Chapter 39: Chapter 37 Guides of Lords and Champions.
When the pair of opponents were announcing my first reaction was to smile like the devil at the ironically low probability of that pairing to happen. I knew friends could be duelling against each other, but I just wasn't expecting one so juicy.
Now everyone here might not know the context of my amusement but technically Rebecca is the Queen of Game since she's actually defeated Yugi even if he surrendered.
She even has the Ties of friendship from Yugi which was rewarded at the same time as the title to Yugi just to make it more official. My smile fades though when I watch as Rebecca Raises her hand and speaks.
"I would like to let Yugi continue on; I don't want to Duel with a friend when this Tournament is more important to him than for me!"
This catches everyone by surprise even Yugi who was still processing having to duel Rebecca, torn between a friend and stopping Marik by any means.
The guard who threw the spheres looks towards Kaiba who looks as annoyed as everyone else and is complexed at the situation, at this point I step in.
Having access to the distribution details for the coverage of the tournament I know for a fact that this room isn't being broadcast, only really the Machine itself when it's being drawn.
With in the Pilot coat, I grab my lapel and form a hidden microphone, connecting to the guard's earpiece I speak to him and relay a reasonable plan of action.
After hearing my suggestion, he seems to nod, this causes Seto to look at me in suspicion since he's a sharp tool and can tell something is up straight away.
The guard Speaks, "Due to Distribution contracts for the Tournament and the server itself, you need to access the Arena on the roof to start the duel with Mister Moto, then surrender on your turn for it to be allowed Miss Hawking, we are Sorry for the inconvenience."
This causes most of those in attendance to mumble but they accept it thinking it's mainly due to how they weren't expecting this situation, so they didn't make a contingency for it.
Those in the know about the system can smell the shit from a mile away and my Shit eating Grin catches the attention of the Kaiba brothers and Pegasus, but I don't notice as I start to Skulk off.
After learning about the situation Yugi and Rebecca look at each other before walking to their respective elevators for each contestant, Yugi's friends minus Rebecca follow him.
The Doors to the Elevators close to send them up, and Rebecca alone stare is filled with determination to just give her friend the win.
Let's mess with that.
"You know this scenario is very funny."
My words cause the little girl to jump as I am behind her in the elevator.
"What are you doing here, you appeared from nowhere!"
"I was standing here in the Elevator, you were just so focused on helping your friend that you didn't notice me until I caught your attention," I say with a smile while I know I simply used a perception-blocking barrier.
I love I remembered about the mirage rise and its magic.
Rebecca just glares at me so Speak to her. "I got in here to speak with you, I'm not pulling my favour, but I simply Have a suggestion for you to listen to."
Rebecca huffs and takes out her new deck before examining the cards, thinking for a moment before speaking "Go on then I'll listen, it's not like I need to follow it or anything."
I Lean to the side and rest my chin on a raised hand, "Why not have some fun instead of just Surrendering? Have a fun duel with Yugi, if you're about to win surrender then, if you lose, you lose no big deal."
This causes Rebecca to go silent and stop examining her cards, the thought not occurring to her probably because she's usually so focused on the win instead of the duel itself.
"Also, it would be a shame if you didn't use that Deck, I gave you since you would be the first 'recorded' person to use a Synchro Summon monster or XYZ monster, you would be known as a Pioneer just like your grandfather" my honeyed words latching onto her want to be like her grandfather.
It doesn't take much but I can tell she's considering my suggestion just in time too as the elevator opens to reveal the open-top arena.
Both parties arrive at the same time and the employee acting as the referee is waiting for everyone, he must be cold being out here for so long.
Yugi's party is slightly confused at my appearance with Rebecca, but she walks to the platform and gets ready for the duel.
I walk to the main group of teens, but I notice something when I approach.
'Hey Melina, would you like to meet someone very special?'
my question doesn't create a response for a second but next to me materialises is Melina in Spiritual form, once she's out she notices the person who's standing behind the group in spirit form.
I start to mingle with the teens because why not, I keep an eye on the meeting of two Guides.
Melina as she approaches the other spirit can feel the kindred bond, their bodies share due to their similar fates even if she doesn't know her story, she can tell their fates are very similar.
I watch as the pair face off and politely Bow to each other.
{Hello, I am Melina a finger maiden in service of the two fingers who curry my champion to become the Next Elden Lord.}
{Hello Melina, I am the last Firekeeper, I tend to the Flame and tended to my lord's needs helping him to end a world of flickering fire. I feel a great warmth within you but with it a shadow of great sadness.}
This causes Melina to look away, we both know the end of her story is either a great sacrifice or a great betrayal made out of kindness.
[I have heard your story from him, you don't need to tell me for I can feel the lingering remnants of you and your champion's decision in that world.]
Both women who have impacted their world massively seem to have a conversation without uttering another word before bowing to each other politely.
Melina fades away back to my soul? Mind? Wherever they reside while the firekeeper returns to acting as Serenity's Shadow.
While I was mingling with the teens with pointless and misdirecting words, I noticed that Serenity noticed the meeting of the guides, the duel was about to start so everyone focused on it but She looked at me with a questioning glance.
When I can tell she goes to ask I place a finger to my lips and say nothing which only she noticed since the duel starts.
I look at Rebecca and see she's smiling not in a competitive way but more in a joyful way, I can see Yugi noticed that as well.
[Yugi's LP:4000]
[Rebecca's LP: 4000]