Jupiter's_Magic: Ha! I bet you weren't expecting it to be Skye! *evil Laughter*. Anyhow, heres the next part. I don't own YuGiOh


"Surprised?" taunted Skye when she saw Raphael's stunned expression. "You had no idea this was coming, did you? You never did catch on to subtle hints—no, you're a bit thick for that."

He ignored the insult, too shocked to acknowledge it. "Skye…you…"

"I what? Oh, I accepted the Orichalcos again? How clever of you to notice," she said nastily. "I'm beginning to think you're smarter than you look, big guy."

She glanced to where Alister was slumped against the wall. "Good, he's out like a light. He gets on my nerves."

Raphael directed a concerned glance to where Alister was before looking back to Skye. He couldn't leave the circle, so he would have to trust that his friend was all right. "Why?" he asked softly. "You know what it does to you…why would you even think about taking it up again?"

"You're right. At first I was reluctant to use it because I was too weak. I see now that I was wrong to cast it aside," she replied with an evil laugh.

"Skye…"

"Look, let's just get on with it. Enough with the sad eyes already," she said irritably, looking at the cards in her hand before drawing one from it and setting it on the field. "If I know you as well as I think I do, I'm going to win this easy."


Caden's POV

See, the thing about being the bad guy? I don't have to play nice.

It was a little harder than I anticipated to convert Skye to my way of thinking; when she first saw me after I had my minion bring her to me she started swearing at me and she damn near killed me. Hey, I wasn't expecting her to get loose!

But in the end I pinned her down and forced her to wear an Orichalcos pendant (but not after I had to gag her—she bit me when I tried the first time and actually drew blood! That little…she's lucky I'm such a benevolent guy).

Setting her loose on those friends of hers is perfect. They can't fight her—they're too nice, especially that big guy. I think he's in love with her…ha. That's exactly why she's perfect for the task I gave her.

Even if she breaks loose from the Orichalcos, he won't take her back.

I know her, and the Orichalcos has this awesome habit of bringing out the worst in people like her. She's going to say things that'll break that big lug's heart and he'll be so crushed.

Ha. No one's allowed to have her but me.

Oh, another benefit of being the bad guy? I also don't have to play fair. So setting loose the Orichalcos soldiers on the remaining guys is totally legit. They're going to wear themselves out fighting before I even have to lift a finger.

…Huh. I make a pretty good damn villain. Who knew?


Back at Raphael's Duel

Raphael growled as his vision blurred. The drawback to an Orichalcos duel was that direct attacks could actually cause serious damage; he'd been directly attacked more than once in the past twenty minutes and he actually had visible bruises. Skye, on the other hand, had received no damage—Raphael had refused to attack her.

"Aw, poor Raphael," said Skye maliciously. "You can't even hit a girl. Such a gentleman you are. Too bad, blondie. I've got this one in the bag."

Raphael looked at his hand. He had the key to victory in this duel, but he refused to play it. He could not—if he did…

He glanced to Guardian Eatos, the only monster he had left on the field; Skyler had decimated his remaining monsters and he had been unable to bring them back. He could not let her get destroyed, but there was nothing he could do. If she was attacked he would lose—Skyler's now fully powered Dark Sage had more attack points than Eatos.

And then an idea hit him. It was desperate, and it was not a guarantee, but it was the only thing he had left. Eatos…please trust me on this.

His Guardian's intelligent gold eyes softened in understanding. She was willing to go with his idea, for better or worse.

"Skyler, I'm not going to fight you," he said, blue eyes never wavering.

Alister stared. "You've got to be kidding. Raphael, don't you dare surrender!" he said angrily.

Skye just laughed. "You're such a soft-hearted moron, you complete and total fool! You can't fight me because you love me—what a sap. Does that mean you forfeit then?"

"No," he said simply. "My move," he continued quietly, shifting Guardian Eatos into defense mode. "I have no other monster on the field except for Guardian Eatos, and you have Dark Sage and Dark Magician. I won't forfeit, but I won't fight. If you really want to win so badly, then go for it. I trust that you"

Skye's face twisted into an evil grin. "You put your trust in the wrong person, sweetie," she said, beginning to laugh. "Your mistake was assuming I actually liked you enough to…"

She froze, her hazel eyes widening fractionally. "That I…"

Skye shook her head dazedly. "Your mistake was to trust me. You honestly think I'll spare your silly Guardian? I could hardly care less about her, or…or you…Dark Sage, atta—"

She trailed off, looking conflicted. Her face was contorting, her eyes shifting colors every few seconds.

"You can't do it, can you?" asked Raphael knowingly, watching her. "Knowing our weaknesses goes both ways. Even when you used the Orichalcos in Doma you never could attack someone who refused to fight back."

Skye stared helplessly at him, her eyes flickering. "Raphael," she said softly, and he knew then he was dealing with his Skye. "I didn't…I didn't want to do any of this…I didn't…Caden forced it on me, I couldn't…"

"I know," he said gently, his eyes softening.

"I didn't mean what I said. Really, I didn't," she said, looking miserable and horrified all at once. "I'm so sorry…"

She took a steadying breath. "Finish it, Raphael."

When he looked hesitant, Skye continued. "There's no way that you can bring my life points down low enough to cause a draw, and I'm not sure I can fight the Orichalcos much longer. Please…"

Raphael looked at her for one moment before pulling the card from his hand. "I play the magic card 'Total Destruction'," he said, never looking away from her. "Its effect destroys all monsters on your side of the field. Their combined attack points are taken out of your life points."

The Orichalcos circled around her and Raphael moved forward to catch her. "I got you," he said reassuringly as she went limp. "And this won't go unpunished—count on it."

He carefully lifted Skye's body and went over to Alister, who was starting to revive. Time to end this.


Skye's POV

There was nothing around me—all was dark and silent. I knew I'd lost my soul and I knew it was futile to do anything, but I still couldn't help but whimper.

"Raphael?" I asked, though I knew I wouldn't get a reply.

I don't entirely know if I can cry since I don't have a body, but I certainly feel like it. I can remember everything I said during that duel, and my heart aches. I don't even know if Alister's all right, and all of my attacks physically hurt him. If there was even a small chance that he cared about me, any small chance he actually loved me…that was gone now, I think bitterly.

Skyler, you ought to put a tad more faith in him. Raphael's very forgiving—well, except when it comes to Dartz.

The slightly exasperated voice startled me and I start looking around. "Who's there?" I call out suspiciously. "Show yourself."

You have nothing to worry about. I'm a friend.

"Disembodied voices tend to make me suspicious," I retorted.

A chuckle. Very well, dear one. I'll show myself.

A bright light entered my vision and I let out a startled scream, shielding my eyes against it until it died down. When I lowered my arm I found that my Dark Magician was in front of me.

"You're real?" I questioned, though I grimaced. "Great, I'm hallucinating now."

Of course I'm real, silly child. Every duelist has a monster that looks out for them and protects them when the time comes—even your Raphael has one, though she's never said a word in all the time I've seen her.

"Eatos?"

The one and the same. Onto different matters—you have to wake up now.

"News flash, genius. I lost my soul and the Orichalcos sealed it. I can no more wake up than I can sprout wings and fly across the sky shouting 'Barney is a dinosaur," I replied irritably.

Cute. What use would I be to you as your guardian monster if I let my charge lose her soul? And what sort of magician wouldn't have a way to save his charge?

I look at him skeptically. "All right, pal. I'm listening."

Raphael cared about you too much to attack you. By giving him permission to defeat you, you overcame the darkness inside your heart.

"Darkness? I never…"

Girl, everyone has it. In your case, the darkness that the Orichalcos brought to the surface came from your inability to totally trust anyone, thanks to what Caden did to you. But you trusted Raphael to finish the duel; you trusted him to help you in that one moment, and by doing that you trusted that he would do everything in his power to save you.

He paused. If you're in the mood to be sappy, Skyler, his love for you and your resulting trust in that love is what stopped you from ending up trapped in the Orichalcos' trap.

I let this sink in, completely floored, and then I look to him desperately. "So what do I do to get out of here?"

I would think that was simple.

Just wake up.


Normal POV

It had taken a bit to retrace their steps, but at last Raphael and Alister made it back to where the Pharaoh and their friends were dueling Caden's henchmen. Lola, who had found a rusty pipe and was proceeding to hit the remaining thugs with it, stopped in mid-swing when she saw Raphael carrying Skye's motionless body.

"Skye!" she almost shrieked, running to them. "Is she okay? Skye!"

Alister shook his head, choosing to answer instead of Raphael; he'd missed the entire duel because he'd been knocked out by the shock wave generated by the Orichalcos and it had been a rather quick duel. "She'll be fine when we defeat Caden."

Dartz looked over at them. "She lost an Orichalcos duel, then?" he said, causing Raphael and Alister to look at him.

"Obviously, Dartz," retorted Raphael, looking visibly angry. He had not been able to stop her from losing her soul and the loss was weighing heavily on his mind; the turmoil was visible on his face when he gently set Skye's unmoving body on the ground.

Not even five minutes passed before the last of the henchmen were defeated by a blast from one of Kaiba's Blue Eyes White Dragons.

"Bravo, bravo," said Caden, clapping mockingly before drawing the small gun and shooting Yugi with it. The teenager dropped to his knees with a cry of pain, holding his side. "I regret that this little thing only has one bullet, but since he's the guy who can put a stop to my plans I figure to put a stop to it."

Joey hurried to Yugi's side, looking horrified; even Kaiba looked alarmed. "You…you complete coward!" he snarled.

"I try. Oh, and the door's locked. You can't leave until you beat me."

"Is he okay?" asked Lola, looking to Yugi worriedly.

"He's fine," said Kaiba. "It's clipped him in the side, but it's not fatal."

Yugi tried to rise, but he could not and he sank back to one knee. Joey stopped him, carefully but firmly holding him down. "Yugi, I know the fate of the world is on your shoulders, but you can't duel like this."

"Oh well. Your only chance to win can't even get up—guess that means I win," said Caden with a wicked smile.

Raphael activated his Duel Disk once again, fully prepared to duel. Caden's smile widened. "Aww, does the tough guy want to avenge his little girlfriend?" he asked.

The blond's eyes narrowed darkly, but a weak and familiar voice stopped him. "He's mine, Raphael. You're worn out from the earlier duel—my turn."

"Skye!" shrieked Lola, hurrying over to support her now standing best friend. Raphael half moved as well, but when Lola helped her hobble over to them he remained where he was. Relief burned in his eyes as he looked her over, making absolutely certain she was all right.

Skye was pale and her hazel eyes stood out against her pale face, but she was standing and her eyes were filled with grim determination. "I'm okay," she assured the other girl.

Alister looked unsettled. "You have your soul."

"It's a long story and one I'm not in the mood to discuss. Caden, you're mine!" said Skye furiously, the color beginning to return to her cheeks. "If anyone's going to defeat you, it's going to be me."

"Good luck, Skye," said Caden sarcastically. "You're going to need it."

She smirked, regaining more of her strength as she stood. "Believe me, Caden—you've had this coming for a long time, and it's time you got a taste of your own medicine."


Honestly, it was the fastest duel they had seen.

Skye had been completely merciless, throwing almost everything she had at Caden; he'd been helpless against the onslaught and in the end he was not exactly the world's greatest duelist.

In the end, Caden could not hold up and he lost his soul to the Orichalcos. Skye said nothing as his body dropped to the floor, but it was obvious she was pleased that he had gotten a taste of his own medicine.

"That was awesome!" cheered Lola as Skye came back over to them. "You completely owned that freak!"

"I'll have to release his soul later," commented Dartz. "But not before we drop him off at the proper authorities. Now come—Yugi will bleed out unless we get him help."

Raphael waited until the others were a bit ahead of them (Kaiba had been forced to carry Caden's unconscious body, and he was absolutely disgusted with this task) before he reached for Skye's hand and squeezed it comfortingly, his eyes softening as he gave her a small smile. "I'm glad you're okay," he murmured, and then he pulled her into a hug.

Skye leaned into it. "I'm sorry," she said just as quietly.

"I know."

She let out a shaky laugh. "You always do."


Happy Once Again. Kok you are flipping brilliant! Please Review. Kok and I would appreciate it