Zypher: Well, here we are once again. I know it been a long, long time since I updated but even with the manga, my creative ideas are still failing me but hopefully things turn out better. Any who, glad you all enjoyed the previous chapter so here's another for you. Also, although still sore from last time thanks to that annoying reviewer (which is now causing me to lose all reason to add Malik into my stories because of her but I'll try to keep him for plot progression), I'm still willing to do a one-shot story for Jounouchi for his birthday but I'm short on ideas.

If you can, please give me some ideas and I'll choose the best one to start up a story on. With this, it'll probably be the start of a long, birthday one-shot story so I won't have to add in each story individually. So please, send in what you got since I have about a week to try and get it done and out on time.

As for this chapter, read on.

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Yami no Game: Dark Saga

Chapter 12

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After the duel between Yami, Jounouchi and the Meikyu Brothers, the group were now on their way towards Pegasus' Castle once more, Yami and Jounouchi's duel gauntlets now filled with the star chips required to enter. As they walked down the hall, Jounouchi took a glance to his left and snorted. He smashed a fist against the other door that also led to the hall. "Damn...now that we're on the other side, we just now learn that both doors lead to the same place. It was those brothers that were tryin' ta trick us and play us that both doors could lead to a dead end." Jounouchi mumbled. "Buncha liars."

"Either way, we can't relax yet. We may have found the way out but we don't know for sure if this path leads above ground." Yugi spoke, stroking the back of Aqua's neck as he rode upon his back while the traversed along the path. "You never know if this path would lead us to the castle dungeon or something." Honda shivered at the idea of being led somewhere else. 'Let's hope it isn't a pit of snakes or something...' Was his timid thought. They were quiet for a while longer before Yugi took off his bag and opened it, reaching inside for the 8mm player and turned it on, bringing up his grandfather's image. The elder smiled warmly to the sight of his grandson's face. "Ah, hello, my boy. How's the tournament going?" he asked. "We're on our way to Pegasus' Castle now. Just hold on, Yami will defeat him and we'll return your soul back into your body."

"Yugi," Sugoroku began. "I don't want you to worry about me. Neither do I want Yami to worry. To be a true champion, you can't be afraid of losing. When you overcome that, your true strength will show. Do you understand?" Yugi nodded. "I understand, jii-chan." Sugoroku nodded before they said their goodbyes and Yugi cut off the player, putting it back in his bag. "Hmm, I wonder. Do you think any other duelists arrived at the castle by now?" Jounouchi shrugged. "Who knows." he mumbled. "What about Kaiba? I know he isn't in the tournament but he was heading that way. Do you think they'll let him in even though he doesn't have any star chips?" Myrrh asked, looking to them. "Again, who knows." Jounouchi murmured again before looking up, seeing some light near the end of the path. "There's the exit! At long last we can finally leave out this underground maze of paths!" he said with a cheer as he ran ahead. "Finally. I don't know how long it would be before I went insane being down there." Diamond hummed with a soft chuckle as they followed the hyped blonde up the stairs that led outside.

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-2nd Day of Tournament, 4:20 PM-

Rushed footsteps raced towards a certain room within the annex where a particular person waited with an entertaining hostage. "Is Croquet-sama alright?" One of the guards asked as he and Saruwatari came to a stop in front of the room. "He's still held hostage in the guest room!" Another shouted and Saruwatari growled. "Curse you, Kaiba!" Within the guest room, Croquet was currently cuffed, kneeling down on the floor with his head caught within Kaiba's briefcase, exactly where Kaiba had trapped him the night before. "H-Help..." he croaked, not struggling in the slightest to not only cause him to crack his neck in some way but to prevent Kaiba from doing the same, only in a more gruesome way. "Kaiba! Let Croquet go!" Saruwatari demanded, standing away from the opening of the door so he won't risk getting shot since Kaiba was armed. And extremely dangerous. "You know he won't let him go until he sees who he wants to see. Bring Pegasus and he'll let him go." Ruby said, more dignified than the other for the moment although he too is determined to go to great lengths to save Mokuba.

"You heard him. Waste any more time and I'll snap his so-called adviser's pretty little neck." Saruwatari flinched at the threat and looked to the other guards. "Did you inform Pegasus-sama about this little predicament?" One nodded. "Yes! But he only told us that he would come when the time was right..." The guards explained and Saruwatari sneered angrily. 'What is Pegasus-sama thinking?!' Still sitting calmly within the seat, gun in hand and ready to shoot, Kaiba glanced down at Croquet. "We both know you have Mokuba here. Or do you wish to keep denying the fact while your life's at stake?" he taunted slyly. "I-I d-d-don't know..." he whispered meekly. "I-I'm telling you the truth." Kaiba huffed. "I already took all my important cards from my briefcase. If you would like to continue playing this little game with your life, I'll be happy to end it. It's simple to wash the blood off from the duralumin case afterward." Kaiba hissed lowly. Croquet only groaned, feeling more pressure being placed onto his neck. 'Before I2 can take over Kaiba Corp., we need that key Mokuba swallowed. But if we make Kaiba any more impatient, I'm going to lose my head literally. If we tell them where Mokuba is, the whole plan will be ruined.' Croquet thought and gave another strained choke as Kaiba pressed harder on the briefcase with his foot.

'How did I let this happen?'

-Flashback-

'Last night, they came to the castle…'

"That's right, sir. The only way to open this gate is to put ten star chips in the mechanism. In other words, only the few chosen who survive the duels are allowed to pass this gate." He then turned to Ruby and Kaiba. "You two and I are no exception." Kaiba growled again and Croquet laughed, bowing down to him. "Now, if you don't mind, there is a room for you two in the annex...please step this way..." After he spoke those words, he was knocked clear off his feet from Kaiba's briefcase. "You must be joking!" he roared angrily as Saruwatari came towards them. "Croquet-sama!" he shouted, pulling out his gun but Kaiba grabbed a fistful of Croquet's shirt. The brunet held the gun he took from the guard that tried to assassinate him and Ruby on the helicopter at his head as a chilling gaze faced Saruwatari "Saruwatari, is it? You should know it's because of Kaiba Corp's special employee training that you know how to even wield a gun. I wonder if you ever finish that course. Maybe I should teach you the proper way to fire a gun by splattering his brains onto the pavement." he spoke, pressing the gun closer to Croquet's temple and he gulped in fear.

"St...Stop! Saruwatari put your gun down!" he shouted. "Just look at his eyes! He's serious about taking up to his threat!" Saruwatari growled before letting his gun drop from his hand and Kaiba dropped Croquet onto the ground unmercifully but still held the gun to his head. "Carry my case to the guest room. You'll be my hostage until we see Pegasus." Croquet nodded, terrified of the other male before standing, picking up Kaiba's case and led him and Ruby to the guest room within the annex.

-End Flashback-

'Mr. Pegasus...Pegasus, hurry and save me!'

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In his private quarters, Pegasus waited silently. Soon, a ringing sound echoed in the silence and a slender finger pressed a small button on the screen built into his desk. The image of one of his guards appeared and he waited quietly for the report he was waiting for. "Sir, we received a report that Yami has collected ten star chips and is on his way to the castle." The guard spoke and Pegasus smiled. "Excellent!" he spoke with a cheery tone before a sly look crossed his face. "I was waiting for this moment! That-a-boy, Yami! I just knew you could do it! However, your road to your goal may appear longer than you think. This little game of mine is just too enjoyable to end so soon." he spoke softly with a chuckle as he reached out and pressed another button. "Now I do believe I have another guest waiting." The screen now showed a side view of Kaiba and he grinned. "Hello there, Kaiba-boy!" he greeted joyfully as both Kaiba and Ruby looked over to the screen that showed his image. "Pegasus!" Kaiba hissed and Pegasus frowned.

"Oh Kaiba-boy, you disappoint me. Now where did you learn such manners when in a person's home?" he questioned mockingly. "Save the small talk, Pegasus. We both know that while Kaiba was in a comatose state and I was gone, you tried to take over Kaiba Corp. and abducted our little brother." Ruby stated. "Now give him back!" Kaiba responded afterward. Pegasus chuckled before looking to them. "Well, sure. I'll return him to you both...under one simple condition." he spoke and Kaiba sneered angrily. "What's your condition?" Pegasus laughed again as he untied the navy blue tie around his neck. "You should know...you and he are like the separate ends of this tie. If you tie it together, they pull tightly against each other and share the same fate. Bound together, each straining against one another." He tied the tie back together before smirking. "The time has come...for two duelists to intersect and fight once again." Kaiba's eyes widened as he realized what the condition was. "You...you don't mean..." Pegasus nodded. "Yes, I do. If you want to get Mokuba back, you must defeat Yami." he responded and Ruby gasped. 'No. Kaiba lost against him before and chances are he may lose again. But even if he did, I'm sure that Yami would save Mokuba himself. Then again...'

He turned to look at Kaiba. 'This is his problem, a family problem. He's not going to give this goal away so easily.' he thought. "You don't seem so convinced to fight Yami once more. Maybe this little image from the surveillance cameras will make you change your mind." Pegasus spoke as he pressed another button and the screen switched to that of a view of the dungeons. The camera scaled for a while before coming upon the view of Mokuba locked up in chains and ragged from his struggles to get free when Saruwatari caught him the last time. "Mokuba!" In the dungeon, Mokuba was silent and motionless. 'Big brother...I...I wish you could come and save me but...you're probably still in that wheelchair back at the mansion. Not moving. Not talking. I'll protect your company with my life til Ruby comes back. They'll never get the key from me! When you come back, it'll be waiting for you...' he thought before reaching into his shirt and took out a small locket and opened it, revealing a portion of an old portrait, the last thing they had before Kaiba became the way he is now. 'Yami said at Death-T that you'll come back when you solve the puzzle of your heart...' He gazed down at the picture with hope. 'I placed the other half around your neck. As long as you have that, I know that you'll come back...that's all I'm wishing for. Is for the both of you to come back to me. Please big brother, solve the puzzle of your heart...'

"Mokuba!" Kaiba called as the screen shifted back to Pegasus and he averted his gaze, going silent. Ruby was silent as well but was alert for anything that wasn't Pegasus' voice or Croquet's moans of agony. "Saruwatari, give dear Kaiba the things we were talking about." Pegasus spoke and he nodded as he walked in, wary of any movement from Kaiba before reaching into his pocket. Pulling a handful of something from his pocket, he tossed them to the floor. They rung with a soft clatter and Kaiba looked over to see what they were. "Those are five star chips. Just what you need to enter inside the castle. Wager those chips against Yami and win then I'll let you into my castle and tell you where Mokuba is." Kaiba growled softly but stood either way, removing his foot from his case. This gave time for Croquet to scramble away. Saruwatari helped him up and released the cuffs around his wrists as Ruby reached for the star chips. After picking up all five, he handed them to Kaiba and said male sent a glare towards Pegasus' image upon the screen. "I will do this duel so I can gain entry within the castle but don't forget...you too also have this little "tie of fate" wrapped around your neck as well." he hissed before he strolled out the room with the other right behind him, Pegasus chuckling as they made their exit.

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"Wahoo! We're finally out of that cave!" Honda rejoiced before looking around. "Now, where are we on the island?" They looked around for a bit before Yugi spotted what they long wished to see. "Look there! We're right at the steps of the castle!" he said and they all smiled. "We finally made it. We have our ten star chips so now it's time to enter the castle." Jounouchi spoke and Yami nodded, smile fading as he felt a familiar presence waiting for them at the top of the stairs. They started making their way up but were in for a surprise when they found who was there. "Kaiba!" Jounouchi growled. "What the hell are ya doing standin' there?!" The brunet didn't speak a word and Jounouchi growled again. "You don't think that he switched to Pegasus' side...? Do you?" Myrrh asked softly. "I bet he did! He's rotten to the core that he'll sell out anyone!" Jounouchi declared. "Impossible." A voice spoke and Ruby came from behind the stoic teen. "He didn't switch sides because he already abhors Pegasus enough as it is." he continued.

"Then why is he blockin' our way into the castle?!" Jounouchi demanded and was about to walk forward when Yami held a hand up. "At ease, Jou-kun. Let me speak." Jounouchi huffed before nodding, amber eyes still glaring at the other. Yami stepped forward and finally, Kaiba started to speak. "Yami, I see you have filled your gauntlet. I knew the opponents you faced were no match for your power. But of course, there is only one that can beat you...and that will be me!" he spoke, Ruby giving a sigh at the proclamation. 'So, you still bare your fangs to me, Kaiba.' Yami eyes narrowed. 'Then I'll do the same until you learn what it is to be a true duelist!' Yugi gripped onto the spines on the back of Aqua's neck as he looked up to him. "Kaiba, please stop this senseless fighting!" he cried, not wanting to see either of them fight. "I can't and I won't! The winds of battle blow in the place where Yami and I will fight. This is a challenge neither of us can back away from." he said and Jounouchi snarled angrily as he tried to get to Kaiba but Honda, Ryou and Kaiser held him back. "Winds of fate? Just let me at him and I'll make him see stars instead!" he growled, trying to get free but as he struggled, Kaiba snuck a glance towards his gauntlet and saw that he too had enough star chips to enter.

'So he gained ten star chips. I should congratulate him...but not in front of his friends. I just can't demean myself in front of them. Especially with the challenge I'm wagering against Yami.' he thought before placing a cold smirk on his face. "So you collected ten star chips. I would congratulate you if you weren't nothing but scum under my shoe. So instead, I'll promote you from a loser to a deadbeat!" he mocked and Jounouchi struggled even more within the grip of his friends. "Deadbeat?! I'll show ya who's a deadbeat!" Kaiba paid no mind to Jou's outburst and looked back to Yami. "It's a miracle to see. At first, I always wondered, why did I lose at Death-T? My very own creation where I was the master of every movement. Then I realized...it was just that something. That simple something that presses you on to fight and win. And now, the same thing is pressing me to enter into the castle and save Mokuba! Yami, this is now the duel of fate! Whoever wins enters Pegasus' Castle!" As he spoke, sapphire eyes burned with a hidden fire and Yami saw it.

His dueling spirit.

'So, he isn't the same person I remember from the past. He has changed greatly. Now with Mokuba's life threatened in the clutches of Pegasus; he will do everything his being can to save him.' Yugi hopped off Aqua's back and ran over to Yami's side. "Please, Yami! Don't risk it! You have your ten star chips. Let's just go ahead and enter." he whispered. "He can't bypass this, pipsqueak!" Saruwatari spoke as he walked out. "Only one of them can enter and this duel will decide it. Either Yami enters or Kaiba enters, not both."

"There's no easy way to pass this, little one. I have to if we want to get inside the castle." Yami whispered, stroking Yugi's head softly. Yugi hated this, truly and utterly hated this but nodded as he stepped back. Aqua walked over to him and gently nuzzled his side, Yugi reaching down to caress his cheek softly. Yami looked back to Yugi before turning his heated gaze back to Kaiba.

"I accept this challenge, Kaiba! And I will win!"

"We'll see about that. Follow me to the stage of our battle." Kaiba spoke as he left with Ruby trailing behind him and the others followed.

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"Here you go! Ten star chips!" Keith spoke as he stood at the locked door of the castle. The guard verified them and nodded. "Ok. You are permitted to enter into the castle." he spoke and Keith nodded. 'So, I'm the first one here.' he thought before looking up towards the castle wall where he saw an oh so familiar group. "So, they got out of the cave and it looks like something interesting's about to happen. I better get front row seats for this little show." he whispered as he started making his way to get a good view of the battlefield. With Yami and Kaiba, they were already equipped with the Duel Disks while the others watched from the small steps that led to where they battled. "We'll each bet five star chips in this duel. Remember, only one can enter the castle." Kaiba spoke and Yami nodded, taking five star chips from his gauntlet. "For this duel, we'll be using my patented duel disk but it won't be as easy as it was when I went against Jounouchi." Kaiba explained. "What do ya mean by 'not so easy'?" Jounouchi declared angrily, still pissed that Yami had to go through this duel just to get inside the castle.

"Unlike you, the system's been set to expert mode which is a big change from the beginner mode that I had when I went against you. Of course, that was only a test to make sure the system had no flaws." Kaiba looked to Yami who was fitting the deck holder over his wrist before looking back up. "Now, place your deck into the deck holder! We'll be battling with 2000 life points." After a quick shuffle, Yami placed his deck within the deck holder and nodded. "Alright then, let the duel commence!" They drew their five cards and placed their first monster onto the field. Yami with Curse of Dragon and Kaiba with Ryu-Kishin Powered. "Time for the first battle, Yami!" Kaiba spoke as he threw his Duel Disk to the center of the field. "Let's just see who wins!" Yami roared as he did the same and both monsters materialized onto the field along with the cards they had in hand. "Wh-Whoa...is this really expert mode?" Kaiser asked and Ruby nodded. "Yes. Seto prided himself with the creation of the Duel Disk and from Beginner to Expert, he didn't put any stops to how the duel will commence." he explained and Kaiser nodded.

"Now, I'll start! My Ryu-Kishin Powered will attack..." Kaiba began before chuckling. "Of course, I can guess that you all must be thinking I'm crazy to try and attack the Curse of Dragon but my target won't be that. Instead, my dear cybernetic gargoyle will attack that card!" he commanded, pointing to said card. "Powered Beam!" The gargoyle gave a mighty roar before releasing a powerful beam of condensed energy towards the card, easily destroying the covered Feral Imp and bringing Yami's life points to 1700. "This is crazy! He can attack the cards directly?!" Honda exclaimed and Ruby nodded once more. "Only one of the many features to expert mode." Kaiba smirked. "Easy enough but of course, there is a slight risk with attacking face down cards that are unknown to us. If it's a high attack monster, you'll run the risk of killing yourself. But it seems luck was on my side and I got rid of one of your weaker monsters!" Yami scoffed slightly, knowing that as long as his cards were in attack position, he can risk being attacked and losing more life points but grinned at the thrill of it. "Fine then. I understand your little game. Now it's time to settle this once and for all!" From the shadows, Keith watched, a smirk on his face at seeing two high ranked duelists duking it out. "Man, this must be the ultimate duel on this island next to the final battle against Pegasus. Kaiba or Yami, whoever wins gets to enter Pegasus' castle. This is going to be fun to watch." he spoke with a soft snicker. "Come on, Yami! You can win against him!" Honda called from the sidelines. "Yeah! I know you can do it!" Yugi added. "I can understand we have the same objective, Yami, but if you really want to see him defeated, its best you lose to me right here!" Kaiba stated and Yami's eyes narrowed. "You see here. This is my latest technology to go up against Pegasus! I know he has some sort of ability to read minds and I may not know how it's possible but with this, he won't be able to do it so easily! I will bury him in his own grave with my own two hands!"

"Save your boasting after you win! But don't think it'll be so easy!" Yami interrupted. "Now let's continue this duel!" He drew his card then looked to the field. 'My Curse of Dragon can easily overpower his monster but I could also aim for one of his unknown cards. But that'll be placing a big wager that it's not stronger than my monster. And not only that, but if he has a spell card that can increase Ryu-Kishin's power, then my dragon won't be a match for it.' Kaiba watched him calmly but knew exactly what his thoughts were and that Yami adapted to the use of the Duel Disk system quite quickly. 'Now prove to me that you are more worthy than me to challenge Pegasus.' he thought before deciding to add fuel to the fire. "What's wrong, Yami? Why don't you trust your demonic instincts and attack my monster? If you really think there's a spell card that would help my monster in my sub cards, then attack them instead." he taunted and Yami snorted angrily. 'I may not have any cards to power up my dragon but to keep him from getting anything stronger, the best thing is to attack!' he thought. "Go, Accursed Dragon! Attack his gargoyle!" Yami commanded and Curse of Dragon roared in agreement. "Flames of Hell!" The dragon let out a stream of hellfire, easily incinerating Kaiba's gargoyle and decreasing his life points to 1600 but Kaiba wasn't deterred by the attack. "I knew you would come at me with no fear. Worth the first blow to make sure that you weren't actually quivering with fear." He drew his card and took a glance at it before bringing the disk back into his hands. "I may have gotten something new but I'll continue to fight with the cards I already have! I send out Swordstalker!" he declared as he placed the monster onto the disk and sent it out once more, the purple skinned warrior appearing onto the field with a snarl. "Now, there one little flaw with attacking with a sub card monster...no other sub card effects won't work on it so it has to rely on its natural abilities." He smirked. "But luckily, Swordstalker comes with its own handy ability and absorbs the souls of its fallen comrades into its sword and increases its attack points!" Yami's eyes widened as he heard the explanation. 'That's why he let me defeat his last monster so easily!'

"Go Swordstalker! Attack his dragon and decimate it!" he commanded and Yami smirked. Before Swordstalker's blade came in contact with Curse of Dragon, it disappeared from the field, halting the others attack. "What?! His monster disappeared!" Kaiba spoke in slight amazement. "My machine doesn't have any flaws to it!"

"But of course. It wasn't your machine, it was the power of my spell card, Shift! I can replace one monster on the field with one of my sub cards and I have the perfect one in mind." Yami explained as he placed said card onto the main field. "Go, Black Magician! Attack with Black Magic!" The magician appeared and with a flash of dark magic, Swordstalker was defeated. "Haha! You shoulda known by now, Kaiba, ta underestimate Yami is the fastest way ta lose!" Jounouchi cheered. Kaiba only shrugged and brought is disk back once more. "No matter. We'll see just how long he can last. I'll place this card onto the disk and choose another main card. Go!" He sent out the disk and the next monster appeared onto the field.

"La Jinn, the Genie of the Lamp!"

Kaiba gave the turn back to Yami and he nodded, bringing the disk back as he drew another card and placed it onto the disk before sending it out again. "Go! Black Magic attack!" Again, the magician unleashed a wave of dark magic towards the genie and Kaiba smirked, seeing he fell for the trap. "Activate trap card! Ancient Lamp!" The mystic lamp appeared onto the field and La Jinn was sucked into the dark depths of the item just as Black Magician's magic collided to the golden surface, bouncing back. "Now, your attack is reflected right back and hit one of your own cards!" The attack hit and the card flipped over, revealing Curse of Dragon. "And your dragon's destroyed!" Yami growled as his life points decreased to 1200 but smirked, some of his demon markings starting to show just from the thrill of the duel. Keith continued to watch, smirking. "One step forward and one step back...this is an interesting back and forth duel." he commented, laughing. "Amazing...you were able to trap me so I applaud you for a feat not many can succeed with." The demon commended and Kaiba smirked. 'You may say that now but you have yet to see the real trap. The heart of my deck is my three dragons but you have yet to see another form they can take. Be prepared for soon, the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon will be upon you!'

"That was a very smart move. I have yet to see someone trap Yami so easily." Yugi whispered. "Yes, it is a true feat but the game only getting started, love. They still have a long way before the end." Aqua spoke. "Are you ready?" Kaiba called across the field, knowing that soon, he will assemble the only thing that will lead to Yami's demise. And he's only one card away with one Blue-Eyes already in hand. Yami nodded and Kaiba drew his next card. "My trap card's effect is over so my monster returns to the field and the Ancient Lamp returns to my hand. But of course, my genie is no match for your magician so I have no choice but to attack your cards! Genie Fire Burial!" The genie let out a stream of flames, destroying Yami's Swords of Revealing Light and Yami snarled. Kaiba once again smirked at his luck. 'Good. I got rid of that annoyance so he can't plan a strategy within three turns while my monsters are trapped.' he thought. "Now, my turn is over but I surely can't leave my Ancient Lamp exposed and I just can't let you do that so I'll shuffle my hand!" he spoke, the card flipping back over and the cards shuffled across Kaiba's side of the field and he grinned mockingly. "Now just guess which one is my Lamp!"

"We'll see. My turn!" Yami called as he brought the disk back and drew a card. "So, what do you think Yami will do? With that combination of La Jinn and the Ancient Lamp, he will lose more of his cards if he tries attacking again." Ryou spoke. "He'll find a way! I know it!" Jounouchi claimed. Yami glanced at the card and smirked. "First, I'll set this card," he started, placing the card onto the field. "Toss in the disk." Kaiba's grin only widened. "Go on and try to attack me! You should know my trap card will only activate again and protect my monster!" Yami only chuckled darkly, cerise eyes darkening. "Your combo ends here." he whispered and Kaiba eyes widened. "I activate my spell card, Eye of Truth!" The card flipped over and he gasped. 'Not the Eye of Truth!'

"Yes. Now, if you don't mind, I'll just flip your hand over and see what card I need to destroy." Kaiba's cards were flipped over but the trap card wasn't the only thing he spotted. 'The Blue-Eyes White Dragon! He already has one in his hand!' Yami thought. "He has a Blue-Eyes?! Already?!" Honda shouted in alarm. "Well, at least the good thing is that he doesn't have all three yet." Myrrh responded and Ryou looked to her. "All three? I don't think Yami will be able to handle all three Blue-Eyes! No one could ever accomplish defeating a deck with them in there!" he spoke. "He defeated them before and he will do it again. I know it!" Yugi said, hoping to enlighten the group once more from the fate of Kaiba relinquishing all three of his Blue-Eyes onto the field. "Yeah! Yugi's right! We believe in Yami and we know he can defeat those Blue-Eyes!" Jounouchi declared and they nodded. Ruby listened quietly but knew that they were wrong. 'If only you knew what he's really going to summon. It isn't all three of the Blue-Eyes but something even powerful than them.' Yami was surprised to see the dragon in his hand but was questioning in thought why he didn't use it as his main monster. They all knew that the dragon would've easily broken through all of his defenses without breaking a sweat. His eyes narrowed. 'There has to be a reason.' On the other end, Kaiba was fuming. 'The ultimate humiliation! Revealing my cards for all to see! I hoped to keep my Blue-Eyes hidden until I drew Polymerization and fuse my three dragons together.' His eyes turned dark, anger mounting high. 'Just you wait, Yami. You have already humiliated me once before but soon, I'll return the humiliation thrice-fold!' But sadly for him, Yami already caught onto his plan. 'Now, if I were a pompous opponent with the three strongest monsters in the entire card game, I would try to merge them together and create the ultimate beast. Now my problem is how to stop it from happening. I know it won't be so easy. Until then, I need to get rid of his combo before I focus on his Blue-Eyes.' he contemplated.

"Now! I activate my other spell card, Mystic Box of Death!" he spoke and two boxes appeared, one around Kaiba's Ancient Lamp and the other around the Black Magician. Never seeing a combo like this, Kaiba was a little appalled. Yami grinned as he looked to the two boxes. "Now, I know this may look a little unsafe for those untrained in the art of magic but I'd like to bring some more entertainment to our duel. Of course, I would need a volunteer." he explained as the swords that appeared around the box skewered it and the monsters inside, making Kaiba gasp. "You risked the life of your own monster for a trick?!" he exclaimed. "Oh no. I wouldn't do that. I had another in mind. Specifically your card!" he said and the box opened, revealing his trap card skewered by the swords. The other box opened as well and out came the Black Magician. The magician smirked down at Kaiba, waving a finger at him as to silence his question before he attacked La Jinn when commanded, destroying it. Kaiba growled as his life points reached 800. "I know what you're planning, Kaiba, and I'm not going to let you combine your three Blue-Eyes into one!" Yami declared and Kaiba huffed before chuckling. "So, you found out when I thought you didn't even know after seeing my Blue-Eyes. Well then, try if you can. But I assure you, this strategy is flawless and you won't break it so easily!" he said before bringing his disk back. "My turn!" He drew two cards and smirked. 'Let me show you an even more terrifying combo. The ultimate murder combo!' He placed that and another card onto the disk before sending it back out. The disk projected the monster, revealing it to be Saggi the Dark Clown, only in defense. 'Saggi the Dark Clown...Why would he bring out such a weak monster?' Yami thought before he heard Kaiba starting to speak again. "I play my Saggi the Dark Clown in defense. Turn over!" Yami watched the monster warily. Again, they all knew that the monster's defense was no match for Yami's magician but only Ruby knew there was a secret lying within. If Yami attacked, it will demolish his deck entirely. He wasn't the only one, Yami felt that there was something wrong with the monster but couldn't place what. 'You can sit there all you like but I'll keep Saggi on the field until you catch the bait! You're trapped Yami and this time, you won't be able to reverse it!'

"My turn! Draw!" Yami murmured as he drew his cards. 'Gaia the Fierce Knight and Multiply! These will come in handy!' he thought as he brought back in his disk. "I replace my main card with Gaia the Fierce Knight!" he said as he switched the magician with the warrior and Gaia's horse gave a whinny, waiting for orders. "Go! Spiral Saber!" The horse rose up on its haunches before galloping forward, Gaia preparing to attack and Kaiba smirked, seeing that Yami easily fell for the bait. The clown gave a wailing death cry as it was cut into pieces but it didn't leave the field without leaving the trap behind. Both Gaia and his horse wailed in pain as the trap took effect and Yami gasped. 'What happened?!' His monster start to disappear and he looked to his hand, seeing that the same was happening to his Black Magician. 'What did I unleash?' From the sidelines, Yugi gasped. "Oh no! What did Kaiba use this time?!" He laughed as he let the trap card reveal itself. "You must be wondering what you unleashed. Well here it is! The Virus card!" Kaiba announced and Yami's eyes widened. "Yes! I infected Saggi with it since I know, just like your hunting instincts, you can't resist easy prey! I knew that you would attack and now that you did, you have sealed not just the fate of your hand and field but your entire deck! All cards over 1500 attack points will die!"

"No!"

"Man, this is bad! Yami can't win when he's badly handicapped like this!" Honda spoke. "Looks like Kaiba will win and enter the castle while we're left outside." Yugi whispered before clutching his eyes closed, trying to will away the tears about to gather in his eyes. 'Jii-chan...' he thought sadly, unaware he sent the feeling through the link and both Yami and Aqua felt his inner turmoil. 'Yugi...I can't fail...I can't fail you again. I won't let him win...I can't...' His thoughts were jumbled just from Yugi's turmoil alone and he had only one goal in mind. Virus or no virus. Fangs clenched together angrily as fire swam through dark, demonic cerise eyes.

To defeat Kaiba by any and all means necessary.

Nothing will hold him back.

Nothing.

But he didn't realize how utterly wrong he was for deciding this.

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Zypher: There, done and now I have a crick in my neck. Oh well, it'll go away after I get some rest. Any who, hoped you enjoyed and I'll get started with the next chapter as soon as possible and throw it in the mix with my updates to Chains of the Seal. Don't forget, send it any ideas you come up with for Jou's birthday one-shot and I'll pick the best out of them. (if you guys even take the time to send some in -blanches-) See you soon.