Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Pharaoh's Flame!

Episode 7: Attack from the Deep!

Long ago, when the pyramids were still young, Egyptian kings played a game of great and terrible power. But these Shadow Games erupted into a war which threatened to destroy the entire world, until a brave and powerful Pharaoh locked the magic away, imprisoning it within the mystical Millennium Items. Now, 5,000 years later, a boy named Yugi unlocks the secret of the Millennium Puzzle. He is infused with ancient magical energies, for destiny has chosen him to defend the world from the return of the Shadow Games, just as the brave Pharaoh did, 5,000 years ago...

https://youtu.be/4lL6tqBRm-o

"Whooey!" Jounouchi whooped, punching the air with both fists as he spun around in a celebratory twirl. His voice echoed across the trees, startling a flock of birds from their perches. "Did ya see that, guys? That was incredible! I smoked her! Ka-pow! One Jounouchi special, comin' right up!"

Tecna, seated cross-legged nearby and typing rapidly on her tablet, didn't even look up. "I'm amazed your brain didn't overheat mid-duel. The probability of you winning was—well, frankly—nonexistent."

Jounouchi stopped mid-fist-pump, turning toward her with a look of mock betrayal. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

"It means," Tecna replied dryly, adjusting her visor, "that you were either extremely lucky or Mai had a data-processing malfunction."

Honda laughed. "She's got you there, man."

"Aw, c'mon!" Jounouchi groaned. "Can't a guy enjoy his victory in peace without getting roasted like a hot dog?"

"I can write a program to analyze the likelihood of that," Tecna quipped.

"You'd probably name it 'Why Jounouchi Shouldn't Duel Ever Again.exe'," he shot back, but there was a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're like a walking, talking sarcasm chip, y'know that?"

"And you're like a virus that thinks it's charming," Tecna replied without missing a beat.

The group burst into laughter. Even Musa giggled, brushing her dark hair over her shoulder as she leaned toward Bloom, whispering, "They're either gonna kill each other or....well maybe best of the friends?"

"I vote both," Bloom whispered back, smiling.

Jounouchi was still mid-brag. "Heh heh. Stars. This is so awesome. I can't believe it happened. Am I cool or what?"

Anzu folded her arms with an unimpressed huff. "Is there a time limit on how long he gets to gloat?"

Honda grinned. "Did you ever think Jounouchi would beat Mai?"

Yugi, standing beside Musa with a quiet smile, shook his head. "I did," he said softly, his tone full of belief. "He's come a long way."

Musa leaned closer, clearly charmed by Yugi's gentle sincerity. "You always say stuff like that. Like you see the best in people."

Yugi blushed slightly. "I guess I just believe in my friends."

A sudden loud growl erupted, not from the woods—but Jounouchi's stomach.

Everyone turned.

Jounouchi clutched his middle with a sheepish grin. "Uhh... All that duelin' made me hungry. Did any of you guys bring food? Well—besides Honda's half a granola bar and Bloom's fairy cookies?"

"Oops," Musa said. "I knew I forgot something."

"I had energy cubes," Tecna offered, "but Jounouchi said they looked like purple soap and threw them in the river."

"They did look like soap!" Jounouchi defended.

"Flavor isn't a priority in nutrient design," she replied stiffly.

"You sound like you're feeding astronauts, not teenagers!"

"Well, excuse me for trying to optimize your bodily functions."

Jounouchi's face turned red. "That sounded way weirder than you meant it!"

Bloom laughed, the sound bright and light. "I could try summoning some fire fruit?"

"No offense, Bloom," Honda said quickly, "but the last time you summoned fruit, it exploded."

"That was one time!" she pouted.

Yugi chuckled, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Bloom. We'll figure something out. You're doing your best."

She smiled up at him, warmth flickering behind her blue eyes. "Thanks, Yugi."

Jounouchi suddenly straightened, nostrils flaring like a bloodhound. "Wait a sec. You guys smell that?"

Anzu sniffed the air. "Yeah... something's burning."

"Smells like... fish?" Honda guessed.

"Grilled fish," Jounouchi said, eyes lighting up. "Barbecue-style. There's someone cookin' out there! I knew the island couldn't be completely miserable!"

And before anyone could stop him, Jounouchi took off like a rocket down the path.

Anzu rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on! Again?!"

Musa adjusted her earring. "Do we follow him?"

Tecna sighed, tucking her tablet away. "If we don't, he might try to duel the fish."

They followed the smell, winding through thick brush, until they reached a coastal clearing. There, lined neatly beside a firepit, were skewers of fresh, perfectly grilled fish. The ocean sparkled just beyond the rocks, waves lapping rhythmically against the shore.

Jounouchi stood frozen, drooling.

"Oh man, this is beautiful. Smell that! Look at those grill marks!"

"You're acting like you've never seen food before," Anzu said, exasperated.

"I haven't! Not in hours!" he wailed. "I'm wastin' away here!"

"Do not touch that," Tecna warned. "We don't know who made it. It could be poisoned."

Jounouchi ignored her. "Come to papa—OW! HOT!"

Honda, who had also tried to snatch a bite, yelped. "Dude, don't touch the fire!"

"Ready, set—feeding frenzy!" Jounouchi howled, lunging again.

But before he could make contact, a booming voice crashed over the waves.

"ENJOY YOURSELVES, YOU FISH THIEVES! THIS IS YOUR LAST MEAL!"

Water erupted from the sea like a geyser as a figure launched from the surf, landing in front of them with dramatic flair. He was tall, muscular, wild-haired, with his above bare, and a small octopus clinging defiantly to his navy blue hair like an epaulette.

"You bottom-feeding poachers!" he roared. "How dare you eat my fish!"

Jounouchi blinked. "So... uh... can we eat now?"

"Did I stutter?" the man bellowed. "I am Mako Tsunami! Duelist of the deep!"

Yugi's eyes widened. "Wait, the Mako Tsunami? The top-ranked ocean duelist in Japan?"

Mako's frown curled into a proud smile. "That's me."

"You're that freaky fish guy!" Jounouchi exclaimed.

"I AM NOT A FREAKY FISH GUY!"

Jounouchi and Tecna snorted in unison. "And we are the Queens of England."

"This just keeps getting better," Musa muttered.

"And who," Mako said, his voice dropping into a smooth tone, "is this vision from the waves?"

He turned, eyes landing directly on Bloom.

She blinked, caught off-guard. "Um... hi?"

Mako took a step closer. "The sea has brought me a rare jewel. What is your name, my ocean flame?"

Tecna gagged audibly. "Wow. Even my circuits glitched at that one."

"S-she's my cousin," Yugi said firmly, stepping in front of Bloom. "Her name's Bloom....she isn't intere-"

Mako raised a brow. "Your cousin? Then you are a fortunate man."

Inside the Millennium Puzzle, Yami stirred. The ancient spirit's eyes narrowed within the darkness. This one is bold. Too bold. Though he did not speak, a knot tightened in his chest. He saw the way Mako looked at Bloom—and it filled him with an unfamiliar heat. Not anger. Not jealousy. Something deeper. She is not yours to chase, sailor.

Bloom, unaware of the Pharaoh's discomfort, gave Mako a polite nod and stepped back beside Tecna.

"She's had a long day," Musa said sharply, sidling closer to Yugi. "Try flirting with someone who's actually impressed."

Mako grinned, unbothered. "I meant no disrespect. Just admiration."

He stepped back and gestured with one open hand. "And I do always share a meal before a duel. You're all welcome."

"You are welcome," he said again, quieter this time, before turning back toward the fire.

Jounouchi clapped his hands with a grin. "All right, gang! Feeding frenzy, let's go!"

"Whoo-hoo!" Honda shouted, diving toward the skewers like he hadn't eaten in a week. "I'm not missing out again!"

Chomp, chomp...

"Mmm!" Honda moaned between mouthfuls, licking his fingers. "Freaky fish guy really knows how to cook. Mm-mm!"

"Seriously!" Anzu agreed, already halfway through her second skewer. "This is really good, huh?"

Yugi nodded, mouth full but eyes wide with appreciation. "Mm-hmm!"

Across the fire, Mako Tsunami watched them devour his handiwork, a slow, wicked smile curving his lips. He chuckled low in his throat—half amused, half... calculating. "Ha ha ha..."

Jounouchi leaned back, hands behind his head, then burped loudly. "Wow. That was good."

"Charming," Tecna muttered, rolling her eyes as she wiped her mouth with a sanitized cloth she pulled from her belt.

"Where'd you learn to cook like that?" Anzu asked, genuinely impressed.

Mako gave a hearty laugh. "Ha ha ha. I have had to fend for myself since I was a tadpole. But it was my father who taught me how to fish... and cook."

"Oh," Bloom said softly, setting her skewer aside. "That's... actually kind of beautiful."

"Yeah," Musa chimed in, brushing some crumbs off her lap. "Nothing like learning something personal from family."

Yugi smiled gently at that, his gaze drifting to Bloom. "Yeah... I know how important that is."

Bloom caught his eyes and smiled back, warm and full of shared understanding.

Yugi turned back to Mako, brushing his hands clean. "So, what brings you here... to the competition?"

"I was raised on a fishing boat," Mako said proudly, puffing out his chest. "Where I learned to love the sea. So if I win here, I would love to earn a vessel of my own. A ship strong enough to carry me across the endless blue. Of course, I'll have to beat a few duelists first!" He let out a booming laugh. "Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Your own boat?" Anzu asked, her eyes wide. "How great would that be, living life out on the big blue sea?"

Mako's expression softened, his voice suddenly reverent. "Yes... the ocean is amazing. She and I share a special bond. I can tell when the sea is happy by the way it sparkles... and when she is angry... by the shifting tides."

There was a pause.

The entire group stared at him.

Jounouchi blinked. "Did he just say the sea sparkles?"

"I think we're having a moment," Musa whispered to Tecna.

Tecna gave a small nod. "Emotional download detected."

Mako chuckled, aware of their expressions. "Ah ha ha. Excuse me. I did not mean to be so serious."

"No, don't apologize," Anzu said quickly, smiling. "It's nice to hear someone speak so passionately."

"You saved our hides," Jounouchi said, throwing an arm around Mako's shoulder. "We'd be starving without you."

"This has really been great," Honda added. "Thanks again."

"Yeah," Bloom said, "thank you, Mako."

Mako bowed slightly. "Leaving so soon, are you?"

Anzu rose to her feet and stretched. "It was nice meeting you, Mako."

"Maybe we'll meet up in the competition," Yugi offered politely.

Mako's eyes gleamed. "Oh, we certainly will... sooner than you think, my friend!"

He raised his spear suddenly and hurled it into the sand—right near Yugi's foot.

"Whoa!" Jounouchi jumped.

The whole group gasped and took a collective step back.

"What the heck?!" Honda barked, eyes wide.

"I treated you to dinner," Mako said, his tone calm but fierce. "Perhaps you will honor me... with a duel."

"He's nuts!" Jounouchi shouted, throwing his hands up.

Mako smirked. "No, but I am an expert fisherman. And you... have taken my bait."

"What bait?!" Anzu cried.

"The fish, of course," Mako said with a glint in his eye. "I laid it out and lured you three right in. But I never expected to catch Yugi Mutou."

"Ah, forget this crazy chicken of the sea, Yugi!" Jounouchi said, waving his hand.

"Can't we just give the guy back a few fish?" Honda offered.

"I reeled in another duelist a short time ago," Mako went on, ignoring them, "but he was not a worthy opponent. A duel against you, Yugi... that would be a true test."

Yugi hesitated for only a moment. Then his fingers brushed against the Millennium Puzzle at his chest.

"Yu-Gi-Oh!"

A bright light shimmered across his body, and his posture straightened as the spirit within awakened—Yami no Yugi, regal and composed, took over with a flash of confidence.

"I accept your challenge, Mako Tsunami," he declared, voice deep and resolute.

Mako grinned and swept a hand toward the sea. "Behold, Yugi Mutou. We shall battle beside the majestic sea!"

The waves surged—and out from the water rose a shimmering duel field. A magnificent structure of light and stone, its halves split cleanly: one land, one sea.

The gang stared.

"Oh," Anzu whispered.

"Ah," Joey muttered.

"Huh," said Honda.

Yami stepped forward, cape fluttering behind him in the sea breeze.

"The playing field," Mako explained, "is equally split into halves. One half is land. The other is sea."

"And the stakes, Mako?" Yami asked, eyes narrowed.

Mako's smile grew wicked. "I wager star chips on this match."

Yami nodded once. "Then I wager two stars."

"Wait!" Mako raised a finger. "One more thing. If I win... I get the chance to court Bloom."

Bloom's jaw dropped.

Joey nearly choked. "WHAT?!"

"Excuse me?!" Musa snapped, jumping up.

Yugi took a bit control of his own body, hesitated—just for a heartbeat. But then he stepped in front of Bloom protectively.

"She's my cousin," he said firmly, his voice steady despite the blush creeping into his cheeks. "And she's not some prize to be won." Then Yami took over again.

"Oh, Yugi," Bloom whispered, touched.

Tecna narrowed her eyes. "You're about to be fried, fish man."

"Fine, fine," Mako relented, lifting his hands. "No offense meant. Merely... added incentive."

"Let's duel," Yami said, voice like steel.

Mako laughed, stepping onto his watery battlefield.

"May the sea show no mercy," he said, "for I certainly won't!"

"Duel!" both Mako and Yami declared in unison, their voices cracking across the ocean breeze. The Life Point counters blinked to life—2000 points each—and the arena shimmered as sea mist kissed the outer edges of the Duel Field that rose like a platform out of the surf.

Anzu held her breath. "This should be some match..."

"Sink that soggy sucker, Yugi!" Jounouchi whooped, tossing a fist in the air, mouth still glistening with fish oil. Honda gave a low whistle, stuffing the last bit of grilled mackerel into his mouth. "This is gonna be good."

From the edge of the platform, Bloom crossed her arms, watching quietly as the waves crashed below. Her long red hair caught in the sea wind, drawing Mako's eye briefly—he smiled slyly at her before turning back to Yami.

"I'm curious," Mako began, his voice dramatic and theatrical as he drew his first card, "to see how you will combat my mighty denizens of the deep!"

He placed a card onto his Disk—face-down. A low rumble trembled through the platform. The sea shimmered... and then nothing.

Yami's crimson eyes narrowed. "What's this?" he murmured under his breath, barely audible to the others. "His creature... it's underwater. I can't even see what I'm fighting."

"Hey, uh... Yugi?" Jounouchi called uncertainly. "Everything okay down there?"

Yami didn't answer immediately. He stared out over the aquatic half of the field, the surface placid and glassy, revealing no secrets.

"I don't like this..." Yami muttered.

Mako chuckled, brushing his wild brown hair from his face with a flourish. "The ocean conceals many things beneath its shifting surface."

I know nothing about what that card might be, Yami thought grimly. I must prepare for the worst.

From behind, Bloom watched his expression with concern, and Musa leaned over to her. "Yugi—he looks kinda tense."

"He gets like that," Bloom whispered. "Especially when someone plays dirty."

Jounouchi grunted. "This Mako guy's fishier than his cooking."

Anzu looked around nervously. "How do you fight something you can't even see?"

From across the platform, Mako grinned. "The ocean gives my creatures a field power bonus and cloaks them in deep cover. Their stealth makes their strikes all the more... lethal."

Jounouchi grumbled, "I don't like the sound of this. Can we just chuck him some seaweed and call it even?"

Yami closed his eyes briefly. Then, with a confident motion, he drew his card and placed it. "Then I play Horn Imp in defense mode!"

A swirling circle of light emerged on the land side of the field. From it, the spiny, snarling figure of the Horn Imp rose, hunkering down with arms crossed, muscles tensed.

Mako's voice was smooth, but laced with menace. "Fiend Kraken—Ensnare him!"

Suddenly, the calm sea erupted. From its depths, a hulking sea creature burst forth, tentacles lashing, suctioned and glistening. With a roar, it wrapped itself around the Horn Imp, dragging it into the water's edge. The monster struggled, squirmed—

—and shattered.

"My Imp!" Yami shouted, eyes narrowing.

Anzu gasped, hand flying to her mouth. "What was that thing?"

"Whatever it is," Jounouchi growled, "Yugi's Imp just got calamari'd."

Mako's laughter echoed across the field like crashing waves. "That, my friend, was just my opening move." His voice was smooth but laced with smugness. "The sea favors those who live within it."

Yami's jaw clenched. "You're good, Mako. A brilliant opening."

Mako bowed slightly. "I am pleased you appreciate it... though your Imp likely disagrees."

Jounouchi frowned. "He's got Yugi on the ropes already..."

"But Yugi's just getting started," Bloom murmured, watching the game with growing intensity.

Yami took a breath. "Then I summon Feral Imp!" A flash of light, and the green-skinned, snarling beast emerged from his side of the field, claws at the ready.

Mako's grin widened. "I know that creature well—and I'm prepared for it. I play my next card: Giant Jellyfish!"

A bubbling roar came from the sea. The ocean frothed—and from beneath its surface rose a bulbous, translucent jellyfish, its long tendrils quivering, its screeching battle cry causing the wind to shift.

Yami's gaze sharpened. "You'll regret that. I equip my Feral Imp with the Horn of the Unicorn!"

The imp raised its head and roared. A glowing golden horn materialized on its forehead, crackling with electric energy.

Jounouchi blinked. "Hold up! I get it—water conducts electricity!"

Musa gasped. "So Yugi's turning the ocean against Mako!"

"Let's see how his monsters handle a little shock therapy," Honda added with a smirk.

"Feral Imp—Magic Lightning Attack!"

A bolt of crackling lightning shot from the imp, dancing across the sea's surface. The water lit up in dazzling arcs of blue and white. All eyes turned to Mako's side of the field—

—and then... nothing.

The jellyfish shimmered, pulsing softly, completely unharmed.

Mako's laughter rang louder than the crash of the surf. "Your strategy has failed, Yugi! My Giant Jellyfish absorbs all electric attacks and protects the rest of my creatures. A shame, really."

Yami recoiled. "No..."

Mako raised his hand. "Fiend Kraken—CRUSH his Feral Imp!"

The Kraken rose again, tentacles coiling, then lashed around the Feral Imp. The monster snarled in resistance—then cracked into shards, destroyed.

The group winced as one.

"Did you enjoy my Kraken's embrace?" Mako purred. Then his eyes flicked—again—toward Bloom. "I do hope your cousin doesn't mind if I ask—if I win this duel...like I have said before, might I claim a prize beyond Star Chips?"

The wind went still. Bloom blinked in confusion. "What?"

Yami stepped forward. His voice was colder now. "Again? What did you just say?"

"I mean," Mako said with an oily charm, "a beautiful girl like her deserves a man with a ship, don't you think? A captain of his own destiny?"

Jounouchi choked on a fish bone. "WHAT?"

"Uh, excuse me?!" Musa stepped forward, one hand on her hip, the other clenching. "You did not just say that out loud again."

"I did," Mako said, grinning. "If I win, maybe I get to take her out for a sunset sail."

"You don't get to wager people," Tecna stated flatly.

Bloom flushed, but before she could say anything, Yami's gaze locked with Mako's—intense, dangerous, unflinching.

"Bloom is my cousin," Yami said, voice taut as a drawn bowstring. "And if you think for a moment that I'd let you use her as some prize—"

He stepped forward, the Puzzle gleaming against his chest. "—then you'll find you've underestimated more than just my deck."

A heavy silence hung between them. The sea surged quietly behind them, like a held breath waiting to crash.

Musa whispered, "Whoa..."

"Yugi's not holding back now," Tristan muttered.

Jounouchi, hands clenched, "Finally. Time to fry the fish guy."

Mako grinned wider, but for the first time, there was a flicker of something else in his eyes.

Doubt.

I've never dueled against creatures like these before, Yami thought, staring across the battlefield at the surging waves and aquatic beasts dominating Mako's side of the field. His crimson eyes narrowed as he clenched his fist, the card in his hand trembling slightly—not from fear, but from the sheer pressure pressing on him from all sides. Water lapped at the edges of his shrinking battlefield, and every crashing wave seemed to echo a challenge straight into his chest.

I can feel the power of the ocean... but I won't be drowned by it. Not this time.

He couldn't afford to lose—not when Yugi's future was on the line, not when his partner's grandfather's soul still hung in the balance, not with Bloom watching. Her presence—radiant and resolute—carried a warmth that stirred something ancient in him. Something he didn't yet understand, but was drawn to nonetheless. He couldn't let her see him fall. Not when her eyes lit with hope every time he made a move. Not when she had so much faith in him, even if she didn't fully realize it yet.

Mako smirked across the watery arena, arms folded with all the confidence of a man who believed the tide would never turn. "Do any of your cards have the power to stand against my ocean pets?" he called, voice rising with the crash of the surf.

Yami didn't flinch. His voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "I summon Silver Fang!" He placed the card with precision. "And I combine him with the magic of the full moon to double his ferocity!"

From the light of a glowing card representing the moon, the silver-furred wolf emerged with a fierce howl, standing defiant on the only dry patch of land left on Yami's field. The spectral moon cast a cold glow over the beast, its eyes glowing with instinctive fury.

Across the arena, Mako let out a bark of laughter. "A wolf, huh? Ferocious indeed... but let me remind you, the moon doesn't just affect wolves. It controls the tides!" His eyes gleamed as he placed his next card. "Arise, mighty Kairyushin!"

The ground trembled, and from the depths of the field, the great sea serpent broke the surface with a roar that rivaled thunder. It towered over the arena, its scales glistening, its eyes wild and full of ancient power. Waves surged around it as the ocean heeded its call.

Jounouchi let out a gasp. "Whoa! That's one big fish!"

"Behold!" Mako declared with a gleam in his eye. "The colossal Kairyushin! When it rises, it creates its own tidal wave!"

Yami's breath caught in his throat—not from fear, but from instinct. This wasn't just a monster; it was a storm given form.

"You're brave, Yugi," Mako said, "but your little wolf won't last long. Prepare to be swept away!"

The next moment hit like a crashing tide. Kairyushin surged forward, summoning a tsunami from the cards themselves. The wave roared and struck Silver Fang with devastating force, drowning the beast in a wall of water and leaving only silence in its wake.

Yami's hand trembled. "No... Silver Fang..."

Mako's laughter was low and pleased. "Gone," he said simply. "But my Kairyushin's tidal attack did more than just wipe out your mutt—it's reshaped the battlefield. Now, only a tiny patch of land remains for you."

Yami stared at the shrinking island of rock his cards now stood on. Almost nothing was left. A duel field now swallowed by the sea.

"I think it was quite generous," Mako said smugly. "My pet left you just enough land to stand on. But how long can you stand when the ocean surrounds you?"

Yami's eyes flickered. "You mean your father," he said, his voice lowering.

Mako's smile faltered, a flicker of grief surfacing in his eyes.

"He was a great fisherman," Mako murmured, his voice quieter, reverent. "He taught me everything I know about the sea. But then... the sea took him."

Everyone watching fell silent.

Mako's past rose to the surface in fragments—his small hands grasping a rope in a violent storm, his father's voice steady despite the chaos. "Never take chances with the sea." His father's final act of securing his son before being swept away replayed in his mind like a haunting lullaby.

"When the storm passed... the lifeboat was gone," Mako said, emotion thick in his throat. "I know he's alive. I have to believe he's alive. That's why I duel—to win the prize money, buy a ship, and find him. That's my reason. That's why I have to win."

Yami was still. His heart, normally guarded, stirred with something raw.

He's fighting for his father... just like I'm fighting for Grandpa. And for Bloom. For her safety. Her light.

"I understand," Yami said finally, steady but firm. "But I can't let you win."

Silence. Then, Mako's growl. "Ha!"

Jounouchi turned to the others, wide-eyed. "Mako duels for his dad like Yugi duels for his grandpa."

Musa nodded slowly. "Man, this just got heavy." Tecna looked at her pocket device. "It was obvious."

Back on the field, Yami drew his next card—and his eyes lit with hope.

"Giant Soldier of Stone!" he declared, summoning the towering rock warrior. "He still gains a field power bonus!"

Mako sneered. "Your rock man can barely stand on that island. Let's see how he handles... Great White Terror!"

The water split with a hiss as the shark shot forward.

"He's toast!" Jounouchi exclaimed.

But Yami was unshaken. "You may think it's over, Mako... but I still have one last trick."

"This is it!" Mako shouted. "Prepare to lose!"

Yami's voice rose, rich with conviction. "You've been a worthy opponent, Mako. But I duel with someone precious to protect too and for loved ones too..."

Bloom... I won't lose. I won't.

He flipped his final card onto the field. "I switch Giant Soldier to attack mode! And his target... is not one of your monsters."

Mako's eyes widened. "What?!"

Yami's voice rang with finality. "He's attacking... the moon!"

The card shattered in an explosion of light. The tides instantly changed. The ocean that had overwhelmed him began to pull back, draining rapidly, leaving Mako's sea creatures stranded and helpless.

"NO!" Mako cried as his monsters collapsed without their watery domain.

The duel was over.

And Yami stood tall—not as a tyrant or destroyer, but as a protector. Of Yugi's hopes. Of his friends. Of Bloom.

The dueling field had fallen silent. Mako Tsunami stood in stunned disbelief, staring at the remnants of his shattered ocean empire. Yami's victory was as certain as the tide, but the tension between them remained thick—though there was a strange respect now. The duel was over, but the air felt heavy with unspoken thoughts.

Yami's voice broke the silence, his tone still dark, but laced with a quiet satisfaction. "My Stone Soldier has beached all your sea monsters. You have no ocean left."

Mako's face twisted into a scowl, frustration boiling over. "No... my precious fish..." He shook his head in disbelief, as though he couldn't bear the loss of his aquatic army. His fists clenched at his sides. "This can't be happening."

"And now," Yami continued, his eyes narrowing with determination, "I'll deliver the final blow." With a swift motion, he placed his next card onto the field. "I combine my Curse of Dragon card with the magic of Burning Land card to wipe out your remaining life points."

Mako's eyes widened, his expression a mixture of disbelief and despair. "Rrrr-aaaaah! No!"

Yami's voice echoed with authority as he activated the card. "Burning Land attack!" The earth trembled, fire erupting from beneath Mako's monsters, a blast of heat that sent shockwaves through the air.

Mako howled as his life points dropped to zero. "Nooooo!" His voice was filled with a mix of pain and defeat. "I... I lost."

Anzu's laughter rang out, light and full of relief. "Ha ha ha! Way to go, Yugi!"

Jounouchi joined in, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah! You got him good, Yugi!"

Honda was just as excited, "Yes! That was awesome!" Musa beamed while Tecna nodded, Bloom clutched her Millennium Heart and smiled.

Mako, defeated but not broken, let out a sigh. "Destroying your own moon card was a brilliant and unexpected move, Yugi," he said, his voice tinged with admiration. "Ha ha. What a grand duel. I salute you, my friend."

Yami stood tall, his eyes still burning with the fire of the duel. "This victory was not easily won, Mako. You're a great duelist yourself."

Mako grinned, smirking as he nodded in acknowledgment. "Ha!"

As the duel came to its conclusion, the group began to gather their things, moving away from the dueling field. Mako's posture was heavy with the weight of his loss, but there was a lightness to him that came from the respect he felt for his opponent.

"I am down to one star chip," Mako admitted with a shrug, his eyes reflecting a mix of resignation and resolve. "But I will start over again."

Yami's expression softened just slightly. "And I bet you'll do fine."

Mako clasped Yami's hand, a silent agreement between them. "You'd win that wager," he said with a grin, his smirk returning. The two shared a brief but meaningful moment of camaraderie.

"Ha!" Mako exclaimed, giving Yami a final look before turning to leave. "It's not over yet!"

As Mako walked off, his stomach growled loudly, breaking the quiet. "Ah ha ha ha!" he laughed. "My friend, dueling you is hungry work. Time for Mako to fish again! Farewell!" And with a dramatic flourish, he turned and rushed back into the sea, disappearing in a flash of water and laughter.

Bloom waved after him. "Bye, Mako. Good luck on your search for your father."

Jounouchi's voice cut in with his usual playful tone. "Wish he'd bring us some fish..."

Yami raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with amusement. "We'd have to duel him again."

The group laughed together, but Yami's thoughts lingered. His eyes flicked to Bloom, who stood with the others, her presence like a sunbeam cutting through the clouds. The same strange tension that had gripped him earlier settled in his chest once more. Mako's kindness... His easy confidence... She seemed to like him.

But Yami quickly pushed those thoughts aside. He would not lose to this ocean boy.

Jounouchi stretched and let out a loud groan. "Ah, forget about it. But guys, I am getting seriously hungry."

Honda, ever the problem-solver, grinned. "Not a problem. We've still got my great outdoor survival guide!"

"No way!" Anzu laughed, raising an eyebrow in mock disbelief.

Jounouchi shot a playful glance at Honda. "Go ahead, Honda. Eat all the pages you like."

Tecna threw a one of her nutrients cube at Jounouchi. "You only think about food." Jounouchi and Tecna started to banter again while Musa laughed and shook her head.

The group erupted into laughter, the lighthearted mood filling the air as the tension from the duel began to fade.

Yami, however, kept his gaze on Bloom, watching her laugh with her friends, the sound of it like a melody that both soothed and stirred something deeper within him. Why does this jealousy haunt me so?

Bloom caught his gaze and smiled warmly, as though unaware of the storm brewing beneath Yami's calm exterior. And for a moment, he forgot the rest of the world. Just for a moment, it was just the two of them.

Tecna had barely closed her eyes when the world beneath her shifted.

The campfire dimmed. The sea breeze faded. The soft snores of her companions dissolved into silence. In its place rose a thick warmth—like sunbaked stone and desert wind, a breath from another world.

And suddenly, she was elsewhere.

The air was thick with the scent of incense and heat. A low hum buzzed in Tecara's ears—magical, ancient, and full of a long-forgotten rhythm. She stood in the center of the great hall, surrounded by stone pillars that reached far beyond what her eyes could see. Each was etched with symbols she felt in her bones—a language lost to time, yet familiar as her own heartbeat. Her hair was long and pink colored, she had teal eyes.

The man before her, dressed in blue and gold, his tall headdress gleaming in the moonlight, was no stranger. Yet, as she looked at him, his name slipped through her fingers like water. There was something there, something important, something painful, but her mind resisted it.

"Tecara," he said softly. His voice held an edge of desperation—and something more, something deeper.

She met his gaze. Her heart beat faster. She knew him. But how? Why did it feel like every answer she needed was hidden in the space between them?

"Seto," she said, the name leaving her lips in a breath she didn't quite recognize as her own.

He winced at her voice, as though it caused him physical pain to hear it. "Don't do it," he whispered, stepping forward, his hands outstretched, trembling. "Please, I'm begging you—don't make this choice."

Her gaze shifted away from his, though her chest ached. "I don't have a choice," she said softly, her voice a mix of sorrow and inevitability. "I have to. You know I have to."

"But you don't. There's always another way, Tecara," Seto's words came fast, his hand reaching toward her, as though the simple act of touching her would somehow anchor her to him. "Please—there is always another path."

She shook her head, feeling a weight on her shoulders, one she couldn't explain. "No, Seto. There is no other way. I am the only one left. You know this. The Dragon's power... it must be bound with something pure, something that can control it. The Blue-Eyes—it is not just a weapon. It is..." Her voice trailed off, as if the truth was too heavy to say.

His expression tightened, eyes narrowing with what seemed like a mix of fear and frustration. "I know what it is," he said, his voice low but intense, "But I also know the price. I've seen it in the fragments of what is to come. You'll be lost, Tecara. I'll lose you."

Her eyes fluttered, pain welling up behind them. "I won't be lost," she whispered, almost to herself. "Not really. I'll always be with you, Seto."

His breath caught. "You won't be you. I'll be left with a memory, a shadow, a ghost of the woman I..."

"Don't," she cut him off, her voice sharper now, though her heart trembled. She stepped toward him, but not close enough for his hands to touch her. "You have to let me go."

Seto's eyes flickered with something other, something ancient—a flicker of something painful that even she, in this moment, couldn't name. "You're making a mistake, Tecara," he murmured, the words raw. "This isn't just about the Blue-Eyes, or the Queen, or the Pharaoh, or the Egypt nor Domino. This is about us."

She froze at the words, but only for a moment. Her mind flickered with an understanding that she couldn't grasp. "What do you mean by that?"

Seto stepped forward again, this time daring to cross the distance that always seemed to separate them. His eyes were filled with so much unspoken emotion, his voice strained, heavy. "You know what I mean. I can't lose you. You are the reason I—" He stopped himself, his breath coming in quick gasps, as though the words were too much to bear.

Tecara swallowed hard, looking away, her hands tightening into fists. "Seto," she said, her voice quieter, sadder. "We never had a choice. The Queen and The Pharaoh's fate, the World and Domino's fate—they were all tied together. We are tied together, but this... this is something beyond us." She looked up at him, her eyes soft with sorrow. "I am the one who can hold the dragon. You cannot. You were never meant to."

His lips parted as if to protest, but no words came.

"Seto," she said again, stepping back, her voice soft and gentle as a breeze. "We are bound by something older than both of us. You will carry on, as you always do. You will lead your people. And I will..."

The words caught in her throat.

"And I will be a memory."

Seto clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists. "No. You won't just be a memory. You'll be lost. Completely."

She shook her head slowly, her chest tightening. "There is no other way, Seto. I must do this. Please, understand. The dragon's power—it needs balance, and I am the balance it seeks. Without me, everything will fall apart."

His eyes glistened with unshed tears. He stepped closer, too close now, his voice breaking. "I love you. Please, don't do this. Don't... make me let you go. Don't make me let you fade away."

But she didn't move. She stood rooted in place, the weight of her duty pressing down on her. "You will remember me. In everything you do, you will remember me. When you see the dragon's eyes, you will remember me. When you hear its roar, you will remember me. And one day, when you need me, I will find you again. But I cannot stay."

He reached for her, but she stepped back, and the space between them seemed to widen in an instant.

"You'll find someone else," she whispered, her voice filled with a finality that shook her soul. "You'll carry on, Seto. You will never forget me, but you will carry on. You have your path."

She turned, her eyes closing as the swirling winds of the temple began to shift around her, rising into a torrent of light and flame. His voice called after her, broken and torn, but she could not hear him anymore.

"I love you," he whispered, his voice swallowed by the roar of the elements. "Don't leave me."

And then—silence.

Tecna's breath hitched.

She woke with a start. The air was thick with heat and pressure, but the desert winds were no longer in her ears. The campfire still crackled nearby, soft and familiar. The others slept, unaware of her restlessness.

Her head pounded.

Two names...but she couldnt seem to remember them.

She pressed a hand to her forehead, confusion flooding her senses.

I don't remember them.

 Who were they? Why did their names feel like the edges of a memory?  Her breath caught in her throat. I don't remember... anything.

The dream, the emotions, the voices—they all felt like fragments of something that belonged to someone else, but the weight of them settled inside her chest like a burden.

She gripped the blanket around her and closed her eyes, trying to calm her racing thoughts. But no matter how much she tried, there was one question that refused to let go:

Why did it feel like I was meant to forget them?

https://youtu.be/f60vxCRPomU