[Yuna's POV]
I stared at Yami Yugi, observing Slifer the Sky Dragon in his hand, and I felt all my intricate plans crumbling into pieces. Without a God Card, what should I do now? Should I quit early, even if I couldn't fight against an Egyptian God?
"Kaiba, Sano. What are you doing here?" Yami Yugi questioned, jolting me out of my thoughts.
Immediately, Kaiba leapt into the air and with a crisp landing, he pointed at Yami Yugi and declared loudly: "Duel me, Yugi! That God Card will be mine!"
"Now's not the time, Kaiba!" Yami Yugi shouted: "During my duel, Marik said my friends were in danger; I have to save them!"
"Hmph, so you're running away from my challenge then?" Kaiba scoffed: "The last time I remember, declining a duel was against the rules, and it's enough to have you forfeit this tournament."
"Fine by me!" Yami Yugi retorted fiercely, unbothered by the threat: "My friend's safety was way more important than a battle with you!"
Ouch... Please apply cold water to the burned area...
Kaiba blinked like an idiot and experienced a roller coaster of emotions, evident by the constant shift of expressions.
"Ke Ke Ke Ke," An erie laughter interrupted the two's arguing.
We glanced at the Rare Hunter lying on the floor. He was staring at us, and a golden symbol of Anubis's eye appeared on his forehead: "To think the three banes of my existence are all gathered here."
"Marik..." Yami Yugi growled with disgust: "What have you done to my friends?!"
"Don't worry, they are fine, for now," He said as the Rare Hunter grinned: "But if you want to see them again, I suggest you meet me at the Domino City Shipyard. Better be quick. The clock is ticking..."
"You..." Yami Yugi scowled: "You won't get away with this."
Chuckling, the Rare Hunter gazed at Kaiba: "I suggest you come along too."
"Why should I listen to a trash like you?" Kaiba crossed his arms arrogantly, unbothered by the threat.
"Then, do you know where your little brother is right now?"
*Twitch*
Kaiba and my body trembled simultaneously. Instantly, I took out my phone and dialled Mokuba's number. To my horror, I couldn't receive a single response, no matter how many times I called.
"Damn you!" Kaiba roared and lifted the Rare Hunter by the collar: "Do you think you can get away with this?!"
However, there was no response as the Rare Hunter's head rolled backwards. Kaiba clicked his tongue and released the Rare Hunter, and the thug collapsed onto the floor in a comatose state.
Nodding at each other, Yami Yugi, Kaiba and I wasted no time as we sprinted towards the direction of the shipyard, hoping to rescue the people we cared about.
Ten Minutes...
That's how long we've been running for. However, with so much tension, that duration felt like years. Arriving at the shipyard, we entered through the unlocked metal gate. The atmosphere was quiet as a church mouse, and all of us were extremely anxious, worrying about the fate of Marik's captives.
When we ventured deeper, a figure sprang out of hiding, stepping before us: "Another Rare Hunter.." Yami Yugi muttered, possibly to Yugi, resting in his body.
"Seto Kaiba," The Rare Hunter smiled: "I've been awaiting you."
"Dammit, where is my friends!" Yami Yugi demanded: "Tell me now!"
"It's not my business to reveal anything to you." The Rare Hunter glimpsed at the Pharoah with repulse: "Master Marik told me that you will find out soon enough if you go a little further."
"Bastard..." Kaiba cursed and breathed deeply: "Go ahead, I will deal with this buffoon."
We nodded and ran past the Rare Hunter. I could hear the voices of Kaiba and the enemy behind me as they began to duel. Despite the hiccup earlier, I couldn't help but worry in this intense situation.
Eventually, Yami Yugi and I arrived at a crossroads leading into two separate areas: "Where should we go?" He asked.
Suddenly, a speaker attached to the top of a wooden pole came to life, and Marik's voice began reverberating from the device: "Pharoah, I recommend you to go left, and as for you, Duel King, your destination awaits you at the right."
With no choice, Yami Yugi and I split up. I sprinted continuously for five more minutes, finally stopping at a cement dock stretching around three hundred metres long. On the left of the dock was a massive cargo ship that generated a massive shadow; on the right stood a short figure.
I nervously approached the figure as they pulled down their purple hood: "Mo... Mokuba..." I bit my lips as the person dressed in the Rare Hunter uniform was none other than Mokba himself.
"Welcome, Duel King..." Marik's voice resonated from a speaker on the side: "Before I explain, please take a look at their ankles," He instructed, and I immediately glimpsed at Mokuba's leg.
There, I noticed a long, heavy chain with shackles binding Mokuba's shins together, and behind him, the chain was tied to a heavy anchor.
"Listen closely," Marik instructed: "The two of you will duel for your lives! Whoever life points ran out first will be dragged to the bottom of the ocean!"
"Before you can say anything." Marik's voice turned extremely cold: "I believe it's in your best interest if you comply."
Grasping what he's hinting at, I reluctantly approached a set of chains he provided, and with a click, I locked myself to the spare anchor slowly lifted by a crane."
"Oh, by the way," Marik said nonchalantly: "The child can not hear you, so just duel and accept your fate!"
My heart aches when I meet eyes with the brainwashed Mokuba. He readied his duel disk to Marik's command, and I was forced to do the same.
"What are you waiting for? Let's begin!"
Mokuba: "Duel!"
"Duel...." I muttered weakly.
[Yuna Sano: 4000 LP]
[Mokuba Kaiba: 4000 LP]
"I will go first," I said: "I'm setting a monster face down and end my turn."
"My turn..." Mokuba announced in a dull tone: "I summon Krokodilus and attack the hidden monster."
On the field appeared a humanoid cartoonish crocodile. The monster stood on its hind legs and raised its arms into a boxing position.
[Krokodilus: 1100 Attack, 1200 Defence]
The crocodile charged and punched my card. The set monster revealed itself as my Guardian of Felgrand, and the warrior was blown away from the strike. Ending his turn, I gritted my teeth.
"I summon Dragon Knight of Creation and end my turn." I declared.
[Dragon Knight of Creation: 1800 Attack, 600 Defence]
Never in my life of Yugioh have I been in a circumstance of not wanting to damage my opponent? But right now, I couldn't even afford to land a single hit...
Dragon Knight of Creation is stronger, so I should be safe. However, I soon realised that I was wrong and was forced to face a terrifying situation.
"Krokodilus, attack..." Mokuba ordered.
To my shock, Krokodilus charged as my Dragon Knight of Creation swung its sword, cutting the monster cleanly in half.
[Mokuba Kaiba: 4000 LP -> 3300 LP]
"W... why..." I stuttered in disbelief.
"Yuna Sano, do you think I will make it this easy?" Marik's laughed: "There will only be one person amongst the two of you that will survive."
No way...
It doesn't matter how I play. Mokuba will always attack, and either I take damage or he will. After all, the results will always be the same, with one of us dying...
"I will set a monster and change Dragon Knight of Creation into defence position. Then I end my turn."
Mokuba drew a card and stared into my eyes. I couldn't tell his thoughts, and his gaze unsettled me. Was there any way for him to wake up?
"I will use Meteor of Destruction and inflict one thousand damage directly, and then I will summon Alligator's Sword and destroy Dragon Knight of Creation."
[Alligator Sword: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence]
I looked up and watched as a meteor crashed into where I was standing. Thankfully, being an illusion, I wasn't harmed physically.
[Yuna Sano: 4000 LP -> 3000 LP]
Afterwards, a monster resembling a fantasy lizardman was summoned onto the field. Alligator's Sword charged and swung its sabre at the kneeling knight. Watching the Dragon Knight of Creation fall helplessly.
"Mokuba, please get a hold of yourself!" I begged but to no avail.
"I will set a card and end my turn," Mokuba murmured, ignoring my plea.
No matter what I do, Mokuba will either defeat himself by throwing his monsters carelessly at my own, or I will lose as he attacks me relentlessly. Was there any way to wake him up?
"I will first use Graceful Charity to draw three cards while discarding two from my hand. Then, I set two cards face down and end my turn."
Mokuba: "I tribute my Alligator's Sword to summon Sword Stalker."
As Alligator's Sword vanished, a tall purple demon with horns and wings replaced its original position. In the demon's hand was a massive scimitar as tall as me, and the monster lifted the weapon effortlessly.
[Swordstalker: 2000 Attack, 1600 Defence]
"Swordstalker, attack," Mokuba ordered, and the demon rushed towards me as a black dragon with flaming breath appeared to my defence.
[Koumori Dragon: 1500 Attack, 1200 Defence]
"I activate my trap card, Waboku, and my monsters won't be destroyed this turn, nor will I take any damage!"
Beside Koumori Dragon appeared a priest dressed in blue robes. Raising her arms, she generated a forcefield that deflected Sword Stalker's attack, driving the demon away.
"My turn ends here," Mokuba mumbled, unbothered.
Clicking my teeth, I ran my finger through my hair: "Stalling means that you surrender. Are you forfeiting Yuna Sano?" Mokuba said without a void of emotions.
"Big sister," I growled, and the child tilted his head: "Call me like you always do."
Mokuba nodded with a trace of confusion: "Are you forfeiting, big sis..."
Suddenly, Mokuba clutched his head in pain, and his pupils trembled erratically. Out of instinct, I almost ran towards him. However, with my leg restricted to the anchor, I was forced to watch Mokuba's suffering.
He peeked at me through his fingers, and I finally felt a glimmer of hope. In that brief moment, life returned to his eyes, and I could see his desperate struggle to fight Marik's brainwashing.
"Mokuba!" I yelled: "Please keep fighting!"
"Argh..." Mokuba groaned in response.
Unfortunately, much to my dismay, Marik seemed to have regained control as his emotionless personality returned: "Let's continue, Yu... Big sister."
I grimaced; it was not enough. I needed to do something to wake him up completely! Grimacing, I desperately tried to think of a solution...
"I will end my turn."
"I summon Luster Dragon in attack position." Mokuba declared without hesitation: "Now, attack Koumori Dragon."
A medium-sized dragon covered in sapphire crystal-like scales dived down from the sky. The dragon landed and snarled like a beast and scratched its body with its claws.
[Luster Dragon: 1900 Attack, 1600 Defence]
Luster Dragon leapt across the dock and lashed out with its claws. Koumori Dragon roared and tried to defend, but it was too weak and was defeated.
"Now, Sword Stalker, attack."
The demon rushes towards me, thrusting its sword. I stumbled as the virtual blade stabbed into my chest. I patted my body and sighed as the realism of these projections startled me.
[Yuna Sano: 3000 LP -> 1000 LP]
"You disappoint me, Yuna Sano!" Marik mocked: "Come on? Where is it? Where is your divine dragon?"
'Divine dragon....' Marik's words repeated in my head as if urging me to retrieve it. Damn it, whatever it was, as long I can help Mokuba, it's fine by me!'
"I will summon Starliege Seyfert!" I shouted, summoning a small dragon made from levitating obsidian plates.
[Starliege Seyfert: 1800 Attack, 0 Defence]
"After summoning Starliege Seyfert, I will use its effect to discard two Keeper of the Shrine from my hand. Then I can add a dragon monster equal to the total level of the monsters
I use Starliege Seyfert's effect, as the duel disk automatically searched through my deck before presenting the card I wanted on the top. I glanced at Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand as Marik's words became louder and louder in my head.
Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand...
Divine Dragon...
Felgrand...
A sudden realisation struck me, and my eyes widened: 'This might work!' However, my expression instantly dimmed: 'But would it?'
Doubt sprouts from my heart as my resolve wavered. However, I hurriedly slapped myself in frustration; what was I thinking? Do I have the audacity to lose hope now?! I'm sorry, just wait a little longer, I will bring you back!
[3rd POV]
Everything was dark, Mokuba thought as he wandered mindlessly. He can't remember how he got here or why he was here. However, despite being in this ominous area, Mokuba doesn't feel like leaving. It was as if a paranormal force convinced him that staying was better...
"Mokuba!"
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice calling out to him. Mokuba turned around, and there was a white light. Mokuba subconsciously touched the light, and it expanded into a glass plane as a live video began to play.
It was him, but he's duelling... Yuna?
"Mokuba!!" Yuna shouted again, and Mokuba's body trembled: "Please keep fighting!"
He was confused, and Mokuba couldn't understand what she meant. But to his shock, the Mokuba on the screen responded in a dull tone as the Sword Stalker on his field charged and plunged its sword into his big sister's chest.
'Good,' A scary voice echoed in this empty void: 'Kill her, and the Duel King will no longer be a problem...'
"Kill big sister?" Mokuba muttered in disbelief.
He doesn't want that? First of all, how will he kill her in the first place? His eyes wandered to the chains attached to her leg, and he watched as Yuna's life points dropped and the crane holding an anchor began to move, dragging the chains into the water.
"No!" Mokuba yelled in panic and punched against the screen: "Stop!"
However, his body outside did not listen and continued to duel. With each battle, both of them inch closer and closer to death. To Mokuba, it was a horrifying show; every time Yuna summoned a monster, Mokuba would throw his creatures at her, regardless of their strength.
If Yuna summons a strong monster, Mokuba will summon a weaker one and attack, forcing Yuna to switch, and Mokuba can take this chance to damage her. As he watched their anchors grazing against the sea surface, this back and forth terrified him.
[Yuna Sano: 400 LP]
[Mokuba Kaiba: 600 LP]
Eventually, their life points were worryingly low, and Mokuba panted tiredly. No matter how hard he screamed and punched against the glass, it wouldn't break. Beforehand, when Mokuba heard Yuna's urging to call her big sister, he felt a sense of strength, but that had long disappeared...
"Big Sister, I'm too weak..." Mokuba muttered, depressed and fell to his knees, "I can't do it by myself."
"Mokuba!" His big sister shouted as he weakly glanced up: "Do you remember the card I gifted to you four days ago?!"
"Four days ago?" He said to himself...
"When you received it, you were so happy, and we both laughed when you told me that Kaiba acted like a jealous child?!"
"Of course, I remembered. Big brother's face was really funny that time..."
"Back then, I said the reason I gave you that card was merely proof of our relationship, but it's more than that!" She yelled.
"It was?"
"You were always supporting me, helping me without a second thought!" Yuna released her feelings: "You were always bright and cheerful, and your bravery motivates me to work hard! Even if we're not related, I'm glad to call you my brother!"
Mokuba's eyes widened, and he touched his chest, where his heart beat erratically. Standing up, Mokuba clenched his fist: "Sister is fighting so hard, I should as well!"
*Bam!*
He punched against the glass with all his strength. His knuckles hurt, but Mokuba didn't give up, and cracks finally began forming. With the thirtieth punch, his arm went through, generating the sound of glass shattering.
Grottomg his teeth, he tried to move his arm, which felt extremely cumbersome and looking at the screen, his right hand was gradually following his motion!
"That card!" Yuna shouted: "Please show it to me!"
Glancing at his hand, Mokuba saw the card his Big Sister was referring to. However, no matter what, he couldn't get his fingers to move!
"Not sure what it is?" Yuna asked: "Then I will jog up your memories a bit! I will use Return of the Dragon Lords and summon Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!!"
A bright burst of light glistened on the water as an intimidating golden dragon appeared out of nowhere. The dragon glared at Mokuba, unleashing a devastating roar that made him squint.
[Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence]
"Then I will banish your Sword Stalker in your graveyard, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand will gain six hundred Attacks and Defence!"
[Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand: 2800 ->3400 Attack, 2800 -> 3400 Defence]
"Come on, Mokuba!" Yuna urged: "Wasn't this big enough of a hint!"
"I'm trying!!" He shouted, and he felt the weight on his arm became lighter.
*WOOOSH*
Suddenly, Mokuba collapsed as his right hand was pressed to the floor, and Marik's restraint strengthened. Watching himself on the screen, he drew a spell card, and Mokuba's face turned pale.
'Quickly, use the Hinotama spell card and kill her once and for all!' Following his instruction, his brainwashed body reached for the spell card.
"I WON'T LET YOU!!!" Mokuba screamed.
Enduring the intense pressure, Mokuba stood up with wobbling feet and moved his arm. The hand moving to Hinotama changed trajectory towards a card beside it.
Mokuba watched as his hand slowly reached for the spell, and he frantically shouted with all he could. To Mokuba's relief, his hand stopped, and he heard Marik's angered tone.
'No, what are you doing!' Marik roared.
"Big sister, you want me to respond, right?" Mokuba smiled wryly: "Then I will answer!"
With everything he got, Mokuba pushed against the light, and cracks formed: "COME ON!!!"
Meanwhile, Yuna watched Mokuba raise a card into the air: "I will... ..... play... Hino... I will tribute my two monsters and summon Felgrand Dragon!!!"
The two monsters Mokuba controlled disappeared as Mokuba called upon a dragon similar to Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand. With a smaller and less intimidating presence, Felgrand Dragon roared, and Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand snarled in response.
[Felgrand Dragon: 2800 Attack, 2800 Defence]
"See Mokuba!" Yuna yelled with a smile: "You can overcome Marik, I believe in you!"
"Litsen to me you imprudent brat!" Marik bellowed: "Stop with your act and use the spell card and end her!!"
In Mokuba's body, Mokuba clutched his head: "No!! I will not harm Big Sister!!"
He was slowly winning against Marik's control! However, he knew it wasn't enough, and his time ran out! If he doesn't do anything, Marik will regain his body! Glancing at his Felgrand Dragon, determination burned in his eyes.
"Felgrand Dragon, attack!" Mokuba smiled: "If Big Sister won't defeat me, I will do it myself!"
Outside, Yuna shrieked in shock and disbelief that Mokuba wished to sacrifice himself: "Mokuba, stop what are you doing!!!"
Felgrand Dragon threw itself into Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand, and the two dragons attacked each other, scratches, bites and flaming breath; both monsters utilised any weaponry in their possession. However, being the superior version, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand won...
[Mokuba Kaiba: 400 LP -> 0 LP]
"Tsk... how useless..." Marik spat: "Looks like you can't save him after all."
With a snapping sound, Mokuba found himself back in the real world. Confused, his eyes darted around before settling on the horrified Yuna.
"Huh? Oh, Big Sister, I'm back! I'm..."
Suddenly, his body lurched forward as the Anchor dropped into the water. Yuna screamed as the shackle binding her was freed, and she sprinted towards the edge. Reaching her hand, she tried to grab him, but their fingers touched, and he plunged into the sea...
"Sano!" Yuna's head swung around as she heard Seto shouting from behind.
He threw a tiny shiny object in the air, and Yuna instantly caught the item. Unfurling her head, she saw a key and without hesitation, she followed Mokuba below the waves. Using the chains as a guide, she pulled herself into the depths and gradually reached the bottom of the ocean.
'There!'
Yuna spotted Mokuba holding his breath while he desperately tugged against the lock. Swimming towards him, Yuna hurriedly unlocked the shackles binding his legs as they swam back to the surface.
Suddenly, a strong current sent Yuna spiralling through the water. Her back hit the seafloor, knocking the air out of her lungs, and she instinctively ingested a mouthful of water. Yuna's body gagged, and more water entered her throat.
Her vision darkened, and she last witnessed Mokuba swimming away, unaware of the horrible event behind him. Above, Seto watched with bated breath, his heart praying for his brother's safety.
After successfully defeating the Rare Hunter in his way, he managed to secure two keys. Just in time, the remainder of Yugi's friends, Tristan, Duke and Joey's sister Serenity, arrived on the scene, and he could pass one of the keys to them.
Arriving at where his brother was, he witnessed Mokuba being pulled underwater. He hurled the key to Yuna, and she dived into the sea to rescue his brother. That all happened one minute ago, but to Seto, it felt longer than that
"Puha!!!" Suddenly, Mokuba's head burst through the water, and Seto felt a huge weight lifted off his chest. However, Mokuba's panicking expression didn't put his mind fully at ease.
Mokuba frantically looked around, his face contorted in fear: "Big Sister?! Big Sister!"
"Calm down, Mokuba, tell me what's wrong!" Seto frowned.
"Seto, big sister is still down there!" He yelled.
The young president's eyes widened in surprise. His body stood still, unsure what to do, but he was brought back to reality under Mokuba's urging: "Please save her!"
Mokuba's cry triggered Seto to act, and he moved instinctually. Taking off his coat, he fearlessly plummeted into the water. With his athletic arms, Seto swam through the murky waters, reaching the depth at a fast speed.
There, he spotted Yuna floating, unconscious. Gritting his teeth, Seto grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to the surface.
Emerging from the surface, Seto placed Yuna's body on the ground. Yugi and his friends appeared as Tea and Serenity moved to resuscitate her. Palpable fear hung in the air as the surroundings radiated nothing but anxiety.
*Cough Cough*
After what felt like years, Yuna vomited a mouthful of water and wheezed for air. Yuna slowly opened her eyes, and everyone finally let go of the breath they had been holding.
"Big sister!" Mokuba cried.
Yuna weakly sat up, trying to remember what happened. However, her body was suddenly lifted into the air before she could reflect. In shock, Yuna was picked up as her leg was loosely on the side and her head leaning against something hard.
"Wha..." Yuna whimpered.
"We will be leaving now," Seto said with Yuna in his arms: "Mokuba, let's go."
"Huh ah, Yes!" Mokuba said with fluster as a helicopter Seto called earlier landed before them.
Getting on the helicopter, Seto glanced at Yugi: "Just wait, Slifer, the Sky Dragon will be mine."
The vehicle took flight as the figures on the ground became more distant, and all this time, Yuna remained in Seto's arms, too embarrassed to utter a single sound...
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I hope you enjoy. If you're wondering I didn't focus much on the duel here was because Mokuba doesn't really have a good deck that's interesting enough. Also, having too many duels in consecutive chapters might be a little tiring.