I own nothing.
Chapter 27: Old Enemy, Older Friend

Yami and Bakura were escorted to the duelist elevator by Roland as everyone else filed into the main elevator to meet them on the dueling grounds. Thanks to Kaiba's theatrics, the arena was on top of the blimp, exposed to the sky.
"Whoa!" Joey yelled, peering at the drop below. "Duelin' up here's insane!"
"And freezing!" Serenity added, shivering.
(Y/N) quickly shedded the jacket she had been wearing for the tournament from beneath the one she got from Mokuba, handing it off to the younger Wheeler, who looked grateful.
"Oh look, here comes the master of ceremonies now." Duke joked as Seto and Mokuba appeared.
"All right, I'll make this speech quick so we can begin this duel." The elder brother announced. "Kaiba Kraft 3 is now cruising at an altitude of 4,000 Ft. The strong winds and cold air will test your strength and stamina if you can't take it, you don't belong here."
"Yeah!" Tristan cheered. "I dig this little twist!"
Duke nodded. "I have to admit it: Kaiba does know how to throw a tournament."
Kaiba then shot (Y/N) a look. "Rain, one drop of blood on the deck, and you will be escorted downstairs."
"Yes, yes, I appreciate the concern, but I am fine." (Y/N) assured him.
Seto didn't seem convinced but only grunted in response. Tea, recognizing (Y/N) was the one in control at the moment, leaned towards the former queen, whispering.
"Hey, (Y/N), why does Kaiba keep bringing up Rain bleeding? Is everything okay?"
"That's for Rain to disclose, Tea. I promise, be patient and she'll open up."
Tea, being maternal as she was, did not seem satisfied with that answer, but she didn't push anything further than that as they all turned to the two duelists who took their positions on the field.
"Are you prepared to lose it all?" 'Bakura' mocked as Yami glared at him.
"I won't lose. And before we begin this duel, why don't you reveal who you really are and stop this charade, Spirit of the Millennium Ring?"
The dark spirit chuckled as the Millennium Ring manifested around his neck.
"Aw man!" Joey shouted. "Not this guy again!"
"That can't be!" Tristan shouted. "I got rid of it at Duelist Kingdom!"
"Don't blame yourself, Tristan." (Y/N) assured him. "The Millennium Items are quite difficult to separate from their chosen wielders. I should've taken more care when we had it in our possession."
The tall brunette then gave her a worrying look. "Hey, you good? I know that creep was pretty handsy with you back at Duelist Kingdom. He try anything on you this time?"
"Some flirting and a strong grip." She answered back. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
"Excuse me." Namu suddenly interjected. "What's all the fuss? What's around Bakura's neck?"
Tea, Tristan, and Joey, knowing that they couldn't explain what was going on without revealing the secret, all deferred to (Y/N), who nodded her head and gave permission to explain given that they were all at risk to the Millennium Items in this tournament.
Tea took the lead. "It's kinda hard to explain, Namu, but that's not really Bakura."
Namu tilted his head. "You lost me."
Joey took over. "Ya see, Yugi, Rain, and Bakura all have these real old objects that have magic powers and have spirits in them. Yugi and Rain's are good, but Bakura's  is bad."
"The spirit in the Ring is evil." Tea jumped in.
"So you're telling me there's an evil spirit up there dueling Yugi?" Namu repeated as Mai and Duke were quite shocked by the new information. "That's hard to believe."
"Yeah, I didn't believe it at first either." Tea admitted as Joey crossed his arms.
"I just hope he doesn't drag Yuge to the Shadow Realm again. That's not a place ya wanna be. Hey, (Y/N), you'd be able to help him out again, right? Like ya did with Pegasus?"
"Perhaps." (Y/N) said. "I can't say I'm keen to match strength with the Spirit of the Ring, but if it comes to it, I will interfere."
"(Y/N)?" Mai repeated. "I thought Rain's nickname was Stormy."
"Oops." Joey slipped. "Ah, ya see, this gal here isn't Rain either. This is the spirit in her bracelet. Serenity, Mai, Duke, Namu, meet (Y/N)."
The queen nodded as the others gapped at her.
"Wait, you're telling me this person who looks exactly like Rain (L/N) is a completely different person!?" Duke yelled.
Tristan shook his head. "Not exactly. Rain and (Y/N) have different eye colors, that's how you can tell them apart."
"Hey, you're right!" Mai realized, getting a closer look at (Y/N)'s eyes. "They both have (E/C) eyes, but they're different shades! You're really someone else?"
(Y/N) nodded. "Yes. Apologies for the secrets, Mai, but our situation isn't something we can easily explain to those who don't have experience with magic. I do think it is important you're aware of the existence of it because this tournament has become too dangerous to keep quiet. Not only because of him either."
They all turned back to the duel as the Spirit of the Ring smirked at Yami.
"Well then, now that the introductions are over and done with, why don't we begin this duel?"
"First, tell me why you've entered the Battle City Finals and what it is you hope to gain." Yami demanded. "Is it about the Millennium Items?"
"Hmm, perhaps, or perhaps there is something else that I'm planning to take away from you besides your Millennium Puzzle."
The dark spirit's gaze wandered over to (Y/N) who glared back at him. Joey immediately stepped in front of (Y/N), giving 'Bakura' a stink eye of his own.
Yami looked positively murderous. "Get your eyes off her."
"Oh, jealous perhaps, Pharaoh?"
"Listen to me: so long as even a scrap of my soul remains in this world, you will not touch (Y/N). I repeat: get your eyes off my wife."
(Y/N) could feel her cheeks darken at her husband's ferocity. Yami was usually capable of keeping a level head, but when it came to her, everyone knew all bets were off. Rain seemed to agree, appearing beside her partner with a whistle.
"Wow, I don't even think Pegasus got Yami this fired up."
Mai then peered at (Y/N). "I'm sorry, did he say wife?"
The former queen rubbed her head. "Um, yes, we were married in our previous lives."
"Go figure Yugi and Rain have chemistry when they're sharing bodies with a married couple. Oof, that's got to be awkward though."
"Please stop talking, Mai."
The Ring Spirit feigned amusement, though a few discerning individuals could tell he was harboring even more malicious intent after Yami's last comment, smirking at his opponent.
"There is so much about this tournament that both of you are unaware of, so many secrets being kept from you. For instance, how do you know that I am working alone, and are you sure that one of the people you believe to be your friend isn't really your greatest enemy?"
"I don't believe you." Yami shot back. "Lies are a part of your game, but they won't help you in this duel!"
Roland held up his arm, signaling the duelist to ready themselves. "And now, the first duel of the Battle City Finals will begin!"
Both males drew their hands as the others began to shout encouraging words.
"Finish this guy, Yuge!" Tristan yelled.
Tea joined in. "Come on, Yugi, we're with you!"
"Please be careful." (Y/N) said in a low voice. "Both of you."
Yami kept hard gaze on the Spirit of the Ring. "Whatever it is you desire, you will fail."
"Not quite." The spirit mocked. "It is you who shall lose everything you have! I assure you the first duel of the finals will also be your last!"

Bakura 4000LP/Yugi 4000LP

'Bakura' took the first move. "Now, let's begin with this, The Portrait's Secret in attack mode!"
A framed painting of a man drifted onto the field before a green skinned ghoul popped its head and claw like fingers out.

The Portrait's Secret
1200 ATK/1500 DEF

"Odd choice." (Y/N) mumbled, noting this monster was far more capable as a defense than an attacker, as their enemy ended his turn.

Bakura 4000LP/Yugi 4000LP

Yami and Yugi seemed equally as perplexed by the play. Joey, on the other hand, was more than for charging forward.
"Dismantle that possessed picture frame!"
Yami gave his opponent a skeptical look. "Is that really all you've got? Very well, then I'll summon Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts!"
The vicious beast type roared onto the field, its yellow gaze fixated on the portrait.

Gazelle the King Mythical Beasts
1500 ATK/1200 DEF

"Now, attack his monster!" Yami ordered as Gazelle easily cleaved through the Portrait's Secret, dropping 'Bakura's' lifepoints by 300 as Yami finished his turn with a facedown and a jab. "Why don't you try again?"

Bakura 3700LP/Yugi 4000LP

The dark spirit huffed. "Fine. Now I shall play the Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams in attack mode."
This time, a child in a bed appeared on the field before another ghoul with pinkish white hair and skeletal-like frame emerged from its forehead with a moan.

The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams
1300 ATK/1800 DEF

"Again?" (Y/N) thought as Rain appeared beside her.
"That thing can't even get over Gazelle, why play it in attack mode?"
Joey just yelped and stepped in front of Serenity, a bit startled by the creature's appearance. "That's foul!"
"Attack my monster, if you dare." The dark spirit goaded, not even bothering to place any facedowns yet again.

Bakura 3700LP/Yugi 4000LP

"Your ghost is no match for my Gazelle." Yami said, pointing out the obvious as he drew. "It's time to extinguish your ghost, and I'll do it with this!"
"Then what are you waiting for?" The Ring Spirit shouted.
"Nothing. I summon Gamma the Magnet Warrior!"
The little red winged robotic warrior appeared on the field.

Gamma the Magnet Warrior
1500 ATK/1800 DEF

"Attack his ghost now!"
Gamma's punch easily mopped the floor with the ghost, dropping 'Bakura's' lifepoints once again, and more importantly, leaving him wide open for a direct attack from Gazelle, which Yami immediately followed up into, leaving his opponent with half his lifepoints remaining.
"Come on!" Duke yelled. "Crush this guy, Yugi!"
"He's not even fighting back!" Tristan added.
"Something's not right." (Y/N) said, crossing her arms. "There's playing sloppily and then there's playing deliberately to lose."
Rain shrugged. "Maybe he just keeps drawing bricks? Even if it's part of a bigger strategy, it can't be very effective if the boys just wipe out his lifepoints before he can counterattack."
"I don't know. Everything we've learned about this spirit points to him being more calculating than that. And..."
(Y/N)'s words died as she randomly thought back to the memory she had seen right before the finals. Something wasn't right about any of this.

Bakura 2000LP/Yugi 4000LP

"Perhaps I've made things too easy for you." The Ring Spirit declared as he drew. "Not anymore!"
"Let's see what you've got." Yami challenged.
"As you wish. I summon the Headless Knight in attack mode!"
A dark haze settled over the field as the monster, despite being summoned, did not appear, something Yami quickly pointed out. Ever so slowly, the monster revealed itself to be an armored, headless warrior, again, notably weaker than Gazelle and Gamma

Headless Knight
1450 ATK/1700 DEF

Again, Yami was confused. "This spirit may be stronger than your last two monsters, but it's still weaker than mine!"
"Then why don't you attack it?" The dark spirit asked, ending his turn.

Bakura 2000LP/Yugi 4000LP

Yami drew, motioning his monsters to attack.
"Take this!"
Once again, Gamma destroyed the monster while Gazelle made the direct attack, dropping the Ring Spirit's lifepoints dangerously low.
"This can't be right." (Y/N) finally said out loud.
Joey nodded. "You're telling me. This is way too easy!"
"Or Yugi's fighting the world's worst duelist." Tristan suggested.
Mai shrugged. "Well, either way, Yugi's gonna win this thing on his next turn."
"Unless Bakura needed those monsters in his graveyard." (Y/N) finally realized as Yami taunted 'Bakura' to make his final move.

Bakura 450LP/Yugi 4000LP

The spirit laughed madly as a cold wind blew. "Very well, it's time! You've done exactly what I wanted you to do, now your destruction begins! It's over!"
"It's a bluff." Mai said. "He's got no monsters left!"
"I hold a card in my hand with dark powers beyond your wildest imagination. But first, before I could play this all powerful card, I needed a bit of assistance. Thanks for helping me destroy you! 3 of my monsters needed to be destroyed before I could bring forth your destruction! Now I summon the beast that will bring forth your demise, Dark Necrofear! You have no idea what you are about to experience!"
A violet sphere stalked around the field, lingering around (Y/N) for a moment before the former Queen chased it off with the light of the bracelet. The next moment, the blue skinned, armored, humanoid monster appeared in a shadowy cloak.

Dark Necrofear
2200 ATK/2800 DEF

Yami gritted his teeth. "I knew you were planning something!"
"It doesn't matter. You still fell into my trap and now you're about to pay the ultimate price!"
As the dark spirit cackled, Rain tilted her head.
"Couldn't he have pulled this same move off by putting his monster's in face up defense and spared himself the lifepoints?"
"Let's be glad he didn't think that far ahead." (Y/N) retorted.
"Hey, (Y/N), what is that thing?" Tristan asked. "It's creeping me out."
"Same here." Joey agreed. "It's gotta be strong, right?"
"Dark Necrofear is one of the most destructive cards in my deck." Dark Bakura boasted. "You'll never stop it. Stare into the face of defeat! I'm not ready to attack, so I will end my turn with two facedowns."

Bakura 450LP/Yugi 4000LP

(Y/N) rubbed her chin. Dark Necrofear was strong, outpacing Yami's current monsters, but Yugi's deck still had monsters capable of taking it out, even outside of summoning Slifer. What was so dangerous about Dark Necrofear? Why risk everything on one monster and not even attack with it? Was he worried about Yami's facedown? Her husband seemed to have similar thoughts, calculating what to do next.
"Make you move!" Bakura goaded.
"When I'm ready." Yami shot back. "You were foolish enough not to attack me when you had the chance. Now you shall pay the price! I tribute Gazelle the King of Mythical Beast to summon my Dark Magician Girl!"
The blonde spellcaster twirled onto the field with a cute charm.

Dark Magician Girl
2000 ATK/1700 DEF

"Fool. I'm afraid your magical fairy is too weak to destroy my monster."
Yami chuckled. "That's true, but I'm afraid you forgot my facedown card. It looks like you're the fool! I reveal my Magic Formula! This will raise Dark Magician Girl's attack power by 500 points, making her more than a match for Dark Necrofear!"
"Attaboy!" Joey cheered as the spellcaster read from the book, raising her power. "Put that big creep 6 feet under!"
"Now, attack his Necrofear!" Yami ordered. "Go Dark Burning Attack!"
Dark Magician Girl proceeded to blast the monster to kingdom come as Rain crossed her arms.
"Why do I have a feeling the boys just waltz into another trap?"
"Perhaps because the Ring Spirit looks quite satisfied with all this?" Her spirit partner pointed out.
"Yep, that'll do it."
"Thanks once again." The dark spirit mocked. "You've done exactly what I wanted Yugi. Haven't you realized I've manipulated every move you've made so far? Now, I can play this."
Bakura placed a field spell down as the area around them warped into a hellish landscape with disembodied eyes and mouths peering down at them from the sky. "Watch as this place is engulfed in a shroud of dark magic known as Dark Sanctuary."
"It's the Evil Eyes!" Joey screamed, clinging to his sister.
"Look around you!" 'Bakura' jeered. "There's no escaping the magic of Dark Sanctuary. It will keep you in a constant state of fear!"
Yami was unimpressed to say the least. "It is you who should be afraid. You have no monsters left and you're down to your last few lifepoints."
"I believe your lovely wife had a saying regarding that. (Y/N), would you care to grace us?"
"Bite me." The Wayfarer growled back.
The dark spirit smirked. "I'll gladly take that invitation."
By now, Yami looked ready to forgo the duel all together and strangle the dark spirit with his bare hands. Tristan and Joey seemed to all but encourage him to take a swing at the creep while Tea was more concerned with trying to get (Y/N) out of the guy's eye line.
"Yami, do not dignify that with a response!" (Y/N) shouted, though she was also ready to go off.
While the former pharaoh still had a murderous stare on his opponent, he took a deep and centered himself.
Mai whistled. "Geez, I get a two for one with you guys. Yugi and Rain give me the fluffy recharge from reality, and you and your hubby are the best soap opera I've seen in a while, (Y/N)."
"Mai, maybe lay off the girl?" Duke suggested, knowing what being on the receiving end of this woman's frayed patience was like. "Seems like she's got enough on her plate."
"I'm just saying. Still," Mai then turned to (Y/N) with a far more concerning look. "In all seriousness, watch your step with that freak of nature."
"Believe me, I have no intention of letting my guard down around him."
"That's not what I'm saying, hon." (Y/N) looked at Mai, who was starting to look very uncomfortable. "I've seen guys who get that same look with girls, and it never ends well. You know this guy?"
There was an uncomfortable churn in (Y/N)'s belly. "Supposedly, we were acquainted in our previous lives. He hasn't exactly been helpful in enlightening me."
Mai shook her head. "Hon, I'm gonna give it to you straight: this guy had a thing for you back then and it stuck. We're talking dangerous, unhealthy obsession. I suggest you try and remember who he is, 'cause his type doesn't give up."
The fear in her voice made the queen give pause. This couldn't go on. He obviously was going to continue to pester them, so (Y/N) had to remember who he was.
...
His tactics...she knew these tactics...who had she learned these from?
In an instant, (Y/N) found herself, or rather saw her younger self, sitting at a desk in a well furbished room, a faint whiff of incense lingering in the air. Rows upon rows of scrolls in various languages were tucked away neatly and a banner with the Wayfarer insignia hung nearby. A rustle caught her attention and she turned to see a boy being dragged into this assumed study by a man. The man's face sent a melancholic pang through her. His hair, on the cusps of beginning to gray, still had a dark sheen which framed a dignified face. His eyes were the same color as hers and though many people would call them cold, she knew...there was a hidden warmth and safety to them. Fragments of memories returned to her, littered throughout her childhood, all about this man, her father, Aasim.
Aasim dragged the boy to the desk next to her, forcing him to sit.
"Well, since you insist on being inside the palace, you'll have no arguments sitting in on today's lesson, along with finishing all of your missing works from the sages." Her father's voice was deep, and though clearly annoyed, was kept leveled as he gave the boy a hard look. "Bakura, must I constantly remind you that until you pass your assessment, you cannot be fully recognized by the tribe?"
(Y/N)'s eyes widened as she swung her head towards the boy. "Bakura!?"
Sure enough, a younger version of the Ring Spirit sat at the desk next to her younger self, looking less than apologetic.
"That's why I needed your guidance, leader." He tried to charm his way out of trouble. "What better place to learn than from the mouth of our esteemed leader?"
Aasim gave him a hard look, and Bakura had the sense to shrink back. "You can play with (Y/N) AFTER both of you are through with your lessons."
The young boy blushed as young (Y/N) laughed.
"I told you to stop sneaking in."
"Quiet."
"Now, before I was rudely interrupted, we were discussing matters of strategy and how to apply them within our lives. There will be enemies we face in which our own strength cannot overcome. When faced with such a foe, what can you do?"
"Run and gather more strength?" Bakura suggested.
Aasim nodded his head. "Sensible, but what I am teaching you both is a less straightforward approach: turn your enemy's strength against them. If you cannot overcome them, then let them become a weapon of their own demise."
The two children looked at each other curiously before scribbling notes as (Y/N)'s father continued with the lesson. The fully grown (Y/N) just stared at the Ring Spirit, Bakura. He was a member of their tribe, or he was going to be. They were friends, enough that her father was personally invested in his future. So why the hostility then? Why did he hate her and Yami so much?
"(Y/N)!"
The queen shook her head, finding herself back in the present with Tea in front of her. Seemingly, she had been clapping in her face to snap her out of her trance.
"You back with us?" She asked. "You've been out of it for a while."
"Yes, sorry."
"Yugi could really use help right now." Tristan said. "This freaky field's possessing his monsters, and not letting him attack!"
"And to make things worse, the creep's using this freaky board that'll let him win if he gets all the letters down!"
"Destiny Board!" (Y/N) snapped, facepalming. "That's why he didn't care about sacrificing lifepoints. Let me guess, he's stalling now?"
"Guess this one's a Queen of Games after all." Mai said.
Looking at the field, (Y/N) noted how in the time she was lost in the past, the tides had completely shifted against Yami who now had 750 lifepoints remaining while Bakura now had 3400. The field spread now had Big Shield Gardna and Kuriboh on Yami's side, along with two facedowns, but no other subsequent changes. Rain, who for some reason didn't see the vision of the memory as she typically did, quickly informed her partner about the workings of Dark Sanctuary and the Ghost of Dark Sanctuary, along with it granting Bakura the extra spell and trap zone needed to complete Destiny Board and his trap preventing the boys from attacking more than once.
"So to summarize, getting Dark Sanctuary off the field is the priority."
Rain nodded. "Definitely. Bakura needs it to complete Destiny Board. Without it, the guys will have more time to turn this around and they won't have to worry about their own monsters attacking them. But so long as Dark Necrofear's in the Graveyard-,"
"There are ways to remove monsters from the Graveyard, Rain." (Y/N) reminded her.
"He's a goner." Duke said, before being grabbed by Tristan.
"Listen man, when one of our buddies is dueling, we support them all the way!"
"Tristan, Duke, get a hold of yourselves." (Y/N) said. "He has the means to win."
Serenity turned to her. "Really? How?"
"Technically, he has two: one, getting rid of Dark Sanctuary and shutting down Destiny Board and the ghost."
"And the other?"
(Y/N) crossed her arms. "He has three monsters."
Rain blinked. "You think he should go for Slifer?"
"I highly doubt Bakura has the means to counter an Egyptian god card. Still, I don't exactly want to test if this blimp can handle that kind of power."
"Bakura?" Tea repeating, hearing their side conversation. "Don't you mean the Spirit of the Ring."
The queen sighed. "No, I don't."

Bakura 3400LP/Yugi 750LP

Bakura drew his card, all but assured of his victory. "So, I see that you haven't yet realized that nothing can save you now! It's merely a matter of time, Yugi."
"Wrong." Yami shot back. "I can assure you that your Ghost of Dark Sanctuary is in for a rude awakening."
"You're no match for the power of my deck, Yugi."
"It's you underestimating the strength of your opponent's deck, Bakura." (Y/N) said loudly. "I would think you'd learn better than that."
"Ah, so her highness decided to return?" The evil spirit mocked.
Yami obviously was more genuine in his concern. "(Y/N), are you all right?"
"I'm fine." She assured him. "Though I think I finally grasp what this is about. Isn't that right, Bakura?"
The Ring Spirit rolled his eyes. "Oh, now you're just referring to me as my lesser half to insult me? That's rather undignified."
"I'm referring to you like that because that was your name, the name I and my father would call you when we were trained together as Wayfarers."
That made the spirit give pause as everyone turned to the queen.
"What?!" Joey shouted. "This guy's a Wayfarer too?!"
"At the very least, he was training to be one when we were children. That's why he knows about me and Yami. We seemed to have grown up together."
"Wait, that kid from the other memory?" Rain asked as (Y/N) nodded.
"Yes, that was him."
Bakura eventually snapped out his own stupor, huffing. "So, you finally remembered me and poor Aasim. You'd think you'd give more thought to your own father and your best friend."
"I do owe my father an apology for forgetting him, however," She smirked, intending to goad him further. "You're mistaken. My current best friend in Rain (L/N), and my best friend during our lives, well, I married him."
She smiled at her husband, who smiled back, though that boast to his ego was not lost to anyone. Bakura clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Well, as sweet as that sentiment is, time's running out for your precious Pharaoh. In two turns, my Destiny Board will be completed, and he'll be finished. I play Souls of the Forgotten and subsequently sacrifice it to keep Dark Sanctuary on the field." The amalgamation of souls didn't even spend 5 seconds on the field before being swallowed by Dark Sanctuary. "It's time for you to try and attack me again, if you dare. Choose wisely."

Bakura 3400LP/Yugi 750LP

Yami smirked as he drew. "I'll do it with pleasure. I have a plan to demolish your ghost once and for all."
"That can't be!"
"It is! And once your ghost is gone, I won't have to worry about my monsters being possessed."
"Your boy's not bluffing, is he?" Mai asked (Y/N). "That doesn't look like his bluffing face."
"He isn't." (Y/N) answered confidently. "He's bordering on smugness. That's a dead tell for him about to pull off a combo."
"All right!" Joey cheered. "Give this horror show a happy ending!"
"Say goodbye to your ghost." Yami said as he drew. "I play my trap card, Collected Power! It forces certain magic cards to focus their effect on Kuriboh!"
Magical Formula, which was still equipped to Dark Magician Girl, was immediately drawn to the small fuzzball, along with a skull headed spirit, likely Ghost of Dark Sanctuary.
Bakura looked furious. "What do you plan to do?"
Yami held up a card. "Simple, I'll use this: Exile of the Wicked. This will automatically destroy my Kuriboh along with your ghost! And now, evil spirit of Dark Sanctuary, begone!"
Both Kuriboh and the dark spirit shrieked as they were destroyed, clearing the path.
Bakura seemed shaken at first, but quickly composed himself. "You may have defeated my ghost, but my Destiny Board will still destroy you in two turns."
"Don't count on it." Yami mocked.
(Y/N), having a feeling what was about to happen, chuckled and shook her head. "Bakura, I believe you wanted me to remind my husband about what I often say in duels, but it seems you're the one who needs the reminder: the duel isn't over until your lifepoints reach zero."
Bakura growled at the former queen before he suddenly went rigid. Much like how she was when she was lost in her memories, Bakura went blank for a moment. However, he recovered much faster than she had as Yami revealed Monster Reborn.
"Dark Necrofear, return! Say goodbye to Dark Sanctuary!" The dark monster emerged on Yami's side of the field and instantly, Dark Sanctuary dissipated. "And now that Dark Sanctuary is gone, I'm afraid that you are no longer permitted to have more than 5 magic cards in play at one time. This may foil some of your plans. And now, I'll attack your lifepoints directly with Dark Necrofear!"
The irony of Bakura getting blasted by his own monster was lost on no one and Rain crossed her arms.
"And Yami still tries to argue with you that he isn't petty?"
(Y/N) chuckled. "Well, I won't argue that it's not satisfying to watch."
As the turn came to an end, the fourth letter of Destiny Board, A, revealed itself.
Yami smirked. "Your word is Final. It's too bad you'll never play the last letter. You have no room for any other letters, so to play it, you'd have to discard your Dark Door and its effect on my monsters, allowing me to attack more than once per turn! The decision is yours."
Bakura seethed as the others cheered from the sidelines.
"Stick a fork in that guy, 'cause he's done!" Tristan chanted.
"I'd be glad to!" Joey volunteered as (Y/N) raised a hand.
"What do I always say?"
"Ah, come on (Y/N)." The blonde shot back. "He's got nothing on his field to protect him and no way to finish Destiny Board without letting Yuge finish him! He's done!"
"If the Ring Spirit has proven anything, it's that he's too stubborn to go down like that."

Bakura 1200LP/Yugi 750LP

Bakura again muttered to himself before drawing. "Now, prepare yourself, Yugi! This duel is far from over."
He drew and subsequently began to laugh, causing Rain to side eye her partner.
"You just had to say something."
"The time has arrived for me to regain my control with this card. It's all over, Yugi! The card I hold in my hand is my key to annihilating you! Everything you hold dear will soon be mine."
Mai seemed to push closer to (Y/N), glaring down Bakura, which the former queen appreciated. Yami this time did not fall for Bakura's enraging tactics, keeping his expression and tone level and cool.
"The fate of the world depends on my victory."
Bakura smirked. "You've failed. I summon Jowgen the Spiritualist!"
The priest-like monster appeared on the field with a respectable bow, very unlike the rest of Bakura's monstrous deck.

Jowgen the Spiritualist
200 ATK/1300 DEF

"I'm stumped." Joey said, noting how weak this monster was. "What's that do?"
"You tell us, Mr. Expert." Tristan jabbed.
"Give me a break, I've never seen it!"
Bakura laughed. "By sacrificing one card in my hand, I can use Jowgen the Spiritualist to destroy all specially summoned monsters on the field."
"That's Dark Necrofear." (Y/N) realized. "Meaning that will re-summon Dark Sanctuary."
"No!" Rain shouted. "The guys just got rid of it!"
There was nothing they could do as Bakura discarded a card and sent his monster back to the Graveyard, returning Dark Sanctuary to the field.
"Now, I'll be able to spell the message of your doom, Yugi! Make your move, for it will be your last! Say goodbye to the Battle City finals and so much more!" Bakura ended the turn by sacrificing Jowgen to keep Dark Sanctuary on the field and setting one card facedown.

Bakura 1200LP/Yugi 750LP

"What's with this guy and the black magic!" Joey squealed. "I'm freaking out! (Y/N), do all you Wayfarers know how to do stuff like this!?"
"He certainly didn't learn it from us." (Y/N) growled, slightly insulted.
Rain seemed equally so. "Stop calling us witches, Joey!"
"All right, snap out of it, chicken boy." Mai snap. "Are you gonna curl up into a ball or cheer for your friend?"
That seemed to get Joey and the other guys into high gear as Tea leaned towards (Y/N).
"(Y/N), is there a way out for him?"
The former queen took a breath. "As far as I know, he has one move he can make, one that I doubt even Bakura could counter."
"Slifer." Rain realized. "You think it's in his hand?"
(Y/N) shook her head. "He would've played it by now. Meaning-,"
"They have to draw into it. It all comes down to the next draw."
"Do you really think he can win?" Serenity asked (Y/N), only hearing one part of her conversation.
Joey jumped in. "Of course! No matter how tough the fight, Yugi always pulls through. It's not gonna be easy, but he'll do it."
"I'd suggest giving up now, Yugi." Bakura mocked. "Nothing you do can stop me from completing the Destiny Board. And my ghost is back to possessing one of your monsters."
"I'm aware." Yami said through gritted teeth.
"I suppose you'll just have to guess. Choose wisely."
Yami huffed before straightening himself. "Before I make my move, answer me this: you were training to be one of the Wayfarers, were you not? So why then are you our enemy?"
"As if I'd ever join that tribe!" Bakura spat, much to everyone's shock. "They took me in to relieve their own guilt, nothing more! They'd never consider me one of their own!"
"What are you talking about?" (Y/N) demanded.
"Their recklessness cost me everything. They alongside your despicable family, Pharaoh, were responsible for taking everything from me! I'm owed retribution."
His side glance towards (Y/N) was not lost on Yami, who seethed at his enemy, his temper flaring again despite Yugi pleading with him to calm down.
"(Y/N) isn't some debt you can claim! Whatever misgivings you had, I'm certain she isn't to blame."
"No, but her father Aasim was the one to set it all in motion, and yet, he gave her to you."
(Y/N) growl at his indignity. "I feel in love. I chose to marry Yami. Even if I can't remember it entirely, I know that much. My heart was my own to give. Don't flatter yourself and think I'd hand it to you. I made my choice."
"Yes, you always chose him, even when we were children." Bakura hissed. "And what did it get you, ḡurāb? Trapped in time not your own? Lost memories? A knife in your chest!?"
At his word, (Y/N) felt that same spot in her chest burn. Her hand instinctively went to that spot, making Tea worry as raced to support her.
"(Y/N)! Are you all right?!"
The former queen steadied her breathing. "It's fine. It will-,"
"How did you know that?"
All eyes turn to Yami, whose expression was worryingly unreadable as his hair shadowed his eyes. There was a dead calmness to his voice that was begging to snap. Bakura raised a brow to him.
"How do I know what?"
"How did you know how (Y/N) died?"
Bakura's expression subtly shifted to nervousness, realizing he had said too much. Tea, who was still supporting (Y/N), looked at her confused.
"(Y/N), why does he sound mad?"
The queen herself felt nauseous as she came to the exact same conclusion as Yami. "The legends said I died protecting him, they didn't say how. Besides myself, Yami, Rain, and Yugi, there's only one other person who could've known exactly how I died: the person who put the knife in my chest to begin with."
"Oh gods." Rain growled as the others took a moment to process. "That bastard!"
As if to confirm their suspicions, (Y/N) and Yami were once again plunged into that terrible memory, only this time, their assailant was visible. Though he had a scar on his cheek, Bakura was unmistakable as he charged at Yami. The past (Y/N) jumped between the two.
"Bakura! Don't!"
It was swift as the knife plunged into her, but as past Yami laid her down and pleaded with her to live, the current day spirits saw the expression on Bakura's face: utter horror.
Returning to the present, (Y/N) glared at her former friend and murderer. "You killed me."
Bakura wouldn't look at her. "It wasn't supposed to be you."
"You..." Yami was shaking in rage, his voice betraying the approaching explosion of his rage.
Bakura glared at him. "I never would have hurt her! You were the one who was supposed to die, but she chose to save you! She died protecting you!"
Lightning stuck behind Yami as a colder wind blew, as if his ceaseless rage warped the very skies. He looked up, his expression one of utter hatred and pure wrath.
"You. Will. Pay."
His deck seemed to glow as he drew as the others looked on, quite concerned.
"He's gonna kill him." Mai observed.
"He wouldn't."
"Tea, I'd kill him and I'm not even the one married." Duke shot back.
Tea was forced to rescind her previous. "Okay, he's gonna kill him."
The storm clouds raged as (Y/N) and Rain knew exactly what was coming. A blinding bolt of lightning struck the field as Dark Magician Girl, Big Shield Gardna, and Gamma were all tributed simultaneously. A beacon of light shot into the sky as Slifer's wings cleaved through Dark Sanctuary for a moment as the dragon's massive body wrapped around the blimp. As its summoning was completed, Slifer peered from above Yami, its yellow eyes glowing seemingly with an equal rage as its master, ready to take retribution for him as it roared deafeningly.

Slifer the Sky Dragon
Current: 3000 ATK/3000 DEF

As Bakura looked absolutely petrified and everyone else was not far behind.
"What is that thing!?" Serenity screamed.
"That's the hugest duel monster I've ever seen!" Joey yelled
Rain turned to (Y/N), who was still relying on Tea to keep her up through the pain. "(Y/N), you wanna talk Yami off the ledge, or are we about to find out if a spirit can die twice?"
Despite having the terrifying beast glaring down at him, Bakura still attempted to feign some semblance of control.
"Your Egyptian god card is powerful, but it does not guarantee your victory. I've come much too far to lose now! The Ghost of Dark Sanctuary is still wandering the field, and its only target now is Slifer! Go, my ghost, possess Slifer the Sky Dragon!"
"It won't save you." Yami growled as the ghost shot at the giant beast.
Just as he said, the ghost dissipated long before it reached Slifer.
"What!?" Bakura said, now getting worried. "My dark ghost had no effect!?"
"This duel is over." Yami seethed. "Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack-!"
Both Yami and (Y/N) felt a wave of dread wash over them, stopping them both in their tracks.
"Yuge?" Joey called. "You good?"
"Something's wrong." (Y/N) said, glancing. "Something's approaching."
Sure enough, Marik suddenly appeared on the field, Millennium Rod in hand.
"Perhaps you want to wait before you attack." He warned.
Yami glared down at him. "What do you want, Marik?"
"Hey, come up here and get a piece of this!" Joey demanded as he charged at the guy.
Duke was quick to grab the blonde and hold him back. "Joey!"
Tristan jumped in to help. "I don't think you wanna mess with this guy, man!"
"Hey, you!" Mokuba yelled from the other side of the field. "Just who do you think you are anyway? You can't just bust in here and interrupt someone else's duel!"
"What is it you want?" Yami again demanded.
"Listen carefully." Marik ordered. "Bakura is now under the control of the Millennium Rod, and he will do only what I command him to do."
"What!?"
"That's not possible." (Y/N) said. "The Millennium Items should cancel each other out."
"You thought wrong, Wayfarer Queen." Marik corrected. "I am now in control of both Bakuras. And I shall prove it by freeing your friend's mind."
In an instant, Bakura seized up and fell to his knees, gripping his arm.
"My arm!" A softer voice moaned. "It hurts..."
"Bakura!" Yami shouted.
"(Y/N), he's not faking, right?" Tea asked.
The queen gritted her teeth. "He's not, that's definitely the current Bakura."
"Yugi, help me." The kind Bakura pleaded. "I don't know where I am. What am I doing in this duel? What happened to my arm?"
"He's in pain." Marik pointed out. "Without the Spirit of the Ring, he is weak. Therefore, you may wish to reconsider your attack. The devastation caused by Slifer the Sky Dragon could worsen his condition. Would you risk the health of your friend?"
Yami swung his head at Marik. "Only a coward would do something like this to win a duel!"
"That's a cheap trick, Marik!" Joey snapped.
Tristan was more concerned with the fading Bakura. "Bakura, hang in there!"
"I don't feel very well, Yugi." Bakura said.
Yami began to run to try to aid the fading male, but Roland interjected.
"Stop right there! You are not allowed to have contact with your opponent during a duel! Take one more step, and you'll be disqualified."
"Stop the duel, right now!" Tea pleaded
"If you don't continue to duel, you will forfeit the match." Roland stated as (Y/N) turned her head towards the Kaiba brothers.
"Seto, call this off! You know he can't continue! He needs medical attention!"
"Yugi, I'll make this decision very easy for you." Kaiba said. "Finish him off!"
"I offer you a second warning." Roland added. "Make your move or lose your spot in the finals. Now go."
"Chill out, buddy!" Joey yelled. "Can't you see the poor guy's injured? Come on! What kinda show you guys runnin' here!?"
"Get down, or you will be disqualified from the finals as well!"
"What? Are you kiddin' me!? Oh, if I come down there, he's not the only one who's gonna need medical attention! You are-,"
Again, Duke and Tristan had to wrestle Joey down to keep him from getting into trouble. As Kaiba demanded the duel continue, Rain also got a murderous look.
"Okay, now I'm gonna kill him!"
(Y/N), seeing everything, pulled herself up again, making Tea worried.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "It doesn't hurt enough for me to do this."
(Y/N) walked to the edge of the viewing area, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.
"I thought better of you, old friend. How far have you fallen that you would willingly become someone else's pawn. Disgraceful. Even without my memories, I know my father taught you better than this."
There was a pause before a burst of light. Once again, the Spirit of the Ring was in control. Both his and (Y/N)'s gaze looked as the queen looked at him in disappointment. He broke the stare and turned to Yami.
"I still need him. Take your vengeance and be done with it."
Yami, not wanting to give Marik the opportunity to switch the two again, immediately took him up on the offer. "Go, Slifer the Sky Dragon, attack!"
Slifer blasted his foe, ending the duel in a gloriously blinding flash of lightning.

Bakura 0LP/Yugi 750LP

When the lightning cleared, Bakura was lying on his back unconscious. As Roland declared Yugi the winner, everyone raced to Bakura's side. (Y/N), in contrast, ran to Yami, cutting him off.
He looked at her in confusion. "(Y/N)? What are you-?"
"I need you to calm down first." She said plainly.
"What?"
"Yami, you're shaking."
He blinked, and looking down, sure enough, his still clenched fist was trembling. He took a deep breath, centering himself.
"I'm calm."
"Good."
(Y/N) then flinched, again feeling the lingering pain of the memory. Yami was immediately concerned.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine." She insisted, looking somberly at Bakura. "I'm fine."

Next time we get Wayfarer story time.