Alright, this chapter took a lot of work so I'm expecting lots of comments.
Thanks to battousaisgirl16 for the proof reading and editing. Special thanks to all of you for your support.
I don't own Yugioh, but there are lots of changes so please don't get mad. If there are any parts which are confusing then please message me and I'll try to explain.
Chapter 33
Airi wasn't impressed by the tower. It looked like an shaky toy rocket poking out of the wreckage of several failed attempts. She said as such to Yami who smiled and shook his head, not acting surprised at all by her comment. Even with this she could tell the duel was on his mind. Every muscle in his arm was tensed. Even Yugi was radiating consideration next to her.
They entered the tower. The walls didn't make her feel any more comfortable since they were the same color as the wreckage outside. Seto definitely didn't want to invest in too many different kinds of paint.
Yugi looked around the room, his eyes staring blankly around as he seemed to remember all that had happened before. Even though she hadn't been there to see it, there was a dark feeling about the place. She put a hand on her brother's shoulder. Even as a spirit she could feel the tension inside him. Snapping out of his trance like state, Yugi smiled before fading. She guessed he need to get in the right mindset.
The elevator ride seemed to take forever, and there was not even the annoying sound of elevator music to distract them. Airi wasn't going to admit it, but the walk had taken a lot out of her. Maybe she wasn't completely ready to stand and watch a duel. Still, she pretended nothing was wrong, even when Yami pointedly gave her a questioning look when she tightened her grip on his arm. She only smiled, hoping he would take the action as a well wishing squeeze. Last thing he needed was to be worried about her.
Kaiba was waiting for them on the arena. Mokuba stood at his side,saying something about Yugi was sure to show up in time. They both turned when both Muto's arrived on the platform, one relieved and the other satisfied.
"About time you showed up." Kaiba said. "Didn't wait around for your cheer squad?"
"I'm here, aren't I?" Airi snapped.
His eyes met hers and something flashed across their usual ice filled gaze. 'Is he concerned?' Airi thought. It was gone in a moment.
"I thought you weren't feeling well." he sounded uninterested.
Airi rolled her eyes to show she was fine, but tried not to look like she was leaning on Yami as much as she was.
Mokuba started walking towards a side entrance, saying something into his hand radio. A few moments later a man with a folding chair appeared which he set up along the side lines of the duel platform before leaving by the same way. Mokuba indicated it was for Airi.
"I don't need-" she started, but a hand covered hers.
"You need to sit." Yami said quietly. "You can still watch."
"I know that." she said, turning red. Being fussed over was a new experience. Usually she was the person making other people take it easy.
Yami refused to let Airi walk over by her self and escorted her to her seat. Only after he saw she was settled did he return to the his place opposite Kaiba. On the way back she noticed Yami give a nod to his opponent, who only rolled his eyes in disgust. She felt confused. Had Kaiba told Mokuba to get the chair with out saying? No, that wasn't in his character.
"She must be worried about your victory, Yugi." Kaiba said.
"You should be worried about yours." Yami shot back.
Kaiba smirked. "I'm not the one who has so much on the line. It will be quite a shock to you when you're no longer the top duelist."
"What will it take, Kaiba." Yami's frustration was evident."Why can't you see there is more at stake than just titles?"
"Stop being dramatic. All you're worried about is no longer being the top duelist when I beat you. Even more embarrassing for you when it happens in front of your sister."
Airi's fist clenched on the armrest. Would people stop bringing her into things? Being used as a jab at Yugi was getting annoying.
"Are you sure you should up here?" Mokuba asked her. "I mean, after whatever happened to you this morning I would think you'd be tired."
He was being sincere, but his words only did more to fuel Airi's determination to stay. She gave him a sly smile. "Box of pocky sticks says Yugi wins."
Mokuba's face lit up. "You're on. Of course you know Seto's going to win."
The younger boy's reaction made Airi smile. Before the brake up she and Mokuba would have fun wagers about who would win. He always backed Seto, which meant she always had a box of chocolate cracker stick to take home. They had never told Seto about the wagers, and it was probably a good thing. She was sure he would have said something about waist of pocket money. Now that she thought of it, she usually left half the box on the counter for Yugi to find before she left in the morning. Back then it had seemed enough to keep down the guilt of ignoring him. Shadows of past guilt sent shivers down her still frayed nerves, and she pushed the thoughts away. She was here to support her brother, not relive memories.
Studying both duelists, it was hard to say who looked the more determined. Kaiba's face was smug and confident while Yami's was set with a determined stare which betrayed nothing. She was familiar with both duelists' abilities and motivations but foretelling a victor was impossible. Kaiba was ambitious, Yami and Yugi were on a mission. Neither of them would be easy to defeat.
"The duel will now begin." Roland announced.
The duelist drew their cards.
"Now we will see who's god card is the stronger." Kaiba said. "I think we should make the setting appropriate for your demise." he played a card.
A virtual Colosseum rose around them. It was so realistic Airi was taken aback by the detail put into it. The stone benches rose up around them, seeming to touch the sky. Every one was filled with toga clad spectators. Even if it wasn't in ancient time it still had a feeling of destruction about which made her uneasy.
"GO KAIBA, GO KAIBA" the virtual spectators chanted, waving their fists in the air. Nice thing about virtual world was there was not language barriers, but that didn't mean what they were saying anything Airi felt like hearing.
"He couldn't pay enough for real supporters." Airi muttered, but softly so Mokuba couldn't hear.
"In ancient times, Gladiators wold fight to the show who was the best." Kaiba proclaimed, indicating his new masterpiece. "Today, we will revive this tradition."
Yami looked around, his expression grave. "they died to prove that, Kaiba." he said. "Again, you still don't see how much victory can cost."
"Stop preaching and play." Kaiba snapped. "It's your move."
"I play Queen's Knight in defense mode." Yami said. "I place a card face down and end my turn.
Kaiba drew, and the corner of his mouth twitch. So how this was more annoying to Airi than if he had actually proclaimed he had powerful a monster. He was obviously confident he was going to win, because his poker-face was horrible. It had been like that when they had been together. She made herself calm down. Her nerves were so shot she probably couldn't handle a proper game face if she was dueling either. Glancing at Yami she was proud to see his eye was on Kaiba, but his expression was still guarded.
"I summon X-head Cannon in attack mode, and I also play Spell Sanctuary." Kaiba said.
Airi raised an eyebrow as both players took a magic card from their decks and into their hands.
"Now you can't say I never helped anyone but myself." Kaiba said. "No I have given you an extra spell card for you hand, not that it will help you much. I will defeat you in the end."
The virtual crowd cheered at his words, making the air feel even more filled with over confidence then it already was. Airi let her breath out through her teeth to keep her from saying the rude thing which just crossed her mind. No matter what she said about him, Seto was still brilliant at strategy, and insulting him in front of Mokuba wouldn't make a difference.
Yami didn't seemed fazed at the unexpected gift. He slid the card in among the other in his hand without a comment, though Airi was sure his jaw did clench harder when the crowd continued to cheer.
"You can do this!" she shouted. "make him regret giving you that card."
Yami's eye met hers, and she was relived to see he wasn't intimidated. He inclined his head to acknowledge her words before turning back to his hand. At the other end of the field Kaiba gave her a disproving look, to which she returned smiled sweetly.
Kaiba placed a card face down and ended his turn. Yugi in turn played a magnet monster and another face down.
"Why aren't they doing anything?" Mokuba said.
"Don't worry." Airi said. "Seto usually doesn't wait passed the second round to show his plan."
She was right.
"I play Cross Sacrifice. Now I can take your monster and sacrifice them along with my cannon to bring about Obelisk."
"Not so fast." Yami placed a card. "I use Change of Heart, the card I chose for Spell Sanctuary, and play it to steel your X-head cannon away from you." The monster swopped places with Yami's, making it impossible for them to be sacrificed. "I should thank you, Kaiba. I was able to play that during your turn thanks to Spell Sanctuary."
Kaiba however didn't seemed worried. "I would be disappointed if you didn't see that one coming, but it is still my turn." his own spell card activated, Enemy Controller, and his life points suddenly dropped. "By sacrificing 1000 life points I can take my monster back from you, and I can still sacrifice it." he waved a card over his head, and even from her chair Airi could tell it was Obelisk. "Now you will face the wrath of the gods."
"I activate Light Force Sword!" Yami's spell card created a sword, spearing the card and taking it our of Kaiba's hand.
Airi cheered. The affect of the card kept it from being played for three turns.
"What." for once in his life Kaiba seemed shocked.
"What's the rush Kaiba?" Yami said. "Why end the duel now when it just got interesting."
"Wow, Yugi is really good." Mokuba said.
"You sound surprised." Airi said, a smile still on her face.
"Seto is still a champion." Mokuba insistent.
"I know." Airi settled back in her chair. "I taught both of them." she added in a undertone.
Kaiba was quick to recover his composer. "Nice trick, but you've only bought yourself a little extra time. You will have to face Obelisk sooner or later."
Yami drew a card. "I prefer later."
Because they weren't sacrificed both of Yami's monsters returned to his side of the field. "I place a face down and end my turn." Yami said.
"I expected more aggression from the King of Games" Kaiba said. "If you keep hiding behind your cards then Obelisk can wipe you out in one shot."
Yami didn't answer, but Airi saw some annoyance in manner. This was different from Yami's usual strategy, more like hers and Yugi's actually, but it seemed to be working. She couldn't help smirking. It was a good thing there were two of them against Seto's big head.
Yami turned sharply, eyes narrowed towards the entrance of the arena, hidden by the virtual Colosseum. Before anyone could question what he was looking at Marik appeared out of the wall of the projected image. Just seeing his crazed face and millennium rod made her nerve tingle and her heart feel frozen.
"It's not your turn to duel yet, Ishtar." Kaiba said, voice laced with ice.
"No harm in watching." Evil Marik said. His gaze moved to Airi and his eyes widened. Despite her fear, Airi was please at his surprised look. Evidently he though she had been dealt with. His expression hardened, and he started walking towards her.
"Stay away, Marik." Yami growled. The millennium eye flashed across his forehead.
Evil Marik was wise enough to stop. He glanced between Airi and Yami. He shrugged and processed to the other side of the arena. Only when he was completely on the other side of the ring did she breath easier. It was then she noted Mokuba had moved to the other side of her so he was between her and Marik.
"Thank you." she said. Mokuba smiled, though still seeming unhappy with having the other duelist in the arena. Shaking her head back to the field. Who said little guys didn't have any guts?
"Airi, are you alright?" Yugi had appeared on her other side. On the dueling platform Yami's eyes kept darting from her to Marik, as if trying to watch them both at the same time.
"I'm fine." she said, making the mind link was open to both of them. "Don't get distracted now. You still have a duel to win."
"Right." Yugi squeezed her hand before fading. Thankfully Yami also appeared satisfied and quit his two way surveillance of the arena.
"Will you pay attention?" Kaiba had returned to his present matter. "The least you could do is pay attention as I defeat you."
Shooting one last look at Evil Marik Yami turned back to face Kaiba as the other teen played Y-Dragon Head. This was only a piece of the puzzle as the piece was placed on top of X-Head Cannon to great XY-Dragon Cannon. He then destroyed Alpha the magnet warrior, but because the monster was in defense mode no points were lost.
Airi sat up, alert now. From what she'd noticed in the card list there was one piece still remaining of this monster; Z-Metal Tank. Knowing Kaiba it was in his deck waiting to be drawn.
"You seemed worried Yugi." Kaiba sounded pleased. "Afraid of the shame of losing? Maybe you should hand over your card over now if you can't handle it."
Across the field Marik's toothy grin seemed to widen at the suggestion, making Airi's fist clench. Would Seto stop talking already?
"Not a chance, Kaiba." she could hear both her friend and brother's voice. Good thing their were two of them to fight Kaiba's big head.
Kaiba's cocky gin didn't leave at his opponent's statement. "I play Lullaby of Obedience. With the cost of 1000 life points, I can take a powerful card from your deck and add it to my hand."
"No." Airi said. There was only one card Kaiba would want. She couldn't even look over at Marik.
"It was only a matter of time before it was in my deck anyway." Kaiba started to walk over to Yami. "I'll take you god card now."
Airi was mad enough to hit something, and thankfully Mokuba was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. Having to listen to Seto be cocky was one thing, but to see him getting what he wanted was too much. Yami wasn't helping her mood, acting all calm as he reached in his deck. The card was near the bottom, where he could never get it in enough moves to help in this duel anyway. Why was Yami being so calm, this wasn't like him at all. Even with Yugi there she was sure he would have acted more upset. It was then she caught his eye. Did he just wink at her?
"Well played, Kaiba." Yami said, card in his hand. "but before you walk all the way over here, I should tell you I saw that coming."
Kaiba stopped, his smirk slipping a few notches. Airi's hope rose again.
"I activate my spell card, Exchange."
"You get to take one of my cards?" Kaiba snorted. "that won't save you."
"Maybe, But as Slifer was going to be in your hand, I'll just keep it here with me and call it even." Yami put the hand holding the god card behind his back. "You can still choose a card from my hand."
It was impossible to describe Kaiba's expression. It was a mix between furry and trying to keep his dignity. He snatched a card from Yami's hand, and stalked back to his side of the field. Yami smiled, slipping Slifer into his own hand.
"Now the odds are even." Mokuba said, tone awed. "They both have a god card in their hand."
Airi watched as her ex took his place and turned back. His face had lost any hint of amusement or cockiness.
"You're right Mokuba, this duel has changed."Airi glanced at back at Kaiba. "Now it's personal." Having a god card snatched away from him wasn't sitting well with Seto. He was now fighting for the kill.
Despite having a powerful monster in his hand, Yami's next move was to summon Big Shield Gardna. Kaiba's smirk half way returned at the start of his move when he brought the final piece of his XYZ-Dragon Cannon on the the field. Airi drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair, knowing what the next turn would bring.
To show how powerful his monster way Kaiba ended his turn by destroying Gardna, but Yami again was ready for him. Using an trap card Yami sacrificed his 1000 life points to summon a higher level monster at the other ones destruction. King's Knight joined Queen's Knight on the field.
"And that is not all." Yami continued. "When these two monsters on are the field I am able to summon Jack's Knight to the field." the third of the set appeared with the others. "Now I have three monsters on the field. Enough for a sacrifice."
"No." Kaiba said. But it was true. Yami was going to be the first to bring an Egyptian God onto the field.
The three monsters on Yami's side vanished and the long scaly body of Slifer appeared in the arena. This time Airi could appreciate the dragon's magnificence without worrying about it eating her brother. It was more snake like, or an Asian dragon the way it winding itself around behind his master to make room, teeth shining like steel. It was an amazing dragon.
Everyone around the arena, except for Airi, seemed shocked that "Yugi" had managed to summon his god card before Kaiba. Marik seemed more interested in what was going on then he had previously. Mokuba stared from Yami to his brother with shock, before joining the virtual crowd in cheering Kaiba on. Kaiba's expression was one of quiet fury. It was clear he didn't like not being in control. Now his rival had one of the most powerful monsters in the world at his command, even if he still though of it as a hologram. No doubt about it, now he was going to make sure Yugi didn't get to keep his title. The humiliation would be too much for him.
"I'm not impressed." Kaiba said at last. "you only have three cards left in your hand, Yugi, and that only makes Slifer's attack points 3000. You can take out my monster, though I wouldn't suggest it."
Airi looked over the playing field. There didn't seem to be anything stopping Yami from taking out the toy looking tank, but there was a face down. Still if they didn't do anything then Obelisk would be up in the next turn.
The same thing seemed to cross Yami's mind because he called an attack. Kaiba's face down was flipped up and revealed to be Matter Transporter, which moved XYZ-Dragon Cannon to another dimension and out of the attack. The bolt of power exploded, causing the air around them to shutter, over riding the virtual audience. Airi glanced at her ex, but he didn't seem to notice that the attack hadn't been an projected image. She shook her head in disbelief. Seto could be really near sited sometimes.
Surprisingly Yami didn't seem to disgruntled by the events of the turn. It was apparent he had expected the trap card to be something else. He placed a card down and ended his turn.
At long last the turn Kaiba was waiting for. The god card returned to his hand from it's banishment and he sacrificed his monsters to play it. Both God cards towered above the Colosseum, their size only second to their powers. Obelisk and Slifer seemed to be having a stare down like their masters.
Even though she could get a good look at it, Airi wasn't impressed. She knew better than to question the powers of the card, but she thought the monster was too ugly to be called a god. The skull like face and blue body looked shabby compared to Slifers long coils. Even if the red god card wasn't the strongest, she decided she liked it better.
"Wow." Mokuba said. "i hope the camera are getting a good image of this."
"Cameras?" Airi looked around, but it was impossible to see with the projected stadium.
"We don't want to have the world miss seeing the god cards in action." Mokuba was still looking up at the two monster with awe.
"More like to see who's left to take them." Airi said. It was easy for her to see they weren't computer images. Whether or not they were real god or just images in the cards, they were defiantly lethal. She hope the only thing that would be lost was life points. She didn't want either of the duelists physically weakened, especially not with Marik so close by.
"Face it Yugi." Kaiba sounded even more sure of himself. "My God card is the more powerful. Yours is no match for it."
"We'll see about that." Yami said. "Because you summoned a monster, Slifer's second mouth will attack automatically, reducing Obelisk to 2000 attack points."
The ball of energy crackled the air, colliding against the second god with a blast like of a cannon. The blue monster didn't even seem fazed by the blast
"These are just holograms, right?" Mokuba said.
"Ask your brother." Airi said flatly, not taking her eyes off the field. "He seems to think so."
Kaiba didn't seem to care he was attacked. "You couldn't even make a bruise. Slifer only has 2000 attack points now, thanks to your placing a face down, and Obelisk is only weak for one turn. You'll have to do better than that."
Yami drew, making Slifer's attack 3000. "I activate Pot of Greed." the face down flipped up and the two new card to his hand increased the points to 5000. "Slifer attack."
This time it was Kaiba who was ready. His face down made it so Slifer couldn't hear Yami's command, so no attack occurred. Also Kaiba was able to draw an extra card. Frowning in concentration, Yami placed down two face downs, ending his turn.
Kaiba drew, but immediately Yami activated Card Destruction, making both of them discard their hands and draw the same number of cards. Only after this did Yami seemed to relax slightly. Airi guessed there was a card in Kaiba's hand he was afraid would be played. But then Yami played Disgraceful Charity, which gave back the cards they had just discarded. Airi shook her head. Slifer might have 6000 attack point, but Kaiba still had the same hand from last time.
And he wasn't afraid to use them. Kaiba played Thirst for Compensation, which summoned two monsters to the field.
"You're wasting your time Kaiba." Yami said. "Slifer's second head will destroy them."
"Not when I play Card Guard." Kaiba discarded two cards from his hand to deflect the attack. "I need these two monster Yugi so I can sacrifice them to Obelisk and activate his special ability. When he receives sacrifices he directs 4000 attack points of damage to everything in his path." his smile widened. "Including you directly."
"NO" Airi stood. "Seto you can't. These aren't computers."
"Come on Seto." Mokuba cheered. "You're close to winning."
The two monster fades, and a lighting bold at bright at as a firework appeared in Obelisk's hands. Yami had barley enough time to play a card before it came thundering towards him. Instantly a wall of Kuribohs appeared, intercepting the attack.
"Not those fur ball again." Kaiba shouted. "They can't stop a god."
"Apparently, they can." Yami took a deep breath. "That was too close."
"Way too close." Airi said, sitting as she let out her own held breath. "He's not going to let you get away with this. He really hates those fuzzballs of yours."
"I know." there was a hint of humor in his voice. Airi could imagine Yugi also smiling at their careful blocking.
"I place a face down and end my turn." Kaiba said, eyes still flashing with fury.
Yami's next attack tactic was to wrap Slifer around Obelisk. Mokuba's scream of terror was unnecessary because Kaiba activated Power Balance, forcing the dragon to back off. Obelisk tried to counter attack, but Yami use a card to pull several of Kaiba's monsters from the grave yard, making it so when they were destroyed 600 points for each would be subtracted from Obelisk's attack points. When they appeared the special attack of Slifer sent them all back again. Even with this the attack wasn't lessened enough, and Obelisk slammed his fist into Slifer with the sound of an explosion. Thankfully his points were reduced enough so Slifer came out unharmed.
"Nice try Yugi." Kaiba said. "but you only have one card left in your hand. Your monster is weak. It's now time to show I'm the superior duelist."
Yami activated his final face down card, discarding his cards, and allowing him to draw one card and activate it if it was a magic card.
Obelisk was prepared to attack, and Slifer hand no points what so ever. Airi had to remind herself to breath. Even Marik was watching intently. Obelsk came in for an attack, just as Yami drew, and activated Card Security, making it so both players had to have six cards in their hands. Kaiba wasn't going to have that and played Life Shaver, so Yugi had to discard two cards.
Now the gods were even. Slifer 4000, Obelisk 4000.
The two gods collided with the force of a volcano eruption. The winds howled around them, and Airi put her arms around Mokuba to keep him from falling over. From what seemed like miles away she though she heard Seto say something about holograms not suppose to act like this. Shattering sounds around them announced the camera lenses shattering. Lightning flashed above them through her closed lids. She prayed none of those bolts hit the duelists.
A jolt of energy told her Yami was using his magic. She scream through the link to not do anything stupid, but he ignored her. She chanced a glance at the arena. Yami and Yugi had switched, and now her brother was on his knees, shielding his own eyes from the wind. On the other side Kaiba was managing to stand, though he look about to topple any moment.
Yami stood detached in the middle of the two gods, the gold eye on his forehead shining as bright as the power between the two giants. Neither of them seemed willing to give, and it struck Airi that they were going to both be destroyed if they didn't get called off, but neither of their masters were going to give the order.
The power gave one last crack and bother monsters disappeared in the burst. The sound wave alone threatened to shake down the tower. Still holding on to Mokuba Airi wasn't able to look away from the sight before her. The destruction of the monsters set both duelist sprawling onto the platform, where they both lay motionless. The power that had been between the two gods threatened to spread to where they lay, but Yami clapped his hands together and the ball imploded, hitting Yami instead. The force knocked him back and he faded from sight.
"NO!" Mokuba and Airi screamed in unison. Mokuba ran up the platform, calling his brother name as he knelt beside him.
How Airi managed to get to Yugi's side without he legs giving out she will never know. Kneeling beside Yugi she rolled him onto his back. He didn't seem harmed, and his breathing was normal. She touched his skin and was grateful to find it felt normal. Yami must have again taken the brunt of the force.
Her heart skipped a beat at this thought, remembering what happened the last time Yami had taken a god card's attack. Slifer and Obelisk weren't Ra, but that had been real power a moment ago. He wasn't one to stay back if Yugi was out of danger. What if he . . .
"YAMI"
Even if he didn't have a body of his own, getting hit by two god's blast still hurt. Yami blinked several times to try and get his barrings, and realized he wasn't in his puzzle.
Like before, it was like a strange movie was playing in front of him, and no matter what he did he couldn't look away. Apprehension swept through him as he waiting for what this one would hold.
This time he looked out on a palace hall. It looked as if it had seen better days. The pillars were cracked and the oil lamps caused eery shadows to flicker in their dim light. The shutters were open, but there was no sunlight though it felt like midday. Everything was too quiet. The hall was supposed to be a place of gathering, but Yami could only see four people, not counting the guards at the doors.
Closest to where Yami stood was a throne, in which was seated the person he guessed had been his past self. From the blood on the Pharaoh's cloths and the trench mark of tears on his dust covered face it was obviously after the last memory. Yami didn't want to find out more, but was unable to stop the images. All he could do was watch memories which still didn't seem to be his, but had to be.
From what Yami could see of this pharaoh's eyes, they were empty and lost. In is hands he held the diadem, which he stared at like was supposed to reveal something to him. Sitting on the arm of the throne with her head resting on his shoulder was a little girl no older that five year old. They were obliviously related, with the sunset eyes and black hair removing any doubt. Despite her youth her eyes were too calm for the situation, as if she understood what was happening and was simply waiting for someone to act. She two watched the hair piece, though not as intently as the pharaoh.
Standing off to the side the young woman Yami recognized from the last memory. She obviously not wanting to be in the way but afraid to leave the two of them alone. She also hadn't changed out of her torn dress and her brown hair was messed and dirty. She kept looking like she wanted to say something, but word failed her.
A young man about her age stood with his arm around her shoulder, supporting her as they both watched their pharaoh. His clothes were in one piece, but weren't as fine as the others, indicating lower status. Despite his lack of stature he held himself like someone willing to defend the others around him if the need arose. From his appearance he obviously hadn't been through what the others had, but his expression held the same pain. There was something familiar about him, though the face was foreign. As Yami's gaze reached the young man's eyes, his own widened. This youth had Yugi's eyes.
Shouting and small explosions came from the other end behind the large doors. The little girl looked up in alarm and wrapped her arms around the pharaoh's upper arm. The young woman started and looked about fear evident in her green eyes. Her companion positioned himself in front of her, his own fear mixed with determination. The pharaoh didn't look up, but his body obviously tensed.
The doors at the other end flew open, knocking the guards against the wall where they slumped unconscious. Through the doors came a tall man who obviously was of high rank. From the gold ornaments and millennium rod in his hands he was clearly powerful. When his face came into the light Yami stared in disbelief.
"Kaiba?" he said, though no one could hear him. This man looked very much like Seto Kaiba, like a twin in fact, but there was something in his manor that was darker than even the modern version.
"Seth." the young man came forward, hate flashing like sparks in violet eye. "You dare to appear after you proved yourself a traitor? After all you and you father have done, you're not fit to live."
"Priest Seth to you, slave." the new comer said. "I haven't come for what is mine, not to speak to runts like you."
"You're a traitor, and should be destroyed." the young man lifted both fist in the air. "Come to me, Guardian!" light flashed above him and a monster appeared at his side, taking on the shape of Celtic Guardian.
"So you do have a soul monster." Seth said. "I'll be sure to add it to my collection after I defeat you." he raised his arm, on which was a strange thing which looked like a gold version of the duel-disk. "White Dragon, come to me."
A Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared beside him, glowering down at them all. The pharaoh's eyes had shifted to watch the duel, though they were still shadowed by his bangs. The little girl squeaked in fright, but seemed in awe by this new addition to the throne room. One hand still holding on to the diadem, the pharaoh placed his arm around her, holding her close while still not taking his eyes off the proceedings.
The young woman's eyes narrowed. "That's a new monster, Seth." she said. "who did you destroy to get that?"
Sorrow and pain flicked across Seth's face, but it was gone in a instant. "None of your busyness. You should tell your friend here to back out while he still has a monster."
"Attack!" the young man shouted. Celtic Guardian launched forwards intent to slice the dragon's neck. The dragon responded by blasting the solder out of the air, causing him to dissolve in a scream of anguish.
The young man fell to his knees, clutching his chest and panting heavily.
"Geb!" the child screamed.
The young woman was at Geb's side in a moment, worry and fear in her eyes as she knelt beside him.
"Is this all you have to send against me, Pharaoh?" Seth called. "you send a mere servant youth? What happened to the strong pharaoh everyone believes is in his palace planing to save his country. Should I tell them he sits and mopes because he was unable to save the queen."
These words hit Yami with more force then Ra had. Queen? Was that the woman he had seen dead? The woman who had Airi's features?
The young woman stood, eyes blazing. "You're not worthy to speak of her. Because of you, she was in danger in the first place. Your rod and your siding with the dark one are the reasons she's dead. You've lost nothing, don't speak to us about loss."
Again remorse seemed to flick across Seth's face as he looked at his Blue-eyes, but again it was gone before anyone other than Yami could see it.
"I'm not on the side of the dark one. If I was I would have taken out my fellow priest on my way here. They won't be able to stand against him when he arrives. Your little magician only gave us a little time." he looked at the young woman with a smirk. "With the state you are now in Pharaoh, I think it would be wise for you to hand over the throne to me. You are obviously in no state to make any real decisions, being as low as you are now."
"Go away, frog breath." the little girl shouted. "My father can take out you like that." she clapped her hands together.
Being the closest to the throne, Yami was the only one to see the features of the pharaoh soften at this praise.
The girls statement didn't faze Seth at all. "However if you don't wish to be reasonable, I can just take your slaves spirit monster and then show how weak you truly are by defeating you with it."
Geb's face paled at these words.
Eyes flashing, the young woman took a step so she stood directly in front of her companion. "You'll have to get through me first." she said, raising her arm.
"Mana, stop."
The voice hadn't shouted, but everyone in the room heard it. All turned in surprise to the throne. It had been the first time Yami had heard the past Pharaoh speak. He had sat up in his throne so his face was completely visible to all. The fire in his eye made even Yami nervous, and when he spoke it was the commanding voice of a king.
"I face you on the condition that Geb's monster remains with him. I will not let you harm any more of my family."
"Now you consider the slaves more family then your own." Seth sneered. "Fine, he can keep it. Why would I want it anyway?"
Geb glared at Seth as Mana helped him up and walked back up to the dais where the throne stood. Neither he or Mana seemed pleased with this idea of the Pharaoh dueling, but they didn't try to stop him.
The pharaoh stood, but the little girl stayed standing on the throne.
"Abba, I'm scared." she said. Standing on the seat of the throne she was almost level with him.
A ghost of a smile flicked across his face. "Here." he put the Diadem into he hands and closed her small finger around it. "Hold on to this for me. This will not take long. I promise."
She nodded, and then threw her arms around his neck. Seeming unable to speak he carried her over to the other two. Mana silently gathered the girl in her arms, stroking her black hair when she buried her face in her shoulder.
"You'll defeat him, Pharaoh." Geb's eyes met the pharaoh's without hesitation. "I know you will."
The Pharaoh turned without a word and silently walked down the steps until he was level with Seth.
"Touching Pharaoh." Seth said. "It will be even more so when you lose."
"I'm not going to lose." the pharaoh's tone left no room for argument.
Seth didn't seem impressed. "Are you planning on using one of the god's against me?"
The pharaoh's lip curled in disgust. "I wouldn't waist their power on you."
"So you will only fight with yourself." Seth scoffed. "You must have lost your mind."
The pharaoh raised his own gold duel-disk. Light appeared and a figure in purple appeared at his side. The only difference this magician and the one Yami knew was instead an passive expression, this one's eyes were as hard and sharp as the others around them. The way he was glaring at Seth could have produced a Dark Magic Attack without any incantation.
"Mahad's Magician?" Seth said. "you use a friends monster to do your dirty work?"
"Your family hurt his sister." A humorless smile twitched the corner of pharaoh's mouth. "If he could you're be facing him along with me."
"Two against one, doesn't sound fair." Seth said. "Even so, I have enough power to destroy you both."
"Never underestimate me, Priest."
"ATTACK" both duelists shouted.
"YAMI" Airi's voice jolted him back to his reality.
Yami opened his eyes. He's half expected to find himself still back in that memory. Instead he saw he was in one of this spirit rooms. He closed his eyes to keep it from spinning. His mind was still whirling. The images of what he had just seen replayed over, making him really glad he didn't have a mind for them to pound against. He would have one major migraine if he did.
He tried desperately to figure out what he had just seen. He had been married and had a family? The darkness he had already heard of from Ishizu was on it's way, but he still had no idea what it really was. And Kaiba's look alike had been responsible for his wife's death? He reminded himself this didn't mean it had really been Kaiba. If it had, then how come Kaiba hadn't been sucked in to watch it as well? Or even Yugi since they looked alike?
Yugi. That reminded him of the duel and the two gods clashing. He made himself sit up and look around. he wasn't in one of the puzzle rooms as he had first figured, but in the hallway which combined the two of them. He guessed that was a good thing. Ra had forced him back deep into the puzzle, and nearly burned himself out. Last thing he needed was Airi figuring out a way to come back into his puzzle. First thing he needed to do was make sure Yugi was alright, then tell Airi they were safe.
Just as he thought of this Yugi appeared from his soul room. He leaned against the door, blinking the rest of the sleep out of his eyes. He spotted Yami and he grinned in relief.
"You're just as bad as I am you know that." Yugi's smile faded. "What happened?"
"What?" Yami looked around to see what was wrong.
"You're face looks like you've seen a ghost."
"Bad pun."
"You do." Yugi insisted.
Yami didn't know what to say. He couldn't exactly tell Yugi he found out a look like of Kaiba had killed a look alike of his sister, who by the way turned out to be married to some one who look like him and Yugi. This was defiantly not something to say when they were in the middle of the duel, or maybe ever.
Yugi stiffened. "We should probably tell Airi we are alright. Or maybe you should take a few breaths before you get up there. Seeing your face she might panic."
Yami managed to smile. "Tell her everything is alright. I will be there shortly."
Yugi faded, taking control of the body. Yami tried to take it easy, but deep breaths were hard without a set of lungs. The tablet from the museum kept coming back to mind. That duel he had witnessed had been what it had been telling him about. The past was indeed repeating itself.
From the outside he could hear Airi and Yugi talking. He closed his eyes and listened. Her voice was oddly soothing, even though she was sounding frantic.
"Yugi', you're alright. Thank heaven."
"Of course I am. I'm tougher then I look."
He could imagine her smiling at this comment. "I didn't doubt that. Where's Yami?"
"He a . . . has to calm down for a moment."
"Is he alright?"
"He's fine. He said he would be out in a moment. Airi do you think you should be standing?"
"I can't really help you up when I'm . . . wow."
"AIRI"
Yami reacted without thinking. Detaching he appear in time to grip Airi's arm as she lost her balance. He pulled her against his chest to steady her, placing his other arm around her for extra support.
There was a moment of stunned silence. Feeling self conscious he looked over where the Kaiba brothers were sitting. Both of them seemed alright, at least they both were moving. He remembered he was still in spirit form so the only other person who could see them was Yugi. This didn't make the situation less embarrassing.
Trying to act like this was by no means awkward, Yami gently pulled away until she was only holding onto his arm. "You need to be more careful."
"You should talk." she looked him over. "What's the matter?"
Yami didn't know what to say. If it was awkward to tell Yugi what he saw in his memories, it was impossible to tell Airi.
Yugi stood. "You saw something, didn't you?"
Now Yami regretted telling Yugi he had seen some of his memory after the encounter with Ra. He had refused to tell Yugi what he saw, which had been a good idea considering the attack on Airi soon after. Now that it had happened twice his host wouldn't be content until he told him something. Only what would be alright to reveal without upsetting them. He glanced back at Kaiba to see if he was recovering. The CEO was sitting up, a good sign.
Airi's hand on his arm brought him back to face them. "Tell us what you can." Airi gently urged. "It might help."
He nodded, making himself calm down. He should tell them something, especially with the circumstances.
"I saw the duel depicted on the stone tablet." that seemed safe enough to say.
"The one with Kaiba and you?" Yugi leaned forward with interest. "With the Blue-eyes and Dark Magician?"
Yami nodded.
"Who won?" Airi said.
"I didn't see the end."
"What the heck just happened." Kaiba was back on his feet. Being knocked out didn't seem to have affected him much.
"You were knocked out by your monster," Mokuba said.
"Impossible, Holograms can't do that."
"It's true, Seto. Both you and Yugi."
"It's still impossible. Probably a trick of that Ishtar."
Remembering the Egyptian the other looked around. was still standing on the other side of the arena, looking at his millennium rod as if had been acting strangely. After seeing what the last holder of that staff had done made Yami dislike for Evil Marik, if possible, grow deeper.
"I'm tired of people messing with my mind." Kaiba shouted. "First that Ishizu woman tells me it's my destiny to sponsor a duel monsters tournament, then a crowd of maniacs mess with my family, company, and machines. Now a card I get which is suppose to have amazing power, and the time I really need it it blows itself up along with my rival's." he suddenly pointed at Yugi, his eyes narrowed. "And you, you keep telling me this has something to do with some past of yours like you are someone special. Well you're not. This duel isn't over and Obelisk wasn't the only card in my deck. I will take my place as top duelist and neither you nor your sister can distract me from my right."
Silence followed this outburst.
Airi took a step forward, looking concerned. "Seto-"
"Get back to your chair." Kaiba ordered. "I don't need you influencing your brother's strategy."
she stared at him for a moment, and then turned away and started walking towards her chair. Yami started to follow, but she shook her head. "I can handle this. You two still have a duel." she did mange to walk back without help, though she sat back rather heavily. Mokuba joined her, glancing back at his brother, his expression hard to read.
Yami returned to Yugi's side. His host was standing with his arms folded, looking thoughtful.
"Are you alright?" Yami asked.
"Yeah, I'm just reminding myself this is a game."
Yami stared at him. "a game with consequences."
"I know. But if don't think of it as a game right now I might start getting moody like you and Kaiba."
Yami looked down. Yugi was helping him complete his mission. He deserved to know more than Yami was telling him. "I apologize. I will explain everything to you when this is over."
Yugi shook his head. "They are your memories. If there are reason why you're telling me I trust I don't need to know." He looked up at him. "I know we are connected, but this isn't the past. I need you to help me make sure the past doesn't repeat."
"How will you know if I don't tell you."
"I can guess by the way you're acting. I just need to know you're with me so we can get through this. As a team."
Yami placed his hand on Yugi's shoulder. "Always."
Yugi smiled, then turned back to face his opponent. "It's still your turn, Kaiba."
"Finally you're speaking sense." Kaiba seemed to have calmed down since his rant, but he still had a crazed look in his eye which worried Yami. Kaiba had started getting more and more aggressive the more they dueled. Good practice for when they had to duel Marik.
Kaiba placed a face down and then ended his turn. Yugi's move was to summon Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts in defense mode, and as soon as the monster appeared Kaiba flipped over his face down to reveal the trap card, Clone, which gave him a copy of Yugi's card. Both Yami and Yugi knew Kaiba only used other players monsters if he was going to use them as sacrifices. Right now there wasn't a danger because it was only one monster and the monster Yami suspected he wanted to summon needed a two monster sacrifice. Yugi played his a face down and ended his turn.
"Is there a reason you're not combining." Yugi said, glancing at Yami standing next to him.
"I wanted to get some fresh air." it sounded stupid, especially coming from him, but it was the first one Yami thought of. Yugi raised a eyebrow, but he didn't push it. The truth was Yami was afraid of sharing his mind right now. With his memories so recently revealed and pushing to replay on his mind he was afraid he would distract Yugi, or worse let something slip. This was a far as he could go without retreating into his puzzle.
Kaiba seemed pleased with Yugi's lack of action. "you just made your final move Yugi. Ordinary I need two cards to sacrifice to summon my blue eye, but," he drew a card and he grinned. "Now that is no longer necessary." Kaiba then played Cost Down, making Blue-eyes a level 6 monster instead of 8 so it only required one sacrifice.
Blue-eye White Dragon appeared on the field. Yami had to glance at the spectators at either side of the field to remind himself he wasn't back in his memories.
"Nothing can stop you now, Seto!" Mokuba called out.
"Yugi you have this!" Airi shouted. "Both of you do. I know you can do this."
"You're finished." Kaiba said. "Now is the time to end this feud." It was a simple task for blue-eyes to blast Gazelle out of the game. Kaiba ended his turn, looking smug as he waited for what Yugi's reaction.
Yugi looked at his hand. "We need the Dark Magician, but I discarded it several turns ago because of Kaiba played Life Shaver."
"Are you sure that is the card we need." Yami said.
"Of course." Yugi looked at him like he was crazy. "That is how it happened last time. It has to be."
"Yugi, listen." Yami said. "You told me a moment ago the memories were mine, and you're right. That happened five thousand years ago, and even though we look alike you are not me. My past might be changing your life and I can't stop that, but you can decide how to react to it." saying this helped Yami's mind clear. This wasn't his past. Airi wasn't dead, and even if Kaiba was hard to live with he hadn't physically hurt her or anyone. "We are a team, but this is your play, and I will be right here to see it through." both spirit and host's eyes were locked on each other. "So again, are you sure that is the right move?"
Yugi looked at the field again. His eyes narrowed as he thought about his move. After a minuet he nodded. "Yes. We need the Dark Magician. And we only have one move to get it."
Yami put his hand on to of Yugi's picturing the card they needed. "Then lets summon him."
Yugi drew, grinning when he saw the card. "I play monster reborn, and summon Dark Magician."
The purple clad magician appeared in front of them. Knowing this one was a computer generated image didn't keep Yami from watching the monster carefully. Yugi placed a card face down and ended his turn.
"You are going along with a carved rock?" Kaiba said. "Living in the past will now help you in the here and now."
Kaiba drew, playing Card of Demise, allowing him to have five cards in his hand, but discard his whole hand in five turns. He also summoned Lord of Dragons to the field, making all trap and magic cards useless against his dragon. He ended his turn, looking confident.
Yugi played his Beta the Magnet Warrior in defense before commanding his Dark Magician to take out Lord of Dragons.
Again Kaiba was ready for that. He played Magical Trick Mirror which allowed him to copy Yugi's monster reborn. From the size of the light of the appearing monster Yami had a sinking feeling he knew who it was going to be.
Obelisk appeared above them all. He looked down as if he was determined to make his stay count. He wasn't allowed to stay for more than one turn, but that was enough to make the Dark Magician's attack useless. The blast came back towards them and Yami jerked Yugi back to keep the blast from hitting him directly. Even so Yugi gave a yelp of pain as the blast clipped his shoulder. Their life points fell to 1500.
Kaiba began to laugh like a lunatic. "I told you I would be top."
"Seto, knock it off." Airi was standing again. "You're taking this too literally, you need to stop this. It's just a game."
"Of course it is to you." Kaiba rounded on her, eyes flashing. "It's how you thought about everything. But it is the powerful cards which make it to the top. I learned that from experience."
"You wouldn't even know this game if I didn't teach you." Airi snapped. "Be top for all I care, but don't take your ambitions out on my brother. And most of all don't tell me I never cared about us. You know nothing about how I felt. Be the top, but leave me out of it."
Kaiba stared at her. Yami was sure something soften in his expression. Did he still care for her? Whatever it was left a moment later and Kaiba's eyes hardened as he looked away.
"Stop distracting me while I'm dueling." he said. "I have a title to claim."
Airi sat back down, brushing what appeared to be her bangs out of her eye. Mokuba didn't say a word, looking at the ground to avoid eye contact.
Yami wanted to blast Kaiba right there. He was messing with Airi's emotions, and Yami wasn't going to stand for that. Past or not, no one spoke to Airi like that.
Yugi rubbed his shoulder before placing a card face down and ending his turn. The affects of monster reborn ended and Obelisk disappeared from the field. Glancing to the side Yami saw Marik grinning up at him. Seeing that almost made Yami lose it again.
"Are you alright?" he said, forcing himself to focus on something else other than his present and prospective opponents.
"Just didn't move fast enough." Yugi sounded angry at himself for getting hurt in front of his sister and Marik.
Kaiba's turn resulted in the summoning of Flute of Summoning Dragon, which resulted in the summoning of the rest of Kaiba's blue-eyes to the field. Now he had four monsters on the field. Kaiba was till grinning and talking about how he was going to win.
"Doesn't he ever shut up." Yami muttered to himself.
"We can't let him win like this." Yugi said. "especially talking to Airi like that." he took several deep breaths, closing his eyes. "Airi said consider all your options. Never think there isn't a way until you run out of card."
Yami hated to admit it, but so far all he could think of any of their cards which could help. A
Yugi's eyes suddenly opened and he looked at his cards. "Joey." he whispered.
Yami looked over Yugi's shoulder and saw another familiar dragon in his hand. Glancing over the rest of the cards a grin slipped across his face. They looked at each other. Now they had a strategy.
"I summon Red-eye Black Dragon." Yugi said. Joey's favorite monster appeared on their side of the field.
"What's that armature's dragon doing on my field?" Kaiba sneered. "You're using your friend's card as a last resort?"
"This is a card from my best friend. It can be summoned because your Flute of Summoning dragon works for both of us." Yugi's voice was even. "And it is far from my last resort."
"Just admit you're desperate." Kaiba said. "I'll take all of your monsters out one at a time."
But Yugi was defiantly not finished. Kaiba first attack was for the Dark Magician, but it was blocked by a trap card with move the attack to a weaker monster in defense mode. Beta was destroyed, which didn't improve Kaiba's scowl. Again a dragon attack, this time for Red-Eye, but it was again stopped by a trap card which lowered the attack points of the dragon and making it weak enough to be destroyed by Red-eye's counter attack.
Kaiba was again seething. "I'm still going to win."
Neither Yami or Yugi bothered responding to that statement.
Kaiba's virtual supporters were the only ones cheering as Kaiba ended his turn by placing two face down cards. Airi and Mokuba watched in silence, waiting for the approaching end of the duel.
Yugi drew. Yami nodded at the two spell cards he drew, working them into their strategy. Yugi placed a face down and tried to put Red-Eye in defense mode, but Kaiba place a face down which kept all the monsters in attack mode. The same card also required them to choose three cards from their deck and then send the rest to the grave yard.
Both spiky haired boys looked through their cards carefully. Kaiba's card changed everything. Choosing the wrong cards would mean the duel, and one glance at Marik reminded them they couldn't afford that. Yugi selected three, holding them up for Yami to approve. Yami looked them over. Knowing Kaiba, they probably were what would be needed to fight him. He nodded, and Yugi ended his turn.
As both of them knew he would Kaiba played Monster Reborn, and then Polymerization to create his Blue-eye Ultimate Dragon. Yugi swallowed, but in no other way showed he was worried. Yami was impressed his host was still holding up well.
"I don't believe in the past Yugi." Kaiba gloated. "I don't put faith in old rocks, and because of that I'm going to crush you on the top of my duel tower. I was nothing in my past, but now I can put it all behind me and forget it. Nothing was good back then, but now I can erase it with this duel. Once I beat you, my past will be gone."
Out of the corner of his eye Yami saw Mokuba stare at his brother. Was he crying? Airi put her arm around Mokuba, whispering something to him as she tried to smile. She too looked upset by the was said. Mokuba opened his card shaped locket saying something as he showed Airi the contents. She pointed at the picture, and then tapped Mokuba lightly on the chest. Mokuba nodded, even though he still looked upset.
"Your reign is about to end Yugi, aren't you going to say something?" Kaiba said.
Yugi had been watching what was happening on the side lines as well, but he turned with Kaiba's question.
"I will never understand you Kaiba." Yugi said. "Do you really think one duel will change everything? All I've seen you do is lust for what you think I have. Power isn't what make me happy, and it doesn't seem to make you happy either. All I've seen through this entire duel is your degrading everything, and thinking the past can be erased. The past never goes away, but the future is now. And now you're not going to beat me in this duel."
"Play your cards." Kaiba snapped. "I didn't come to be preached at."
"I play Double Spell. I can use any spell card you used during your turn, and I use Monster reborn to bring back Buster Blader from the grave yard, and Polymerization to fuse him to Dark Magician to create Dark Paladin."
"It's still not strong enough." Kaiba said. "Maybe you should stop making speeches and improve your duel."
Yugi placed a face down and ended his turn.
"Your precious past doesn't seem to be helping you in this duel." Kaiba said. "Why don't you just walk out like your sister. That's a past you could learn from."
Yami took a step toward Kaiba, but Yugi's voice stopped him. "The past makes us who we are, Kaiba. Ignoring it won't change a thing. And running from it means you'll never win."
"I'm not a looser." Kaiba said. "the only way to move on is to change. I'm not the weak person from the past. I'm Seto Kaiba and I will win."
Mokuba's eye closed, his locked clutching in his hands. Airi glared at Kaiba, tears shining in her own eyes. She opened her mouth several times, but words seemed to fail her.
"Blue-eyes, attack."
The blast came right for them. Yami wasn't worried. Yugi knew what he was doing, and at this moment he had more power then all of the millennium items put together.
The attack seemed to have gone through. Mokuba cheered through his tears, thinking his brother had won. Marik grinned, but then his face changed to shock. Yami turned to see what was going on and saw a groups of people come through the hologram wall. At the front of the line was . . .
"Yuge!" Joey shouted. He still looked pale, but he definitely was standing. Yugi turned, his face lighting up.
"You woke up just in time, Wheeler." Kaiba said. "I win."
"Not quite." Yugi turned back. "I activated Diffusion, separating you monster into it's three dragons.
"You got this." Airi said. "Finish it."
Yugi looked at Yami. "Together?"
Yami grinned, fading to share there mind. Now it was time to end this duel.
"I play Diffusion Wave-Motion, paying 1000 life points to attack all of your monsters at once." they both called out their final move.
Dark Paladin attack all three dragons, wiping all of them off the field. Kaiba's life points fell to zero.
"The winner is Yugi Muto." Roland said, glancing at his employer as if hoping he wouldn't get in trouble for saying it.
The virtual crowd dissolved, but the cheering was taken up by Yugi's friends. Yami detached next to Yugi so he could be congratulated, and greet Joey properly. Yugi disappeared down the ramp, and was engulfed by his friends.
Yami followed slowly, glancing back at the defeated party. Kaiba stood there, too much in shock to move. Mokuba was still at the side lines, also seemingly stunned by the outcome. Airi still had an arm around him, and he managed to pull himself together to manage a weak smile. Yami side tracked and walked towards the two. He drew close enough to hear Mokuba tell Airi to go and congratulate her brother, he would be fine.
Airi gave him a kiss on the top of the head before starting to walk towards the rowdy group. Yami offered her his arm, but she shook her head, taking his hand instead.
"I can walk." she said. "Congrats on the victory."
"It's mainly Yugi's victory."
"I doubt he'd say that."
"I'm sure he won't."
they walked toward the rest.
"Will he be alright?" Yami motioned to Mokuba, who was walking towards where his brother still stood.
Airi nodded, but she looked worried.
"What happened?" Yami said.
"He told me he misses the old Seto." she looked back up at Kaiba. "So do I."
Yami shook his head. It was amazing how much passed events affected present lives.
"You alright?" her voice brought him back. So close to her he could see the flex of silver mixed with the violet which made her eyes sparkle.
"Much better." he assured her.
"Good." as one they looked over at where Marik was slipping away, unnoticed by the reunited friends. "I have a feeling your going to need all your whits about you."
Yami indicated the group in front of them. "It won't just be me." he also squeezed her hand. "I'm fortunate to have so many allies."
She smiled, warming every inch of him and they walked over to welcome Joey back.
A/N wow, that was long. I hope you liked it
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! this time I really need them. I had to endure six episodes of Kaiba talking his mouth off. PLEASE REVIEW. I really need to know if this turned out alright.
Be safe, and God bless. Hopefully see you next chapter.
