Chapter 33

Why didn't Seto summon Obelisk in attack mode? If he had done that then Dark Magician would be destroyed on the counterattack.

Perhaps it is Seto's pride saying that he must defeat Atem by using his Blue-Eyes to destroy Dark Magician and depleting Atem's LP.

In the Kaiba Corp blimp, Atem's friends are freaking out at the sight of Obelisk at the tower. Without Slifer the Sky Dragon, Atem must be in trouble. Tristan picks up the still comatose Joey and brings him over to the window so that he can support Atem spiritually.

Atem sets a card and ends his turn. With the effect of Monster Reborn fading, Obelisk sinks to the ground staring at Atem all the way.

Seto confidently says that the past is over and that Atem needs to live in the moment if he wants any chance at victory. A gust of wind bellows behind Seto as he confidently laughs, the ancient scripture symbolically breaking behind him.

Atem clings to the past and Seto seeks to pursue the present and future. That is this duel's philosophy.

Seto switches Lord of Dragons into defense mode and activates the spell card Flute of Summoning Dragons. Using the effect of Flute of Summoning Dragons, Seto special summons his last two Blue-Eyes White Dragons.

A flurry of dragon wings can be seen crowding the arena as Seto's three Blue-Eyes White Dragons gather around him. His own prestigious dragon harem.

(AN: I know but I couldn't help it. Blue-Eyes White Dragon is basically Seto Kaiba's wife and three's a harem. So I am not sorry.)

Blue-Eyes White Dragon x3: [3000 ATK]

Atem's field only consists of Alpha and Dark Magician. The moment they disappear, a Blue-Eyes White Dragon is ready to wipe out Atem's LP.

With a single command, Seto's Blue-Eyes White Dragons gear up to launch their Burst Streams of Destruction.

Atem closes his eyes ready to face defeat but Joey's voice can be heard in his ear. Looking behind him, the spirit of Joey is there to encourage him.

"I'm about to lose this duel," Atem says in shock.

"Guess again," Joey rebukes. "It's like you've always told me. Look closely and consider all of your options."

"All of my options?" Atem's eyes widen.

"Yeah," Joey says fading out. "I think you can find the card that can save you."

Atem stares back down into his hand and shock comes over him. When Seto activated the spell card Flute of Summoning Dragons, a door was open for both duelists to special summon any dragon they want from their hand.

Using that effect, Atem summons Joey's favorite monster.

Summon! Red-Eyes Black Dragon!

Red-Eyes Black Dragon: [2400 ATK]

Seto angrily denies Atem's efforts and attacks Dark Magician. Atem activates one of his set cards and shock comes over Seto's face as he realizes his incorrectly guessed Atem's face-down.

By activating the trap card Magician's Selection, Atem negates Blue-Eyes White Dragon's attack and destroys Lord of Dragons.

The second Blue-Eyes White Dragon attacks Alpha the Magnet Warrior and destroys it.

Seto then sets his eyes on Red-Eyes Black Dragon and attacks it with his third Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Atem activates the continuous trap card Spell-Binding Circle and uses it to reduce the attacking Blue-Eyes White Dragon's ATK by 700.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon: [2300 ATK]

Red-Eyes Black Dragon counterattacks and destroys the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

Seto: [1900 LP]

Atem thanks Joey for helping him and the two encourage each other to win their respective battles. The screen then turns to Joey struggling to open his eyes at the Kaiba Corp blimp, Atem's words supporting him.

Life returns to Joey's eyes as clarity comes back to him. He looks around at his friends who are happy to see him up again but confusion emerges when he sees Mai still in her coma. He thought he had won the duel but his consciousness failed him at the last moment. Hearing the truth from his sister, shock enters his eyes.

During the duel, Seto sets two cards before passing his turn.

Atem sets a card before switching Red-Eyes Black Dragon to defense mode. Seto activates the continuous trap card Attack Guidance Orders to switch all defense position monsters into the attack position. Then, as long as the continuous trap card Attack Guidance Orders is on the field no duelist can control a monster in defense mode.

Both Seto and Atem are then forced to send all but three select cards in their deck to the graveyard. Seto selects his new deck and sends the rest to the graveyard.

Atem stares down at his deck, wondering what choice to make.

Upon hearing that Atem and Seto are dueling right now, Joey makes a break for the tower but is stopped by everyone else standing around him.

The doctor is worried about his recently comatose patient.

The recently arrived emergency rescue team is wondering about their patient.

Tea is worried that Joey will pass out again after just waking up from his coma.

Joey stares down at Tea and says that he promised Atem he would stand by his side as he saved the world. Tea didn't understand the seriousness of the tournament until recently but her friends Joey and Atem are determined to keep fighting no matter the cost.

With these parting words, Joey leaves his friends and runs for the tower.

Atem stares at his deck and considers Seto's options.

Knowing Seto Kaiba, he will likely revive his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. That's probably going to be done using the spell card Monster Reborn. He will then activate the spell card Polymerization and use it to fusion summon Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. With these scenarios in mind, Atem selects his three cards and creates his new deck.

"Three cards to decide the duel," (5DS) Yusei commented.

"It could be anything," (ARC-V) Yuto thinks to himself.

"Is it enough to counter Seto's strategy though?" (VRAINS) Shoichi wonders.

"Come on," (ZEXAL) Yuma taps his feet.

Seto draws and activates the spell card Monster Reborn. Using its effect, he revives his third Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

The sky begins to darken as Seto then reveals his set card, the spell card Polymerization.

He already had it?! Atem couldn't believe Seto already had his combo. If that is the case, what two cards are left in Seto's deck?

Combine all three Blue-Eyes White Dragons!

Fusion Summon! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!

Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon: [4500 ATK]

A massive dragon bearing three heads towers over the dueling platform. Each of its heads is a Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

Seto revels at the moment. This is what he was wanting when he originally set up the Battle City tournament. A final battle with Atem where he triumphs.

The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Dark Magician engulfed in its energy bursts before taking away the rest of Atem's LP. That is the dream he's been striving for.

Now, it's finally here.

The moment Seto strips off the chains of the past.

As an orphan, he had to fend for himself and his little brother. Seto had to make sure to strive for every opportunity for a better future.

When his adoptive father, Gozuboro adopted him, he had to learn how to trample over others in order to fulfill his ambitions. Eventually, he took the company out of Gozuboro's hands when it became clear the two were never going to be on the same side.

From there, he grew to be the best at everything he sought to do. That is until he met Atem and the title of the best duelist was no longer his to bear.

Seto's life is nothing but striving to be better and to succeed. For someone like that, Atem's existence is a reminder of failure. As long as Seto wins, he can say goodbye to that chapter of his past and move on.

The myriad worlds viewers cannot help but have mixed feelings. On the one hand, is Seto trying to free himself of his inner demons, and on the other is Atem saving the world. For the DM world, Atem should be the one to win but if Seto never frees himself from the burden he bears then he will never reach greater heights.

From the information in the Yugi vs Atem duel, it is clear that he will never break free from his burden. It is hard for someone in the land of the living to duel someone in the afterlife after all.

Mokuba stares hard at Seto, shock coming over him as he realizes that Seto can no longer remember the good times he experienced because he is plagued by the bad. That is why he wants to break free from the past.

(DM) Seto looked over at Mokuba and a feeling of guilt briefly washes over him.

"Mokuba," (DM) Seto says while staring into his younger brother's eyes. "The past isn't the only thing in this world. You will still be my younger brother and I will still protect you and be there for you."

"Seto," (DM) Mokuba mutters before staring at the pendant that symbolizes the younger kind older brother he fondly remembers when he was younger. He still believes that Seto is kind deep down inside, even if he doesn't show it.

In the myriad worlds, many pairs of siblings stare at each other with affection. No matter what happens, they will not discard the love they have for their family.

(ARC-V) Reiji rubs Reira's head, signaling not to worry about a thing.

Atem stares down at Seto, laughing as he comes to the realization that Seto is a stubborn man who will never move forward because he doesn't know how to trust another person.

Atem activates the spell card Double Spell and uses its effect to copy the effects of the spell cards Seto used on his turn. First, activating the effect of Monster Reborn revives the Buster Blader in his graveyard.

Buster Blader: [2600 ATK]

Atem then copies the effect of Polymerization and uses it to fuse his Dark Magician and Buster Blader together.

Fusion Summon! Dark Paladin!

Dark Paladin: [2900 ATK]

A suave swordsman breaks out of a ball of destructive blue energy before arriving on Atem's side of the field. With Dark Paladin's monster effect, he gains 500 ATK for each dragon on the field.

Dark Paladin: [3900 ATK]

Seto ends his turn and Atem draws. Atem sets a card before passing the turn back to Seto.

Atem warns Seto that refusing to accept the past will set him up to repeat the mistakes of the past. Seto denies Atem's words but Atem isn't finished.

"This tower stands surrounded by rubble and destruction," Atem says. "Just like you. Something strong surrounded by nothing but symbols of anger and hatred. While you are like that, you will never defeat me."

"Can't you see it is my rage that pushes me forward?" Seto answers. "It will give me the strength needed to crush you."

"If that's the case," Atem adheres. "Then send it all at me, hoping to strike me down in your rage."

With both parties finishing their arguments, Seto commands his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon to deliver the finishing blow. The three dragons lift their heads and struggle to channel the destructive energy contained within their bodies. Three consecutive bursts of destruction head Atem's way.

Atem activates the spell card Magic Formula, hoping to increase Dark Paladin's ATK. Seto activates from his hand the spell card he drew, Absorb Spell. Using the effect of Absorb Spell, he transfers the effects of Magic Formula to Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.

Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon: [5000 ATK]

As the energy wave threatens to overtake Dark Paladin, Joey runs out onto the spectator area with his friends following suit. He cries out for Atem, hoping for a comeback.

Atem reminds Seto that there is still a set card on the field. Flipping it open, he activates the spell card De-Fusion.

Be split apart Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!

Three Blue-Eyes White Dragons split apart from their ultimate form. Seto watches in disbelief as his crowning moment has ended in failure.

With Seto controlling three dragon-type monsters, Dark Paladin's ATK changes to reflect that change.

Dark Paladin: [4900 ATK]

Atem takes his turn and activates the spell card Diffusion-Wave Motion. Paying 1000 LP he gives Dark Paladin the ability to attack each of Seto's dragons in one swift motion.

Atem: [500 LP]

Shock and denial cover Seto's face as he stares defeat in the face. Several waves of energy fly out of Dark Paladin's sword and make quick work of Seto's mighty dragons.

As his LP drops to 0, Atem's face is ingrained in Seto's memory for the future to come. Never will he forget this failure.

Seto: [0 LP]

"I told you your hatred and lust for power would never prevail," Atem says to the dumbfounded Seto Kaiba.

"(DM World): Seto Kaiba vs Atem. The winner is Atem."