YUGIOH: It's Time to Duel!-Chapter 118: One Last World-Ender Before Graduation!

A few hours later...

[Yuna's POV]

Deep inside KaibaCorp, I silently stared at Aigami through the one-way glass. His eyes were blindfolded, and his hands were bound tightly behind his back.

Although I'm not going to question the legality of this situation, I'm nonetheless both impressed and slightly terrified at what KaibaCorps was capable of.

After opening the door, I entered the interrogation room and sat down opposite of Aigami. When I carefully removed his blindfold, Aigami glared, and his body shook with anger.

"How are you, Aigami? Or should I say Diva? I hope they're not too rough with you..."

"Why are you here?"

"I have some questions, and I needed answers." I said while crossing my arms, "You should be happy that it's me. Everyone else just wanted to put an end to you and be done with it."

"Where's Sera?"

"Sera's safe, but she's just resting currently due to shock." I answered honestly, "Don't look at me like that; you're the one that caused this mess."

"Take me to her..." Diva growled, and I shook my head.

"Do you think I would really release you?" I frowned. "You tried to kill me."

Diva averted his gaze from my scrutinizing stare. As he remained silent, I continued to press him, "All that talk about finding a peaceful place for your family to live. What a joke..."

"It seems like you're more interested in staining your hands with blood than in caring for the people you care about." I slammed my hand onto the desk. "The boy with white hair, Bakura... Did you kill him?"

Slowly, Diva shook his head. "I merely trapped him in another dimension. He's still alive...."

Relieved, I subconsciously released the breath I was holding. "How many people have you killed?"

"None..."

"Then let me rephrase: have you shown any intent to kill another person in the last two weeks?" Diva opened and closed his mouth before staring at me. Finally, after a few seconds, he nodded.

"They're people that deserve it... Scums, and they're better off removed from this world." Diva growled with disgust, and I recalled the scene a couple of nights ago. If I didn't intervene, those bullies would've definitely died.

"We have no right to judge who should be killed and who shouldn't," I argued.

"Then who?" Diva retorted, "The longer they're alive, the more damage they can cause...."

"Enough!" I shouted angrily, "Your sister told me of your goal of creating a peaceful world. But I now clearly understand you're just an egotistical maniac..."

"You understand nothing!" Diva yelled, trying to stand before tripping back onto his chair. You don't know anything..."

"The boy named Bakura? He's the one that killed my master." Diva confessed, and his face twisted mournfully.

Even though I already knew his backstory, I stayed quiet, letting Diva slowly unveil his past. It was a story I understood all too well. Like my past life as Kisara, Diva and the children he now calls his family were orphans, but they might as well have been slaves.

If Seto hadn't saved me back then, I would've likely shared their fate, begging on the streets for a few precious coins, only to have them ripped away by the cruel hands of the slave merchants…

"When we don't get enough money, we get starved and beaten. That's no way for a child to live." Diva spat hatefully, "But it all changed when Master arrived."

"He defeated the abusive man and took us in. Master is like a father to us, and our lives finally became warm. However, that's when the white-haired boy appeared. That boy's father offered to buy the Millennium Items, which Master was guarding..."

"But when the boy came in contact with the Millennium Ring, everything went wrong. It was as if something evil and vile appeared out of nowhere, and it killed Master and my friends, and only a couple of us were able to escape..."

"That's why I felt so much anger seeing those vile people hurting others without a single remorse... And when I found Bakura, something inside snapped..."

As Diva looked at me, I sighed, "Still, it doesn't justify your actions. Vengeance will only expand the hole in your heart, not fill it."

Keeping silent, Diva eventually looked up at me with uncertainty: "What will happen to me now?"

"Diva, your actions still broke the law. Worst case scenario, you could be tried for the crimes you committed," I said, my voice weighted with concern.

"I see…" Diva nodded, his expression unreadable.

"However, as promised, I will set up a safe place for your family, and no harm will be done to them." I explained, "Only if you surrender."

"How about the Millennium Cube?"

"After we release Bakura, we will destroy it so no one else can use it again," I answered, finding no reason to lie.

Diva: "Then the Millennium Puzzle?"

"It will be sealed away. The main purpose of uncovering it was to lure you out anyway." I explained, and he chuckled at the absurdity. That's why you also need to tell me where you hid the final piece."

"I put it away in another dimension," Diva replied, and I nodded gratefully.

"Thank you, that's everything..." I said before standing up.

"Wait." Diva said suddenly, and I stopped by the door, "Do you truly swear that you will protect my family?"

"Of course." For the first time in this room, I smiled slightly. "While it may not be the peaceful utopia you imagined, your family will be safe."

"Alright..." Diva nodded, and I left, with the door closing behind me...

Two hours later...

[3rd POV]

Lying on the bed of the jail cell, Diva sighed quietly as he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought. Various emotions plagued his face as he thought about his family's future, the consequences of his decision and the uncertainty of trusting Yuna...

Yet, despite her doubt, Diva couldn't overlook the sincerity in her eyes. Maybe this was the better option. Even if they would lose their powers, they would be safe...

Trying to fall asleep, Diva closed his eyes until he heard the door to his room unlocking. "Diva!" A familiar voice called his name, and he sat up in surprise.

Before him stood a boy with dark skin and curly brown hair. He's dressed in a blue tunic decorated with a white ankh symbol on the chest and slightly baggy pants that stop just above his ankles.

"Mani, what are you doing here?" Diva exclaimed in shock at the sight of his friend. "I thought you were looking after the children."

"What do you think? I'm here to get you out!" Mani said, fiddling with Diva's handcuffs. When you and Sera didn't come back, I feared the worst."

Struggling to break the lock, Mani eventually took out the Millennium Cube from the bag, causing Diva to gasp, "How did you get this..."

"It was difficult, but thanks to the Millennium Item I found, I managed to sneak in," Mani answered, and Diva frowned in confusion.

"The Millennium Item..." Diva's breath hitched when he saw the Millennium Ring hanging around Mani's neck.

"Where did you get this?"

"From the Millennium Puzzle excavation site. It was buried under a pile of rubble." Mani replied in a cheerful tone, but Diva couldn't help but shudder.

As he stared at Mani, Diva finally noticed the silence in the hallway. Usually, there should be guards patrolling this area, but there were none in sight...

"What's wrong?" Mani asked, and Diva saw the dark smudge on the side of his friend's face. "Why aren't you speaking?"

Something has gone terribly wrong...

Before Diva could act, Mani suddenly grabbed him by the throat. His bloodshot eyes trembled with a mixture of delight as his fingers tightened around Diva's neck.

"M... Mani!?" His eyes turned eerily cold as if the previous cheerful expression was a facade.

"To think you caught on that fast..." Mani chuckled, and a dark energy warped over him. "But it doesn't matter; you will die here anyway."

Diva:!!!

"I was such a fool, but the Millennium Ring's able to open my eyes...." Smiling, Diva's pupils trembled as Mani leaned close. "You disappoint me, brother... How dare you leave our Master's murderer alive? In my eye, you're just as guilty..."

"S... Stop..." Diva pleaded desperately, struggling to breathe.

"I won't just stop with you... I will kill Bakura and then all the trash in the world. After all, isn't this what you wanted, to create peace?" Mani cackled like a sycopath.

"Not like this..." Diva groaned, and using the last ounce of his strength, he kicked Mani away.

Crashing into the door, Mani coughed while grinning. Clenching his fists, he slowly approached Diva, ready to end him. However, Mani suddenly screamed in pain. Collapsing onto his knees, he clutched his head in agony.

"D... Diva..." He whimpered, and his eyes momentarily regained clarity.

"You must go. The ring is taking control, " he cried in suffering. "Take the Millennium Cube. Get out of here."

"What about you?!" Diva yelled worriedly, "I can't just leave you behind!"

Gasping for breath, Mani struggled to speak: "It's already too late. The Millennium Ring has infected my soul. I tried to fight it, but it's taking control!"

*BANG*

It was so sudden...

The sound of a gunshot filled the room, and Diva felt his eardrum ringing dizzily. When Mani fell to the floor, guards who heard the commotions poured in and turned on the lights.

As the room brightened, Diva stifled a scream that almost escaped his throat. Mani's hands and clothes were stained with blood as it mixed with his own on the floor. It happened so quickly, and Diva's mind snapped from the shock.

The despair of the death of his friend, the disappointment and anger of the sins he committed and the anger towards the guard for killing him...

All of the dark emotions briefly formed into one, making him lose his train of thought. Shaking visibly, Diva was pushed onto the floor, his arms re-shackled. The darkness in his heart suddenly grew, and the Millennium Ring on Mani's body responded to that emotion.

Like a hungry animal seeing food, it magically hurled itself towards the Diva's hands, planting itself right in his palm. Before Diva could resist, the dark emotions intensified, completely drowning out any rationality he had left...

The moment the Millennium Ring made contact, a powerful shockwave erupted, hurling the guards back like ragdolls. Consumed by pure hatred and instinct, Diva broke free and rose to his feet, his movements slow but deliberate. A twisted, maniacal grin spread across his face as he stepped out of the cell and then, without a sound, he vanished into thin air…

Meanwhile

[Yuna's POV]

"Are you sure you don't want to return to your room? I might stay awake for around another hour." Seto asked worriedly while diligently working on the documents that were left over from yesterday.

"Thanks, Seto, but I'm happy staying with you. I don't like how I'm taking it easy while you're working so hard," I replied, organising the documents and passing him the ones with the highest priority.

Staying by Seto's side for almost two years, I'm able to learn a few things or two about his work. Although I'm still not as proficient as Roland, I was glad that I was able to provide some assistance in times like this.

"I always studied late into the night during my life as Kisara, so I'm used to it," I added for reassurance, and he smiled wryly.

"Then I will finish quickly." Seto gently kissed the back of my hand, and my face flushed slightly.

"Just focus on your work so we can put this day behind us," I chided softly, placing the last remaining papers on the desk. "Remember the last time we had something this hectic?"

"Yeah, it was something a normal person would never go through. But we're anything but normal…" Seto said, not looking at me. "I also recall the times my blood pressure shot up because you recklessly threw yourself into trouble."

"Fu fu fu, I'm getting better at staying alive..." I joked nonchalantly.

As laughter filled the room, I kept helping Seto work through the remaining paperwork. We were just about to tackle the final document when a distant alarm pierced the air. The sound sent a jolt through us, and we both froze, our smiles fading in an instant.

"What's wrong..." I asked nervously, and Seto scowled deeply while staring at the screen.

"Our prisoner has escaped..." he answered grimly before standing up. "Stay here; I will handle it myself."

"Wait!" I yelled, swiftly grabbing his wrist. "I'm coming with you. I can't just sit back and do nothin'."

"Alright..." Seto nodded. "But you must have your spirit with you at all times."

"Of course!" I nodded and summoned Lady's Dragonmaid to stand beside me. Seto gave a satisfied nod before pulling open the drawer beneath the desk and retrieving a pistol.

"Let's send a team to guard the Millennium Cube, and we'll take the Millennium Puzzle. Diva can't have both," I said, already sprinting down the hallway. "Parlor Dragonmaid, come on out!"

I summoned the young maid and instructed her to fetch Yugi as soon as possible. In the worst-case scenario, Atem may truly need to be brought back.

After entering the passcode on the keypad, the door swung open, and a wave of relief washed over me as I spotted the Millennium Puzzle still resting on the table. With steady hands, I gathered the pieces and carefully placed them into the carry case.

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When I approached Seto, who was waiting by the door, I overheard him communicating through the radio. "What's going on?" I asked, noticing his solemn expression.

"The Millennium Cube is already gone... Dammit..." He cursed in frustration.

Suddenly, the whole building shook, and we stumbled awkwardly from the vibration. "Report! What's going on?" Seto shouted angrily, and his subordinates' voices crackled back in a frantic tone.

"Sir, it's the prisoner! He... He became a monster!"

"What?! Explain now!" Seto scowled deeply, and my face turned pale.

"He merged with the cube! We're being torn apart!"

Before they fell silent, we heard screams coming from the other side, and Seto's expression became extremely grim.

"Get everyone out of this building," I said seriously, racing towards the lift. "I'll go get Sera!"

As the building continued to sway, I finally reached the floor where Sera was staying. "Sera!" I yelled, bursting into her room.

"Y... Yuna, what is going on?!" Sera yelped nervously as I held her shoulders.

"Diva has broken free. I'm not sure what happened, but if we don't leave soon, he's going to tear this entire building apart!" I explained frantically.

Before Sera could ask any other questions, a monstrous grey hand ruptured from the floor, "Lady's Dragonmaid!" I screamed, and the spirit shattered the window with her palm.

Without hesitation, I grabbed Sera and leapt out as we began to fall from the twentieth floor. Calling upon Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it wrapped its body around us before crashing into the ground.

"Are you okay?" I asked Sera as Blue-Eyes White Dragon carefully unfurled its wings.

"Y... Yes..." She stuttered flusteredly.

Still briefly shocked by what had happened, we both stared at the window that we had just jumped out of. From the hole, a monstrous being appeared, leaping down onto the ground with a loud boom...

"Y... Yuna, what is that?" Sera asked fearfully, and I grimaced.

"That's your brother..." I muttered as her pupils trembled in disbelief.

Compared to his original appearance, Diva now looked like a grotesque and demonic monster. His skin became dark greenish-gray with black veins, and cube-like structures protruded all over his body.

Diva also gained a rigid cube tail, and his arms lengthened considerably. He also earned a single spike on each elbow, his nails transformed into claws, and his legs became double-jointed.

His hair has turned fully white, and his teeth have become yellow, with his upper face covered by cube-like growth and his eyes forming on the side of those growoth. However, the most prominent feature was the Millennium Ring fused in his chest, with blood vessels surrounding it...

My worst fear had truly come into fruition, and I subconciously cradled the traumatized Sara for comfort. Gritting my teeth, I slowly stood up and gently pushed Sera behind me.

"You need to leave. I will buy you some time." I spoke solemnly while activating my duel disk.

"I can't leave my brother!" Sera yelled, and I frowned.

"Diva is gone; the two Millennium Items have already corrupted him. So go while you still can," I said while handing her the case containing the Millennium Puzzle.

"There will be a boy that resembles the pharaoh coming this way. Give this to him." I pleaded, and Sera nodded nervously.

When I made sure she had run away, I turned my attention back to Diva, who was glaring at me maliciously.

*BANG BANG*

Two bullets ricocheted off the side of Diva's face, and in a blind rage, he swung at Seto, who had appeared behind him. Seto reacted instantly, dodging backward just as Diva's claws slashed the air, digging deep into the spot where he had been moments before.

At that moment, Starving Venom Fusion Dragon, lurking in Diva's shadow, sprang out and sank its stinger deep into Diva's back. The monster let out a roar of agony, spinning around to grab the dragon by its throat with brutal force.

"What's the plan?" Seto asked, appearing beside me in a flash.

"We need to buy Sera some time. Out of everyone who could bring Atem back, it's Yugi," I explained quickly, pulling Seto to safety just as Starving Venom Fusion Dragon soared over our heads.

BOOOOM!

The explosion rocked the room as my dragon collided with one of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon statues. I stumbled, falling to my knees, as a sharp pain shot through me from the loss of my Ba.

"Yuna!" Seto quickly supported me.

"I'm fine..." I muttered, coughing to clear my throat.

Amid the tension of the standoff, a familiar voice called out to us from the distance. I turned to see Yugi and Sera riding on the back of Parlor Dragonmaid, cutting through the chaos toward us.

"Are you guys alright?!" He asked worriedly while landing next to us.

"No, you came just at the right time," I replied with a smile. "How about the Millennium Puzzle?"

"Here," Yugi answered, revealing the fully solved puzzle. "But, nothing appears to be happening..."

"I see..." I spoke vaguely, already expecting something like this to happen... It was only when the situation became so desperate that Atem finally showed up.

Yugi: "What should we do now?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Seto sharply retorted and activated his Duel Disk.

As Yugi sighed with exasperation, I patted his shoulder with a wry smile, "It's just like old times; think of it as one last bang before we graduate."

Chuckling at my joke, Yugi switched on his Duel Disk and stepped forward, "Alright, let's save the world one more time."

As we confronted Diva, dark smoke began to seep across the floor, swirling around our ankles. Slowly, the smoke started to rise, thickening into a blackish dome that cut us off from the outside world.

"You were truly fools to believe you stood a chance," Diva muttered, a ravenous grin stretching across his face. With a slow, sickening motion, he stuck out his long blue tongue and licked the side of his face. "It amuses me..."

"But I will play your game," he continued, the cube on his arm twisting and contorting until it reshaped into a form resembling a Duel Disk. "Let's begin..."

"DUEL!" we shouted together, prepared to end this once and for all.

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I hope you enjoy it.

Creation is hard, cheer me up!