Hey, sorry this is so short but I hope you enjoy it. This story does have a lot of exposition but it's kinda needed to set things up. I hope it isn't too dull. Please let me know.
Boring stuff. Don't own Yugioh, OCs are mine, battousaisgirl16 proofread.
Enjoy :)
Chapter 82 You're Not Me
Yugi downed the bottled water Roland handed him, thankful for the moment to breathe. Kaiba stood nearby not giving the siblings any attention. Airi stood with arms folded to keep her from straightening Yugi's uniform again.
"At least the shadow duels are over." Yugi tried to ease her worry.
Airi glanced at the Kaiba brothers off to the side before side-stepping closer to Yugi.
What is your plan?" She asked softly.
Yugi also looked at the Kaiba, the Millenium puzzle still in his hand. "Win the puzzle, simple as that."
"And complete it?" Airi's tone had an odd edge to it.
Yugi finished the rest of his water before answering. "If I can get the puzzle without completing it then I can take it to Egypt. The Ishtars will know what to do."
"I guess the threats have subsided, for now." Airi glanced back at where Diva disappeared.
Suspicious, Yugi eyed her. "You know something."
Airi reached into her pocket and pulled out the piece of the diadem. She held it cupped in her hand so only he could see. "This is part of Atem's soul. It might help your connection when you summon him."
Yugi opened his mouth, but she answered the question before he could ask. "Nasira and I figure out you'd need to summon Atem to defeat the plana, and since Millenium items were made from souls, and this was made before Yami was sealed in the puzzle." She smiled at Yami's name. "It stands to reason this would have a closer connection to Atem than summoning Yami would."
"But I've stopped Diva."
She raised an eyebrow. "Things are never that simple."
Yugi glanced around again. He hated to admit her observations weren't unfounded. Still, he eyed the piece with hesitation. "Not now," he said. "Hold it for me in case I need it."
"But-"
"The puzzle has a power of its own. If I need to I'll use it." Yugi pulled the band she'd given him out of his pocket and slipped it on. "Besides, I already have some protection. You'll need yours."
"Look who's being paranoid." Airi slipped the piece back into her pocket. "But make sure you don't' take that off this time."
"I won't."
The two halves faced each other. Some reason the sight of his other half made the restraining bolt on Yami's neck throb.
Yami's voice returned. "A-Atem?"
The former pharaoh gave the slightest of nods, his gaze resting on Yami's neck making the latter feel self-conscious.
Footsteps from behind caused Yami to turn and was nearly knocked over by Esset wrapping him in a hug.
"Yami! Thank the gods you are alright." She pulled back beaming. "Mahad told me you would still be kept by the Duel Keepers."
"I'm free thanks to a friend." over the queen's shoulder Yami could see Mahad talking to Mystical Elf. From the elf's hanging head and the sorrowful expression from the other spirits around them they heard of Timeaus' sacrifice.
Esset's gaze also became subdued. "Mahad speculated Timeaus would be trying something when he and Mystical Elf were absent when we arrived."
The statement made Yami realize something. "Why are you here?"
Esset glanced at her husband, before answering. "I am not privy to all details. What I know is we are to stay here until this plana threat is dealt with."
"You were not supposed to come." Atem finally spoke.
Esset laughed. "As if I would leave you to face this alone. Besides, it is an excuse to see my brother." She gave Yami another smile before returning to Mahad, putting a comforting arm around Mystical Elf.
Atem glanced around. "Is there somewhere we can speak privately?"
Yami led the way up to the top row of the amphitheater. Seeing the empty seats made Yami miss Timaeus more. Atem sat looking over the field. The former pharaoh's eyes instantly sought out Esset, where she stood surrounded by members of Yugi's deck. Mahad seemed to be explaining some details to the assembled group.
"What are the terms," Yami finally broke the silence. "Of your being here. Real spirits aren't allowed in here."
"Real Spirts?" Atem said while watching the others below. "That is a new definition."
Yami bristled at the pharaoh's flat tone. "You had a life. You have an afterlife. Why descend here to simply watch a duel that doesn't cost you anything?"
"You talked to Saku," Atem stated.
The resentment burst out of Yami before he could stop it. "I'd only be released after this is all over!" Yami yelled. "Protecting Yugi is why I was created and you wanted to keep me away while he risks his life. Were you going to fix everything as you did back then? How were you going to defeat the plana?"
Atem watched Yami as if knowing what he was about to say.
"You split your soul three times," Yami paused. It sounded ridiculous but the pharaoh's silence confirmed it.
Atem gave him a humorless smile. "How long have you known?"
"In the shadow game against Zorc. You'd never asked me or Yugi for help if you could do it yourself. And your eye color." Yami's memory went back to the duel he'd seen between Atem and Seth contrasted to the memory of his creation. "you used to have dark wine-colored eyes before you created me."
"I keep forgetting." Atem's brown eyes soften. "You were part of me once"
Yami looked at his creator. The regal proud persona slipped enough to reveal a weaker spirit underneath; A shadow of the man who faced Seth in Yami's memories or the bandaged yet determined man who created him.
"Why three?" Yami asked.
"The first was for the diadem." Atem smiled again at his wife talking below. "The strongest protection I could offer. Mahad and I both placed pieces of our souls inside the diadem." his expression darkened. "Even then, it wasn't enough to protect her. You pointed out I have a place in the afterlife. My sacrifices were appreciated and my place in heaven was secured when I gave everything to banish Zorc. But that demon outsmarted me. I couldn't have let the Yugioh face the revival of that monster alone; call it what you like, compassion, or pride, I could not let someone walk into this hell alone."
Yami sat next to him, "What happens if you split a soul three into three pieces?"
Atem's fingers clenched and unclenched. "You lose more of yourself. I wiped your memory, but I'm not sure mine is intact. I know my name is Atem, but it feels like it belongs to a stranger I once met. Even Esset noticed the spirit who joined her in the afterlife wasn't complete." he laughed humorlessly. "If I didn't have my reputation as the 'nameless pharaoh' I doubt I could have convinced anyone let alone gods allow me to oversee this trouble with the Plana. But I also did it to myself. I didn't just split myself for a second time, I needed to send a secret version of myself."
Atem stared over the arena seeing something no one else could. "That's why I named you Yami or hidden. You were all my hidden emotions. My frustration, my loss, my determination, my doubts. If part of me was going to go into the future and make sure the Yugioh survived against Zorc, then it would have to be a spirit that wouldn't lose and would fight to the end to put Zorc away."
Atem finally faced Yami. "You think you were only powerful because of the Millenium puzzle? The reason you have so much power is that you have my powers. You're not only a chunk of my soul, I channeled all of my talent, power, and anger into you. All I could think of was sending as much of myself forward as possible. Yes, I knew it was a risk, but I had to."
"Then why keep me away from the fight? You admitted you're not strong enough to fight the plana."
Atem's eyes narrowed. "I can still strategize. I will end this. I've vowed to. I'm the only one who can destroy them. None of the other priests know how."
Yami froze. "What happens if you fail?"
Atem looked away.
"Then you'll need your powers back." Yami said. "You needed them the first time you faced Zorc. How is this time any different?"
"You."
The answer took Yami aback. "What?"
"I was supposed to destroy the items after I defeated Zorc. Then that fiend placed himself inside the ring and it disappeared. I couldn't do the ritual in my weakened state. The only way to fight it was to place you inside the puzzle. I planned to destroy the items after we banished Zorc." The look he gave Yami was full of pride like he was looking at a kid brother instead of a soul fragment. "But when I saw you in that shadow game, you and your friends, I didn't have the heart to destroy the items without giving you the chance to be released first. My weakness caused this. If you still have a connection to the puzzle, then why wouldn't there still be remnants of Zorc inside the ring. I'm not returning to the afterlife until this is officially resolved, once and for all." Atem's voice had a hard edge. "Destroying the puzzle is our only option."
"Exactly. You need my power back," Yami asked.
Atem shook his head. "You know what would happen."
"I'd be erased." Yami stopped. "That's why you wanted to keep me sealed until after the duel."
Atem nodded. "You promised your friends you'd never forget them, and I honor your promise. If you're reconnected to the millennium items when I destroy them, then you will be destroyed along with them. Your only chance at remaining alive as you are is to stay a spirit monster."
"And if you wipe my mind and take your powers back?"
"Most likely the same result."
Yami's gaze slipped to Mahad. The magician's expression when Yami had appeared confirmed this information.
Atem looked up at the hazy sky above the arena. "I could have taken my powers back when you arrived at the gates. I am grateful Esset returned before you voiced your decision."
Both sat in silence for a long time.
"What is the plan?"
"Yugi has already done the first half," Atem said. "Defeating Diva before the puzzle was completed prevents the Plana from being activated. I will make sure your friend will not be harmed. If all goes to plan, Yugi will bring the puzzle back to Egypt. I will have the strength to appear in my tomb and destroy the items."
Yami didn't voice it, but if Atem was as weak as he made out, how was he going to protect Yugi and his friends?
A voice called out causing both to turn. Celtic Guardian stopped a few rows below them. "My Pharaoh," he bowed. "The duel is starting."
All too soon it was time to duel again. Gripping the two puzzle pieces in his hand he took his position across from Kaiba. The young CEO watched him with a hawkeye glare.
"Again it's you and me." Yugi tried to lighten the mood. "Just like old times."
Kaiba's eyes flashed. "No, you're not the one I want to duel Yugi. I want the pharaoh. You will complete the puzzle and resummon the pharaoh's spirit into your body like before." He placed the puzzle into a levitating beam before him, the chain clanking as it rose into the air. It levitated within arm's reach of Yugi. It was clear Kaiba wanted this done now.
Yugi's fist clenched, the puzzle pieces pressing into his skin. "Kaiba, listen to me. "I understand you want to battle Yami. I do. More than you know." out of the corner of his eye he saw his sister stiffen. But-"
"No more words." Kaiba interrupted. "If you won't release him willingly, I'll just have to force you."
"Release." Airi spat the word.
Kaiba ignored her. "And pharaoh, if you can hear me prepare to be crushed."
Yugi hoped that wherever Yami was he couldn't hear that. He slipped the puzzle pieces into his pocket. The puzzle levitated out of sight as the two duelists took their positions.
"I summon Marshmacaron in defense mode. I set two cards and end my turn." the pink blob appeared on the field, looking unintimidating in the techy space.
"That's all?" Kaiba mocked. "Fine then. I summon Assault Wyvern in attack position, Assault Wyvern, slice, and dice that blob."
"I activate Marshmacaron's special ability allowing me to summon two Marshmaracons to the field." The pieces of pink blob reformed to now have two blobs on the field.
"Then let's try this. Because my monster destroyed your defense position monsters in battle, I activate Assault Wyvern's special ability, allowing me to summon a dragon-type monster from my hand. I summon Blue-eyes White Dragon in attack mode."
Yugi watched the familiar dragon form with suspicion. Only one?
"I activate the spell card Dragon's Fighting Spirit allowing my Blue-Eyes to attack the number of times the monsters you've specially summoned., So blue-eyes attack his monsters and then him directly."
The triple lightning evaporated the Marshmaracons and drenched Yugi in the attack. Thankfully it wasn't real, but it was close enough to drive Yugi to his knees from the glare as Yug's life points dropped.
"I activate Dark Horizon, allowing me to summon a Dark-type spell caster with an attack equal to the damage I lose. I summon my loyal monster Dark Magician."
A Dark Magician appeared on the field, and Yugi noticed there was a self-assurance in the stance that wasn't like the holograms. Yugi felt reassured that his spirits were fighting beside him.
"Of course," Kaiba muttered. "I look forward to destroying him. I set a card and end my turn."
Yugi drew. "I set my card and end my turn."
"Again?" this time Kaiba sounded annoyed. "You're not even trying. Blue-eyes White Dragon, attack Dark Magician."
"I activate my trap, Metamorphortress." The card manifested as a giant fortress in defense position. "I can equip a monster to increase its attack and defense mode."
As he spoke the fortress reformed into a humanoid-looking castle around Dark Magician, making a mech suit. "I equip it to Dark Magician." The combined two monsters created attack points higher than Kaiba's. "Attack Blue-eyes."
Kaiba said nothing as the fortress punched Blue-eyes out of the sky, dropping Kaiba's life point down to 7500. Yugi glanced at Airi who watched her ex with apprehension. Both had seen what happened when anyone messed with Blue-eyes. Even with the fortress behind him, Yugi braised himself for Kaiba's wrath.
"You think you've taken things to the next level?" Kaiba's voice dripped with venom. "Very well then, let's take this up a notch." he swiped something on his new duel -disk screen. "I ritual summon Blue-Eyes Chaos Max Dragon." a techno version of Blue-eyes appeared onto the field.``
"Playtime's over Yugi." Kaiba motioned the dragon to blast the castle. The blast obliterated Metamorphoses along with Dark Magician. The rubble landed around Yugi, causing him to cover his head. He gasped; this was getting more realistic. Yugi's life points dropped to 4000.
"Yugi!" Airi yelled.
"Must run in the family." Kaiba said. "Not being able to handle new technology."
Yugi gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand. He wasn't going to give Kaiba the satisfaction of shaking him down with pixels. "You haven't defeated me yet, Kaiba." he stared. "As Yami and Atem taught me, it's not over until the last card is played, and I'm not out of cards yet."
Kaiba sneered as Yugi drew his next card.
"I summon Apple Magician Girl."
"Another one?" Kaiba said.
"Well," Yugi grinned, placing another face-down card. "If your monster is so tough, take her down. I end my turn."
"You mock me with fruit!" Kaiba's eyes bulged with rage. "Chaos Max Dragon, eat that Apple Magician in one bite."
"Thanks for that," Yugi grinned. "Because you attack Apple Magician Girl I activate her ability to summon her friend Lemon Magician Girl who takes your attack, which will be cut in half." the 4000 point attacks dropped to 2000. "But that's not all. Your dragon will find this Magician sour. Because when she's attacked she can summon her own friend, Dark Magician Girl."
The familiar Magician Girl gave her hair a flip and cut the dragon's attack down in half too, leaving the dragon with only 1000 attack points.
With all the halving of the attacks, the blast from Chaos Max Dragon was 1000 which was too low to destroy Dark Magician Girl, resulting in Chaos Max Dragon destroying itself.
"You really hate dragons," Kaiba said. "Too bad for you, I have a deck full of them." Again the field was taken up by the large sleek form of an even larger and intermittent dragon. "Since you destroyed my Dragon, I special summon Deep-eyes White Dragon to deal with your insolence. Deep-eyes will inflict damage for every dragon in my graveyard."
The blacks landed near Yugi radiating heat though not burning Yugi's skin.
"And that's not all Yugi." Kaiba gloated. "Deep-eyes get Chaos Max Dragon's attack points," he smirked as the points rose to 4000 and prepared to obliterate Yugi's life points. "I don't think even the pharaoh could save you anymore, Yugi. You're finished."
"I play my tap card, Magician's Defense!" Yugi shouted. "The damage I take is cut in half." This protected two of the three magician girls, but the blast knocked Yugi off his feet. Rolling end over end, he finally stopped with barely any distance between him and the edge. His life points sank to 600.
Shakily Yugi pushed himself back up, gasping. Movement from the side revealed to be Airi having to be held back by Roland as she yelled something at the field, Yug's name or maybe insults at Kaiba, Yugi's ears rang too much for him to hear. He shook his head swallowing a few times until his ears finally stopped buzzing. Now he could tell Airi was calling out to him, but some other voice in the crowd, possibly Joey's, was insulting everything about Kaiba down to his buckled boots.
Kaiba on the other hand only glared at Yugi, eyes glinting hard enough to cut glass. Realization hit Yugi more than the attack had; Kaiba wanted Yami's return so badly that he was willing to up the holograms enough to threaten Yugi's life. Apparently, Kaiba had missed the last duel against Diva. It gave Yugi some solace. At least Yami couldn't summon himself here.
"Your move." Kaiba spat the words as he threw down a face-down card.
Yugi pushed himself back to his feet. Airi finally broke free of Roland's grasp, but a movement from Yugi made her pause. He shook his head, hating to admit how stiff he felt. Both Apple and Dark magician girls watched him carefully. He did his best to put up a front. If the spirits were watching this duel he didn't want any of them to tell Yami he was hurt. He would end this no matter what.
Standing straight Yugi drew, checking his card with only a glance before turning his gaze to his opponents. "This is it, Kaiba. All or nothing." he raised the new card. First, I have to give you a card." he flicked the card across the field. Kaiba caught it with two fingers barely moving as he turned the card to face him.
"By doing so I can activate the spell, Magical Contract Door." Yugi's voice grew stronger as he drew another card. "It lets me summon a new monster." the two magician's disappeared to help summon the new monster. "I summon Gandora-X the dragon of Demolition." the red and black dragon eyed the blue and white dragon across from it with mild interest. Even with its giant look, it had zero attack points. "I activate its ability. It destroys any monster that I choose and I choose your Deep-Eyes. And you take damage equal to your monster's attack points."
The red domes all over the dragon's body glowed, refracting lazar-like beams across the field. The ground began to shake as the lazars sliced the other dragon. Yugi's lips turn to smirk as Kaiba shielded his eyes from the lazars around him.
"And." Yugi continued. "Then Grandora-X gains the attack points of your dragon."
Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "Not if Deep-Eyes take Gandora down with it."
The currently being sliced monster blasted Gandora causing the other dragon to explode. Both dragons disappeared in front of the field.
Silence settled across the arena. The smoke thinned around the two duelists, their point count reading 2500 to 600.
"Do you see now?" Kaiba glared at Yugi. "Nothing will get in the way of me resurrecting the pharaoh."
Yugi let out a sigh. "But what if it's not up to you? Or me for that matter.
Kaiba glared. The puzzle that had been hovering above them all this time descended in a pillar of light. Looking at Kaiba Yugi realized there was only one way to get through to him. Yugi walked up to the puzzle. Pulling the pieces out of his pocket he looked at the two gold shapes in his hands. "I tried to tell you Kaiba. But maybe I need to show you."
He held out his other hand and took the puzzle from the light.
"Yugi!" Airi's voice seemed to echo across the field. Their eyes met for a moment. Yugi turned back to the puzzle. Kaiba hadn't moved at all. Slipping the pieces into place only left for one more movement. The piece with the eye hadn't fit properly without the last two pieces. Holding his breath, Yugi slid it into place.
The click of the piece echoed around the arena.
Yami felt the pull deep inside his chest, but the bolt on his neck caused his skin to burn and crawl as the two powers fought for possession of his soul. He wanted to reach and grab the familiar millennial powers no matter what the cost might be.
Two hands gripped his hands and when he looked he saw Esset and Mystical Elf holding on to his hands. He let the sensation fade, swallowing back the sense of loss.
Nothing happened. The puzzle didn't light up. No light came from the puzzle.
Kaiba and Yugi stared at the puzzle; Kaiba was in disbelief and Yugi in relief and sorrow. Airi had to turn away, swallowing back the tears; From the disappointment of not seeing Yami or anger at herself for wanting to see him.
"He's gone Kaiba." She heard Yugi say. "He's gone forever."
"You lie."
Airi spun around. Kaiba's eyes had turned to a hard glint. "He's just afraid." Kaiba's tone was nearly crazed. "Scared to come out and face me. He knows he's no match for me."
Yugi's jaw dropped, reflecting Airi's disbelief.
Kaiba continued. "But it's not going to work. I'll beat him out of you."
"No!" Airi screamed. "Leave him alone."
Kaiba ignored her. "I activate my trap card and I play the card you foolishly gave me, Monster Reborn." Deep-Eyes White Dragon returned to the field. "This is it Yugi, it's over."
Yugi backed up, fear in his eyes as the dragon appeared on the field. Airi was about to run onto the field, Roland or no Roland, but Yugi's expression hardened.
"I activate the trap, Final Geas. All the monsters in both of our graveyards are banished. But I'm allowed to bring one of them back, Dark Magician."
"Him?" Kaiba said.
"Like always," Yugi said. "Are you ready?"
"I'm always ready."
"Dark Magician, Dark Magic Attack."
Kaiba's life points dropped to 100 as the dragon was destroyed in the purple light of the attack.
But Kaiba didn't flinch. Only his lip curled.
The power in the KaibaDome shut off, forcing the arena into shadow. The puzzle bounced on the ground but didn't brake. Airi looked at Mokuba, but this clearly wasn't anything planned.
An evil chuckle reverberated around the arena. Through the dim light, something started to glow. Diva's cube glowed on the floor. Yugi and Kaiba stepped towards it. Something appeared on the side.
"Airi!" Yugi shouted. "It's the ring. Run!"
A/N: Wow, we're in the thick of it. I am almost done with the next chapter so I'm planning on updating next week unless my computer does something dumb.
Thank you so much for reading this story. Please review and let me know how you like this recent chapter. Thank you again. Take care and God bless.
