Author's Note: Sorry for the technical difficulties; I had trouble uploading this chapter because it kept sending in Chapter 3 of the FanFic Critic's Apprentices instead of the real Chapter 9 of this fan fiction!

Day 22

February 4, 2013

The Last Day of The Crossfires

6:00AM - Jim's House

"Get up, you lazy bones! We have to get ready for the final duel in the YuGiOh! Tournament!"

Pegasus was knocking on each of the room's in Jim's surprisingly large house.

"Nnngh...", Judai groaned, in his room.

"Coming...", Toppa replied as he woke up in J's arms surprisingly in their room as well.

Of course, simply changing from pajamas to casual outer wear wasn't enough to let Pegasus know they heard him. So they hurried their schedule to the point they forgot to brush their teeth and their hair. Pegasus had to point it out before they walked out the door and Pegasus wasn't the one trying to rush them through the door.

It was Edo. He remained serious but he didn't like how Judai and Toppa were making so little of a deal with the situation at hand; Toppa he could understand because he wasn't a Duelist, so therefore he wouldn't really know how big this was to be at the YuGiOh! Tournament. Judai on the other hand... well, Edo was a little furious.

7:00AM - The Convention Center

They took two cars, one of which being a limousine rented by Pegasus and the other being the Jeep Jim grew up driving. They were based on the grouping set up thanks to them being separated.

When they finally got there...

"Asuka! It's been a while!", Momoe smiled as she hugged her.

Asuka smiled. It's been a while since she saw Momoe.

"Wow! I wasn't expecting seeing you here."

"I had to see how the tournament was going! So how have you been?", Momoe asked.

"Well I..."

Momoe looked behind her to see Toppa and J.

"Who are those fine looking hunks you picked up?"

"They're my students, Momoe! Stop looking at them like that; We're not teenagers anymore!", Asuka then groaned. She should have been surprised by Momoe's action, but realizing she was like this when they were just classmates in Duel Academy, Asuka wasn't as much astonished by her observation of them.

"Ohh... Right. Students.", Momoe giggled.

"What are you implying with that?", Asuka asked.

"Oh, nothing. So are you ready to see Yugi defeat Bakura? Or are you worried vice versa's going to happen...", Momoe muttered as she started to shiver with anticipation.

"Umm... Let's just wait and see, Momoe. Don't get to conclusions just yet.", Asuka chuckled.

9:00AM - Darwin Harbor

Mokuba began to chuckle to himself as he walked out of the airplane. Seto followed him. Despite being a young adult in his mid-20's, he still looked like the child he is making himself out to be. He was wearing a red and white fur cape, much like you'll see monarchs parading around in as he entered a snow white limousine with a Blue Eyes White Dragon on the hood.

"Today, Seto... I think I'm going to have a blast.", Mokuba grinned.

"Why is that, Mokuba?", Seto asked curiously.

"I'm going to defeat Yugi Mutou and become the next King of Games! Isn't it obvious? Clearly you were the one that failed to do so, brother.", Mokuba replied with a sneer.

Seto looked down apologetically, but then looked up now with a sudden realization glinting in his eyes. That realization made him glare at his brother, almost coldly.

9:15AM - Convention Center

When they finally got there, the stadium only filled up halfway. Asuka noticed why; There was a loss of fan base due to Japan's alienation of other card games, and the Australians that weren't Duelists were protesting for Japan to release the innocent citizens that played other card games like Battle Spirits and Poker.

Richard smiled, "Now why didn't other people get the picture? Would have saved us all the effort of saving Toppa Bashin and J Sawaragi from Mokuba's reign."

Asuka looked at Richard's smile. He was for once sounding sane and this was coming from Asuka's mind.

"Ladies, and Gentlemen! Settle down as we introduce to you our finalists, Yugi Mutou, the King of Games, and Ryou Bakura... The dark horse lurking in the shadows!"

Then Yugi and Bakura entered in simultaneously. They both looked pretty normal. Occasionally, a few girls (Momoe most particularly), began to swoon at the sight of normal Bakura. Men like Fubuki, though, hid behind the girls in fear and nervousness. It was obvious Bakura was a pretty boy, but one that actually brings fear to those that dared picturing him challenging him.

Judai and Asuka, as well as Richard, Toppa and J, were far above those ridiculous mannerisms, and so did almost everyone else in their group.

"See? They're wearing their Millenium Items...", Pegasus gasped in awe. Pegasus was even more scared of Bakura than Fubuki was, and the reason why? Well, Bakura was the one that forced the Millenium Eye out of his... well, possession. Boy, did it still give the shivers to this day.

Judai acknowledged he was at least referring to Yugi, but Bakura?

He looked down. Bakura was wearing the Millenium Ring.

10:00AM - Manjyome's Office

Manjyome eyes widened when he suddenly noticed Mokuba run up to the stage, saying something about wanting to duel Yugi next. However, from the protestors in Australia, Rotten Tomatoes were being thrown at him, rather than freshly cut flowers. With that being said, the fact he just ran in unannounced baffled Manjyome to the point that the tournament could no longer be taken seriously.

"Is he fucking serious?!", Tyranno hissed.

"And they made my class skip school just to watch this tripe!", Misawa growled.

"...in a world where card games rule the world...", Manjyome then thought to himself.

10:00AM - Convention Center

Mokuba waltzed in to challenge Yugi Mutou to a duel. For a lot of the duelists watching, it was like Macbeth suddenly turned into It Was Always Sunny in Philadelphia. For the protestors, it was an opportune time to harp on Mokuba. For Judai and Asuka, this meant a lot of trouble.

Yugi accepted like Lawyer Man to his unsuspecting victim to Mokuba's duel. He had that crazed look in his eyes now. Pegasus looked almost traumatized, hugging Jim in Sho in the anticipation you'd find in a horror film.

"Atemu, you're up and early as always...", Bakura then grinned, now also with that crazed look.

"Thank you... but as the peasant you are, call me Pharaoh."

This dialogue explains a lot to everyone.

"Did trying to play God make your return interesting?", Bakura asked.

"Executing that man for trying to steal another man's life was something I had to do, thief..."

"Heh, how very cocky of you. Very well... We'll let this young whelp join us in this battle, but only if you make sure you're focusing on who is the real opponent... Him or me?"

Everyone sat there in confusion.

"C'mon you guys... I don't think we should be here...", Pegasus whined.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Pegasus, are you seriously doing this?! We have to record this if anything!", Austin hissed. He was definitely not in the mood for running away just yet. He took out a camera and actually started to record everything.

A catastrophic storm started to shuffle itself into the convention as most of the other viewers started running. Thus sat Asuka, Judai, Toppa, J, Sho, Jim, Richard, and the rest of their company, watching the three-way duel between Mokuba, Bakura, and Yugi.

3:00PM - Convention Center

Mokuba was down. He then noticed things started to shatter for him as he knew it. So he ran out, dazed and confused.

"Now it's just them...", Richard muttered.

Asuka then didn't understand why, but she had the gut feeling to tell Judai finally her feelings.

"Judai! I love you!", Asuka yelled.

Bakura and Yugi turned, as did everyone else, especially Judai.

Asuka gasped as she covered her mouth. She didn't know what she was thinking. Judai may not feel the same way. Besides, Judai still acted like a kid. How was Asuka to know Judai didn't think having romantic feelings for another girl was a good idea.

Momoe squealed, "Finally she says it!"

Richard groaned, "No... That's not how it should go..."

Asuka looked down, "I'm sorry... I should have told you the second time when I said this..."

Judai smirked, "No wonder I couldn't hear you the first time. Well, I guess it's fine that you love me... It just startled me, you know? I was wondering why you tried to get me to snap out of my depression. You were there for me... Even when Yubel's wrath was out there, even when you joined the White Society... I like you too, Asuka. I hope we can stay friends..."

Asuka smiled. Judai was answering her confession and taking it so well. Guess he really has grown up. However, now wasn't the time for reacting to that, as Yugi drew a card. All was quiet in the audience, now. That gut feeling Asuka had... was ice cold fear of death.

Yugi held up the card. The card was the head of Exodia. It seemed like he had all of the pieces to summon him. Though, just when he summoned it, everything turned white.

"Bakura... What have you done?!"

"It's obvious Atemu. I'm not going to lose this duel without you suffering as well."

"But they're just innocent souls!"

"C'mon, Yugi... They were going to die eventually..."

Asuka shook her head. This was not happening. No way, no how. She shook her head for a minute, hoping it was all just a big dream.

"Well, then... Seeing you're the sore loser you are, let me save them as well..."

Soon, Asuka can finally see clearly. Everyone was wide eyed as to what happened. They were on top of Exodia now. Pegasus was aghast; Not even he would dream on being on top of one of the most powerful cards he ever created.

"Now, Exodia... OBLITERATE!"

And a white laser that glowed a similar light to the light Bakura tried to engulf them in. This time Bakura never escaped. Thus the Millenium Ring was off of Bakura, and the boy passed out after the golden Egyptian artifact turned to dust.

And soon, the characters noticed Exodia letting them down, as they walked from his head, to his shoulders, and then finally his arms. After everyone walked off Exodia, Exodia faded away, like a mirage.

For Asuka, everything felt like a dream. A dream that would never escape her.

"Ryou!"

Yugi snapped back to normal as he tried to wake up Bakura.

Austin was still filming, only letting Momoe lay on his shoulder when she fainted from shock.

"What... did we just..."

Pegasus though was ecstatic. He kept screaming about how this all had to be a dream, shaking Richard to tell him otherwise. Richard had to slap him back to his senses.

"Big brother... are you going to show that film to anyone?", Asuka asked.

Fubuki then pouted, "Well... Finally you acknowledge your brother..."

"Hey, it was early in the morning! It took me time to recognize you!", Asuka groaned.

"That's still no excuse.", Fubuki groaned.

"Well, let's leave Yugi and Bakura alone... The tournament was... different.", Richard muttered trying to keep the two from fighting.

6:00PM - Darwin Harbor

"I thought... I could do it, Seto..."

"You haven't defeated him, Mokuba?"

"Well I..."

"Inexcusable, little brother... I'm disappointed...", Seto muttered as he took out a blade.

"Yes... Kill me for I have failed you...", the black haired boy smiled as he grabbed the hand holding Seto's dagger, and jabbed the blade into his stomach.

Mokuba let the dagger slice him open as Seto turned around to see that the cops had them surrounded.

7:00PM - Manjyome's Office

"Well, damn it! They ran away just when things got interesting!", Manjyome hissed.

"Hey... Maybe if someone recorded it, we can see what happened!", Tyranno nodded.

"Yeah, and maybe... That's it. Let's take a trip to Australia! Maybe we can see who recorded the last few parts of the tournament. We can tell if Yugi was the bad guy or not!", Misawa smirked.

"Deal!", all three of them smiled.

"But... How would we get the day off from that?!", Misawa asked.

9:00PM - The Convention Center

"Asuka... Can you do me a favor?", Pegasus then asked her, before she gave her farewells to her brother and the rest of his posse.

"Yes, what is it?", Asuka asked.

"I would like for you to hold the recorded events from today. It would be mad for anyone to leave it in my hands...", Pegasus replied.

Asuka gasped as the digital camera was held in her hands... A small digital camera with a Toon Blue Eyes White Dragon on it as a sticker.

"But Pegasus..."

"Fubuki explained to me why you were so distant from him despite being siblings. You were making sure those two kids you picked up were still in your sight. You must have been through a lot to get them away from Kaiba's childish and narrow-minded law. In fact, you gave up your citizenship in Japan to save them."

"In all fairness, Mr. Crawford..."

"No. You're the heroine of this story. You deserve this footage more than me.", Pegasus smiled.

"Pegasus..."

"Hey Pegasus... We're going to be departing soon. Hurry up!", Edo growled impatiently.

"See you later Asuka...", He grinned as he joined the others waiting for him.

"What a day...", Asuka muttered, tired. She had much to absorb before she can discuss what happened that day.

TO BE CONTINUED...