I'm on a roll as here is another chapter for a story that I stared years ago. It is one of my longest on going story and I'm glad that the idea to discontinue it hasn't crossed my mind. Anyway on to the disclaimer as I don't own Yugioh but I hope you continue to enjoy.
-o0o-
Yugi was kneeling at the hug door of the castle, deep in shock, ignoring his friends that were desperately trying to help him. He couldn't believe that Yami was willing to do whatever it took to win the duel, even hurt Kaiba. Sure the young CEO was a jerk and seemed heartless most of the time but that didn't mean that he deserved to be seriously hurt in order for them to win. Then there was Abasi. Yugi had noticed since setting foot on this island she had been using her magic a lot and tiring herself out in the process. Even though she looked better that morning he could see that she wasn't one hundred percent recovered. Now she was passed out on Tristan's back because she had used what she had left to help stop Yami. He recalled a warning her aunt had given Abasi more than once. "You put too much strain on your body and magic, there will be dire consequences." Yugi's concerned for her wellbeing and what Yami's could do scared Yugi and he decided that he would never duel again.
"We have to do something Joey. "Tea said desperate for the old confident and cheerful Yugi they knew to surface.
"Ya alright, I'm going in." Joey said as he approached Yugi. "It's ok Yug. You just lost a few star chips is all. Here take mine. I owe you big time for getting me this far, here take them." He said offering Yugi his dueling glove full of star chips.
The others were surprised by this. "But what about-"
"My sister." Joey said cutting Bakura off. "Sure she needs my help but Gramps is in danger right now. We got to get Yugi into the castle."
"Please Yugi." Tea begged.
"Come on pale. What do you say we go kick Pegasus's sorry butt and get your grandpa back. Come on Yug. I want you to have them." Joey said kindly. He would do anything to help his best friend. Yugi didn't move, he didn't look at Joey or say a word in recognition to his friends offer. This ended up pissing Joey off and he grabbed Yugi by the collar and lifted him this feet. "Come on snap out of it. You're really starting to scare me man."
Well Tristan and Bakura talked Joey down Mai showed up. "Huh? If this is how you treat your friends I can't wait to see how you treat your enemies." She said gaining their attention.
They explained the situation and when Mai asked about why Abasi was out on Tristan's back she was less them happy. "Ok listen up, especially you Yugi. You got beat but that doesn't mean that it's the end of the world. When I got beat, I thought it was all over for me too. But then Yugi stepped in and saved my star chips." As Mai said all this she held out her left hand. Turning it over she showed them that she was holding star chips. "And now I'm returning the favor."
"No way." Tea exclaimed.
"You said it. Without those you can't win the prize money." Joey said looking at Mai in a bit of surprise.
"I'm being kind not stupid." She remarked blandly before showing her full dueling glove.
"Ah she already has ten star chips of her own." Bakura said.
"No wonder she's being so generous." Tristan said.
As Mai continued to offer the star chips to Yugi she also got pissed off when he didn't make a move to take them. So she tried to challenge him still not getting a response so Tea stepped in taking Mai's challenge. Of course Mai didn't take Tea seriously but accepted the duel anyway and they headed to the nearest dueling arena. Of course the Joey asked Tristan what he thought of this and Tristan said that Yugi was in good hands since Abasi was still out cold.
As Tea and Mai shuffled up their decks and got ready to duel Tristan put Abasi against the wall of the arena so she could be comfortable. As the duel began with Tea placing Pateat Angel in attack mode on the field, there was a different confrontation happening inside the Millennium Puzzle.
-o0o-
Abasi groaned as she came around and rolled onto her back. "What happened? The last thing I remember was Yami dueling Kaiba and he was about to-" Her eyes popped open in shock. She bolted up as she remembered that Yami had been about to finish off Kaiba as he stood on the edge of the castle wall. Very much at risk of falling off from the shock wave if his Ultimate Dragon was destroyed. "I remember using that seal to force Yami back into his puzzle. But what happened after that?" It was only then that she took a look at her surroundings and her jaw dropped in surprise.
It looked like she had fallen into a labyrinth of staircases that didn't follow the rules of gravity at all as there were some they were going up the walls at the wrong angle or upside down. There was also an endless amount of doors all over the place and everything was made of stone. Abasi blinked a few times before rubbing her eyes. "Ok either I've gone down a rabbit hole into wonder land or something magically freaky is going on."
Getting to her feet Abasi started to wonder around a little actually finding the whole thing frustrating as she looked for any clues as to where she was or what was going on. Not seeing any answers she was looking for in plain sight she decided to try one of the doors that was nearby. As Abasi opened the door she screamed as what looked like a hug ghostly head came flying. In a flash she slammed the door and stepped away quickly. Unfortunately it was a little too far as her feet found the edge and she lost her footing. She tried to get it back but she was unable to and started to fall over the edge.
"Abasi! Watch out!"
She barely had time to register that someone had shouted her name as her arm was grabbed. She was pulled right into some ones arms and into a hard chest as she was pulled to safety. She was a bit shaky as she held onto her rescuer for a moment trying to calm down. "Are you alright Abasi?" he said as he rubbed her back a little.
It was then she recinsied his voice and looking up she realized that she had been rescued by Yami, who was looking at her concerned. His face changed to shock as she stomped on his foot before slapping him across the face. Yami was so surprised that he loosened his grip on her and letting her sneak out of his hold. "What was-"
"That was for nearly killing Kaiba just so you could win." Abasi snapped as she glared at him well crossing her arms.
"But I had to win other whise we cant get into the castle to rescue Yugi's grandpa, or did you forget that?" Yami snapped recovering form his shock and returned her glare with one of his own.
"I haven't forgotten but I think that with all the dueling you and Yugi have been doing you have forgotten. You don't have to be rurthless and do what ever it takes just to win." She said. "My visoins have been telling me that Kaiba and his brother are in tarible trouble. And seeing how Kaiba was acting during the duel I know that I'm right."
"I'm aware of that but grandpa is in danger as well and I have to do all with in my power to save him." Yami snapped not seeming to notice that tears were beginning to form him Abasi's eyes.
"Yes but you can't do it at the risk of someone elses life or those he cares deeply about. Life is to short as it is for you to risk it so carelessly." Abasi said her voice began to shack and her tears fill her eyes. Yami was a bit taken back as she turned away and covered her face well a sob escaped her. He then remebered it had not been that long ago since she lost both of her parents and his temper cooled. Abasi was still morning but she had put that pain aside to be there for her friends. Yami walked over to her and pulled her back into his arms. She fought him at first but she evenchally gave up and baired her face in Yami's chest as she wrapped her arms aroun him. Yami held her tight as he let her cry, stroking her hair as he did.
-o0o-
Back in the outside world the duel for Tea wasn't going all that well. Mai wasn't holding her punches as she took out Tea's first two monsters with ease. Mai could tell that Tea was scared up there dueling and she didn't feel too bad about pointing this out to the younger girl. Then things changed as Tea played her Shinning friendship card and she was able to shave it with her Wabacu trap card. At the same time Yugi started to come back to his séances. "Your right Mai maybe I am scared up here dueling you for such incredibly high stakes. But this card reminded me of something that helps me face that fear. My friends and I know with all of them backing me up I will win."
-o0o-
"So where are we exsacly?" After Abasi had calmed down the two of them had taken a seat on one of the many staircase to talk.
"We're inside the Millinum puzzle, were my soul resides." Yami exsplained.
"Really, you must get lost all the time wondering around here when your not helping Yugi out. But then it wouldn't surprise me if you had the whole thing memorised etiher." Abasi said with a smile.
That got a chukkle out of him. "Unfortunately no I do not have the paseges memorised as it is constently changing. As I have no memorys of who I am, I believe this reflects the séance of feeling lost and nt knowing who I really am or why I'm here."
"Well that makes since but how in the world did I get in here? I remember shouting at you to stop your attack on Kaiba and a surge of my magic fallowed it but after that nothing." She said looking around again.
"I am unsure of how it is you came to be in here as well but perhaps there is a reason." Yami said as he thought about it. Then an idea came to him and he got to his feet. "Come with me, theres something I want to show you."
"Show me what exsctly?" Abasi asked unsure.
Yami offerd her his hand as a smile crossed his face. "Have I ever given you reason not to turst me?"
"Well let's see the lates duel with Kaiba is a good exsample, theres also sending the other Bakura into the shadow realm, Kaiba's dark half that Pegasus had you duel. You sent him back to the shadow realm again where you had put him after the first time you dueled him-"
"Abasi." Yami said as he rolled his eyes but his smile had grown in size as he knew she was only teasing him a little. She laughed as she took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. He lead her down a few jumbled corradors till he came to a door that he seemed to be looking for. Opening it he showed her a more modern day hallway with only one other door in it that was open. From where she was standing Abasi could see that the room beyound was full of toys, games and puzzles. In fact it reminded her of Yugi's room back home. "Is that-"
"Yes that is Yugi soul room."Yami said as he leaned against the door frame and crossed his arms. "Yugi is so inoccent and kind hearted, which is admirable. He sees the good in everyone but at the same time it also is a fault. He allows others to tread over his soul and his fealings which leaves him venerable. Kaiba knows this, that is why he went to such langths to insure his victory. I know now that he needs to save Mokuba and for that I except the lose of th duel but I fear Yugi wont. He has lost his chance to save his grandpa."
"I think you're the one he might be afread of." Abasi said mildy.
Yami looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it. You have the abilty to over ride Yugi's control and up till that duel he never had a reason to fight you for it. Today you gave him one when you didn't seem to care, that you would do anything to win. Because of that he maybe hesataint in the future to let you help in a duel or anything ever again."
Yami opened his mouth to argue, to say that she was wrong but seeing the look on her face he pasued to really think about it. He soon realised that she was indeed correct which made him sigh. "It would seem that I have made a grave error and possably lost Yugi's trust."
Abasi put a hand on his shoulder and made him look at her. "It's ok all you two have to do is work it out and go from there."
"I will take all the advice you have given me and put it to good use." Yami said as he grapped the hand that was on his shoulder. "Thank you Abasi. Perhapes you were sent in here to help me see reason."
She shruggeed as she smiled. "Maybe, then again it could have been for the chance to slap the since into you."with this conment she smerked.
That made him laugh as he hugged her again before placing a kiss on her check. Abasi stared at him as their eyes meet for a breathless moment, their faces were so close and he was still holding her hand. Yami studied her face closely, taking all of her fetchers as he may not get another oprtunity with it just the two of them. He wondered for a moment if she would grant him a single request but before he could ask a gold aura suddenly surounded both looked at her body as it started to faid and she was pulled away from him. Yami tryed to grab her hand, to keep Abasi with him for a bit longer but in a flash she was gone.
-o0o-
Mai contiued to take out Tea's monsters and spells and Tea kept trying her hardest. After Mai took out Tea's face down Magican of Faith and Tea was able to retreave a spell card she had used before things turned around. Tea was able to not only increase her Shining Friendship to 2000 ATK but she used D-Spell on Mai's Harpy lady to decress it ATK points to 1600, enough to take it out. Along with 400 of Mai's life points gone Yugi was watching the duel now. He was realzing that he even though he was scared of someone that was inside of him, he wasn't alone in carrying his burden.
As Mai removed her Harpy's Feather Duster card from the board and she surendered, they were all shocked. Tea was over joyed as she took Mai's star chips and they all heard a groan come from Abasi as she started to sture. "Hey look who's finally awake." Tristan said as Abasi rubbed her eyes and took in her surondings. a look of confustion on her face.
"How are you feeling Abasi?" Bakura asked as he knelt next to her.
Abasi narrowedher eyes as she looked at him. "Um let me wake up, gather my barrings and then I'll be sure to let you know" she said getting a laugh out of all of her friends save Yugi and Mai who were talking privately.
"Wait Mai, I have to ask you something. Wasn't the last card you played-"
"A throw away. It was nothig that Tea wouldn't have been able to beat anyway really." Mai said suppressing Yugi as she gave him a thubs up. "Some cards just arn't worth playing huh Yugi?" Yugi knew exsactly what Mai meant as she walked away towards the stairs to the castle.
"Thank you."
"Yugi." Tea said as she walked up to him. She held out his new star chips well behind them Joey, Tristan and Bakura gave Abasi the run down of everything that happened after she had passed out. "I ah- won these star chips for you."
"I know." Yuig said grateful to her for winning them and for what she had said. "Thank you so much."
"Sure thing." Tea said as he took them and placed them in his dueling glove. Soon they were heading back up the stair case to the castle, though Abasi couldn't help thinking that the easy part of this tournament was now over.
In no time it they were back at the top of the stairs and in front of the hug door and this time it was Kimo who was waiting for them. "Oh no. No way you've brats won ten star chips each." He growled clearly not happy to see them though he smerked when he saw the bruese on Abasi's face. She glared at him but that channged to a smerk as Mai, Joey and Yugi showed that they had indeed won ten star chips each. Kimo had no choice but to let the three of them pass. But he stopped the rest of them. "No no no. You four don't even have dueling gloves."
They stood there a little sheepishfor a moment till Mai put a little charm on him and winked at them over Kimo's shoulder. As they botled pass him Mai hit Kimo with her bag and they closed the door in his face befre locking it. "And that's that." Joey siad happly well Abasi high fived him in thanks.
"That jurk deserves a lot worse then that." Abasi said before they ran down the halls of the castle, ignoring Kimo's banging on the door. Mai looked at her confused and Abasi quickly explained that it was Kimo who had blackened her eye. They continued to run the halls until they reatched a balcony where Bandit Keith stood watching something down below.
"Well what do you know if it isn't big tough Joey and his whole crew of dueling dummies." Bandit Keith said casully.
"Why you slime bucket. I've been itchen to find you ever since you left us trapped in that cave." Joey snapped as he clenched his hands into fist ready to punch te no good cheat. He even tried ot punch him but not only did Keith stop his punches he drew their attention to what he said was the real action down below. Looking down they saw Kaiba standing on a bridge waiting for Pegasus. They found out that Kaiba was going to duel Pegasus which wasn't a surprise to Abasi. It was soon explained to them by the chief tournament liaison Mr. Croquet. He informed them that Pegasus was impressed by their dueling skills. So he had arranged a bit of entertainment for them an exhibition duel so they could see what all was instore for them.
Not to long after Mr Croquet left Pegasus appeared. "Where is my brother?" Kaiba demanded.
"What no hello how are you, I thought you and I were friends Kaiba boy?" Pegasus asked as he approached, two of gurads behind him holding trays. As Pegasus talked his dribble Joey made the surprising comment that he hoped Kaiba won this duel. Abasi agreed with him as she laid on the wide rail, dead on her feet. She had only been there for a mometn before strong hands pulled her back and put her into a chair.
"Wha-"
"You look half dead, so sit there and watch. No arguing." Mai said as she put her hands on her hips and gave her a look dared her too. Abasi just sighed as she leaned back and watch the events unfold down below. When Pegasus drew Kaiba's attention to them they could see he was shocked to see the lot of them up on the belcony watching but that only lasted for a moment. After that Kaiba tried to get Pegasus to use his new system. Peasus refused until he suggested that Mokuba used the new system in his place.
"Why that-" Abasi snapped and went to bolt to her feet but both Tristan and Joey forced her back down in the chair. She was boiling as her temper flared at seeing how lifeless Mokuba's eyes were and lead towards his own brother by a chain on his wrist. Abasi wished that she still had her magic at her disposal then she could hurt that inconsiderate one eyed billionare. As she thought this a cooling sensation started at her chest and spread through out her entire body. Abasi gasped in surprise as she picked up her amulet and saw that it and the green jewel were glowing. When the glow faded she was calmer and her magic was amost fully restored.
When Kaiba refused to duel his brother he agreed to duel on Pegasus's arena, which lowered from the ceiling. As Abasi watch Mokuba's souless boby being lead off she promised right then and there that she would save him no matter what. Then the duel between Kaiba and Pegasus began with Peasus placing a monster in defence mode and one face down. Kaiba was cautious as he placed down RueKiser along with one face down before he attacked Pegasus's monster. It was a simple low level moster that Kaiba easly destroyed. As the duel went on and Pegasus played the fool. Yugi and the others knew that Pegasus was just playing with Kaiba. Kaiba also figured this out and went to summon one of his Blue Eyes.
In that moment things changed as Pegasus stopped Kaiba's move and with the help of a spell card he took Blue eyes and placed it in his hand. It was soon clear that Pegasus was using his Millenium Eye to see what cards Kaiba had in his hand and the moves he would make. When Kaiba tried to use the same Crush Card combo he used against Yugi/ Yami, Pegasus perfectly countered it. Abasi could see that Kaiba was surprised by this and she tried to think if there was a spell that she knew could be of help. Then the warning that Yami gave her came back to her mind. As far as they knew Pegasus was unaware of her magic capabilities and if that was the case it could be an advantage for them. If she helped Kaiba now with a spell not only would she reveal her secret to Pegasus but to Kaiba and everyone else in the room. Pegasus would think of away to counter her powers and then she would be powerless to stop him when Yugi dueled him. So as Pegasus's Dark Rabbit look out Sagie the Dark Clown Abasi slumped in her chair in defeat. She was excepting the fact that there was nothing she could do to help Kaiba win against Pegasus and his magical eye.
A/N: I am leaving it there as everyone who has either read or watched the manga knows the out come of the duel. I am a little sorry that I not only cut the duel between Kiaba and Pegasus short bt the one between Mai and Tea. I just didn't see how having Abasi there would add to them. As always please read and review.