[Bakura Ryou: 2175 LP -> 0 LP]
Yami Bakura stared at his life points. His fingers twitched, and several complicated emotions ran across his face. Following the rules of the Shadow Game, Yami Bakura will have to suffer the consequences of losing. I don't know the exact details of the Shadow Game he has set, but it does look pretty painful.
If I truly know the details of this Shadow Game, will I be able to play as calmly as before? I sighed. Ignorance was indeed bliss sometimes...
"Do you really think this will be the last time we meet?' Yami Bakura dragged his body towards me, and we glared at each other with intensity: "I will return, and this time, I won't lose. So this is goodbye, for now, Yuna Sano."
The Millennium Ring on his chest flashed as Yami Bakura suddenly collapsed. In a surprise, I hurriedly caught his falling body, and he eventually reopened his eyes.
"Huh, where am I?" Bakura mumbled in a daze: "Sano-san?"
Realising that Bakura had returned to normal, I tried to help him stand as he thanked me in a weak voice. Glimpsing at the Millennium Ring, Yami Bakura's last words echoed in my head.
'It may be best to keep it away from Bakura...' I thought and reached for the Millennium Ring.
However, as soon as I touched the Millennium Ring, an electric shock coursed through my body. Unable to bear the pain, I immediately retracted my hand while gasping for breath.
"Sano-san, is there something wrong?" Bakura asked as sweat dripped down my face.
I shook my head and regained my composure. To think it has a built-in anti-theft system. Noticing that Bakura was still waiting for my answer, I mustered a wry smile: "You.. alright?'
"I think so... My head is a bit dizzy; I might need to lie down a...." Bakura's body slumped forward, unconscious.
Worried, I moved him off the field, and the medical team soon carried him away on a stretcher. Yugi and his friends naturally followed. However, Serenity broke away from the group and ran towards me while pulling Joey by the ear.
With a push, Joey fell onto his knees while trembling in fear. Serenity cleared her throat, and Joey visibly flinched as he shakily raised his head. With a deep breath, he bends forward, kowtowing and screaming at the top of his lungs.
"YUNA SANO, YOU ARE A MUCH BETTER DUELIST THAN ME!"
"And?" Serenity growled, causing Joey to tremble in fear.
He mumbled something, and his sister nudged him with her foot: "We can't hear you!"
"AND COMPARED TO YOU, I'M GARBAGE!" Joey shouted before whimpering like a hurt animal.
He stared at me as if begging for his life, and I figured out that if I didn't say something soon, Serenity might really kill him.
"It's okay..." I said, hoping it would alleviate even a little bit of Joey's suffering, but unfortunately for Joey, the agony was only the beginning...
"~Yuna Sano, you are a much better duelist than me! And compared to you, I'm garbage!~" Joey's voice began to play from Kaiba's phone, and he closed his eyes like it was music to his ears.
'Ah... I'm sorry, Joey...' I stared at him with pity: 'Looks like I have to be the one apologising to you.'
Before he could say anything, Joey was dragged away by the collar. Being left to my own devices, I found myself instinctively moving to the two Kaiba brothers. Strangely, I feel more comfortable staying with them than with Yugi.
It's probably because I have spent a lot more time together, and honestly, the events that we went through can't be overlooked...
"Big Sister, you're awesome!" Mokuba cheered eagerly: "What were those two new dragons? They looked so cool! I really thought you might lose there, but then Pow! You keep playing card after card and completely wipe him clean!"
"She did really great, right, Big Bro?" Mokuba asked while tapping Kaiba's chest.
I stared at Kaiba with anticipation. He scoffed and turned his head to avoid my eyes. Realising that he chose to stay silent, I frowned, not about his rude attitude but more so at feeling a little disappointed.
I smiled wryly and patted Mokuba's head. Even if one brother was rotten, at least the other one didn't turn out so bad.
"Strong...."
Huh? I suddenly raised my head.
Kaiba was gazing at me and said in a solemn voice: "You got stronger... Good...."
"Wha..." I uttered flusteredly.
Before I could inquire further, we were interrupted by Roland's announcement: "The next match will begin shortly! Ishizu Ishtar and Seto Kaiba, please make your way to the duelling arena!"
"Good luck, big bro!" Mokuba said while giving him a thumbs up.
Kaiba smirked but soon turned to me. I was still a bit stunned, so I nodded blankly. Without waiting, Kaiba soon left to duel while Mokuba and I stayed to watch. Instinctively, I clenched my fist
[3rd POV]
The wind prickled against Seto's skin, creating an irking sensation. However, his mind was so focused on the woman standing before him that he could barely feel it. Typically, if it were any man, they would be attracted by her significant beauty, but her presence created so much discontent that Seto could barely bear it.
In fact, was there even a woman who captivated him? Shaking his head to remove this impulsive thought, Seto activated his duel disk.
"The outcome is already set in stone, so we should get this over with," Seto said with absolute confidence.
"I agree." Ishizu retorted calmly: "My Millennium Necklace has already prophesied your fate, and Obelisk the Tormentor will return into my possession."
Being provoked, Seto frowned: "Enough talk. Let us begin."
Ishizu: "Gladly."
"Duel!" x2
[Seto Kaiba: 4000 LP]
[Ishizu Ishtar: 4000 LP]
At the start, the battle was leaning towards no one, with both sides relentlessly exchanging blows with their monsters. Ishizu managed to gain a lead in life points as she disrupted Seto's strategy using numerous traps, but the young president was able to push back and land a hefty blow.
"Dark Gremlin, attack her directly!" Seto shouted, and an evil Imp leapt across the field, slashing with its claws.
[Ishizu Ishtar: 4000 LP -> 2400 LP]
Watching her life points drop gives Seto a sense of ecstasy, but that was immediately ruined by Ishizu's calmness.
"Next, I will activate Crush Card Virus! It will destroy every monster in your field and deck with fifteen hundred attacks!"
Unfazed, Ishizu took out a portion of the deck and sent it into the discard pile. Despite the massive advantage, Seto wasn't satisfied as Ishizu wasn't seemingly fazed, as if she had expected something like this to happen, and soon, he had his answer.
"I will activate Exchange of the Spirits!" Ishizu declared: "I will pay one thousand life points, and both of us will switch our decks with the cards from our graveyard!"
Seto:!!!!
All the cards he had sent into Ishizu's graveyard were instantly brought back, while Seto had to discard the majority of the cards and switch with his discard. Now, with only six cards in his deck, the table has completely turned.
"Big sister," Mokuba muttered worriedly: "Big bro is in a pretty bad situation, isn't he?"
Unable to deny him, Yuna smiled helplessly and patted Mokuba's head: "Trust...him..."
Mokuba nodded weakly and stared at Seto with concern. Gazing at his frustrated expression, Yuna sighed and hoped this would go the way she expected...
Forcing to continue to play, Seto found himself getting more desperate as Ishizu began to bombard him with monsters. However, Seto already has a plan, a strategy that will end this duel once and for all.
"I activate Soul Exchange!" Seto shouted before smiling triumphantly: "This card allows me to use your monsters as tributes! I will tribute your Zolga, Kelbek, and Agido to summon Obelisk the Tormentor!"
The sky instantly darkened, and thunder began to form. Floating down from the clouds was a massive blue giant with wings, and the monster's roar felt like it would break the sound barrier.
[Obelisk the Tormentor: 4000 Attack, 4000 Defence]
"It's over, Obelisk the Tormentor, obliter...." Seto suddenly froze, unable to complete his sentence.
Instantly, a sharp pain in his head made Seto drop onto his knees and memories that weren't his own began to surface in his mind. His pupils darted wildly as Seto grapsed his head, trying his best not to scream.
Watching this scene, Ishizu frowned and felt something was wrong. She couldn't understand why he wasn't attacking her with Obelisk the Tormentor.
'Does he know?' Ishizu thought and quickly shook her head: 'It's impossible to change one's destiny. Obelisk the Tormentor will attack, and he will trigger the bomb I planted within the god. It's over.'
Seto's pupils flickered. Everything was blurry, but he could still make out various images. There, with each picture, a soft and alluring voice echoed in his ear.
"Ah, good morning, Seto!"
"~Ha ha ha, Seto~"
"Seto, watch out!"
"Se...to... I... lov..."
The voice stopped, and Seto's eyes snapped open. He touched his face where a single tear left his eye. Seto couldn't believe it. Why was he crying? Who was that voice? Nobody could answer his questions.
Subconsciously, he glanced at the card in his hand and a resolve burned in his heart. Slowly, he stood up, and Ishizu noticed something had changed.
"I will first play Double Summon, allowing me to have one more normal summon!" Seto shouted: "Then I activate Silent Doom and summon Gadget Soldier in defence position!"
[Gadget Soldier: 1800 Attack, 2000 Defence]
"Gadget Soldier and Double Summon...." Ishizu muttered, and her eyes widened: "Wait, don't tell me!"
"Using Obelisk the Tormentor and Gadget Soldier as tributes, I will summon my pride and my soul, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
The two monsters burst into light as the particles floated toward the atmosphere. Another thunderstruck, illuminating the clouds and revealing the figure of a ferocious beast. The creature dived down from the sky, flashing its majestic white scales.
Seto smiled; he was sure now that it was the right decision. The unknown memory urged him so, and every cell of Seto's body told him that this was the only way for him to win.
[Blue Eyes White Dragon: 3000 Attack, 2500 Defence]
"Earlier, you said that my fate is already set in stone. But who decided that?" Seto growled: "Only I get to choose my destiny and nobody else! Now, Blue Eyes White Dragon, finish her with Burst Stream of Destruction!"
Blue Eyes White Dragon howled and unleashed a deadly white beam. Izhisu stared at the incoming projectile with a solemn expression.
"To change one's destiny...." She muttered and was engulfed by the white beam...
[Ishizu Ishtar: 1400 LP -> 0 LP]
Ending the duel, Seto regained his confidence. He glanced at the spectator area and spotted his little brother celebrating vigorously. Turning to face the girl beside Mokuba, Seto couldn't help but remember that abnormal scene.
Gazing into each other's eyes, Yuna eventually broke into a small smile, and Seto felt his steps lighten.
"Wait..." Ishizu called out hesitantly: "You managed to overcome the fate that my Millennium Necklace showed me. How?"
"Like I have said. Only I will choose my destiny, not you and not anyone else." Seto replied: "I won this duel for the same reason I will win this tournament. My skills will surpass all duelists, and anyone who stands in my way will be crushed."
"Perhaps," Ishizu smiled: "But I seem to have learned a valuable lesson in the nature of fate."
She glanced at her brother: 'Marik, despite what the Millenium Necklace told me, I will have faith that there is still some good in you....'
"I will gladly accept my loss." Ishizu bowed: "Your strength is undeniable."
Being praised, Seto's ears twitched as he snorted: "Of course."
[Yuna's POV]
Witnessing Kaiba remembering a moment in his past life and tributing Obelisk the Tormentor sure was a spectacle to watch. It was always a breathtaking scene, but being here right now... I don't know how to feel.
"Big sister, is something wrong?" Mokuba asked.
"Nothing..." I shook my head.
There was no way I was going to explain my current emotions right now. It simply felt like its something I should keep to myself. Kaiba approached us with a satisfied expression. Crossing his arms, he looked at me as if he was anticipating something. Grasping his intentions, I covered my lips to hide my smile.
"You... did... well.."
The young president grinned. Puffing up his chest, he hummed while bobbing his head up and down with pride.
'This guy is a little too easy...'
"Big sister!" Suddenly, I heard Serenity's cheerful voice getting louder from behind.
Wait.... Big sister? Why were you calling me that as well?!
Staring at her with bewilderment, Serenity eagerly hugged my arm and pressed her face against my body. Before I could register what was happening, Serenity was suddenly pushed away and blocking her path was an angry Mokuba.
"Who do you think you're calling Big Sister!"
Listening to Mokuba, Serenity's expression turned sour: "Why can't I call Yuna big sister?"
"You just can't!"
"And why is that?"
"Because Big Sister is mine!" Mokuba yelled with embarrassment.
"Oh really?" Serenity tilted her head innocently: "You're not even related. How can you make such bold claims."
"But you're not related as well!"
"Yes, you're right." To his surprise, Serenity agreed easily. But soon, she smiled, and I felt a bad premonition in my heart: "Then, to solve that problem, I will just have to marry Big Sister!"
Wait what.....
Come one, Serenity, what were you saying? That's not actually going to happen. I smiled awkwardly as strange thoughts began to fill my head, and I pictured myself in a wedding dress with Serenity in a black tuxedo...
Hold on, officer, it's only an imagination! EEEP, What were you doing with those handcuffs?!
While I'm drowning in my paranoia, Mokuba's face scrunched up in dismay: "You're too young to marry her!"
Yes, good point, Mokuba. That's something I definitely won't do!
"Well, then I will just marry her when I'm older!" Serenity declared: "Since you're younger than me, I will be taking her first!"
Mokuba's eyes widened in shock, and I desperately shook my head to assure him that it was never going to happen. However, Serenity's words have provoked him to the extreme, and he gritted his teeth, trying to think of the perfect counter.
Finally, a light bulb seemed to light up on the top of his head, and he smirked: "I won't let that happen!"
Serenity: "Oh yeah, what are you going to do about it?"
Suddenly, Mokuba turned around and patted Kaiba's shoulder: "Because my Big Brother is much older than you!"
.....
Kaiba:.....
"W.... w.. what..." My lips trembled, and I felt the stutters I tried so hard to suppress were resurfacing. Unaware of our flustered expressions, the two continued to argue fiercely.
"What are you implying?" Serenity asked with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"What do you think? Big Bro and big sister are around the same age, so they're more suited for marriage than you!"
"Hah?" Serenity's smile cracked: "So what if they're around the same age?! That doesn't mean that they're close!"
"Oh, they are!" Mokuba smirked: "Much closer than you think!"
"Prove it then!" Serenity yelled: "On a count of three, let's both say the closest thing your brother and I have done with big sister!"
"Bring it!"
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
Mokuba: "Big bro and Big sister have ki....."
Serenity: "I have touched Big sister's...."
*BAM* x2
The two winced in pain as my fists were brought down onto their heads. Thankfully, my fists of justice were fast enough, or else I would've jumped off this blimp.
I glimpsed at Kaiba, who was gazing at me in a daze, not sure whether to be shocked by Mokuba's outlandish declaration or the fact I just smacked his little brother.
"Won't... marry... you...." I muttered and squirmed in embarrassment.
Kaiba blinked like an idiot and made a stupid sound: "Yeah...."
"Joey Wheeler and Namu Saad, please gather at the duelling arena." Roland's voice blared through the intercom, cutting through this atmosphere.
Simultaneously, we turned towards the field, and Joey was already waiting as Namu entered the arena. "Are both duelists ready?" Roland asked, and he continued to speak after receiving their confirmations: "Then let's..."
"Stop." Kaiba's shout caught everyone off guard.
"Was there something wrong, Master Kaiba?" Roland inquired.
"Namu Saad, have broken the rules of using aliases during this tournament." Kaiba explained to everyone's confusion: "Although I will overlook this matter, change Namu Saad's name to Marik Ishtar!"
They all gasped in unison and couldn't comprehend what they were hearing. Kaiba marched onto the centre of the field and smirked: "So, are you going to stop hiding now?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Namu calmly denied the claims: "Didn't Marik already reveal himself." He said and gestured at Odion.
Kaiba frowned and announced loudly: "Additionally, "Marik Ishtar" have also broken the rules of using aliases, so Roland, please change his name to Odion Ishtar."
Finally, there seemed to be some reaction with Namu(Marik) and Marik (Odion). The young man closed his eyes as the grin on his face became more profound.
*WHOOSH*
A burst of energy suddenly emits from Namu's body as he digs into his vest, revealing a thin golden rod in his hand.
"I don't know how you found out," Namu said in an eerie voice: "But I congratulate you for doing so."
"You're finally revealing yourself, Marik." Kaiba snarled as Namu, no Marik, opened his eyes, and a golden symbol of the Millenium Eye appeared on his forehead.
Marik laughed in delight: "I was planning to reveal myself anyway, but it's even more enjoyable being called out like this!"
"Enough with your tricks," Kaiba warned and returned to my side: "The match will continue."
Roland cleared his throat to get everyone's attention: "Sorry for the interruption, Marik Ishtar and Joey Wheeler. Are both duelists ready?"
"Uh yeah...." Joey said nervously while Marik merely smiled.
"Then let's begin!"
"Duel!" x2
[Joey Wheeler: 4000 LP]
[Marik Ishtar: 4000 LP]
In my heart, I sincerely prayed for Joey's success in this duel. However, some part of me already knows that the outcome wouldn't be what I had hoped....
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I hope you enjoy it!