HES: I would like to inform everyone the beginning of this chapter is a flashback to several months ago. Ryu-Hikari and Raijouta are, at the present moment, tied up in an alley. However, in the flashback, they are on a trip to Egypt.
Raijouta and Ryu-Hikari looked around the bazaar in Cairo looking for a shop that piqued their interest. There was little wind, but even so some dust blew into their faces causing them to squint their eyes. Suddenly, a strange man walked up to them.
"You are duelists are you not?" The man asked. He wore a white robe and a matching turban.
"How did you know?" Ryu-Hikari enquired.
"There is much I have learned," the man said. "Come, follow me there I something I wish to show you." The two shrugged and followed the strange man. He led them down many streets an alleys amid the cries of local merchants attempting to promote their wares. The man eventually brought them to a flight of stairs leading down into the earth.
"I never expected to see this," Raijouta whispered. "I thought this was a regular sight seeing trip and this seems like an odd site." However, the two proceeded downward.
"I don't trust him," Ryu-Hikari responded. "There's a strange feeling I have had since he first appeared. Something about him isn't right." As the followed the man deeper and deeper into the strange pit, they eventually entered a room with several golden objects arrayed on a wall.
"These are the Millennium Items," The man said. "Or, they were. I have changed them. These items carry magical powers beyond your wildest dreams and I feel you too are destined to have them."
"Magic?" Ryu-Hikari asked. "Is this some kind of joke?"
"Pf…merchants," Raijouta laughed. "Let me guess these 'magic items' cost a high price?"
"Ha ha," the man laughed. "You are skeptical now, but perhaps you would like to see their power. Raijouta, pick up that one," he said motioning to a pyramid shaped object on the wall. "And Ryu-Hikari that one seems suited to you," he pointed to a set of scales. The two teenagers walked over to the wall and removed them from hooks. "Now we will have a standard duel, both of you against me with 8000 life points for both of you and 16000 for me since you are on a team. These items will release great potential." They each slung the items over their neck and placed their cards on a stone table in the center of the room.
Ryu-Hikari 8000/Egyptian 16000/Raijouta 8000
"I draw," Ryu-Hikari said picking up a card. "I set one card face down and summon Red Eyes Black Chick in attack mode!" 800/500. A small brown egg appeared and it hatched to reveal a baby red-eyes. "Wait, there are no hologram projectors…how did the Red Eyes Black Chick appear?" Ryu-Hikari asked puzzled.
The man smiled. "See the power? I told you it was magic." Ryu-Hikari then noticed his Scales were glowing. Strangely, they suddenly began to more into a flail. "Behold the Millennium Flail! Once these items were simpler and had basic powers. However, I have modified them, so now when a duelist duels, real monsters are unleashed. Also, an even worse penalty game may await the loser if the wielder so wishes."
"This is still confusing but whatever." Ryu-Hikari continued. "Then using his effect I can sacrifice him to special summon Red Eyes Black Dragon!" Suddenly, the small dragon began to grow until it was the original Red Eyes. 2400/2000. "That ends my turn."
"Nice move," Raijouta said. "We already have a powerful monster on turn one."
"Fine move," the stranger answered. "I will set two cards face down and end my turn."
"My turn," Raijouta started. "I activate Reinforcement of the Army! This card lets me search my deck for a level four or lower warrior type and add it to my hand." He did that and then readied another card. "I summon Marauding Captain (1200/300) and his effect lets me summon Blindly Loyal Goblin (1800/1600)!" A young warrior with blonde hair and shining green armor appeared. He held a long sword in each hand. Beside him a brown goblin stood. He bowed to Raijouta and then drew out a short sword. As Raijouta did this, the strange pyramid shaped object in his hand turned into a sword. "The Millennium Sword I guess? Well, now to continue, monsters attack!" The warriors rushed in and slashed but they were suddenly stopped and destroyed.
"My Mirror Force clears then out along with that handy Red Eyes," The Egyptian replied. Ryu-Hikari looked angrily as one of his best monsters was annihilated.
"Damn, I set one card and end my turn," Raijouta said sadly.
"My turn," The Egyptian continued. "I summon Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier in attack mode!" 1500/1200. An Egyptian man in black robes wearing a black turban and holding a long spear appeared. "Now attack Raijouta directly!" The Gravekeeper rushed forward and stabbed Raijouta in the chest. He clutched at it and noticed a little blood on his hand. "As you can see, in this duel Life Points actually represent your life energy. I play Gravekeeper's Servant and end my turn."
Ryu-Hikari 8000/Egyptian 16000/Raijouta 6500
"You ok Raijouta?" Ryu-Hikari asked hurriedly.
"I'll be fine," he responded. "Just beat him!"
"Got it." Ryu-Hikari drew a card from his deck. "Excellent. I set one monster in defense mode along with two cards face down. Your turn."
"Good," the man answered. "You seem to be handling the items well, it is wise that you were chosen. I summon my Gravekeeper's Cannon Holder in attack mode!" 1400/1200. A similarly dressed man to the other emerged but holding a gigantic cannon instead of a spear. "Now Spear Soldier attack Ryu-Hikari's monster!" The man rushed forth and stabbed through the monster that revealed to be a group of green armored dragons.
"Thanks for destroying my Troop Dragon (700/800)," Ryu-Hikari stated. "Now I can set another one of the field."
"Yes, but you still lose life points because of my Spear Soldier's effect." The Egyptian continued.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptain 16000/Raijouta 6500
"Now Cannon Holder destroy his next dragon!" A blast of energy slammed into the dragons obliterating them. A final group of creatures appeared to take their place. "That ends my turn."
"All right my move," Raijouta said. "I play The A. Forces. This card adds 200 attack points to my warriors for every other warrior and spellcaster on my field. Next I summon up my Dark Blade!" 1800/1600. A warrior in black armor holding two shining silver swords stood menacingly facing the Gravekeeper's. Suddenly, a light appeared around him and his attack increased. 2000/1600. "Now attack the Spear Soldier with Dark Slash!"
"Don't forget my Gravekeeper's Servant forces you to discard a card from the top of your deck every time you declare an attack." The Egyptian commented. Raijouta did so as his warrior slashed the monster in half.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 15700/Raijouta 6500
"A small sacrifice," the man laughed. "Now it is my turn. I sacrifice my Cannon Holder to summon Gravekeeper's Chief!" 1900/1700. An Egyptian man wearing a black turban and white robes stood on the field. He carried a golden staff that resembled a cobra which he waved about and began chanting. Instantly, the Spear Soldier arose and stood next to his leader. "Next I play Lightning Vortex!" The man discarded a card as he placed a magic card on the field. Huge bolts of lightning flew from above and killed all the monsters before Raijouta and Ryu-Hikari.
"Damn," Raijouta cursed.
"At least I get another Troop Dragon," Ryu-Hikari stated.
"Now my Chief and Spear Soldier attack Raijouta directly!" The Egyptian yelled as his monsters attacked. The Chief raised his staff as the snake's eyes lit up firing a blast of dark energy that his Raijouta. Afterwards, the Spear Soldier raced up and stabbed him in the arm, causing a large gash, which some blood flowed from.
"You bastard," Raijouta muttered. "For that I'll beat you twice as hard." The Millennium Sword began to glow in his hand and a red aura surrounded him.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 15700/Raijouta 3100
"My move," Ryu-Hikari said. "I sacrifice my Troop Dragon to summon Curse of Dragon!" 2000/1500. A demon dragon made of bones flew high above the field at let out a piercing screech. Ryu-Hikari discarded a card from the top of his deck and then proceeded. "Now attack Gravekeeper's Chief!" The dragon fired a stream of fire that incinerated the creature and a bit of the fire hit the Egyptian causing a slight burn on his hand.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 15600/Raijouta 3100
The Egyptian laughed, "For every cut you inflict on me you lose a limb, so to say," he drew a card. "It is almost a shame to have to beat both of you, for if you succeeded this trial I would have finally found the Chosen Ones but alas, no." He looked over his hand before laying a card. "I set one monster and switch my Spear Soldier into defense mode." The Gravekeeper knelt down and blocked his body with the spear. "I set one card and end my turn."
"You are going to pay for damaging me like this," Raijouta cursed as his blood continued to flow. "I activate Pot of Greed allowing me to draw." He picked up 2 cards and then lay them both face down with the others in his hand, save for one card he continued to hold. "Now I summon Blade Knight!" 1600/1000. A warrior in blue armor appeared. He held a curved sword and a small shield. The A. Forces then took effect. 1800/1000. Suddenly, the monster began to glow oddly. 2200/1000. "When I have 1 or less cards in my hand my Blade Knight gains 400 attack points. Now attack Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier!" The knight walked forward and slashed the man in half, then turned around and walked back to defend his master. "That ends my turn."
The Egyptian smiled evilly. "First I flip up my Gravekeeper's Spy!" 1200/2000. A young man dressed similar to the other Gravekeepers appeared. He looked crafty and mysterious. "Now I can special summon any other Gravekeeper from my deck to the field so I choose my second Spear Soldier!" 1500/1200. Another spear armed Gravekeeper stood beside his ally. "Next I sacrifice my Spy for a second Gravekeeper's Chief!" 1900/1700. Another chief appeared and began to chant. Instantly, Gravekeeper's Cannon Holder erupted from the ground. "Now I play Harpie's Feather Duster to remove any hope of your face down cards saving you, Raijouta." A feather began to sweep at Raijouta's cards but the young duelist smiled secretly.
"Activate Judgement of Anubis!" Raijouta declared as a statue of the Egyptian God of Embalming appeared. "You should be familiar with him. This card negates the effect of your Duster at the cost of one card." Raijouta discarded the lone card in his hand. "It also destroys one of your monsters and you lose life points equal to its attack points. So now Anubis, judge his Gravekeeper's Chief!" The statue's eyes glowed red and the chief shattered apart with the blast hitting the Egyptian.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 13700/Raijouta 3100
"Damn," the man cursed. "I set a card and end my turn."
"So it's my move," Ryu-Hikari said. "I summon Divine Dragon Ragnarok in attack mode!" 1500/1200. A shimmering golden dragon flew from above and floated beside the demon dragon. "Curse of Dragon attack Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier!" The dragon began to shoot a blast of fire but an invisible barrier blocked it.
"Negate attack," The Egyptian said quietly.
"I have no more moves, turn end." Ryu-Hikari finished.
"Draw," The Egyptian scanned his hand briefly. "Excellent. I set one monster and use my Cannonholder's effect to sacrifice my Spear Soldier and deal Raijouta 700 points of direct damage!" The Gravekeeper dropped his spear and climbed into the large cannon his ally held. He hefted the weapon and fired the man who hit Raijouta squarely in the face making him dizzy briefly. "I set one card and switch my Cannonholder to defense mode; that's all for now."
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 13700/Raijouta 2400
"Soon Raijouta, you will be defeated and I shall then destroy Ryu-Hikari and both of you will face Judgement." The man said in a dark voice.
"I don't fear you," Raijouta said sternly. "I Mataza the Zapper in attack mode!" 1300/800. A samurai in green armor holding a thin katana stood beside Blade Knight. The A. Forces then strengthened them both. 1700/800, 2400/1000 (respectively). "Now Mataza attack the Cannonholder!" The samurai rushed forward and slashed the Gravekeeper in half. "Now Blade Knight attack his set monster and afterward Mataza can attack directly!" The knight walked over and slashed at the set monster, which revealed to be a muscular Gravekeeper with a shaved head holding a long wooden staff. Before he was cut to pieces by the knight's sword, he twirled his staff deftly and Mataza disappeared.
"Gravekeeper's Guard allows me to return Mataza to your hand so now you can't attack mode directly." The man said. The trio watched as Blade Knight's attack dropped and Raijouta discarded two cards from the top of his deck. 2200/1000.
"Well, you are still wide open so I will end my turn." Raijouta stated with strength in his voice.
"All right good enough," the Egyptian man spoke. "I have no cards to play so it appears I am wide open."
"I don't trust that," Ryu-Hikari muttered. "You still have that face down card but not for long. I play Mystical Space Typhoon!" A storm gathered and destroyed the set card.
"No! That was my Nutrient Z trap card!" The strange man howled.
"Back to my move," Ryu-Hikari continued unphased. "Curse of Dragon and Divine Dragon Ragnarok attack him directly!" Ryu-Hikari discarded two cards off the top of his deck. The two dragons fired jets of flame that merged into one and hit the Egyptian. He cried in pain as the intense flames burned his chest.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 10200/Raijouta 2400
"Nice work, Ryu-Hikari!" Raijouta cheered. "We are doing more damage each turn, he'll be beaten soon!"
"Yeah," Ryu-Hikari agreed. "With that in mind I end my turn."
The Egyptian looked over his cards nervously and realized he was out of options. There were no useful magic or trap cards in his hand and the monster he held was too high a level to be summoned. He slowly reached and to put his hand on his deck when a voice stopped him.
"Face defeat like a man," Raijouta called. "I don't want to win by forfeit!"
"Fine, I end my turn." The man then realized if he was lucky, he may be able to draw a useful card.
"Here goes," Raijouta grinned widely. "I summon Mataza again!" 1300/800. The A. Forces then took affect on him and Blade Knight: 1700/800, 2400/1000. "Now monsters attack him directly!" Raijouta sent three cards to the graveyard as his monsters attacked the Egyptian. Blade Knight slashed his left arm, causing a trickle of blood and Mataza took two slashes to the right arm. "That ends my turn."
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 4400/Raijouta 2400
"You are quite skilled," The Egyptian spoke with a smile passing his lips. "But it is time for me to finish this duel off. I play Cost Down," he discarded a card from his hand and continued. "Now I summon Dark Dust Spirit!" 2200/1800. A great tornado of sand flew across the field purging it of Ryu-Hikari's and Raijouta's monsters. From the center of the gale emerged a zombie with red skin covered with spikes and white hair. "Now Spirit attack Raijouta!" The creature fired a blast of wind that hit Raijouta and flung him against the wall. He rose, but was panting heavily as his life points were nearly depleted.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 4400/Raijouta 200
"Now my spirit returns to my hand. Make your move Ryu-Hikari, though it matters not what you do." The man laughed darkly. "Perhaps I was mistaken that you were both Chosen."
"I'm not finished yet you bastard," Ryu-Hikari cried as he drew. "I play Premature Burial, by paying 800 life points I can revive one of my monsters so return to me Divine Dragon Ragnarok!" 1500/1200. Ryu-Hikari shuddered as he lost life points but the shining gold dragon flew up from the graveyard. "Now I play Polymerization to fuse it with my Lord of Dragons in my hand to make King Dragun!" 2400/1100. A gigantic dragon with Lord of Dragons as its torso and head flew onto the field. "His effect lets me summon any dragon from my hand so I choose Tri-Horned Dragon!" 2850/2500. A dragon with three yellow horns and blue skin stood beside the great king. "Now monsters attack his directly!" The man screamed as flames from the beasts engulfed him.
Ryu-Hikari 7300/Egyptian 0/Raijouta 200
"Nice job Ryu-Hikari!" Raijouta said full of joy as his strength returned.
"Thanks, but you were a great help to," Ryu-Hikari answered. The two then looked down at the man on the ground, thinking him dead. Slowly he rose and smiled.
"You passed the test, those items are now yours. Use them well, but remember the destructive power they wield." With a flash, the two boys were back in the Egyptian town as if the event never happened. The only symbol of the strange man was the Millennium Puzzle around Raijouta's neck and the Millennium Scales in Ryu-Hikari's left hand.
XXXXXXXXXX
The figure was thrown back against the ground in the alley, his staff no longer glowing.
"How?" He stuttered as Raijouta used the sword to sever their bonds. The cloaked man looked afraid and set off into a run as the two, items gleaming, approached him. "I will deal with you two later," he snickered rushing off, with Mark, Shift and Phase following behind.
"Who is he?" Ryu-Hikari pondered out loud.
"Well, obviously he has one of the items." Raijouta responded. "I wouldn't doubt he might be after ours."
"No, he didn't have any idea we had them, he must have another motive." Ryu-Hikari answered.
"You're probably right. It also seems he has quite a few allies. Do you think he is in league with Ryu-Yami?"
"I don't know, but we'd better follow him, who knows what he will do to Mark."
The two rushed off after the strange man and his cohorts.
Meanwhile…
Izumi had been looking for quite awhile but Raijouta and Ryu-Hikari were nowhere to be found. She had promised herself not to give up, but even she needed a rest. Izumi walked to a small fountain and sat down looking up at the wonderful summer sky. She closed her eyes and thought for a moment but her peace was broken.
"Izumi, a friend of Raijouta's eh?" A feminine voice reached Izumi's ears. "I challenge you to a duel. If you lose, well, then my master has work for you." Izumi looked up to see a pretty girl, though not as beautiful as herself. The girl looked about her age, with short brown hair. Her clothes looked odd, they had the patterns of animal hide and she wore a skull necklace.
"Are you with the man who captured Raijouta and Ryu-Hikari?" She cried out.
"They were captured? Damn it," The girl spat. "He got to them first, my master won't be pleased. Oh well, you may be worth something, so let's duel!"
"And why should I? What will I get if I win?" Izumi asked.
"If you win, my master will bother you no further." The girl answered. "By the way, my name is Hippolyta."
"All right Hippolyta, prepare to lose!" Izumi said as her duel disk switched into duel mode and she drew five cards.
"Let's duel!"
HES: Sorry this chapter took so long to publish, but I have had next to no time lately. I apologize, loyal fans, but please forgive me and review!
Next time on The Shadow Falls: Izumi, the world's top rated female duelist, is going against Hippolyta who is giving her a run for her money. With a deck strategy that Izumi has never seen before, she's caught off guard. Can she win? Find out next time on The Shadow Falls!
