No-One's POV
Looking down at the card in hand, Pegasus felt a tug in his chest at the sight before him, of the fear and pain in the eyes of his daughter, the distinct look of betrayal, the thought that his powers had done this, even by mistake, made him ill.
But he knew that if he brought her out of the shadow realm, she would only interfere, possibly even get herself hurt. No, for now even in a fearful place such as the shadow realm, she is best kept safe there.
Tucking her card safely in his inside blazer pocket where she would be safe, he walks out of the dining room and makes his way to the arena, having watched the dual between Seto and Yugi, the dramatic display put on was both amusing and entertaining, watching Seto literally put his life on the line for the dual, it was quite intriguing, the lengths he was willing to go for his brother and for Jasmine even he had to admit were admirable.
But unfortunately, that was to be dismissed, as this was only the next step, he only now needed two more cards and Cecilia would finally be brought back to him, and nothing was going to stand in his way.
Followed by two of his men he made his way down to the arena, knowing that Kaiba would be waiting, also having heard that three other duellists had made it through into the castle, the pieces were finally coming to place.
"Where is my brother and Jasmine?" Seto asks when his eyes find Pegasus when the doors open before him on the other side of the arena. This making Pegasus chuckle darkly,
"What? No how are you? I thought we were friends Kaiba-boy. Wait don't tell me that my kidnapping your little brother Mokuba, seizing your company and keeping my daughter from you has put a rift between us. It was nothing personal" Pegasus says, now standing just feet away from Seto, his words were true however, this wasn't personal, in fact he did like the eldest Kaiba, a lot of potential, respect and a high duty to his family, all traits he could relate to.
"Besides it's not like I hurt your kid brother, he's perfectly safe, in fact you can have him back if you like, just beat me in a duel like we agreed and I'll hand him over. I mean one little victory shouldn't be a problem for the duel monsters world champ" he says,
The duellists and friends above on the observation platform look down at Seto shocked, already having learned from the duel between Seto and Yugi that Seto was fighting for his brother and some girl, they now learn that this girl whom he mentioned was Pegasus' daughter, most of them having not even know that Pegasus even have a daughter,
"How could you losers not know who Jasmine Pegasus is? She's the heiress to this whole kingdom and his company, she's been at every event and tournament either with or without Pegasus" Bandit Keith says to them, drawing their attention to him, himself having been to tournaments and won most of them until that one duel that ruined his life because of Pegasus himself. He had always seen his daughter though, met a few times too.
"Yeah she's a nice girl too, I'm surprised actually that we haven't met with her yet, she was supposed to be at the meeting party when we all arrived here" Mai says, she also having met Jasmine a few times, counting her as one of her few friends even.
"And Kaiba knows her too" Yugi says, his eyes going down to the scene between Seto and Pegasus
"I hope your looking forward to this Kaiba, because I have been for quite some time" Pegasus says after making Kaiba aware that they had an audience above.
"Good" Kaiba says, now taking his duel disc out of his suitcase and throwing one to Pegasus who caught it surprised at the device,
"Then you'll have no problem duelling with this, well?" he says, seeing that Pegasus is looking at the device curious and obviously not knowing what it is or how it works,
"You want to duel me with your latest contraption? But I don't even know how this silly device even works, do I spin it like a dop or roll it like a ball?" he says, rolling the device itself behind him, his men going after it,
"Cut the theatrics!" Seto says, annoyed by how Pegasus was treating his device.
"Ooh! Kaiba means business! Ok then, how about we settle this like businessmen would. I'll agree to use your system, if you agree to a request that I have" Pegasus says,
"What?" Seto asks, already on edge,
"Nothing that would change the game of course, I just want someone else to operate your little device for me" Pegasus says,
Bandit Keith instantly tensing at the memories of how Pegasus defeated him doing similar,
"I smell a rat" he says, loud enough for all in the room to hear,
"I assure you, I'll still make all the strategic decisions, the game play won't change at all" Pegasus says,
"So why the request? Why not fight your own battle for once in your life?" asks Seto, annoyed at how Pegasus seems to have a useless request when he would be making all the decisions in the move but having someone else using the device,
Pegasus claps his hands in a commanding way,
"Show Kaiba the lad that I request" Pegasus says, and from this command, the door behind him opens to reveal Mokuba standing with chains around his wrists, he looks terrible and his head facing down with no life within his eyes.
"Mokuba! It's me" Seto says, looking at Mokuba but not seeing any response, a shot of pain hitting in his heart at his motionless brother who only stares at him with no emotion, no response to him,
"I apologise if he doesn't seem quite like himself, but I happen to find that the captives I keep are far easier to manage once I have made an extraction of sorts" Pegasus, in silent delight at the sight of Seto shaking,
"You monster!" Seto says, this only earning a chuckle from Pegasus,
"Now- now Kaiba, petty insults aren't the way to get your brothers soul back" Pegasus says, showing to Seto the card with this image of Mokuba within the shadow realm, this shocking Seto to his core,
"I told you your brother was perfectly safe and he is, how long he remains that way is up to you. Beat me in a duel and I will release him as promised, but fail, and not only will his soul remain in bondage, yours will join it" Pegasus says.
"To save your brother you'll have to defeat me" Pegasus says,
"Defeat you? I'll crush you!" shouts Seto angrily,
"So, its settled then, we will use your newest invention, but your brother will operate it for me" Pegasus says, the device now being handed to Mokuba,
"Wait Pegasus!" Seto says, stopping Pegasus,
"What's the matter Kaiba-boy? This was your own idea, using your own system sure to give you an advantage" Pegasus says, seeing Seto now looking down in aggravation, unable to duel his own little brother,
"He's been through enough already" Seto says,
"Alright fine, if you don't think your brother is up for it, we'll use a stronger individual" Pegasus says, smiling darkly, at this Seto looks up in alarm, to then see two guards coming down where Mokuba was brought from, there seeing walking between them Jasmine, her eyes as empty as Mokuba's, Seto slightly aware that her clothes has been changed into a red dress, Pegasus' idea no doubt, but just as Mokuba's eyes are as blank and lifeless, so are Jasmine's.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Seto shouts angrily,
"You don't seem to think that Mokuba will be strong enough for this duel, so I will be kind and still allow us to use your device, but with the same conditions, only I choose to have my daughter operate your device, after all, she did help you design it" Pegasus says, his hand resting now on Jasmine's shoulder, Mokuba silently handing the device to Jasmine now, whom wordlessly took it from him.
Seeing them both in front of him, simply staring at him, but without those smiles that they would always have around each other and with him, it broke Kaiba's heart, he took a deep breath, his eyes on Jasmine,
"No, even if you are calling the shots Pegasus, I will not duel against Jasmine" he says,
"You win Pegasus, we wont use the device, we'll duel on your terms, just keep my little brother and Jasmine out of this" Seto says, this causing Pegasus to grin darkly, happy with the result,
"Fine by me, take the lad away, but take my daughter to my observation seat, it is after all in the brochure of this tournament that she would attend the duels within the castle" Pegasus says, this earning a glare from Seto, seeing both the people he loved dearly being taken away,
"You creep" Seto says, hating Pegasus with all his will,
"Watch yourself Kaiba, you're in my world now" Pegasus says, clicking his fingers, this causing the walkway that they were on to separate between them and retract, then a giant duel arena lowered between them, shocking the guests in the room.
After the system was set, both Kaiba and Pegasus walk onto their own platforms, Jasmine being escorted to a chair to the right of them, this catches Kaiba's eye, seeing her just staring ahead of her made his heart ache, but only fuelled his desire to save both her and his little brother.
"Ready Kaiba?" Pegasus,
"Let's duel!" they both shout, both life points starting at 2000.