Yami no Game: Dark Saga
Chapter 20
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'Lose...me...' Pegasus thought as he still looked at the empty field incredulously. There was no way he could lose. He was the ultimate player. He had the Sennen Eye on his side. But the demons and their mate were still able to foil him. 'I...the one who holds the Sennen Eye...lost the game that I created...' Yugi sighed before looking behind him to see Yami standing there, a smile on his face. /Yami...we did it.../ he whispered through the mind link. /Yes we did, little one. But we didn't do this alone. With the support of everyone that stood beside us in these troubling times did we have the chance./ Yami spoke as he rested a hand on Yugi's shoulder. From above, the others returned back to their bodies from their immaterial forms and Jou smirked. "Heh...don't say a word guys...I know what it's like. I felt..."
"I felt Yugi's pain of fighting and the joy of winning! I feel the same way!" Ryou said from Jou's right, causing the other to turn to him. "Hey...that was my line..."
"I feel like we fought alongside Yami somehow..." Honda added. "Yeah...same here..." Myrrh pointed out. Jou pouted and crossed his arms. 'Dammit, they said everythin' I wanted ta say...' he thought and Keara chuckled softly as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Jou. Just be glad that you helped Yami in his time of need." she said and he looked up to her before grinning widely, brushing his nose shyly. "Yeah, you're right!" Yami smiled as he looked up to them and gave them all a thumbs up, making them all cheer happily. His gaze focused on the withering form of Pegasus and growled a little. "Now, Pegasus, you still have a promise to fulfill and I suggest you do it before I decide to tear you apart right here for the hell you put us all through." he hissed. Pegasus didn't say anything for a moment before nodding slightly. "Yes...I'll keep my promise..." he whispered before bringing out the two soul prison cards of Mokuba and Kaiba from the inside pocket of his blazer. "I can't believe it...Pegasus-sama lost..." Saruwatari whispered from above.
"He lost...it's all over...'' A man whispered from within the viewing box. Myrrh lifted the video player and watched as a wispy smoke rose from it. "Hoho...something feels funny..." Sugoroku whispered before his soul was lifted from the player and made its return back to his body. The same process happened for Kaiba and Mokuba as they returned back to their bodies as well. From above, Myrrh waved the player. "Yugi! Your grandfather's image is gone from the player! He's free!" she called and Yugi smiled even more before turning to look back to Yami. "Thank you so much, Yami...you've done so much to help me and for that, I'm grateful. I couldn't have done this without you or Aqua."
"It's all thanks to you, little one. You saved us from an eternity trapped in the puzzle and for giving us a chance at a new life, we will do what we can." Pegasus gave a small sigh, catching their attention once more. "My men will get your prize ready." he spoke and Yami gave a snort. "Using my Sennen Eye...I've seen the minds of many people...but you were an enigma. I've never saw a person with three minds. So that is the power of the Puzzle." he murmured. Yami looked away. "Who truly knows? Even Aqua and I don't remember the full extent of the Puzzle's power. But there was some force, some will, which brought the two of us into Yugi's possession." Yami spoke. "You...you don't know about the evil power hidden within the Sennen items? The evil intelligence that all of them hold?" Pegasus questioned as he looked to them. Ryou and Diamond looked to Pegasus questionably while Bakura and Crimson listened from within. "Really? Then that leads me to this question. How did you claim your item, Pegasus? Where did you get it and why?" Pegasus gave a sigh as he turned his gaze from Yami before reaching into his blazer. "To tell you that story...I must explain one thing to you." he said as he pulled out another card and placed it on the dueling table. 'That card...it's the same as the painting of the woman in the dining hall.' Yugi thought. "Cyndia...that is her name. She died seven years ago. My beloved who died at the tender age of 17." he murmured and Yugi gasped. He was about to say something but a squeeze on his shoulder from Yami quieted him and he listened as Pegasus started the story.
/"I met her fourteen years ago...my father was immensely wealthy. He managed casinos in Las Vegas. At night, he would take my hand and attend fancy social functions to build up his credibility. During one of them is where I met Cyndia, the daughter of my father's wealthy friend. Soon, we were drawn to each other..."/
/"We always talked about our dreams...I was going to become a famous painter and travel around the world, gaining inspiration and selling my art. We swore to spend the rest of our lives together...but soon after I turned 17, Cyndia got sick and left this world."/
/"For months, I stared at the white canvas that was my heart...next thing I knew, I was in Egypt. I had become interested in Ancient Egyptian culture and their belief about life after death...the idea that souls in this world live eternally in the world to come."/
'Egypt...did he get the Sennen items there as well...?' Yami wondered as Pegasus continued.
/"500 km from Cairo is the Valley of the Kings, not far from where the Nile passes through the land. A necropolis...a city of the dead...with the ruins of the ancient pharaohs' tombs. It was as if the desert sands reflected my heart. But not even there did I see anything that could fill that blank canvas..."/
A young Pegasus walked through the desolate town, looking around. "A village in a place like this..." he murmured before he heard the thumps of feet on the ground and turned in the directed of the commotion. "Stop thief!" A man shouted as he chased after a ragged man, something gold clenched in his fingers. The thief soon tripped and the black robed men gathered around him. "P-please let me go...you can have it back!" The thief pleaded. A man took the item back but didn't let the thief get away. They kicked and punched him before two lifted him up by his arms. "Let's go..." One muttered, ready to drag him off and he decided it was time to stop standing by the sidelines. "Please wait! Let that man go! If he stole that ring, I'll pay for it!" he said, digging out all the money he had. "Here, this is all I have!" The men turned to look to him before parting as one walked up to Pegasus.
/"It was a boy...or was it? He stared at me with a mysterious light within his gaze. such a gaze made the desert suddenly dropped in degrees around me. From his neck hung an ankh on a string..."/
"Shadi?!" Yugi exclaimed and Pegasus looked to him. "You know him? I never knew his name for he never spoke of it to me..."
"Don't stop there. Keep going." Yami spoke and Pegasus nodded, letting his thoughts calm before going on with his tale.
-Flashback-
"If you wish to stay, do not flaunt your wealth around." Shadi spoke as he turned from Pegasus. "That man stole an artifact from sacred lands. We only punished him for the act of theft. The value of the ring is irrelevant...but if we even tried to measure its value in gold, no amount would suffice." he murmured before looking back to Pegasus. "Are you a traveler?" Pegasus didn't respond, leaving Shadi to chuckle a little. "This village, Kul Elna, was created by grave robbers. It is called the grave robbers' village. Thieves like this are not uncommon." he spoke before walking off. "This is not a place for someone like you. You best leave at once." he continued as he walked on. "What you seek is not here...this is not a place where the sadness of losing a loved one is healed." Pegasus gasped at his words. 'That boy...he read my mind!'
"Take him away!" Shadi commanded and the men robed in black started dragging the thief away despite his protests.
/"His words stayed with me, so I followed them in secrecy. They entered a house of sun dried brick...but it led to a place that surely I never would've imagined to be from its outside appearance...for inside was a hidden underground temple."/
"P-Please! I'm sorry I stole it...please don't kill me!" The thief begged. But Shadi only regarded the plea with a cold glare. "I do not condemn you for stealing the Sennen Ring...the issue is whether you are a chosen one...will the ring itself accept you as its bearer." Shadi spoke. "Put on the ring! The answer will make itself known..." One of the men holding the ring placed it on the thief and no sooner after the ring touched the man flesh did he give an ear piercing wail, flames erupting from his mouth and eyes, a demonic laughter echoing throughout the room.
/"It was an awful sight...the moment he put on the necklace, fire bursts out from his eyes and mouth. He died instantly, vomiting flames...and that evil laughter haunted my spirit..."/
"The Sennen items tests the souls of those who possess them. Those who are not worthy will be burned alive, body and soul..." Shadi murmured. "When will the chosen one appear...?" One of the men asked as he looked to Shadi. "Until we can find suitable hosts, we cannot find the missing Sennen items..."
"There is no need to hurry..." Shadi answered. "The Sennen items are drawn to each other. If I had to liken it to something similar, the eight items are like pieces of a puzzle. When the time comes, they all be united once more." Shadi said, taking he ring from the charred corpse and placed it back into its rightful place on the tablet. "Right here in the tablet of the Pharaoh's memories."
-Break-
'The pharaoh's memories! That must be what we're looking for!' Yami thought. "It was like the lid of a sarcophagus but it contained indentations with four Sennen Items in it already. A scale...a ring...a pendant...and an eye..." Pegasus murmured. "It was the eye that I was chosen to wield from that day forth.
-Flashback-
Pegasus gasped as he felt hands grab at him, more men appearing out of nowhere and had grabbed him. He was dragged down the stairs to where Shadi was. "What are you doing here?!" One of the men demanded. Another shouted something to Shadi in Egyptian and he turned back to look to them. "I thought I told you to leave this village. You saw something that you shouldn't have borne witness to. The only way to leave this holy place is to be tested as a chosen one of the Sennen Items." Shadi spoke. "Please spare me! I won't tell a soul about this place!" Pegasus begged but Shadi didn't listen and instead reached for an item that was embedded into the tablet. Once he had one, he turned back to Pegasus and showed him the item he was to be tested by. "You will be tested by the Sennen Eye to see if you are worthy of being its host.
"Sennen Eye?"
"If you are deemed worthy to be its host, your deepest wish shall be granted." Shadi continued. 'A wish?' Pegasus thought and believed that he had found what he was looking for. "We shall open the door to the other world and you will be able to see your beloved once more.
/"It was hard to believe...but I took the test of the Sennen Eye...and a miracle happened."/
/"I saw a light...all around me...and then I saw her...my dearest wish...but our reunion only last a moment."/
-End-
"...And the Sennen Eye accepted me." he finished and everyone was quiet. Yugi swiped a tear from his eye before he stood from the seat. There was no need for more words as he left, Yami following behind him and the others leaving from the top balcony.
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'The mystery only grows deeper. Pegasus met Shadi in the Valley of the Kings and received the Eye but at a terrible cost...' Yami thought as he looked out into the distance from Yugi's room while the other was checking to make sure he had everything. 'There are eight Sennen items...destined to gather together and be fitted into the tablet of the Pharaoh's memories in an underground shrine in Kul Elna...even the Sennen Puzzle, the prison that has entrapped Aqua and I for millennia.' Honda looked over to Yami from his seat. "Hey...you don't look all that thrilled about beating Pegasus..."
"Yeah, ya didn't even give him a penalty game or somethin'. I shoulda just slugged him one for everythin' he put ya and Yugi through." Jou added. "Now hold that thought, Jou. Now while Pegasus' actions are unforgivable, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him because of what he went through to get the Sennen Eye." Diamond spoke as she looked over to him. Yugi had everything before looking over to where Yami stood, He could feel the pondering thoughts of the demon's mind, mostly revolving around the hidden evil intelligence within the items. He too wondered about it, mostly on the case of whether it was the very intention of the items that gave Yami and Aqua their demonic power. 'But in all truth, Yami couldn't punish Pegasus...that would be as if admitting that he was right. They're demons but that doesn't mean they want to be labeled as evil...' Yugi thought. Mokuba groaned as he opened his eyes and the others sighed with relief. "Good to see you awake, Mokuba." Myrrh whispered. He looked over to them and jumped, shying away from them and Diamond frowned. "Poor boy must be scared after being lost in the darkness for so long..." she murmured. Seeing that it was only Yugi's friends, he released the held breath as he moved to sit up and looked to them. "You guys..."
"It's alright. You're safe now. Yami beat Pegasus."
"Not just him but everyone did."
Mokuba nodded before hopping out of the bed. "But I can't just lie here! I have to get home and take care of nii-sama!" he spoke. "Kaiba's here on the island." Mokuba stopped his shoving from the others and looked to Yami. "What?" He nodded. "Yes. He came here in hopes to save you." Mokuba ran over to him, grabbing his shirt. "W-where...where is he?" Down in the dungeons, Saruwatari went to the cell where Kaiba was, Ruby following close behind him. He pulled out a key to the cell and unlocked it before swinging the door open. "Come out, Kaiba. It's all over. You're free." Saruwatari mumbled before walking off. Kaiba gave a glance up, seeing Ruby there before looking down. After the way he acted, he didn't expect forgiveness from him. But he glanced back up again when he saw something peculiar. There, beside Ruby, was his child self. The vision smiled before pointing to the stairs leading out of the dungeon. He stood and walked out, following the child vision and Ruby followed, not saying a word.
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A knock was heard at the door and Keara went to answer it. "Yes, what do you need?" she asked as she opened the door to Croquet. "Yes, is Yami still in?"
"Yes but he's preoccupied right now." Aqua said before stepping out and Keara closed the door to give them privacy. Croquet pulled out an envelope and handed it to Aqua. "Here's the prize, as promised." he spoke and he nodded, taking the envelope. "Also, can you return this to Kaiba? This contains his Duel Disk systems." He took the case and Croquet gave a sigh. "Do you want to know the reason behind why he was trying to take over KaibaCorp?"
"Yes, that would be something to learn." Aqua replied. Croquet gave a nod. "He was trying to take over KaibaCorp. just for what's in that briefcase. KaibaCorp. developed the virtual simulator that makes the cards appear in 3D. But the Duel Disk's solid vision technology is even more realistic than holograms. They were so real that the monsters could be mistaken for living beings. Pegasus wanted that technology to make visions more and more lifelike." Croquet explained before walking off. "Perhaps Pegasus-sama will forever chase the illusions of his lost love." Aqua watched him go before sighing. "Guess he would..." he murmured before walking back into the room to see that everyone was ready to go and they all made their way out of the castle.
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"Nii-sama..." Mokuba called as he looked around for his older brother. "Grrr, where is he?!"
"We looked just about everywhere. Even Ruby went missing. He has to be somewhere around here." Myrrh murmured. "That or maybe his soul was called ta Heaven...or Hell." Jou muttered and Kaiser slapped him over the head. "What was that for?!"
"Not the time to be making those kind of jokes, you dunce." he grumbled before looking around. "And on the case of missing people, where did Ryou and Diamond run off to?"
"Maybe they're still in the castle..." Yugi answered. They all turned as they heard footsteps coming down the stairs and turned to look to see who it was. Mokuba smiled brightly, dropping the case as he ran up to Kaiba and Ruby. "Nii-sama! Ruby-nii!" Mokuba cried. Kaiba gave a true, genuine smile as he caught his brother in his arms. "Mokuba..." he whispered as he hugged him close. The child vision smiled, holding a familiar orb in hand before disappearing. Yami saw this and smiled. "Guess Mokuba was the last piece to the puzzle of his heart..." Jou sighed as he watched the tender moment. "Kaiba may be an asshole but seeing him bein' so brotherly for Mokuba...I just can't hate 'em..." Jou mumbled and Kaiser chuckled as he waved the envelope in front of him. "Well, at least you get to see the nice side of Kaiba for a change. Maybe if you two can change the attitude, you'll be able to see it more often. But for now, be happy that we have the money for sis's operation." Jou nodded before looking over to Yami.
"Are ya sure ya don't mind us takin' this?" he asked. "I don't mind at all, Jou. I want your sister to be able to get the operation she needs so she can see again. Besides you were the real champion of this tournament." Honda gave a snort as he crossed his arms. "That's true...it's a miracle he was even able to make it to the finals on his own..." he muttered. "Yeah, he definitely raised a couple levels in such short notice..." Myrrh added. Jou walked over to Yami, planting a hand on his shoulder. "Yami, I owe ya big time for this." he commented and the demon smiled. "Jou, for us, the real test has just begun. Someday...until the day where you can claim victory from me...you can owe me one!" Jou laughed and nodded as he patted Yami's shoulder. "So, Jou-kun, what is the standing record between you and Yami?" Keara asked. Jou rubbed the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. "Well...starting from a week ago and includin' the stuff here at the kingdom...I've got 0 wins, 187 losses." Myrrh and Honda groaned. "Oh man..."
"Looks like he still has a long way to go." Yami watched as Honda made a witty retort, causing Jou to grab at him and trying to make him take it back with Myrrh getting in between them to stop them before they could slug each other. A hand slid into his and he looked down to Yugi. "Yami...no matter where you and Aqua came from, what you were or what you become, I'm happy for one thing. That you two are here with me and I'm happy to have this opportunity to be with you." he said as he looked over to his friends. "I know they feel the same."
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Back inside, Pegasus was making his way back to his quarters when he heard something. He turned to glance behind him but saw nothing. "Ah…they wouldn't come back to finish the deed…would they?" he whispered to himself as he turned back around. The hall was suspiciously empty of his guards and that began to worry him. He turned back once more to make sure he wasn't followed but as he turned back to face forward, he spotted a single person there. The white hair reminded him that the figure was one of Yugi's friends. "If you are looking for your friends, they are already outside ready to go. Let's not dawdle here." Pegasus spoke but the teen before him only laughed. "Oh if that were only the case...but you have something I need..." The deep voice bellowed as he looked to Pegasus, sharp russet gleaming with hunger. He gasped while Bakura chuckled. "You didn't think Yami was the only demon to fear. Oh no...he wasn't but sadly, his instinct is sullied by an innocent mind but mine...I work alone while making plans to please my yadonushi by granting all of his most precious wishes..." he said as he began to walk towards him. Pegasus gasped as he went to run back the way he came only to face another, Crimson snickering softly.
"Little rabbit, little rabbit, you are prone to escape. But this time this Funny Rabbit can't slip away into his hole..." he sneered, walking towards him as well. Pegasus would've ran the other way if he didn't remember Bakura stalking from the other direction, efficiently boxing him in. "Please...I beseech you, spare me as Yami did...I'll give you whatever you want..." he whispered. "Oh, you will without argument. As for whether you live or die...well...I'm a bit peckish and my late night snack is hardly filling." Bakura spoke as he changed form, Pegasus looking on in dread to the demon. With a snarl, Bakura lunged at Pegasus. An ear-splitting scream echoed through the hall, blood staining the carpet below as Bakura stood, holding two items in hand while a chunk of flesh hung from his mouth, torn from Pegasus' face. One the bloodied Sennen Eye removed forcibly from its home and the other the pale luminescence of Pegasus' soul. Bakura swallowed the meat before looking to the soul of the deceased creator. "To have a soul deliciously sweetened with magic...you don't get that often these days." he commented with a laugh, licking the blood from the item in his hand. "But this is the real treat here." Crimson grinned as he stepped over the body, taking the soul and split it in half. "Let's finish up here. People will come looking soon thinking our prince and princess got lost on the way to the door." he muttered, handing a half to Bakura before gulping down his own. "Yeah, that would be a hell of a hassle to crush a few more souls here." Bakura muttered as he looked to the item in hand and smirked. "But this makes three. Only five to go." he spoke before nodding to Crimson and the two left, Bakura pocketing the Eye as they walked back to the front entrance, prepared to give control back to their hosts the moment they reached the doors.
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"Kaiba-san, take good care of Mokuba." Yugi spoke as he looked to the three brothers. He nodded before looking to Yami. "Yami, I owe you for saving Mokuba but our battle isn't over just yet." Kaiba spoke and he nodded. They turned and started walking off but Mokuba decided to be cheeky despite the others saving them. "Ha ha ha, nii-sama and I are flying back home in our private helicopter! Too bad you don't have one!" he teased and Jou growled. "Forget that I ever said he was a nice kid! He's still a rotten little brat!" The blonde seethed. "But that poses a good question. How will we get off the island?" Myrrh pointed out. "Hey guys!" Ryou called as he and Diamond came down the stairs. "Ryou! Diamond! Where were you two?" Yugi asked. "Still in the castle but as we were coming out, I took a look out the window. Sadly, there's no boats left on the island." Diamond replied. "What?! Then how are we gettin' home?!" Jou demanded. Mokuba looked back to them and frowned just a tad, a minor regret in is heart from his teasing, before looking up to Kaiba. "Ya know...nii-sama...can we give them a ride home? Surely Aqua and the others can't fly such a distance from here." Kaiba turned to look down to him before looking to the group and growled. He wasn't looking forward to the trip with all of them packed into the helicopter and yet, he could probably make it out to his advantage...by getting Jou into the passenger seat in the front.
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At the edge of the island, Mai tossed a rock off the edge into the sea and cursed fluently. "How am I supposed to get home without a boat?!" she exclaimed. She looked up, though, when she heard the whirl of a helicopter and saw it pass overhead. The blonde was quick to jump up and started running after it. Inside, everyone was packed in pretty tight. Well, everyone except for Yami, Yugi and Aqua who decided to fly. Jou grumbled something to himself, being suckered into the front seat with Kaiba which made the older pleased for the long flight ahead. He didn't like the fact he was giving everyone else a ride but with Jou up front it made the ride, to him at least, much more pleasant. Mokuba looked to the others from where he was sitting on Ruby's lap. "You all better thank Nii-sama for giving you a ride!" he preened. "We know kiddo!" Honda grumbled. "But man, it's tight in here! I'm sure this wasn't made for this many people!"
"Hush it up back there! Know that when we get back to Japan, we're even!" Kaiba hissed. Outside, Yugi smiled as he felt the wind tussle his hair as he rode upon Aqua's back, Yami settled behind him. He heard someone yelling and looked down to see Mai running after the helicopter. "Aqua! Mai's still down there! Go help her!" Aqua looked to Yugi and nodded before diving down. "Need a lift, Mai?" he called and she looked up before nodding. He held a hand out to her and she grabbed onto it, being swept off her feet and landed on his back before he took for higher air. "Thanks, Aqua. I thought I was going to be left behind."
"No worries." he said, chuckling softly as they followed behind the copter. Yugi glanced back to the island that held the Duelist Kingdom tournament and smiled. 'Goodbye, Duelist Kingdom!' he thought before looking out to the sunset. 'And hello to our next leg of the journey! We have a lead now. We're one step closer to learning about the truth behind the items and Yami and Aqua's past.'
-End: Duelist Kingdom-
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Zypher: And there you have it. The end of the Duelist Kingdom arc. Yes, I know many people have been wondering about the future of this story since it hasn't been updated in ages but I haven't abandoned it. Things have been going slow for me in the story world for me. I'm not abandoning stories, just not getting the inspiration for ideas of new chapters as often as I do. But I work on them as the inspiration comes. But any who, for those that have waited long enough, here's a new chapter. And for the next arc, I'm gonna need some help with finalization.
Went back through reviews and did a count on who wanted what. These are the results but in your reviews this time around, I want your final vote on which arcs you want to see in the upcoming chapters. Just list off which ones you want to see. I'll do a count and one I have the votes finalized; I'll start planning with the next chapter. [no doubt Legendary Heroes is a definite but I want to be sure on it so give me your votes to see if you all want to see this arc up next before Dungeon Dice]
Legendary Heroes - 6 [one vote questionable]
Noah's Virtual World - 7
Capsule Monsters - 4 [one vote questionable]
Doom/Doma - 5 [one vote questionable]
Grand Championship - 4
Well, I thank you all for reading and I shall see you another day with another chapter. See y'all later. [Edit: Per my note chapter for new readers who come and missed it, from this point on, Doma and Grand Championship are omitted for the rest of the story to fit to continuity effort that were missed from previous plans of younger self]