Spirit Redemption Attack (Part 1)

DIMENSION: MANGA (The One That Saves the Day)

Yuugi looked at the globe with new apprehension. ///Yuugi: That has to be somewhere important to Pegasus' dream girl. He could have wiped out any barrier with a ten thousand point card, it feels like he's just been toying with us. What else does he have?///

///Atem: Don't lose confidence, just play the game.///

///Yuugi: I know, it's just horrible. Twisted. Lying about anything he wants. Using such a strong card for one barrier. I don't want to hurt anyone. But? When I use my card, there won't even be a defense. The barrier is gone. Set is the only one on his team, so no one can put up a fight for her. It's just full destruction.///

///Atem: If we win, she can be free once again, Yuugi. We have to do this. We need to defeat Set and Zorc.///

///Yuugi: She had nothing to do with anything. Love isn't a crime.///

///Atem: That is why Set picked her. To make it tougher to get this done.///

///Yuugi: Still, we will get it done./// "Alright. America. Hollywood. Palace Estate." He didn't have to use the highest card and allow blowback. Her life points were all he needed to take. "Breaker The Magical Warrior."

A painful red washed over the globe.

"Another slaughter, way to go guys!" Zorc cheered just like Anzu used to. "You've done so well, it feels like I should reward you in some way. I know. Why don't I let you talk to the real Masika?" No one answered. "Okay, then. I understand she isn't your favorite. You want to split her after all."

"I will hear her," Set said to Zorc.

"No, she doesn't want to talk to you," Zorc insisted. "She'd just stare and be quiet. I have a feeling that's what the others will do as well. But, I have always savored the despair that blooms from a tiny bit of happiness. Knowing this is the last time they can talk to her, even though they don't believe that, it's going to be all the more sweet."

"Will you just get on with the game?" Jounouchi complained. "Nobody wants to hear your best impressions."

"It's not. You might live to love and hate this moment," Zorc said. "To split, certain personalities are pushed down, certain memories and feelings must be pushed up, some completely erased, while some feelings linger . . ." Quiet.

There was no more talking. Yuugi watched her, planning on some kind of trick, but . . . her eyes. Her stare. ///Yuugi: That's her.///

///Atem: She won't say anything. Taken away from herself to be given back for just a few seconds. I can imagine why.///

"Sorry," she said as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Yuugi wanted to say something, but then the tear was wiped away. Just like that, Zorc was back.

"Pathetic action," Zorc said. "Not even one ounce of explanation. Maybe Satiah will do better?"

///Atem: Listen, Yuugi, be ready. If Masika knows anything that could help, she will spill it out quickly.///

///Yuugi: If there was anything useful, Anzu would have said it.///

///Atem: Anzu felt overwhelmed, Masika is used to being a spirit force.///

///Yuugi: It doesn't mean Anzu wouldn't have warned us!///

"Funny," Zorc said to them. "You are growling at yourself, Yuugi. I am guessing there are some heavy feelings with Atem right now? Poor you. Maybe I should save Satiah for later. Whose turn is it again?"

"Mine of course," Bakura answered. "I don't have any living cards to pose any challenge to anyone. I'll pass again."

"We can join after a counterattack," Jounouchi reminded him. "Don't just waste your turn. Kaiba, Yuugi, or I. We can all chip in afterward."

"I'm more pressed with something else at the moment," Bakura said like it was just an everyday game he was involved in right then.

"Of course, life is so pressing sometimes," Zorc teased him. "Okay, Set, your up! Do your best!" Zorc cheered like Anzu. "I'm rooting for you."

Set didn't move quickly at first. "This fight could be over. I just drew a special card. The choice is yours, Atem. I can wipe out you, or I can wipe out Zorc. One turn, is all I get."

Atem stared at him. "What card?"

"Don Thousand C." Set held it up and showed them all. "You saw Don Thousand B."

"How in the hell would there ever be a card like that?" Jounouchi interrupted.

"Years from now. Used exclusively in Japan for special tournaments," Set answered. "Everything is all about attack power on the cards and nothing else."

100,000.

That card held 100,000 points for attack.

"I'll give you your world," Set promised, "and I will not take over the Earth. I won't enslave your souls as slaves for eternity. All you have to do, is promise to let me have the winning of Masika."

"No deal!" Atem shouted. "No parts of Masika are going to be used as betting pieces."

"If you don't?" Set held up his card. "I will use this card against your battleships. The pieces would choose the strongest connected places to survive. I am sure Yuugi's grandfather is in the game shop. No matter how much power the barrier has, I can wipe it out. The blowback of 100,000 attack points will also obliterate so many souls nearby too."

"If you waste your card on that, then you won't be able to beat Zorc," Atem warned him. "You have a powerful card, and you could wipe out the hardest enemy." Atem sighed. "I do not think you should use that card. There is a price to pay for everything, and nothing has been paid while we've been playing with these high powered cards. No sacrifice, summoning, or infusions. Nothing has been given, and we aren't gods. We are mortals playing a gods game, that should not be forgotten."

"I hate to agree with him of all people," Bakura complained. "Everything pays a price. 100,000 should only be used to vanquish the demon."

"Only little ol' me." Zorc danced lightly. "I'm honored. It's the closest I would ever feel to becoming a success. I was never a success, Yuugi ruined my career before it could even start. Feeling important would be cool, something I always wanted. Look at this, even now? Little Yuugi still dragged me into his mess from another continent away."

"Use it against Zorc," Atem insisted, "and end the demon's involvement. Have a real game with me for the winnings. Don't take the easy way out. Zorc shouldn't have been in the game in the first place. Once he's gone, our game for the world begins."

"Sure, just pretend like I'm not here," Zorc said as he folded his arms. "You really know how to hurt a girl's feelings. Just see if I let you talk to Satiah now."

"Our game?" Set asked. "You do it. You combine your forces, your living cards together, and you take him down then. I skip my turn."