Hello Dueling Fans! It's time for the next phase of this fanfic.
The Battle City Finals have begun! And today is an exciting duel... to those who may not have watched this one before. Those that have, or at least know what's going to happen... it's quite a different affair. Anyways, enough spoiling things for people with an IQ above a certain number... back to the story!
Disclaimer: RDF1 doesn't own anything in this fic, technically not even the original content.
(Chapter Begin)
(Recap)
Using this time wisely, Maria decided to visit a certain someone. After being allowed in, she entered to see Yugi sitting before a table with his deck on it and Slifer in his hand.
"I see you're giving what Seto said some thought," remarked Maria, as she sat opposite from Yugi.
"I am," said Yugi, as he placed the God Card in his Deck and removed a different one to keep with the Forty Card Limit, "I'm afraid I'll need to use it, but it's so powerful. I don't want to hurt anyone."
"Such compassion for others," smiled Maria, as vague memories from childhood in Ancient Egypt surfaced, "Not everyone is as caring for others as you are, Yugi."
"I'm curious if you're able to see me like this, Maria," came Yami's voice.
"We have been best friends for years, Yami," chuckled Maria, "Even if I can't see you, which I can't right now, I know you're there, and can hear your voice. I know what you look like and as such, use my imagination to fill in the empty area you occupy."
"You can only hear me?" asked Yami.
"I'm afraid so. Though reincarnated, I have limited energy for magic usage, including Magic Sight. I tend to conserve it as needed. Speaking of, You know there are others aboard this vessel with stronger Magical Powers."
"Indeed," nodded Yugi, "Marik is one thing, but someone else concerns me. Ryou Bakura."
"Oh?" wondered Maria, an eyebrow raised.
"He was just in the Hospital earlier today, so him being able to recover fast enough to enter the tournament, gain six locator cards, and make to the finals in just a few hours concerns me."
"Has he done something like this before?" asked Maria, trying to get some more information herself.
"During Duelist Kingdom, he was possessed by another Spirit who inhabited the Millennium Ring," informed Yugi, "He's a thief and attempted to take my puzzle as well as send my friends' souls to the Shadow Realm. Tristan managed to stop him and throw the Millennium Ring deep into the Duelist Kingdom Forest and it should have stayed there, but it's returned now."
"One cannot predict the path of a Millennium Item, can they Maria?" proposed Yami.
"That he or she cannot, old friend," said Maria, "I do remember a Thief in from Ancient Egypt who managed to steal the Millennium Ring. It could be his spirit inhabiting it."
"I see, then we should be extra careful as the finals proceed," said Yami, "And I hope this isn't a bad time, but are you willing to share more about the past. I have so few memories, and you have claimed I have done something unforgivable to you. If I am to have any hope of making things right, I will need some direction to get started."
Maria gave a smile, a very enigmatic smile, "Oh Yami, it's not that easy. But I will say this..." Her smile disappeared as her eyes narrowed at him, "Sometimes the cost of doing the right thing isn't what you sacrificed, but what those left behind have to do after you're gone."
With that, Maria got up and left Yugi and Yami to those musings. It wasn't too long later than another announcement came over the intercom, asking all finalists to report to the gathering room so the finals may begin.
(Recap End)
As it turned out, Seto did splurge a bit on a spread for everyone to enjoy. Maria engaged in polite conversation for a bit as she kept an eye on Bakura. She hadn't met him before now and seeing him up close reminded her greatly of the Thief she encountered in Ancient Egypt more than once. Much like Marik with the Millennium Rod having Kaiba as someone who once wielded it in Ancient Egypt, Maria had equal claim to the Ring herself. If not for Bakura finding it years earlier, it may have made its way to her, since she bore it after the Ancient War.
Soon enough, it was time for the selection process to begin, and it was Yugi vs Bakura. Maria guided the others to their designated Elevator and arrived just in time for Yugi and Bakura to activate their duel disks.
"Whoa, dueling up here is insane," remarked Joey, as everyone felt the faster wind speeds at their elevation.
"Cold too," shivered Serenity, only to be handed a jacket by Maria, "Are you sure?"
"It's an extra I brought along as a precaution," replied Maria, "I'm a bit more used to the chill than you are."
"Thank you," smiled Serenity, grateful to her longtime friend.
"And here's the Master of Ceremonies himself," commented Mai as Seto and Mokuba Kaiba headed to the opposite side of Yugi's group.
"I'll make this quick so the duel can begin," announced Seto, "Kaiba Craft 3 is currently cruising at an altitude of Four Thousand Feet. The Strong Winds and Cold Air are to test your strength and stamina. If you can't handle it, you don't belong here."
Soon enough, Bakura's Hair changed and the Millennium Ring appeared around his neck. Even though she wasn't wearing it, she could feel the Item granting a bit more strength by proximity alone. If she was honest with herself, she wouldn't say no to wearing it again. The Power it would provide for her, even as a reincarnation, would be helpful moving forward. Especially since it would be out of that Thief's hand.
"So what's up with that Necklace Bakura's wearing?" asked 'Namu'.
"It's complicated to explain," started Téa, before Maria cut her off.
"That Necklace, much like the Upside Down Pyramid around Yugi's neck, is an artifact from thousands of years ago. When wielded by those who have earn these items, they are able to tap into their power. The Ring, unfortunately, has a malevolent Spirit inside it, and it's taken over Bakura's body. That Spirit is now dueling Yugi, who has a similar spirit in his puzzle. This is a rivalry of Ghosts basically."
"I'm not sure about this 'Power' of the items, but Two Ghosts dueling is definitely new to me," commented 'Namu'.
"Maria, you said you knew the Pharaoh in Ancient Egypt," wondered Téa, "Did you also know the Evil Spirit of the Millennium Ring?"
"That Ring didn't originally belong to him. Back then he was a Thief who dabbled in Dark Magic and managed to steal that Item from one of the Pharaoh's Most Loyal Servants," explained Maria, trying hard not to get trapped in those memories again, "I didn't know he corrupted it with his spirit though."
(AN1)
Yugi: 4000
Bakura: 4000
Bakura took the first turn and summoned The Portrait's Secret in Attack Mode, before ending his turn.
'Bakura really must not care about his Life Points if he's leaving himself wide open like that,' thought Maria, as Yami took his turn.
Yami summoned Gazelle and attacked the ghost possessed Portrait, inflicting the first damage of the duel.
Bakura: 4000-3700
Yami added one card facedown before ending his turn. Bakura followed by summoning The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams in attack mode and ended his turn again. Yami followed up with Gamma the Magnet Warrior and attacked with both his monsters, leaving Bakura a bit worse for wear.
Bakura: 3700-3500-2000
'Something's not right here. Bakura should have at least protected some part of his life points,' thought Maria, 'The Thief King wasn't like this in the Ancient Past. I don't like this.'
(AN2)
Bakura didn't change tactics yet as he summoned out Headless Knight and ended his turn yet again.
'Yami, get a monster out and end this duel before it's even begun,' thought Maria, 'Don't give him an inch.'
Unfortunately, due to either not possessing another monster, nor having a monster strong enough to tribute summon, Yami went directly to his battle phase and destroyed Headless Knight, and a good chunk of his remaining Life Points.
Bakura: 2000-1950-450
Though beaten, Bakura had not yet lost, because the last card hadn't been played yet. Bakura then revealed his Ace Monster, the Powerful Necrofear. Maria's eyes widened when she saw her.
'Wait, Necrofear?' thought Maria, before calling out to Yami, "Yugi, Necrofear has a nasty effect! Be careful!"
While she wasn't one to actively cheer for Yami, Bakura was indeed a common enemy, so she felt the need to bend her rule a bit.
"I will be, Maria," said Yami, nodding at her warning.
Bakura then chose to set two cards before passing and not attacking. Strange, but since Bakura had yet to launch an attack, if he attacked recklessly, his plan could indeed backfire.
Yami took his turn and Maria couldn't but smirk at the familiar sensation. Yami just drew her bonded Monster. Yami then proceeded to sacrifice Gazelle for DMG, before adding in the Magic Formula equip card. Maria remembered that book well. There were a plethora of spells and other tricks within the book and she enjoyed utilizing it both as an apprentice and once she took her Master's place as Seto took up the mantle of Pharaoh. Yami then proceeded to attack Necrofear, bringing Bakura down to a measly 150.
Bakura: 450-150
This triggered another effect, allowing Bakura to play Dark Sanctuary. Yami didn't understand it's effect, so when he tried to go in to finish Bakura, he was surprised when not only was his attack negated, he lost points while Bakura gained them.
"My Dark Sanctuary allows me to negate one selected monster's attack and half of the attacking Monster's Points are added to mine while taken away from yours," explained Bakura.
Bakura: 150-900
Yami: 4000-3250
"I tried to warn you!" called out Maria, looking a bit annoyed.
"I'm sorry, I misjudged his monster's effect," apologized Yami, before refocusing on the duel as he had no choice but to end his turn.
Bakura took his turn, revealing his trap card, Destiny Board.
"Wait, I remember a game like this at a haunted house," remarked Duke.
"This isn't any mere game, guys," said Maria, as her eyes narrowed on Bakura and his Destiny Board, "That trap card just put a clock on this duel, and not in Yugi's favor."
"What do you mean?" asked Serenity.
"Five turns," explained Bakura, "Five Letters. Once all five letters have appeared, I automatically win, bypassing the rule of Life Points."
This got the gang somewhat worried, though they still had faith in their friend.
"And I'm not done yet," said Bakura, "I'll also play 'The Dark Door,' limiting our attacks to only one monster per turn."
'Oh no,' thought Yami, 'I need to end this quickly.'
"I'll set one card facedown and summon Earthbound Spirit and tribute it to keep Dark Sanctuary in play," finished Bakura, "You're move."
Yami drew his next card, Kuriboh and summoned it to the field immediately and went into the battle phase. Using Dark Magician Girl, thinking the effect was only on Gamma, to attack, he was surprised when Dark Sanctuary's effect kicked in and did the same as before.
Yami: 3250-2000
Bakura: 900-2150
"But, it was just on Gamma," protested Yami.
"Each Turn, I can select one monster on your field. If that monster attacks, Dark Sanctuary's effect kicks in like it did last turn," smirked Bakura, chuckling evilly.
Yami then summoned Kuriboh in defense mode and ended his turn. This allowed the next letter of Destiny Board appear, and it was "I".
Bakura took his turn and summoned Sangan, and immediately tributing it for Dark Sanctuary, allowing him to get another Monster for next turn guaranteed.
'This isn't good. And even though I can feel Dark Magician Girl possessed by the ghost, I can't actually say anything. It would be cheating in Yami's favor, and he'd never accept it. More importantly, as much as I support Yami over Bakura, Yami still hasn't figured out what he needs to do to earn my forgiveness. Heck the only reason I'm over here is because of Serenity, who's Joey's sister,' pondered Maria, deep in thought.
Maria then sighed as she closed her eyes and started leaving the group, mainly Serenity, as she walked over to the Kaiba brothers. Something everyone noticed.
"Maria, where are you going?" asked Téa, "We need to support the Pharaoh!"
"Let her be, Téa," said Serenity of all people, "She doesn't need to stand beside us to support Yugi. She's made her choice, let's respect it."
That quietened any further response. While they were all about friendship, sometimes respecting someone's differences is friendship in and of itself.
(AN3)
Yami took his turn and summoned Big Shield Gardna, followed by attacking with Gamma the Magnet Warrior. Fortunately, Gamma wasn't affected by Dark Sanctuary. Unfortunately, Bakura had a backup plan for that. Revealing his trap card, 'Dark Spirit of the Silent' not only did it negate Gamma's attack declaration, he was able to force DMG to attack instead, triggering Dark Sanctuary's effect.
Yami: 2000-750
Bakura: 2150-3400
Maria tensed a bit at feeling Dark Sanctuary's effect on her bonded monster for a second time. That... wasn't pleasant. Being connected with Dark Magician Girl was both a blessing and a curse at times. During times when her strength is boosted, like with Magic Formula, she could feel her own strength growing as well, but something like the Ghost of Dark Sanctuary... there were no positive words to describe it.
Meanwhile, Mokuba was starting to get freaked out by Dark Sanctuary's appearance and effects.
"All these spirits are starting to freak me out, Seto," said Mokuba, trembling a bit.
"It's all apart of the game, though Bakura's Millennium Ring doesn't help matter," sighed Maria, wanting to cheer him up, but unable to deny the reality of the situation.
Yami added two cards face down and passed his turn, giving Destiny Board its third letter, a "N".
Bakura, cocky as he was, simply summoned a monster and sacrificed it for Dark Sanctuary, passing his turn once more.
Yami was now able to implement his strategy. During his Standby Phase, Bakura selected DMG again for Dark Sanctuary's effect, but once Yami moved to his main phase, he revealed his trap card: Collected Power. This transferred not only Magic Formula, but also the effect of Dark Sanctuary, meaning Kuriboh was now affected by the Ghost. Yami then added in his Exile of the Wicket to destroy all Fiend Monsters, namely Kuriboh, taking the Ghost with it and nullifying the effect.
"NO!" called out Bakura, before regaining his composure, "Very well, you dealt with the Spirit of Dark Sanctuary, but Destiny Board will still win me the game."
"But I'm just getting started. Next, I'll play Monster Reborn to revive Dark Necrofear," said Yami, "And with her return, comes Dark Sanctuary's destruction!"
Maria couldn't help but smirk at Yami's 200IQ play. Not only ridding himself of the risk to attack, but also crippling Bakura's strategy altogether. Yami then proceeded to attack with Dark Necrofear, putting Bakura in an even deeper bind.
(AN4)
Bakura: 3400-1200
However, with Yami's turn ending, the fourth letter was revealed, an 'A'. Bakura himself looked like he was deep in concentration, as if speaking to someone, which was possibly Marik.
Maria's eyes narrowed as Bakura drew his next card. She had a feeling that Bakura wasn't out of the count just yet.
Bakura revealed his next card to be Jowgen the Spiritualist, a powerful card indeed. And Bakura then proceeded to discard a card to destroy Dark Necrofear, allowing him to activate Dark Sanctuary once more, and use the effect to select another monster, allowing him to survive Yami's next turn with another copy of 'Dark Spirit of the Silent' facedown protecting him.
Maria shared a look with Seto, and they both nodded.
"Yami, you know what you have to do," declared Maria, getting his attention and staring straight into his eyes, his very soul within Yugi's body, "You believe in Destiny, so believe you are worthy of winning this duel. Show them why you are the King!"
Yami took in her words, and after silently conversing with Yugi, knew what she meant. He was the Pharaoh, and that meant he was worthy to wield the God Cards. He would be worthy to wield Slifer the Sky Dragon. Focusing everything into his next draw, he called forth the only card that could win him the game.
"I SACRIFICE DARK MAGICIAN GIRL, GAMMA THE MAGNET WARRIOR, AND BIG SHIELD GARDNA FOR THE ALL POWERFUL SLIFER THE SKY DRAGON!" cried out Yami to the heavens above, summoning Slifer, who was so massive, he was able to dispel half the dome of Dark Sanctuary with his mere presence.
Maria had to fight every instinct in her reincarnated body not to bow before Slifer and managed to hold herself to a slight bow from just above the diaphragm. She could get flack from the God later, but times had changed and the world now viewed the God as a card, and not a real being, so bowing for a piece of cardboard would not be seen as normal.
Bakura could not believe his eyes. He was seeing Slifer the Sky Dragon, a monster he couldn't comprehend in the modern day. Because Yami tributed a monster targeted with the effect of Dark Sanctuary, he was free to choose again. Unfortunately for him, Slifer's Divine Attribute and Typing negated that effect.
Unfortunately, Bakura wasn't alone in this, as Marik, or rather Odion made his appearance.
"You're friend is under my mind control," stated 'Marik'.
"But I thought it was the Spirit of the Millennium Ring?" countered Yami.
"He too is under my power. And I shall prove it by releasing him, now!" added Marik, holding up his Millennium Rod.
After a few long, tense, seconds, Bakura reverted back to Ryou, who was in great pain from his still injured arm. He called out to Yugi, needing help as he was once again in a place he didn't remember going to.
Yami was severely hesitating at attacking his friend. He didn't deserve this, not to be controlled by the Spirit, let alone Marik, and being injured just added to the insult. His hesitation was so bad, he received a warning from the Official Judge to continue his move or forfeit.
"Yugi, I promise you we'll get him proper care immediately once the duel is done," promised Maria, "Now please, end the duel so Ryou can get some help.
"I might hurt him beyond recovery though, Maria," countered Yami.
"One person vs. the world, Yugi," stated a resigned Maria, taking a deep breath, "It's your move."
(AN5)
One thing that she failed to mention to anyone right now was that she saw both the real Marik and Yami Bakura in spirit form over Ryou. Her Magic may be limited, but given the current situation, she felt the need to use Magic Sight. It came in handy because to many people's shock, including her own, Yami Bakura forcibly took over Ryou's body again, thereby protecting him from further health complications from Slifer's incoming attack.
Yugi seemed to realize this as well, and ordered Slifer to attack, ending the duel.
Bakura: 1200-0
Winner: Yugi Muto
Maria took that cue to contact the doctor onboard.
"Doctor, report to Ryou Bakura's room. Beyond duel exhaustion, he seems to have a fractured if not broken left humerus," informed Maria.
"Understood, Ma'am," replied the Doctor.
While Seto was initially against it, Maria's argument for having a Doctor on board was logical and sound, and given the current circumstances, it was the right move to have a Doctor onboard.
(AN6)
Things were heating up, and the next duel might be even tougher.
(Chapter End)
And the Battle City Finals have officially begun.
Alright, on to Author Notes...
AN1: Okay, explanation time: I'm not entirely sure Mana ever learned the full history of Thief King Bakura, and more importantly that this Spirit isn't that of the Thief King. Combine that with the fact that Mana never felt the presence of the Spirit within her Ring during her time under Pharaoh Seto, and she has no reason to assume it's someone or someTHING other than the Thief King inhabiting the Millennium Ring. Hope that helps!
AN2: Okay, most of the dialogue by the others remain mostly the same. I'm just focusing more on Maria because... well Bakura's a crappy duelist. Sure he's dangerous, but not actually a good duelist if he does moves like this. Sure, it's part of his 'devil don't care' attitude, but he takes it a bit too far... almost to the point of masochism. He gets better in later episodes, but this duel, he doesn't even try, just saying!
AN3: What am I even writing... an MLP fic? LOLZ! But seriously, I feel like I've kept Maria with the gang a bit too long, especially after that conversation from before.
AN4: Another dialogue heavy episode. And a lot of it is just rambling. There's a reason why Maria left the group when she did. It's also the reason why this chapter is longer than the other ones. Didn't want to break up the duel into two chapters.
AN5: The toughest decisions are heartbreaking in this manner. Sacrifice a friend to save the world, or risk the world to save a friend. It's not like Yugi couldn't repeat what happened last time and switched their spirits again, right? Oh wait... that's not going to work while they're in the same body.
AN6: Maria is far more responsible for human life than Seto is, so she's gonna take the precaution to have a doctor on board. If nothing else, it allowed Bakura to have a more believable recovery phase all things considered.
Later,
RDF1
