Seto's POV
It started nice enough. Although one of the finalists was late, we still have all eight here. And all three God cards are on board. The choosing of the first two duelists has gone without a glitch, although the last finalist didn't want to come to it. From what Fugata told me, she (yes, it's a girl) didn't need to come out since it wasn't her duel. It made me quite mad! She was right, though.
It's Yuna VS Ryou.
Now we are all standing on the sidelines of the special roof arena no my Battle Ship, waiting for the duelists. Yuna has been edgy all the time, not even Yugi seems to know why, but she kept stealing glances of Ryou, Namu, Melvin and Marik. Yep. Something is most definitely up.
As Yuna and Ryou stepped onto the dueling platform, I noticed that the shyness Ryou ususally radiates seems forced, and I wasn't the only one that noticed. Not only Yuna and Yugi, who know him better than the rest of us, but even the Geek Squad noticed.
''Hey, guys ... Is it just me or does Ryou seem to be acting strange for some reason?'' Gardener asked, looking worried.
''He does seem different from before ...'' The Mutt's sister was the first to agree verbally.
''Maybe it's from the pain caused by the injury?'' Taylor tried explaining, but then turned to Ryou ''Hey, Ryou! You okay, man?!''
''Ryou'' started shaking and everyone began to seriously worry for the gentle teen, but Yuna shocked us with her statement.
''Hello Bakura.'' Murmuring could be heard, things like: 'Why is she calling him by his last name all of the sudden?' and the like, but it all stopped when the answer was delivered.
''Or rather ... Hello, Tomb Robber.''
Everyone looked shocked, well ... rather stunned and confused. To me and Yugi, it seems to finally make sense, that nickname. And it did to everyone else when ''Ryou'' answered.
''Hello, little Pharaoh!'' He chuckled evilly. ''So, you did notice? What can I say? You know us pretty well!'' His smirk was wicked. ''Still ... You knew that I have snuck in from the very beginning, right? Why didn't you say anything before now? Why only now ...?'' His eyes widened. The smile that crossed his face was somewhere between ironic and astonished. This chuckle was fond and shocked at the same time. ''You know already, don't you.'' It wasn't a question. He shook his head, his chocolate brown eyes gentle as he looked at my rival. ''You really are a miracle, you know? But I'm hare with a reason and one of them is to see who is better between us, little Pharaoh! In the past, you were victorious, but things have changed!'' He opened his arms. A somewhat manaical laughter spread across the dueling field and everyone present shivered. Yuna and I were probably the only exeptions.
She smirked, her eyes blazing, and with a small nod shared both of them raised their duel disks. Roland declared this an official Battle City semifinals duel and with a nod to the duelists declared the beginning.
The two yelled together ''DUEL!''
And it started.
00000
Things are not looking good for Yuna right now. Bakura allowed Yuna to destroy four of his monsters, losing most of his Life Points in the process, but activated "Dark Sanctuary" to turn Yuna's monsters against each other, as well as "The Dark Door" to limit Yuna's attacking choices. He also used "Destiny Board" to allow him to declare an automatic win after playing all five "Spirit Message" letters. The final letter was missing for now, but Bakura had declared that he has drawn it when Yuna played ''Card of Sanctity'' and that he will play it the next turn to win.
Joey is freaked out by all the dark magic! Mai tells him to snap out of it and stop scaring his sister as well as Yugi. So he does, yet he still looks scared himself. Bakura, of course, thinks Yuna ought to surrender now. Yuna's in a fix. If she attacks, the Evil Ghost will drain the rest of her life points; but if she doesn't attack, Bakura will play the final letter on the Destiny Board and she'll lose anyway! She doesn't have anything in her hand that can stop Bakura, either. But she can't lose!
Duke thinks Yuna's out of options. Tristan starts to yell at him again, but this time Mai thinks Duke might be right. Yuna has to attack, but when she does, the Ghost will attack her. Yugi surprises them all when he said with such conviction "I believe in Yuna. A True Duelist won't give up before the end of the duel." that they had to shut up and watch his magnificent sister prove his words right. But not long after they yell out encouragment to the Queen of Games.
It was Yuna's turn. She seems to be lost in thought, obviously thinking up a strategy, but we both knew that only one thing can save her. She was lucky that she has all that she needs for the summoning on the field. Yet, she relucent to play it. I decided to give her a little push.
''Yuna! Both you and I know what you must do if you want to win and keep that title of yours. So do it! Don't disrespect him as a duelist and don't disrespect both yourself and myself as gamers! As rivals! As friends.''
The look of determination in her eyes as we locked gazes made a shiver run down my spine. She was going to do something that most people would think is impossible. We are going to witness why she is still called a miracle, even today.
This isn't just Yuna, the Queen of Games. This is also Yami, the Gamer. This is Yu Gi Oh! This is the reincarnated Pharaoh of ancient Egypt.
Adrenalin was suddenly rushing through my blood. My whole body was electrified.'Come! YUNA! Show the world what you can do!'
Yami draws, and the heavens erupt in lightning. Yuna holds up the card, sacrificing Dark Magician Girl, Gamma the Magnet Warrior, and Big Shield Gardna to summon the almighty Slifer the Sky Dragon! Dark Sanctuary is blasted to nothingness as the huge dragon forms, its body coiling around the airship. It looms over the arena, roaring at Bakura, who begins to sweat, wondering how he can possibly defeat such a monster.
''What is that thing!'' Asked Serenity, terrified.
''That's the hugest Duel Monster I've ever seen!'' Joey answered in a yell as everyone cowered in fear in front of the almighty God of the sky. Mai was goggling at Slifer, while Yugi stared gawking at it despite seeing it before. Even Mokuba stepped behind me and Roland distanced himself as much as it was possible from the preteen that he knew for so long and never feared and the fearsome creature who was taking a defensive-protective-offensive approach to anyone who neared it's master, protecting her from any harm.
I smirk in satisfaction. "On your last turn, you draw the God card. Yuna, you are really the most powerful duelist I've ever seen."
Normal POV, in a guest room below the deck ...
In her room, Ishizu watches the coils of the dragon through her window, thinking that the Pharaoh has played Slifer, just as she has foreseen. All three God cards are present on the airship, as well as most of the Millennium Items, and her brother Marik must not obtain them.
'He has misunderstood what has happened years ago, and decided that he wishes to destroy the reincarnated Pharaoh at all costs. Malik and Marik were always together, so Malik promised to help out. The Millennium Rod has completely destroyed Marik's sanity and the only path left for him is an untimely death. But ... there is only one person capable of preventing it and it is the Pharaoh himself! Whoever owns the three God cards will be called the Pharaoh. Marik want's that. But he doesn't know that he can never have it. The God's have made it so.When he passes the test, the memory of the Pharaoh will awaken.' She sighs. 'And there's also that text on the tablet.I can wait. You have waited long enough Seth. Your reincarnation has found her. How things will go from this point, only the Gods know.'
Bakura's POV
'I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED SOMETHING LIKE THIS! THIS IS THE PHARAOH THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT! I knew that she has one of her soul monsters, and I know how protective they are of her, yet I thought that they wont interfere! How big of an idiot am I?'
Just then I hear buzzing in my ear. It's the ear piece that Marik and Malik gave me so that we could communicate during the duel. Marik keeps telling me that in order to defeat the God, I'll need his help. Marik explains that the number of cards in Yuna's hand determines Slifer's attack points. Since Yuna has three cards, Slifer's attack is 3000. And I only have 1200 life points remaining. A direct attack will wipe me out.
''Ah. But I'll order my Evil Ghost that is still wandering the field to possess Slifer the Sky Dragon.'' I whisper and do just that. But the Evil Ghost has no effect on the God card! Marik tells me that I have a lot to learn about the power of Egyptian God cards. I only now realizes that I'm helpless and that Yuna'll win. I actually don'y mind that much. I always knew that she would win, but I had to distract those two for as long as I could to ensure her safety.
But it seems that Marik is a sore loser, and he won't accept defeat.
As Yuna begins to order the attack, her Puzzle gives her a jolt, and she stops, looking behind her. I was staring in disbeleaf, as the guy Malik and Marik had introduced as Odion Isthar, but was presenting himself as Marik, drags my little brother up the stairs to the dueling platform on Yuna's side. Odion tells Yuna that she'd better wait before attacking with Slifer. Joey starts to go after Odion, but Duke and Tristan hold him off, while Marik looks on, smiling. Mokuba asks Odion who he thinks he is, interrupting the duel.
Odion says that I'm now under control of the Millennium Rod and so I don't feel the pain in my arm, but that he will now ''release'' me and the pain will be unbearable, while Marik is whispering to me to make myself look weak or my brother will be in unnecessary danger of meeting Osiris before his time is it's the injured Bakura falling to his knees on the arena, clutching his arm and wondering what he's doing there that they see and my brother cries out for me. Yuna didn't look convinced but Odion distracted her by pulling on my brothers hair and putting the sharp 'wings' of the Millennium Rod against his neck if she doesn't pas her turn.
Seeing the fear in my brother's tear filled eyes made something in me snap, and Marik, seeing this, tried to really put me under their control. But as little as I knew about the God Monsters, except that they will only obey the Pharaoh and his reincarnation without driving them mad, that little Marik knew about my connection to my Millennium Ring. It protected me from the effect of the mind control and I ignored the pain I was feeling in my arm as I raised my throwing hand and threw the final letter of the Destiny Board and hit the fake Marik in the hand that was holding my younger twin's hair. He steps back and Ryou runs to Yugi and Mai.
I then turn to my opponent who was smirking in approval of how I acted for my brother, as is Kaiba, and I return the smirk before laughing manaicaly. With open arms, as if I was preparing to embrace the thunder Slifer will send at me, I yell out "The trick Marik would have used would have assured me with a victory. But I have my own way of winning a duel. I don't like your trick, Marik. And I will never cheat against the Pharaoh! Now attack! FINISH ME OFF SO THAT THIS SHAME CAN BE WASHED AWAY!" And she did. I could feel a light smile on my lips as Roland declares Yuna the winner and I feel not only my little brother by my side, but also the most beautiful girl in the world. Both on the outside and in her heart. The last thing I feel is her gentle fingers running through my hair as she says the words that could make anyone's day when it's coming from her.
''You did good. I'm proud of you and it was a honor to duel against you.''
Seto's POV
Bakura was accepted into one of our emergency rooms and was checked over by one of my best doctors. It seems that the injury on his arm was real and it was ignored to the point that when he finally acknowledged the pain, it was too much. The shock of the duel and seeing his brother in such a situation had only made him worried and that just made it worse. He is alright now, with Ryou beside him.
The second duel was Joey against the man that called himself Marik. It sure was filled with surprises. Wheeler has improved since DK, I'll give him that much, but he was still not on my, let alone Yuna's level. Yet, something was very wrong here. Not only was Namu torn between observing the duel and my rival, he seemed distracted for most of the time and almost appeared to be talking to himself. The duel itself wasn't all that interesting, as Yuna was anyway, until ...
Until Marik summoned his God card and everything went berserk! What I thought was the real thing turned out to be a weak copy and the card even burned up as lightning and thunder started hitting the Battle Ship! One striked both duelists and they fell unconscious. The rest of us would have been hit as well but Yuna acted before we could even blink. She ran up to Namu and took his deck, shuffled it and drew the first card. She raised the card high in the air and called out ''Winged Dragon of Ra! Forgive these fools and calm your rage! Leave us in peace!'' No sooner then the words left her mouth, the storm that had came out of nowhere disappeared.
We could all only stare at her in disbelief as she slowly lowered her hand and returned the card to it's owner only to have it snatched away by Melvin, or who we thought as Melvin. He looked at his younger twin and just kicked him in the guts, sending him to Yuna's feet. She was beside him in an instant, but soon everyone's attention turned to the dueling field as both duelists rose to their feet.
Their breathing was irregular and they looked ready to collapse at any given moment, yet they were both standing. Both were looking to the sidelines; Joey to his sister and friends, while 'Marik' was looking at the twins between whom Yuna was trapped.
''Master Malik, are you alright?!'' Confused glances was all he got from the observers, but the crazy spiky hared Egyptian started laughing, saying that the other collapsed male will disappear soon enough and :'' You should worry more about yourself, Odion! Because, now, there is no one to stop me from killing you! You were always a goody-two-shoes and alwats tried to surpass my darkness, MY REAL STRENGTH! AND NOW I'LL FINISH YO- HUUUH!?'' He had drawn out the real Millennium Rod (the fake one had been hit by lightning and was destroyed instantly) pointing at the man now known as Odion when Yuna had stepped in front of him and averted the blade that was hidden in the Rod, throwing him off balance.
The real Marik was boiling with rage as Yuna stood tall, and despite actually being shorter than him, towered over him like she was Obelisk himself! There was no acceptance in her usually loving eyes. Just anger. Marik was abot to start shouting, but instead clutched his head as Odion fall back to the ground. Yuna instantly picked Malik up and half dragged him to the geeks, then joined Joey on the platform as Roland declared Wheeler a winner.
As she helped him sit up a bit straighter, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight, making her look him in the eyes. The eyes that seemed to be begging her.
''My Pharaoh ... Please spare him, no. Please save my master Marik! I have been unable to protect him and so he has took the Rod. It has driven him to insanity! Please save him! I know that you can avert the effects of the Millennium Items as long as it's something impossible, like bringing back the dead, so PLEASE! Save my young masters! My younger brothers!'' As soon as that last sentence was out of his mouth, Yuna, Joey and I froze on the spot. We were all protective older siblings, so we knew how it was.
As soon as Yuna whispered something so only he could hear and gave a firm nod, Odion passed out. And as soon as he passed out, Marik screamed in agony and Pain, before he started laughing and not an iota of sanity could be seen in his eyes.
00000
The next duel had been even crazier than the last. It was Mai VS Marik.
Shortly after the Duel started, Marik took it to the Shadow Realm. Yuna was more than shocked and tried to warn Mai of the dangers but she refuses to listen. I don't get it. What could possibly be dangerous about a purple cloud or fog or whatever this thing surrounding us is? It seems that I wasn't the only one who didn't understand, because Serenity asked the same question. So I listened carefully for the answer.
''The Shadow Realm is the place where the ancient duelists believed that these creatures came from. It is a dark, dangerous, mystical place where things that shouldn't ever be possible are QUITE possible! Long ago ,when the Egyptian empire was just starting out, there was a strange war that is even today called 'The Shadow War' where it is believed that the seven Millennium Items were created as the last resort for the Egyptians to protect their land. They had succeeded, but that wasn't the end of it, as only a few years later, people started to fight for those Items until a great tragedy struck Egypt. Their young, 16 year old Pharaoh sacrificed himself and sealed the 'magic' away and took the most powerful Item with him, shattering it to an unsolvable puzzle. As a result, his name was erased and almost everyone forgot the most generous Pharaoh Egypt will ever have. With the Items separated and sealed away, so was the Shadow Realm, but a few years ago ... After 5000 years, everything was set into motion. The Puzzle was found and solved, the other Items started calling out to their wielders and the Egyptian God Monsters were revived. And Pegasus J. Crowerd was the first human to once again gaze into that mystical world and bring pieces of it into ours.'' She looks at the fog that's surrounding us and sighs. ''But that's not all. You see, before the Shadow War, all those who were a bit more powerful were playing games 'with real monsters and magic', as the scripts say, until these monsters started raging chaos. A brave pharaoh sealed them away in stone tablets and the war started again when people learnt how to summon them into our world once again. Those games were called Shadow Games, and I'm afraid that Mai's only hope is that she wins as soon as possible. If not, ... well... She might end up as far as losing her life.'' The legerity with which she has just declared that death could be a result of a game surprised everyone, me especially.
Unfortunately, it was like she said. Whenever a monster was destroyed, its owner would lose pieces of their memory. It was proven as such when Mai forgets about Téa. And it had been going so well for her to some pint, too. The Duelists continue to lose memories when their monsters are destroyed: Mai loses Joey; Marik loses Strings and Arkana. Marik however, doesn't care and says that they are not worth remembering. She was even able to get his Winged Dragon of Ra on the tenth turn and summon it on the 13th.
But it didn't go as planed, seeing as Ra appeared as nothing more than a gold orb. Marik explained gleefully that it's locked in a sphere of light, and she cannot use it because she cannot read the ancient text on the card. Marik says it's written in hieratic text. He says "hieratic text" and I can'' help myself from exclaiming "Hieratic text!" Marik says that several people on this vessel can trace their history back to ancient Egypt. Back then, the power of the Shadows was everywhere. Pegasus didn't know how to decipher the ancient text, but he knew that the dragon would only obey those who chanted the words, so he printed them on the card in an ink that can only be seen when the monster is summoned.
Marik chains Mai to the "Sacred Stone of Ojhat" so she cannot move. Mai protests that she can't move! ''What kind of hologram is this?'' But Marik says it's no hologram—they're playing a Shadow Game, so everything is real. Marik knowing The Winged Dragon of Ra's chant, he takes control of it. He started chanting as Yuna's jaw tightens.
''If Marki recites the words, the dragon will obey him!'' I hear her explaining to the geeks as they gasp.
''Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry.
Transform thyself from orb of light,
And bring me victory in this fight.''
''Hey, check it out guys!'' The Mutt exclaims and everyone gasp s the orb starts to open up.
''Marik's chant is awakening the ancient God Monster! Noe the Beast belongs to him again!'' Yuna growls out before suddenly going very stiff.
As Marik continues his chant we all turn to stare at Yuna, who has crossed her arms across her chest and closed her eyes as her head is titled to the ground. Even Marik stared at her as she copied him word for word.
No. She wasn't copying him!
She knew the chant by heart!
The dragon glowed brighter.
''Envelop the desert with your glow
and cast your rage upon my foe!
Unlock your powers from deep within
So that together we may win!''
By this point, the magnificent creature was leaning to Yuna's side, almost completely transformed. Marik looked like he was panicking.
''Appear in this Shadow Game
As I call your name!''
Yuna and Marik shouted the name at the same time, yet as we all watched them, Ra emerged from the sphere and roared loudly. Yuna's eyes were a blazing bloody ruby color that was lit with golden flames, electricity dancing in their depths as shadows swirled just behind it. No one could look away. It was, after all, the most beautiful thing in this world. Those eyes.
''Winged Dragon of Ra!''
He continues to chant, and the great dragon appears behind him. Yugi and Joey both gasp in awe as the beast, with an attack of 5400 points, towers over the dueling platform. The others are too terrified to do anything except breath.
Yuna demands that Marik stop the duel, reminding Marik that his grudge is against herself, not Mai. Marik agrees, but says he's just having a little fun. He tells Yuna not to worry, they'll face each other soon and that he's using Mai to increase Yuna's hatred. He said that that way the Gods won't recognize her soul and therefore won't obey her. So it would be easier to defeat her and take them from her, as well as the power that the ancient soul she carries provides 's something he's been waiting for, ever since his family insisted that he bear the ancient scriptures on his back, leaving him cursed to carry the secret of the Pharaoh's power until his return. This burden has brought him nothing but suffering and despair.
''For generations, my family has waited hopelessly for the Pharaoh's return—except for ME! Why should I serve the ancient Pharaoh, when I holds the key to the Pharaoh's power? I'll become the Pharaoh myself! '' he had said.
I growl in my anger, but Yuna just closes her eyes once again and stays that way as things keep moving around her. The blaze in her eyes hadn't lessened.
Marik raises the Millennium Rod, saying that it's time to trap Mai's mind in the Shadow Realm forever. Joey runs to Roland, demanding that he stop the duel. Roland refuses, so Joey jumps up onto the platform, determined to save Mai. Marik orders the Winged Dragon of Ra to attack. Joey runs to Mai, trying to release her from her bonds. Mai seems to can't see him, so he takes her face in his hands, pleading with her to remember him. She speaks his name, and he says he won't let anything happen to her, because they're friends. He'll always be there for her no matter what.
Suddenly, his face becomes clear to her, and she remembers. Marik is angry that Joey managed to break Mai's mind control, but it doesn't matter—the Winged Dragon of Ra will destroy them both. Joey continues to try to pull Mai free of the Holding Arms and Legs, while Marik orders Ra to attack. Mai tells Joey to run, but he won't leave without her.
Yuna jumps up onto the field and stands in front of Joey and Mai, absorbing Ra's attack. My heart stops at her anguished cries as she protects her friends. Marik says all three of them are finished, and Yuna collapses. Yugi and I are the first to jump onto the platform. I was faster and was the first by her side holding her to my chest.
Marik demands that Roland announce him the winner, then walks over to check the damage. Joey kneels at Yugi's side, who was now kneeling by me and Yuna with tears in his eyes, telling his beloved sister to wake up, as the stone disappears and Mai sinks to the platform. Marik says he should send Yuna to the Shadow Realm right now, but changes his mind as pulls the dagger out of the Millennium Rod, saying he'll take care of Yuna and put her out of her misery. I tighten my hold on her as Joey jumps up to defend us. But Marik tells him to relax—he still needs Yuna and he'll finish Yuna in a duel.
He freezes Wheeler in his place with the damn bloody tune that he uses to control people and that he used in his duel with Mai to make her forget her friends, then goes over to Mai, telling her he wants his God card back.
We can only look on helplessly as Marik uses the Millennium Rod to trap Mai's mind and she collapses on the dueling. He taunts Joey, telling him that as the sands fall (time passes), Mai is forgetting everything she wants to fight, but Marik threatens to do the same to him, and the others run up onto the dueling platform, telling Joey to let it go.
The gang surround Yuna and Mai. Joey apologizes to Mai, and promises to save her. Yuna wakes up, saying he's fine, and asking how Joey and Mai are. I can only turn away in shame, as well as everyone else as she swears loudly.
''SHIT!''
Mokuba calls me about the image of the Ra card. After I got a room for Mai and made sure that Yuna'll spend as much time resting as possible 'till the next duel, I pay more attention to Mokuba. It seems that there's more than just the chant written on the card, he says, and he'll decode it now. I know that I can read it all for some reason, but I want to see if what I can read and what's decoded are the same. I just don't want to end up being crazy, or something. I told him to notify me as soon as it's done.
I then order the geek squad and the Motous to clear the dueling platform for the next duel, saying to open the gate and let the losers out. Yugi starts to protest, but I won't hear it
It's my turn to duel.
Joey seems think that this tournament has gotten way out of hand and Duke says it's because there's mind-warping psycho on board. The gang isn't too pleased, but he says he's just being honest! I already like him better than the other morons.
Mokuba contacted me earlier on my lapel radio to tell me that the Winged Dragon of Ra card has been successfully scanned into the mainframe, and the network is translating the Egyptian text on the card.
Roland announces that if the eighth duelist doesn't arrive in the next five minutes, I will be awarded an automatic victory. Yugi tells me that he must speak to him right away, but I just tell him to save it. Yugi insists, but I say that I already knows what he wants—to land the blimp to get Mai to a hospital. I just tell him to forget it—the tournament stops for no one. I then turn to tell Yuna to watch this duel. She's betting the God card on a fight for the title of Duel King/Queen. I'll win this duel in order to fight to the finish with Yuna.
Her nod was all the approval that I need.
But then the elevator arrives, and the eighth duelist steps onto the ring. Roland tries to announce the duelists, but still doesn't know the eighth duelist's name! I just tell her she's got a lot of nerve to show up late for her duel. ''Were you scared?''
The eighth duelist just walks calmly to her side of the ring, and pulls down her veil and I heard a gasp from Yuna's and Yugi's direction. It had been Yugi's, but Yuna also seems to know this woman.
I clench my jaw.
Ishizu Ishtar
''It's quite a surprise, I suppose.''
''Yes, we meet again.'' was her calm reply.
''Are you here to try and get back Obelisk?'' I'm aware that everyone is confused by our exchange, but I don't care. I don't even care for the fact that Yuna is looking at Ishizu with a disapproving glare and at me with hurt eyes.
''No, I'm here to save my brother. You see, for the past five thousand years, an Ishtar has stood guard over the Pharaoh's tomb, but Marik turned against us, and the evil is even stronger in him now. Marik is my brother. '' Almost everyone gasped, but I just chuckled.
''Of course he's your brother! Only people related to you could possibly believe such stories!'' I glare at her.'' Now seriously. Why are you here?''
''I was guided by my own destiny. So here I am.''
''Please use a language I can understand. I'm not into this mambo jumbo.''
She looks at Malik, saying that one is her brother. But now he's under the influence of the Millennium Rod and is not himself. She wants to win to save her brother.
''One Ishtar was bad enough!'' That would be the Mutt.
''She can't be any worse than Marik!'' Tristan says and for once, Duke agrees.
Ishizu reminds me that her Millennium Necklace gives her the power to see the future, and now she sees that I am about to lose this duel to her.
''Please, that's nonsense! And I don't appreciate you using my tournament to solve your family issues. I planned it with one goal in mind—to reclaim my place as the number one duelist in the world!'' I saw the disappointment in Yuna's eyes and my heart clenched, but the darkness was taking over. I was blind to anything but power now.
Ishizu reminds me that it was her idea to organize the tournament, in order to lure duelists like her brother. And her plan worked—her brother is here. But the hardest task is yet to come. To save her brother, she needs the help of the Pharaoh, which is why Yuna needed to join the tournament as well. I think it's all pretty lame. But Ishizu says she's shown me that I can trace his origins back to ancient Egypt as well.
''I have had enough! I am a duelist, and I plan to win this tournament, no matter what you and your demented brother believe. I don't care what Malik means to you. I'll crush you for sure. You made two mistakes. One was giving me Obelisk . The other was expecting it back! That card is mine, and soon I'll destroy you with it. Then it won't be long before I have the other two.''
The duel itself, was not the best I've had. She kept predicting which card I'll play and when I'll use it. They all seem that I can't win, even Yugi thinks that I'm no match for the power of a Millennium Item. . But Yuna has yet to say anything at all.
There is still hope. After all, my Light of Hope is still here.
''Let's see which is stronger—your tricks or my skills.''
00000
''Kaiba's move was brutal! If I were Ishizu, I'd trade in that necklace for a crystal ball!'' Joey says.
''You're right. If she can see the future, why didn't she see that coming?'' Yugi agrees.
But Ishizu calmly sends her monster cards to the graveyard, after my Virus Crush Card started taking effect, saying her Millennium Necklace has told her she doesn't need powerful monsters to defeat me, then plays Swords of Revealing Light.
The duel had turned in my favour, but it didn't last long as she devastated my deck by turning all my card effects against me with Exchange of the Spirit. Joey was having a field day as I made myself a fool in front of my rival.
'I can't believe in a future where I lose! I won't be controlled by the future. The only road I walks is my own future!'
With a shaking had I draw, and once again Ishizu was right. A few turns later, Yuna finally speaks.
''Listen to me, Kaiba. You're in over your tournament is more than a game—you've seen the damage Marik has done, and you might be next. There's an ancient magic at work here that can't be denied! If you continue to ignore it, you're a fool.'' Her eyes soften as she looks into the distance. Her next words were all I needed to finish this duel.
'' I can see the road of our battle stretching to the end. A duelist uses his cards to explore the future. Our duel is yet to come. The future, unlike the past, is not yet set in stone! We make our own future! 'If God stands in your way, defeat him!', remember?'' That smile gave me energy to last me for my entire life.
I nod and tell her to wait for me there.
Ishizu can only stare at the leather-clad goddess that is the Queen of Games, although she was the only one to so out of respect, rather than shock and just liking th view. She understood the message Yuna has just delivered.
This is not over.
00000
''Counting on a piece of jewelry to win a duel is pathetic!''
I was able to summon Obelisk and just as I was about to attack her ,but suddenly the Millennium Rod activates, sending out beams of light. The last thing I saw was Yuna clutching her head in what appeared to be pain and shock as a strange image floats into my head.
Visions of the carved stone tablet appear before me. Then I can see a tablet with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon carved on it, and before it an Egyptian priest kneeling, holding a woman with long WHITE-BLUE hair in his arms. I stare, wondering what it all means.
'This feeling is too strong to ignore!'
Blue-Eyes White Dragon is calling to me! I can feel it!
Maybe I should attack Ishizu with the Blue-Eyes instead of Obelisk. This goes against my entire strategy—but now I know that to win this duel, I must summon my Blue-Eyes White Dragon! I can almost see the logic behind it! Yuna has a Blue-Eyes White Dragon as well! It's our special bond. So, in order to duel against her, I must use my most fateful creature!
'My most fateful creature ... my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!
Yuna's POV
The visions that assault me are ones that I have never seen before. Yes, it was Seth, that much I was sure of ... But who is that woman in his arms? Why is he crying?
I turn to the side only to see my supposed past incarnate, who I'm still sure would never give his soul to someone like me. He was bruised, dirty and looked tired, if not exhausted. The image of the Dark Magician hovered over him for a few short seconds, before he disappeared above the grubel of a stone tablet. A little to the side was a man in black robes and an ugly mask by his side, blood running from a wound and his mouth.
The face made me want to cry. It was one of the priests. The Nameless Pharaoh's uncle and Seth's father ... Aknadin.
But what is going on here?
Why are those two dead?
Just as suddenly as it came, the vision ended and I ws left staring at Seto Kaiba, who looked beyond shocked. His eyes were misty and distant as he stared at a single card in his hand.
I didn't need to look or even think to know what card it was.
It was a majestic, white dragon with eyes the same lovely color as their master's.
The Blue-Eyes White Dragon.
Marik was glaring at the Millennium Rod as it glowed.
'Someone else is controlling it! And I think I know who.' Images of both Seto and Seth run trough my head separately before joining into a single blue light as three Blue-Eyes White Dragons form from it, roaring at anyone who might come close to them without their permission.
'Ishizu was right about one thing. This tournament will be the spirit's battlefield. It will be where souls from afar cross. Seth is right now helping Seto overcome the destiny you have given him. And if know anything about the once Prince of Egypt and my Card Prince is that they are both the most stubborn men in history! They'll beat you with their Ka soon, if not at this instant!'
Yugi seems to have realized that the Millennium Rod is affecting Kaiba. He is looking between myself, Kaiba and Marik, obviously confused. Marik himself was shifting his gaze between us and the Millennium Rod, obviously not knowing that it doesn't matter how long he has held the Rod, the ancient artifact will forever belong to the High Priest's soul. Seto Kaiba is Seth's reincarnation, that I could tell from almost the first time I have saw him, although I was first in denial. As a new, separate part of Seth, and as a new individual, Seto is the only one that the Rod will fully accept.
The sooner both of them realize this, the better.
Kaiba plays the magic card, Silent Doom, which allows him to summon a monster from his graveyard, Gadget Soldier, in defense. Ishizu is stunned—this isn't what her Necklace predicted, I cloud tell. Declaring that he won't be controlled—"I decide my future!" were his exact words—he sacrifices Obelisk and Gadget Soldier to summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!
''I'll show you the honest servant who has my pride and my soul—the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!'' I smile in both pride and exasperation.
'Oh Seto! When will you accept that you have a heart which he is guarding?'
Our eyes meet, and a message was shared between us. This is OUR victory. WE are sharing it. We both nod as the legendary dragon roars. Lifting our heads high as he orders his fateful Ka to attack. Marik wonders what Kaiba saw, and Ishizu realizes that something from Kaiba's past must have awakened inside him, for he was the ancient keeper of the Blue-Eyes. Kaiba attacks with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and Ishizu loses. Roland declares Kaiba the winner, and Mokuba cheers his brother.
Yugi seems to think Marik's Millennium Rod must have shown Kaiba how to win the duel. He thinks it had something to do with the images on the stone tablet. Kaiba's destiny is connected to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and that's why he had to play it. And it is true. But it's no small connection.
That dragon is Seto's very soul! Or at the very least, a part of it.
Ishizu congratulates Kaiba on overcoming the fate her Millennium Necklace showed her, and tells him that his past is the key to his power. Kaiba, of course, still thinks his skill and intelligence were what won the duel. She says that he's taught her a valuable lesson about the nature of destiny, and thanks him. He's given her hope for changing her brother's future. She knows Kaiba will help her save her brother.
What she didn't know is that he has to, needs to, trust more than the God, and he'll keep this faith. It's all that's keeping the darkness at bay, but even that won't last forever.
Kaiba just tells her to believe whatever she needs to, but he's only in it for himself.
''One who succumbs to the future can't see the Light of Hope.'' He adds as he slowly leaves the platform. It was like w whiplash with how fast Ishizu turned to look at me, her eyes wide with understanding and newfound hope.
As Seto passes me with Mokuba running after him, he gives me one last message, not even to look at me fully, rather speaking to me as if he's just passing by.
''I hope that you are looking forward to our duel as much as I am.''
''You can bet on it! See you on the dueling arena.'' I nod at him with a smirk. He wasn't turning to look at me directly, yet he smirked back at me with a nod of his own. We don't need eyes, we know each other well enough by now.
"The unseen future... I want to trust this." Ishizu is beside me now, looking at me apologetically.
''When the time is right, Kaiba will accept destiny's role for him. So don't worry. He may seem scary and cold, but there's more to him than that.'' I say with a smile.
She just nod's. ''Yes, there's more to him than any of us know. But most of it would have been lost if it were't for you, so I have hope that if it's you, my brother and the world will be saved. Please guide us, my Pharaoh.'' She bowed to me, yet I just look on into the distance.
She doesn't seem to even realize just how much I know about all of this and how much I have to accomplish.
Her brother and the world aren't the the first on my list of priorities, because if my Card Prince falls, there is no use sacing the others.
The monster Gozaboro had created would destroy us all.
Normal POV
Entering the computer room aboard the airship, Kaiba asks Mokuba if he's been able to translate the text on the Winged Dragon of Ra card yet. Mokuba says he's pretty close, but for some reason the network is still having trouble with the last few words. Kaiba looks at the image of the text in astonishment—he can read it! He can read that paragraph as if it were written in English, but he's never seen that language before in his life, except on the stone Tablet. He remembers Marik saying that the words on the card are written in an ancient text used by high-ranking officials in Egypt.Then he recalls Ishizu telling him that the sorcerer , a High Priest no less,opposing the Pharaoh on the carved stone tablet is himself, and also the vision of himself kneeling before a carving of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon that he saw during his duel with Ishizu.
Insisting to himself that he's the CEO of Kaiba Corp, not an ancient magician, Kaiba falls to his knees, unable to deal with what he's seen.
"What's happening to me?" was the only thing he could say out loud as Mokuba runs to his side, asking if he was alright.
Nothing made any sense to him anymore. Nothing except that he and Yuna are sharing a connection he thought of as impossible.
00000
Roland announces that Round One of the Battle City finals is over. The four remaining finalists are Yugi, Joey, Kaiba, and Marik. The competition will resume tomorrow, when they land at their next dueling site.
''Things have been pretty intense so far—both Bakura and Odion are knocked out, and Mai's in the Shadow Realm. Malik is also hut pretty badly and Ryou is traumatized! D you think everything will be okay?'' Yugi asked his older sister, who was doing her best to ignore Joey and Duke who were begging for her attention. Seeing this, Yugi giggled a little, making his sister glare at him in her annoyance as she stepped into their room and closed the doors into the two boys' faces. Yugi was on the floor, rolling around from laughter, and Yuna cracked a little smile at seeing some the tension leave her younger twin's body.