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I Know You're Out There Somewhere	By : Firewing Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 3536 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh!, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Chapter 39: United We Stand

A/N: Sorry about the long wait for this chapter. It was actually ready to go about a week ago, but then (sobs) my computer had to go to the vet�.oh no, that�s where you take your pets, right?�Ah well, you get the idea. Thanks for all of your support and lovely reviews! BTW, my beta is back in college, and is also an extreme A Type workaholic when it comes to homework�so the next chapter might take a little while to get posted. (Stares at beta with pleading puppy eyes and whimpers.)

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Since Yami had been the one to issue the challenge, he let Bakura have the first move. The tomb robber chose to make a relatively standard and uncharacteristically cautious opening move, playing one monster in in defense and one spell card facedown. Emulating this strategy, Yami also played one monster in defense motioning for Bakura to continue.
His opponent sneered victoriously as he flipped his face-down monster, La Jinn the Mystical Genie of the Lamp [1800/1000] into attack mode before equipping it with the Axe of Despair, his facedown spell card. This move brought La Jinn�s attack strength up to 2800, and Bakura grinned, feeling invincible. � La Jinn, attack the deadbeat Pharaoh�s facedown card!�
There was no change in Yami�s inscrutable game face as he sent Royal Magical Library [0/2000] to the graveyard, but each soldier in his select army of supporters flinched. Not even two full turns had gone by, and their champion was already on the defensive.

�Why did you do it, Bakura?� Tristan demanded, trying to crush his uncertainty beneath cavalier words. �Why did you send them to the Shadow Realm? I know Ryou probably was too strong for you to control, but why Joey? What did he ever do to you?�
Tristan�s taunts caused an indescribable fury to take root in Bakura, ruining his power trip. �Ryou got what he deserved for his betrayal, and as for Joey, he was just bait. I knew the all-powerful pharaoh and his puny hikari would never stand for their pet being taken away, and let�s not forget that he�s Kaiba�s bitch as well.� His eyes flicked to the injured brunet, and he sneered again. �You really shouldn�t leave a puppy on his own like that; someone might come along and steal him away.� The albino thief licked his lips. �He is extraordinarily sweet. I really should have taken more from him than just his soul��
Seto growled, dragging himself to unsteady feet. �I will take your soul if you don�t bring Jou back now!� He managed to stumble all the way to the steps before dark spots swam before his eyes, forcing him to sink down before them.
Bakura laughed manically. �You can�t even walk, much less destroy a five thousand year old spirit!�
Pegasus felt the evil radiating off of Bakura in waves that assaulted him like physical blows. He staggered, and Croquet steadied him. Though he was more than ready to let Croquet take care of the dark spirit that second, he knew that would solve nothing, and create a host of new problems, eliminating their one chance to save Joseph as well as condemning Ryou to the same fate his wife had suffered since her physical body�s death.
�Yami, are you planning on standing there all night, or are you actually going to put this foul creature in his place?!� Seto called from the spot where he still knelt, the cold bleeding through his bandages and into his injured leg.

Yami didn�t respond as he drew a card and studied his hand before playing one monster in defence and one spell card facedown with quick, efficient movements. �Your move.�
�That�s it? That�s the best you can do? That isn�t a move worthy of any rival of mine!� Seto groaned in dismay. He's going to lose. I know it. I'll never see the damn mutt again....

�Shut up, Kaiba!� Tea shouted at him, taking time away from her cheerleading duties to do so. �You�re not helping!�
Bakura smiled, enjoying the sight of the mortals' uneasy alliances as they began to crumble. He summoned Opticlops [1800/1700] in attack position before placing a spell card facedown. �I told you the Pharaoh was a deadbeat, Kaiba. You used to know the value of self-reliance; a pity you've suddenly become another hopeless supporter." Yet another feral grin twisted his alabaster features. "Opticlops, attack his facedown monster!�
Yami allowed himself a sigh as he sent the Illusory Gentleman to the graveyard. At least he hadn�t lost any life points�yet.
�Hang in there, Yami. We believe in you!� Tea encouraged.
Seto buried his face in his hands, partially so he wouldn't have to watch and partially so he wouldn�t scream.
�La Jinn, attack his life points directly!� Bakura ordered.
A high-pitched sound, somewhere between crazed laughter and a manic sob, tore itself from Kaiba's suddenly-dry throat, drawing stares from everyone but Yami and Bakura. With a sigh, Pegasus sat beside the obviously-anguished young man, knowing full well that Seto himself lacked the compassion necessary to perform such an act but unable to leave another human being in such soul-crushing pain.
�Seto, have you ever known Yugi, or Yami, or whoever he is,� Pegasus ventured, waving a hand in the tricolour-haired boy's general direction, �To lose a duel? Hmm� come now, Kaiba-boy, have you?�
�There�s always a first time,� Seto snarled disconsolately. �I should know.�
Pegasus didn�t have an answer for that one; he knew that Kaiba was right from experience. �Congratulations, Kaiba-boy. My confidence is officially undermined.�
�Anytime,� replied Seto as they returned to watching the duel, both their faces twisted into pitifully glum expressions.
��
Cecelia floated comfortably on her sea of cushions, listening as Ryou and Gina tried to explain their situation to Joseph as briefly and simply as possible. She had offered to try herself, but all three of her visitors seemed to have made it their mission to prevent her from taxing her limited strength as much as possible.
�I don't get it. Why would this Souleater person still need you or Father when Father doesn�t even have the Millennium Eye anymore?� Jou had been interrupting with question after question since Ryou had begun his supposedly-short lecture, and despite the albino boy's apparent frustration, Cecelia found Jou's ability to be baffled by even the least complicated of details delightfully endearing.
An image of the blue-eyed, white-robed Egyptian standing over Cecelia�s prone form appeared with startling clarity in Ryou's mind, and he shivered, though the Shadow Realm was neither hot nor cold. He recognized that Cecelia was already getting weaker again, and none of them had any idea how to get out of this mess.
�He wants the pharaoh, Joseph. By using me as bait, Souleater has been able to manipulate your father into drawing the spirit of the pharaoh out," Cecelia explained slowly, sighing hopelessly. "Souleater must believe that he has what he wants within his grasp, or he wouldn�t be allowing my soul�s energy to drain away.�
Worry creased Jou's face as he took her hand. �Mom, you gotta hang on. We�re gonna get you out of here, but Seto just needs a little more time.�
�Seto? As in Seto Kaiba?� Ryou stared at Jou, surprise widening his deep chocolate eyes.
�Yeah, the one and only.� Jou would have laughed at Ryou�s expression if he hadn�t been worried sick about his mother.
�But� why would Kaiba help Pegasus? He doesn�t exactly get along with your father�� Ryou remarked carefully, mindful of Cecelia�s presence. He didn't know much of her husband's sins the regal woman could stand to have exposed in her current state.
�That�s an understatement,� Jou said grimly.
�Joseph, what did your father do to this friend of yours, this Seto?" Cecelia's voice was weaker than Ryou remembered, but it still held an inexorable air of command. "I know he�s done some awful things. Those Millennium items are incredibly powerful, and not just anyone has the strength or the will necessary to wield one.� She paused and looked pointedly at Ryou, who felt as though he were waking from a deep sleep under her intense gaze. �Your father isn�t infallible. He�s made mistakes, and I love him enough not to dwell on them. So, please, tell me what happened.�
Joey glanced at Ryou hoping for moral support, but his friend seemed lost in his own thoughts as he stared at the Millennium Ring. �Well, Mom, he kidnapped Seto�s little brother, Mokuba, tried to steal his company, and then sealed both of their souls in Duel Monster cards," he answered truthfully.
Cecelia closed her eyes momentarily, feeling grief and shame overwhelm what little strength she possessed. Hot tears began to trickle down her face despite her closed eyelids, however, and she hurriedly wiped her eyes on her sleeve. �All because I was taken from him��
Joey nodded, wishing he hadn�t been quite so direct with his mother. Even the perky Dark Magician Girl looked depressed as she tried to console her, but there was no blame in her large eyes as she glanced at Jou. �Lady Pegasus, you mustn�t blame yourself. Don�t forget it was Souleater who set this entire scheme in motion.�
At the mention of the one responsible for the entire mess, Jou suddenly felt a need for revenge with which he knew Seto would empathize. That thought reminded him of how much he missed his spiritually bruised dragon, and he allowed himself a sorrowful sigh. Oh, baby blue eyes, I know you won�t let me down, but I miss you so much� is this what my parents feel, being pulled apart this way? This shattered emptiness that no amount of love from anyone else could ever fill?

Then, his mother reached for him, and he took her hand, reminding himself that he had to be strong for her. Self-pity could always be indulged later.
��
Yami wore a rueful smile as he flipped up his Nutrient Z Trap card. �My trap allows me to increase my life points by 4000 before the damage is calculated,� he stated smugly.
Bakura swore softly in Egyptian under his breath; not only had Yami not suffered any battle damage, he had actually increased his life points to 9100. �Your turn, Pharaoh,� he snorted, unable to do anything else.
�In that case, I remove The Illusory Gentleman and Royal Magical Library from play to summon Chaos Sorcerer [2300/2000]. His special ability allows me to remove one monster on the field from play each turn, at the cost of his attack.� Yami announced in a deep baritone. �I choose to remove La Jinn, the Mystical Genie!�
Bakura�s eyes glowed like hot coals, but he removed La Jinn without comment, sending his Axe of Despair to the graveyard in the process. �I activate Graverobber�s Retribution,� he growled, �my face down trap. During each of my subsequent Standby Phases, you will lose 100 life points for each of your monsters that have been removed from play. Then, I will draw first blood by playing this.� From his hand, he played the magic card Ookazi, which inflicted 800 points of direct damage to Yami�s life points. �Next, I play Change of Heart, and sacrifice Chaos Sorcerer to summon Marie the Fallen One. Now, I believe I can attack your life points directly." The demon woman's holographic projection slashed at him, and Yami groaned. "What's the matter, Yami? Losing your touch?"
Yami scowled, and Yugi demanded his attention. /If we get Marie the Fallen One, we can summon St. Joan. /
//We are already down to 4800 life points, aibou. While I agree that St. Joan would be a great help, we must plan carefully if we expect to summon her before we are defeated.// Closing the mental link once more, Yami drew a card. At the moment, his hand consisted of Seto's Blue Eyes White Dragon, the Witch of the Black Forest, Polymerization, Magician of Faith, and a Graceful Charity, which he had just drawn . �I play Graceful Charity,� he said, drawing three more cards and choosing two to send to the graveyard. �Then, I�ll activate Dark Hole, play one monster in defence, and end my turn.�
Yami�s cheerleading squad was shocked into silence, and Bakura doubled over laughing, �This is your great and mighty leader?� the dark spirit of the Ring demanded, his face becoming surly once more as he began his turn. �Because of Marie the Fallen One�s special ability, I gain 200 life points at this and each of my subsequent standby phases. In addition, due to Graverobber�s Retribution and the two monsters you removed from play, you lose 200 life points during each of my standby phases.� Derisive laughter threatened to overcome him once again, but the albino thief squelched it beneath his dark facade.
Croquet moved to stand by Pegasus, who was still on the steps of the deck with Kaiba. His hand automatically went to his waistband in search of his Glock before he remembered that it was back in his and Max's bedroom, which drew a frustrated sigh from the normally-controlled man. After his little shooting-Kaiba-in-the-leg debacle, Max had forbidden him to remove his weapon from its case again while they were on vacation.
All of a sudden, Chris realized that Max was watching him with an arched eyebrow, and huffed as he crossed his arms over his chest. He hated their current situation, mainly due to his inability to do anything more than sit back and watch it unfold, a state of affairs that goaded the control freak in him.
Across the beach, Bakura's move continued, unaffected by Croquet's grim musings, �I place one spell card facedown, summon Whiptail Crow, and attack your facedown card," he said.
Yami�s Witch of the Black Forest was flipped up before it joined the rest of his fallen monsters, and seeing her holographic image reminded Yami of a spunky young duellist named Rebecca, who could have given rocks lessons in intransigence. �I should thank you, Bakura; because of your attack, I get to choose a card from my deck with a defense of 1500 or less to add to my hand.�
Bakura�s eyes narrowed, �Your turn, Pharaoh.�
Yami drew A Hero Emerges, and his eyes flashed minutely. �I set one spell card and summon Dark Blade, who will attack Whiptail Crow!�
�I activate Jar of Greed,� Bakura interjected quickly, flipping the card in question over, �and draw one card from my deck.�
Bakura drew his card, and Yami completed his attack, inflicting a measly 150 points of damage to the other dark spirit�s 8200 life points in the process of getting rid of his Crow. Inwardly, Yami sighed; he had a long way to go, but as long as he had faith, he would make it. �Do your worst, Bakura!� he shouted, trying to keep both his morale and that of his supporters up.
�Oh, believe me, my dear pharaoh, I intend to.� Bakura sneered as he drew his next card. Due to the continuous nature of his Graverobber's Retribution, Yami lost another 200 life points, which brought his total down to 4400. Because of Marie the Fallen One, Bakura�s own life points were now up to 8250. �I play one spell card facedown and summon the Bistro Butcher. Attack Dark Blade!�
�I activate the trap card, A Hero Emerges.� Yami announced as he flipped his facedown card up. �You must randomly choose one card from my hand. If you choose a trap or magic card, it will be sent to the graveyard. However, if you choose a monster, it will be automatically summoned to the field. Choose carefully, Bakura.�
The white-haired thief sauntered up to Yami and snatched one card out of the four in the pharaoh�s hand with no apparent forethought whatsoever. Yami took it from him and placed it on the field in attack position while Bakura stomped back to his place, cursing in a combination of English, Japanese, and Arabic. Seto�s interest was sparked by the new monster in play, and he sat a little straighter as shimmering white wings unfolded from his favourite monster's armoured body.
�Way to go, Bakura!� Tristan cheered, and Bakura glared at him, nostrils flaring.
Perhaps Max was the only one to catch the irony in the fact that Seto's Blue Eyes White Dragon had been special summoned to the field by the effect of Croquet�s trap card; Chris arched one eyebrow, but said nothing. Bakura completed his kamikaze attack, sending both the Bistro Butcher and Dark Blade to their masters' respective graveyards before ending his turn.
Yami drew and played Dancing Fairy in attack position. �Blue Eyes, attack his life points directly!� he called out, expecting his opponent's confidence to shatter.
Instead, Bakura simply smirked, flipping up his Negate Attack trap card amid a round of frustrated groans from Yami�s supporters. Not only had the spirit of the Ring managed to stop the great white dragon�s rampage in its tracks, he had also managed to end Yami�s battle phase.
�Next time, you will not fare as well, Tomb Robber,� Yami promised.
Bakura drew a card, disregarding his enemy's threat. He now had 8450 life points, while the King of Games was reduced to 4200; as far as he was concerned, he was winning this duel, and by far more than a slim margin. �I place one spell card facedown and summon The Fiend Megacyber. Since you have two more monsters in play than I do, it needs no tributes." His smirk fell back into place, and Yami stifled a growl. "Fiend Megacyber, send that Dancing Fairy to its grave!�
Yami put the card into his graveyard, glancing at Tea as he did so. She nodded once, and he understood that she in no way held the loss of one of her cards against him. Although Bakura�s attack had cost him another 500 points of damage, he still had Blue Eyes on field, so he wasn�t too worried as he drew a card and added Black Illusion Ritual to his hand. �Blue Eyes White Dragon, White Lightning Attack!� Yami roared.
Bakura lost 800 life points in the attack, sending The Fiend Megacyber to the graveyard as well. Once he drew his next card, though, his evil smirk intensified twofold; it seemed that the Pharaoh's short burst of luck was at its end. Marie the Fallen One returned 200 of his lost life points to him from beyond the grave [7850] and Graverobber�s Retribution caused Yami to lose 200 [3500].
�I remove from play Opticlops, Whiptail Crow, and The Bistro Butcher to summon Dark Necrofear [2200/2800] to the field,� Bakura announced, causing Tea and Tristan to exchange confused glances. Dark Necrofear was hardly a match for Blue Eyes, in their opinion.
�Crap!� Seto hissed under his breath.
�Indeed,� Pegasus concurred.
Yami�s eyes narrowed in suspicion as he drew his next card, placing it facedown in the spell/trap section of the field while he and Yugi held a silent consultation. Crimson eyes darted to Seto, who shook his head slightly. It was the answer he had been expecting, but if he didn�t attack, the duel would amount to a stand off.
Decision made, Yami ordered, �Blue Eyes, White Lightning Attack!�
Bakura grinned triumphantly, despite having lost another 800 life points, �Are you quite finished, my Pharaoh?� he asked sardonically.
�I am,� Yami replied evenly.
�I activate Dark Necrofear�s special ability,� Bakura stated, ignoring Seto�s groan of dismay. �When this monster is destroyed in battle it is treated as an equipment card at the end of the turn. More specifically, by equipping Dark Necrofear to one of your monsters, I gain control of that monster. And since you only have one monster on the field� I choose to take control of Kaiba's Blue Eyes White Dragon.�
Yami�s eyes widened as he finally began to understand the logic behind Seto�s unspoken warning, which he had dismissed as being fuelled wholly by sentiment. Bakura snickered and drew his next card, now possessed of 7250 life points to Yami�s 3300. �I attack your life points directly, Yami. Blue Eyes, go!�
�Not so fast, Bakura,� Yami said in a still, unflustered voice. �I activate my trap card, Magic Cylinder, and redirect your attack back to you.�
�Yes!� Tristan whooped as he, Serenity, and Tea cheered and clapped. Finally, Bakura had taken some significant damage, bringing him down to 4250 life points.
Yami sighed as he drew his next card, knowing all too well that he had only gained a brief reprieve. Once he saw the card in his hand, though, his confident smile returned, and he met Bakura's cold brown eyes head-on. �I ritual summon Relinquished,� he said, laying down Black Illusion Ritual first, �offering Summoned Skull as the tribute monster.� Both the magic card and the monster went to the graveyard, and Yami placed Relinquished on the field. �Then, I activate Relinquished�s special ability, choosing Blue Eyes White Dragon as its equipment card. Relinquished now adopts Blue Eyes� attack and Defense, and breaks your Necrofear's hold on it.� Bakura snarled as control of the mighty dragon switched again and Dark Necrofear went to the graveyard, leaving him wide open to the pharaoh�s attack. �Relinquished, attack the tomb robber�s life points directly!� Yami ordered.
Pegasus reached over and hugged the man who, only a short time before, had tried to blind him, overjoyed by the new direction the duel was taking and the way Yami had melded the cards from all of their divergent decks together. It truly was as Tea had said; they were all battling a common foe, and united they would stand strong.
�Pegasus! Get. Off. Of. Me. Now!� Seto enunciated clearly as he struggled to free himself without damaging his leg any further.
Pegasus chuckled lightly. Croquet rolled his eyes, though it was hard to say whether this was due to the antics of his employer or Seto�s offended dignity.
For a moment, Bakura was frozen in shock, staring blanking at Yami's newest monster. Suddenly, he had only a scant 1250 life points left between him and total annihilation, but somehow, he still found it in him to be defiant. There was no way he was going to relinquish control of his absent hikari�s body so easily.

Relinquish�Relinquished�damn Yami! His face twisted into something that more closely resembled a rabid wolf�s than gentle Ryou�s, but he managed to regain his composure quickly enough. He had not lost the duel yet, after all. He drew and his cards� special effects kicked in, giving him 1450 life points and leaving Yami with 3100.
�Say good-bye to your monsters, Pharaoh.� Bakura laughed coldly as he activated Dark Hole. �Your turn, your majesty,� he added, bowing with a flourish.
Bakura still had Graverobber�s Retribution and a facedown spell card on the field; the spell card had been set quite sometime ago. It has to be a trap, Yami reasoned, one that has yet to be triggered. He himself had no cards in play and only Polymerization in his hand. Yami drew, trusting the heart of the cards to guide him. �I summon Beta the Magnet Warrior [1700/1600],� Yami declared, hoping that Bakura's facedown card was a bluff.
�And I activate Trap Hole,� Bakura chuckled.
The tension on the beach had become a tangible thing. From his soul room in the Millennium Puzzle, Yugi wondered if this duel would end before the sun rose, as well as if Joey was okay in the Shadow Realm.
Bakura drew his next card. He now had 1650 life points and Yami had 2900. Slowly, the gap between their scores was closing. He played the card he had drawn in attack mode. �Sorcerer of the Doomed [1450/1200], attack the Pharaoh�s life points directly.�
Yami tried not to cringe as his life point counter plummeted to 1450 and Tea gasped. Belatedly, she remembered that. as the captain of his cheerleading squad, she had a duty to keep her doubts to herself. �It�s okay, Yami! We know you�re going to bring him down!�
�Yeah, man, you�ve been in tighter spots. We know you�ll get Jou and Ryou back,� Tristan added.
Yami looked thankfully in the direction of his friends, but what fueled his determination the most was the sight of Serenity. She had her face half-buried in Tristan�s chest, yet one bright, hope-filled eye still met Yami's gaze. He gave her a slight nod of acknowledgment and a silent promise to return her brother to her before he drew his next card. It was the Forgiving Maiden, the card Tea had given him specifically, and this tangible reminder of her forgiveness made his burden easier to bear. Even better, it brought him closer to summoning St. Joan. �I play one card in defense and end my turn,� Yami said resolutely.
Bakura drew his next card with a sneer before setting the monster in defense mode. Their life points were now 1850 and 1250, respectively. �Sorcerer of the Doomed, attack his facedown card!�
The Forgiving Maiden was flipped face up, and Bakura uttered yet another explicative as he lost 550 life points. �Your turn, Pharaoh!� he snapped.
Yami finally drew Monster Reborn, and his grin lit up the beach far more intensely than the false dawn surrounding them. �I activate Monster Reborn, and summon Marie the Fallen One to the field. Then, I�ll play Polymerization to fuse the two monsters into St. Joan [2800/2000]." Though he couldn't see it, Serenity lifted her face from Tristan's chest as her favourite monster appeared to win her brother back for her. "St. Joan, attack Sorcerer of the Doomed!�
And Bakura�s life point counter came up all zeroes. The duel was over, and Yami still reigned as the undefeated King of Games.
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