Joey is free and you will no longer be dueling.

Airi felt a surge of energy come from Joey, but not a good one. He stood, Marik's evil grin again on his face. "Is that so?" Marik's voice dirpped with triumph. "Face your demise! I play Meteor of Destruction!"

Airi squeezed her eyes shut. There was less than two minutes left on the clock.

"YUGI!" Joey's real voice rang through the air. Airi's eyes snapped back open as she felt like the millennium power coming from Joey shattered. Joey stood there looking around confused. The real Joey.

"He did it." Yami said, pride and relief in his voice.

"The Meteor!" Charlotte screamed.

"I activated Mystical Rift Panel!" Yugi turned over a face down. The fairy appeared in time to trap the fire ball in her mirror. "Joey, you're back." Yugi had tears streaming down his face.

"What the...?" Joey held up the puzzle, confused. "What is . . ?" he saw the manacles attached to his and Yugi's ankles. "Yuge, why do I have ya puzzle?"

"I gave it to you Joey, a symbol of our friendship." Yugi's smile shone along with his tears. "Marik tried to turn you against me, but I knew our friendship was to stronger."

"There is only Thirty seconds left." Charlotte's panicked voice broke the reunion. Airi stared in horror at the timer as it steadily counted down the seconds.

The sound of a helicopter distracted the group. The KaibaCorp machine flew overhead, heading straight for the crane with the rare hunter inside. In a swift movement Kaiba had thrown a card at the rare hunter knocking the remote from his hand. The copter connected with the crane, pushing the box from over Tea's head. The group raced over the free Tea, and to take some frustrations out on the bewildered rare hunter.

Airi was about to follow when she heard Yami's yell. She turned to see Mystical Rift Panel turning towards Yugi. Her heart stopped. One of the cards function was holding an attack and hitting whoever the holder of the card wanted. Yugi was going to sacrifice himself for Joey. Ignoring the request to stay out of it, she and Yami started running for Yugi, both mentally yelling for him to stop.

"Yuge, you can't do this!" Roles had reversed with Joey pleading with Yugi.

"Mystical Rift, Attack me!" Yugi said, voice clear and calm. His took off his duel-disk, letting it fall as the monster prepared to attack. He smiled at Joey. "You have 30 seconds to free yourself. Goodbye Joey." the blast engulfed him. Airi could hear screaming from where Tea was, but she couldn't take her eyes off the nightmare before her. Yugi fell through the smoke, collapsing on the pier. The beep of the timer resetting split though the air like triumphant screech.

"Yugi!" Airi was at his side, knelling down eyes streaming. "Wake up, you can't leave me."

"Airi." Yugi's voice was barely a whisper. "I'm sorry." his head hit the pavement, unconscious.

"No, Yugi!" Yami was there too, shaking his shoulders.

"Don't give up Yugi!" Joey yelled. "Red-Eyes attack me!"

Airi looked up surprised. Somehow the monsters still hadn't faded from the field. The winged lizard shot a blast at Joey. Yugi's box flew open, revealing the Key. Airi didn't have time to react before she heard the sound of something flying towards her. She looked up to see Joey swinging on his chain, on a direct course for her. Yami had enough time to pull her out of the way before Joey landed where she had been.

The timer went off. With a splash the anchor dropped. The chains slid under water, hissing like sea serpents. Airi reached out to grab Joey's hand but she was to slow. Both he and Yugi disappeared under the water.

"No!" Airi unlocked her duel-disk. Before anyone could stop her she was in the water. She didn't even think about the key, or the yells of the others. Her only though was to get to Yugi.

The salt stung at her already sore eyes, but she forced them open. She could make out the shapes of two people close by and she struck out for them. She drew close enough to see Joey holding on to Yugi's ankle. Her confusion was short when she saw the key in his hand. He must have graved it before they went under.

She reached them when the maniacal unlocked and plummeted to the dark below. Joey gave the unconscious boy a push, jerking with his head for her to take Yugi up. She felt like a fink to let Joey drown, but she didn't have much of a choice. Her lungs were already protesting for air. She wrapped her arms around Yugi's waist, and kicked furiously towards the surface.

The combined weight was pulling her down. If she didn't do something she would drown too. She only half noticed a diving figure shoot past her towards where Joey had been. She pulled Yugi up preparing to give him a push before she completely ran out of air. She closed her eyes, unable to hold them open any longer. It was getting the point she felt a pain in her shoulders. Shoulders?

Airi broke the surface of the water. She gasped for air, pulling Yugi up along with her. It was then she saw Yami. He came around from behind her, letting go of the vice like grip he had on her shoulders. His eyes, though relieved, burned with frustration.

"What were you thinking!" he said, not bothering to use the mind link. "You didn't even stop for the key."

"Yell at me later, help me get Yugi out." Her head hurt too much from salt and the yelling coming from the docks. The two of them made their way back to the docks, Yami mostly making sure Airi stayed on course. Tea was there to pull Yugi out, face pale. Airi was about to follow when Tristan's shout made her turn. Serenity, with Joey emerged from the water. Airi would have gone over to help, but Duke, and Yami, pulled her out of the water. Tea had Yugi lying out on the pier, making sure he was alright while the others helped the Wheelers. Airi at her brother's side in an instant. He was breathing, slowly but surely.

"Yugi, come one, wake up please." she pleaded, pulling him on her lap. He she brushed his wet bangs off his forehead. "Come on, you have to wake up. Come on idiot."

He coughed, then eyes opened his a slit. "Airi?"

"Thank heaven." Airi pressed her forehead against his.

"Joey!" Yugi tried to sit up, failing.

"Right here man." Joey had come. The other stood behind him, giving them space. "I'm so sorry Yugi."

"It's not your fault. Marik controlled you."

"But it was still me. I used my dueling against my best friend. How can I show my face in the finals now? Hey!"

Mai had come up behind and smacked him upside the head. Joey glared at her. Charlotte shrugged. "I would hit him harder."

"Joey, what are you thinking? You made it through that and you're going to give up? You made it through Duelist Kingdom. You're your sister's idol."

"What kind of idol gets turned into a zombie and tries to kill his best friend."

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself." Tristan said.

"Proves he is the same he has always been." Kaiba said. "Come Mokuba." both Kaiba's turned and started walking.

"What is that supposed to mean, Moneybags?" Joey said.

"If you're planning to be in my finals you need to do better then you showed today."

"Kaiba." Yugi pushed himself up, Airi helping him to sit up. "Thank you for your help."

"I did what I had to." Kaiba turned and started walking again. "I will see you at the finals, Yugi."

"Ok, I'm not taking that crap from that stuck up jerk." Joey said.

"That's more like the Joey I know." Charlotte said.

"I know you will do it Joey." Serenity gave her brother a hug.

"Not today." Airi said. "The finals can wait. Thank heaven we are all safe."

"I'll give you guys a lift back home." Mai said.

"Oh, before I forget." Joey held up the Millennium Puzzle. He placed it around Yugi neck. "Now everything is as it should be."

Yugi place a hand protectively on the gold pyramid. "Thanks Joey."

"Hey, friends till the end."

How they all fit in the car was something Airi wasn't sure of. The Wheelers sat up front with Mai, though Tristan obviously wanted to sit by Serenity. Charlotte and Tea sat in the back with Airi who had Yugi on her lap; thank heavens he was still small for his age. Duke and Tristan got creative and sat rim of the card on the trunk.

Yugi leaned heavily on his sister. He had tried to convince them he was strong enough to walk to the car, but had ended up being carried by Tristan. They were halfway home and Yugi was still fighting to stay awake.

"You can sleep." Airi told him gently. "If you're going to duel later you'll have to get a lot of rest the next the few days."

"I know. I just. . . I felt you're duel earlier. Are you ok?"

"You should be more worried about yourself right now." she teased, then went serious. "I'm alright, lodes better now I know you're safe."

"Airi, I'm really sorry."

"Anything specific?"

"You had to get hurt, and you had to watch that duel."

"I wish you didn't have to sense that."

"Whoever that was didn't have any right to make you feel like that."

"And you're planning on beating him up for me?"

"Not right this moment." he closed his eyes. His outburst had taken more energy than he expected.

"Yugi, I'm alright and you're alive. Though I do forgive you for scaring us all half to death."

"I'm really bad at that, aren't I?"

"Yes you are." Yami's voice came from the puzzle.

Yugi gripped his puzzle tightly. "Thank you Yami."

"For what?"

"Trusting me enough to let me face Joey on my own. I know we are a team, but I need to know I could stand on my own."

"You did well, Yugi. I knew you would."

"I just want you two promise me one thing." Airi said.

"What?" Yugi sounded worried.

"even if you keep braking promises to stay out of trouble, make sure you come back."

"Deal. As long as you do."

"I guess that's fair enough."

It was lucky Grandpa was out when they got home, or Airi was sure he would have thrown a fit. With the others help she got Yugi inside and to his room before they all drove off to their own homes to get some well-deserved rest. Yugi didn't complain as Airi got him into bed and made him take some pills for pain and for him to sleep, though he joke he didn't need them. Yami stood by the skylight, glaring up at the night sky. He jumped a little when Airi placed a hand on his shoulder.

"If you want to take it out something, I'm ready for that 'why were you being so stupid' lecture you were going to give me." she said.

Yami turned to her, eyes softening. "I was frightened for your safety. What you did was reckless."

"I think it's genetic." Airi said, glancing at her sleeping brother.

Yami laughed. "That would explain it." His face went serious again. "This is only the second day of the tournament, and the finals start tomorrow night. How much more can Marik do to us?"

"If I know him, lots." Airi said flatly. "That doesn't mean we aren't going to fight just as much. And we certainly are not defeated yet."

"No we aren't." Yami agreed. Airi yawned and he smiled again. "You need some rest. I can look after things until your grandfather gets home."

"You need some rest too."

"Mine will wait. Marik is still out there."

"You're not dueling him tonight." Airi said, firmly. "After all he's done, he doesn't deserve to face you again tonight. He'll have to wait. Night, and I'm sorry I caused you more worry." She turned to go.

"Airi."

"Yes?"

"I am truly thankful you are alright."

She smiled and squeezed his hand. "So am I."


Marik was fuming. That fool Rorrim had said he knew peoples weaknesses, especially of the Muto girl. It hadn't been a hard decision to destroy him since he didn't have his special card anymore; that was the only thing that made him worth keeping as a servant. As for the duel with Joey, it made him feel even sicker with rage. Marik knocked over bowl of fruit with the Millennium Rod. He still didn't understand how that blond idiot could break through his control.

He sat on his throne with a snort of frustration. After a few minutes he calmed himself enough to think. Not everything was lost. He still had control over Tea he could fall back on if needed. And there was that Spirit Bakura. Having someone the group trusted allied with him made things easier.

Smiling at his new reassurance, he rose and walked to a poster on the wall. It was a poster for Battle City Tournament. On the bottom it announced that there would be one more dueling day of the tournament. All those with the entry number of Locator Cards were to report to the KaibaDome tomorrow evening.

Marik stroked the date with finger, eyes glinting with an evil light. Tomorrow, he would get them all. So what if two of them held God Cards? He had Ra, and that was all he'd need make them all bow before him.


A/N: YAY Almost to the real fighting. PLEASE REVIEW! I'm in the last stretch of school so i would love to hear from some one other then professors.

Thank you Again for liking this story and your support. Hope this helps you relax in your own stress. Take care and stay sane.