Loki's Eyes

I regretted running all the way. As soon as I reached the courtyard, I keeled over and hacked up blood again. "Shizuka, you're killing me. Seriously! And yet, I still think I love you. Lynch was right: love makes you do stupid things." I wiped my mouth with my red shirt and stood up.

It was a nice castle, but I was by no means even remotely interested in architecture at the moment. I strode through the courtyard, and furiously banged on the main door when I reached it. "I'm here, Hikaru! Let me in so I can destroy you, please!" To my surprise, a letter fluttered down and landed at my feet. I picked it up and read:

Dear Loki,
Your arrival came sooner than I expected. I'm busy tidying up, so I'll ask you to wait outside for fifteen more minutes. In the meantime, how about you find the secret passage I made for you? By the time you get through it, I should be ready. And try not to ruin your cards, as that would ruin my fun.
Yours truly,
Hikaru, Messenger of Michael

"I'm not even remotely amused," I angrily thought. Still, with no other alternative, I decided to look for the aforementioned passage. I wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or pulling my leg, but if there was a passage, I knew exactly where it would be. After all, he left an obvious clue: there was a risk my cards would get ruined.

I exited the courtyard and examined the moat. It was only waist-deep, and I could tell it was rebuilt recently. With an angry groan, I threw off my coat and jumped in, careful to hold my Duel Disk above my head so it wouldn't get wet. I followed the soggy path to the right, where it led to a small, dark corridor that led into the castle. There were a few bars, but most of them were cut through, as if prepared especially for me.

"Of course, there's no 'as if' about it. Just who exactly is this Hikaru? Does he really want Shizuka, or is he really after me? If he does want Shizuka, then why is he giving me a chance to rescue her?"

I shook my head, ignoring my thoughts. Whatever the case was, it wouldn't help me with my situation. Abandoning all thought, I wadded into the darkness. Unable to see my watch, I lost track of time as I slogged through the passage. I guess it was about five minutes before I found a ladder.

I looked up to see where it led; not that I cared, as long it led to a towel. There was a small, semi-open hatch about twenty feet above me. I really hoped I didn't get my pants wet, and nearly freezing my naggers off in the icy water, simply to end up on the other side of the castle.

With no clear alternative, I climbed up. It was then that I fully realized how wet my pants were, when I felt water flow from my pants like a waterfall. It felt as if I held a bunch of water balloons in my cargo pockets. Once all the excess water was drained, I continued my vertical trek. Once I reached the top and pushed the cover off, a girl in all-white was there, offering me her hand.

"It's great to see you again," said Téa. "Need a hand?"

"TÉA?" After I allowed her to pull me up I said, "Please, tell me it isn't true. Tell me you haven't fallen under Hikaru's spell."

"It's not a spell," she said. "I've seen the light. And so have Yugi and Shizuka."

That sent a horrible chill through my very being. "No…not Yugi too!" I staggered back until I was able to lean against the wall. "This is a nightmare! My friends…they're all…" Then I collapsed and hacked up blood again.

Téa walked over and knelt next to me. "This is the third time I've seen that happen to you. You really should see a doctor about that," she suggested.

"That won't help. I've been to thirty doctors, and they were all useless." Téa helped me to my feet. "How could you join Hikaru? Don't you-"

"Shh," she said, putting her finger on my lips. "I'm sure you'll want to change out of those wet clothes. Follow me."

I found myself unable to resist her; I was simply too shaken to refuse. "Yugi…how could you join them? That would mean…you lost a duel. If a duelist holding the three Egyptian God Cards couldn't defeat Hikaru, can I?"

She led me to a room. It was completely white, like everything and everyone else. "You'll find some clothes in the drawer over there," she said, pointing to a corner of the room. "In five minutes, Master Hikaru will meet you."

"I'm confused," I said as I stepped into the room. "Am I his guest, or his prisoner?" With little more than a playful wink, she walked out, closing the door behind her. I heard a slight click from the door; I didn't need to test it to determine it was locked. "This is a fine mess I'm in."

I went over to the drawer. As she said, there was indeed a fresh change of clothes. Like Téa's outfit, they were completely white, save for a few powder-blue seams. I was hesitant to put them on, but figured that it was better than dueling in soggy clothes. Hoping that Shizuka wasn't watching me like she was earlier, I quickly changed into my clothes. I was a little disturbed at how well they fit. Naturally, I still wore the Rose pendant I received from Lynch, as proof that I defeated him.

As Téa promised, there was a knock at my door after five minutes. "Come in," I said. Of course, if it was really Hikaru, I knew he really didn't need permission. As it turned out, it was. "You."

"Hello again, Loki. I trust you find your new clothes comfortable." I could tell that wasn't a question.

"Yes, as a matter of fact," I replied, putting my Duel Disk back on. "I shudder to ask, but how did you know my measurements?"

"Why, I spied on you, of course. I've had my eye on you for a while."

"I thought so."

He raised his eyebrow. "I'm sorry?"

"It occurred to me that when you kidnapped Shizuka, you weren't simply interested in her. So, it is me you're after?"

"I know of your power, dark as it is. While Shizuka is useful as a duelist, it also ensures that you'll comply with my wishes. And I wish to test your skills."

"Right now?" I asked, hopefully.

"Not yet. Soon, your former master will arrive. I wish for him to try and fight his way to the top of my tower, just like you. If he defeats one of my Messengers, he too will be worthy to join the game."

"What do you get out of all of this?" I insisted. "Don't you realize that while you're playing this game, Nigel Garza will resurrect a horrible, evil force?"

"Of course I know. That's the whole reason I set our headquarters here. For you see, the more people I add to my cause, the more my powers grow. Once I have enough energy, I'll be able to unleash a shockwave that'll destroy all traces of dark energy. In the meantime, the power I gather casts a light that scatters the darkness."

"I'll never join your cause."

"Never say never," he warned. "Well, that's enough small talk. Your friend will be here in a few minutes, but how about we get this game underway?"

"Gladly," I said. With a wave of his hand, I was transported to another part of the castle. I recognized the door behind me as he one that was locked when I first arrived. Apart from the entrance, there were two other doors. One of them glowed, and I took that as an invitation.

I walked over, and the door automatically slid to the sides. Almost the instant I walked to the other side, the entrance opened. "Loki!" I heard someone yell.

I spun around in surprise. "Lynch?" Before I could react, the door slammed shut behind me. I banged on it several times. "It looks like I'm sealed in here."

"Never mind," said Lynch. "The other door is beckoning me. I guess the plan is to eventually meet up in the end. I'll race you!"

"You're on," I said, letting my competitive spirit take over.

"Oh, and one more thing."

"Yes?"

"White doesn't suit you. Remember that."

I knew that was another way of saying that he didn't want me to join the Society of Light. "Likewise," I answered. With that, I broke into a run down the corridor.

000000000
Loki's Eyes

About thirty seconds into my run, I met up with Téa. "I don't suppose you're back on my side," I guessed.

"We're friends, aren't we?" she asked. "I'm always on your side. I just happen to have an obligation with the Society of Light. I'm here to convert you."

"You can try. The only advantage you have, however, is that you know my deck better than I know yours. Even still, though I've never seen yours, I can take it down anyway."

"We'll see about that. I'm no longer just Téa Gardner; I'm Téa, messenger of Jegudiel! It's time to duel!"

4000/4000

The card images appeared before her, as they did with Taro. "So, all of Hikaru's pets have that ability. I suppose I'd better be careful; Joey once told me that Téa beat him all the time, before Duelist Kingdom." "After you, Téa."

"Too kind," she said as she drew. "I'll start with the Upstart Goblin! It lets me draw a card, and gives you 1000 lifepoints. Aren't I sweet?"

5000/4000

"Extremely," I answered. "That's why it broke my heart when I discovered you're on the wrong side."

"Don't feel too bad. I'm happier here, and stronger too. And when I beat you, you'll be the same. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'll set one card facedown, and a monster in defense mode. Your move."

"In that case, I bring forth Archfiend Soldier (1900/1500)! And now, I attack your defensive monster!"

"I don't think so. I play Waboku, which will reduce any damage to my monster to zero. However, your attack flipped my Magician of Faith (300/400) which lets me bring a spell back to my hand, and I choose Upstart Goblin!"

"In that case, I'll set one card and end my turn."

"Ok. Now, I play the spell card, Reasoning! Here's how it works; you choose a monster level, and I start picking up cards until I reach a monster that can be summoned. If the level you chose is equal to the level of the card, I have to discard it. But if not, I get to special summon it! In either case, I discard all the other cards I picked up."

"Risky. Well, I choose level 4."

After she picked up three cards she said, "Oops, too bad. My monster is level 3! I bring forth the Petit Angel (900/600)! And now, I sacrifice my monsters to summon Vanity's Ruler (2500/1600)! Then, I equip him with Megamorph!"

I flinched. "So that's why she increased my lifepoints! Since my lifepoints are higher than hers, her monster's attack strength is doubled!"

"I attack your Archfiend!"

1900/4000

The shockwave knocked me to the ground. "Ow…that was a very impressive move, Téa. I didn't see that coming."

"Thanks," she said. "I don't want to hurt you, but I'll do what I have to do to convert you. As your friend, I can't simply let you walk around with an empty head, like…"

"Like Tristan?" I joked.

She giggled. "Now, I'll set one card and end my turn."

"Good, because it's time I took control of this duel. Now that your lifepoints are higher than mine, your Megamorph cuts your monster's original strength in half! And that's why I summon Maha Vailo (1550/1400), and equip him with Axe of Despair! Destroy her monster with sacred lightning!"

1900/2200

"That's all from me. Now, show me what you got!" I frowned when I noticed she started smiling. "What's on your mind, Téa?"

"I was generous enough to give you lifepoints, and I don't even get a 'thank you'. If you're going to treat me like that, I'll take them back! And I'll do it with the help of my trap card, Bad Reaction to Simochi! From now on, any effects that increase your lifepoints will damage them instead."

"How vindictive of you. But it's not as though I have many effects that will increase my lifepoints. Unless…"

"That's right. I'll start my turn by activating Upstart Goblin! And while that would normally mean you gain 1000 lifepoints, Bad Reaction to Simochi means you lose it instead."

"Hold that thought!" I snapped. "I play Barrel Behind the Door, making you take the damage instead!"

1900/1200

"Not bad. Now, I play Card of Sanctity, requiring us both to draw until we each hold six cards. And since I drew Watapon (200/300) with that effect, I get to special summon it automatically! Then I play the spell called Rain of Mercy! It increases both of our lifepoints by 1000!"

900/2200

"Then I'll set a card, and one monster. That's it."

"It's true," I thought. "Hikaru's control actually makes a duelist stronger. I hope Lynch isn't in any trouble."

"Are you ok?" asked Téa. "You were in your own little world for a second."

"Sorry. Back to the duel! I summon Amazoness Swordswoman (1500/1600)!"

"I activate my facedown card, Solemn Wishes! Each time I draw, I gain 500 lifepoints."

"What good is that if you lose it faster than you gain it? I'll use my new monster to wipe out your Watapon!" Once it was gone I said, "Next up, I attack your facedown monster with Maha Vailo!"

"My monster's called the Nimble Momonga (1000/100), and when it's destroyed in battle, I gain 1000 lifepoints! Plus, I get to summon up to two other Nimble Momonga cards in defense mode."

900/3200

I sighed. "I guess the ball's in your court now."

"I draw, and I gain 500 from my trap!"

900/3700

"Next, I play Dancing Fairy (1700/1000) in defense mode! And in case you're wondering, when it's in defense mode during my standby phase, I gain 1000 lifepoints. Next, I equip it with Ring of Magnetism! It lowers my monster's attack and defense points by 500, but now it's the only monster you can attack."

"Why would you do that?" I asked. "I was going to attack it anyway."

"Yes, but thanks to my next card, attacking is the only thing you can do. I equip my monster with A Heart of Clear Water! Now, it can't be destroyed in battle."

"Clever girl," I thought. "She couldn't activate that card unless her monster's attack points were above 1300, so she lowered it with Ring of Magnetism."

"And now," she said, "I'll switch my Nimble Momonga monsters to attack mode, and attack your Amazoness Swordswoman with the first one!"

"What are you doing? Your monster can't beat mine."

"I'm counting on it. I may lose 500 lifepoints, but its effect gives me 1000 more!" As expected, my monster crushed hers.

900/4200

"And next, I attack with the second one!"

900/4700

"And next, I play Last Will! Since one of my monsters was destroyed this turn, I get to special summon a monster in my deck with 1500 attack points or less, and I choose Spirit of the Breeze (0/1800) in attack mode. And when it's in attack mode during my standby phase, I gain 1000 lifepoints!"

"You gotta be kidding!" I exclaimed. "Altogether, that means you gain 2500 lifepoints simply by starting your turn."

"That's right. How can you defeat me when I can recover from any wound I receive?"

"We'll find out soon." I stared at my deck for a second before drawing. "I can probably win this in the next turn if I draw Lightning Vortex right now. Come on, deck; pull through for me." I drew. "Huh! Then again, this card is useful as well."

"What?" asked Téa.

"I'll show you. I equip my Maha Vailo with Big Bang Shot! Apart from increasing my monster's points, it also lets me trample your monsters, even if it doesn't destroy them. Maha Vailo, attack the Dancing Fairy!"

900/750

"Then I'll set one card and end my turn."

"Nice move," said Téa. "But it's not over yet!"

900/3250

"Now, I'll switch my Dancing Fairy to attack mode, and play Riryoku! I'll drain your Maha Vailo of half his attack points, and add those points to Dancing Fairy! Now, I'll destroy your monster with Dancing Fairy!"

"Maybe, but my Hallowed Life Barrier means I'll lose no lifepoints, and all I have to do is discard a card in return."

"Fine. I end my turn."

"Here's my chance. If I can throw everything at her before she replenishes her lifepoints, I can win!" I drew. "Perfect! This card will ensure your destruction!"

"What card is that?"

"It's my Heavy Storm, which blows all spells and traps on the field to the graveyard! Then I summon Berserk Gorilla (2000/1000) Next I play Double Spell, discarding a spell in my hand to play a spell in your graveyard, and I choose Megamorph, equipping it to Amazoness Swordswoman!"

"No way!" exclaimed Téa.

"Yes, way," I shot back. "Gorilla, wipe out Dancing Fairy!"

900/2950

"Now, let's do the math, shall we? The only card you have on the field is Spirit of the Breeze, which is in attack mode with zero points. I have a monster with 3000 attack points. Now, how much damage will you take when my monster strikes?"

"…Too much," she groaned, sinking to her knees.

"Give the lady a crown; and not in a good way. Swordswoman, finish off Téa's monster and the rest of her lifepoints!"

900/0

I breathed heavily as the holograms disappeared. I felt myself begin to gag again, but I was able to keep myself from vomiting again. "That was a great match, Téa. I can see why Joey had such a hard time against you."

She looked up, smiling. "Thanks. That means a lot. Your next challenger is down the hall. If you thought I was tough, you'll find her unstoppable."

"I'll keep that in mind. Do you still believe that the Society of Light is in the right?"

"Yes."

I sighed. "Then I guess I have no alternative; the only way to free your mind is to defeat Hikaru." Once I got my breath back, I ran down the next hall.

000000000
Shizuka's Eyes

"He's coming; I can feel it. I really thought Téa could beat him." That was a foolish hope at best. He defeated Seto Kaiba with one card, after all. Still, it didn't matter a lot. I couldn't do anything more than my best. "And even if I don't win, Yugi surely will."

With that in mind, I could duel with no worries.

When he arrived and saw me, he had an expression and burned into my mind. He was surprised, certainly. He was also very sad; well, I was with an organization that he couldn't fully understand, so it was forgivable. But there was something else mixed in as well.

Disappointment.

I didn't know why he was disappointed. Thanks to Hikaru, I've become the strong duelist Loki said I could be. "Maybe he's disappointed in himself, because he wasn't the reason I'm so strong. And he was the reason I started dueling in the first place." "I'm sorry, Loki," I said.

"You don't have to be," he replied. "After all, I'm sorry for you."

"But why? I'm Shizuka, messenger of Barachiel. I'm a being stronger than the one you trained. Why aren't you happy for me?"

"I'm not happy because you lost the Duelist's Spirit."

I tilted my head, confused. "'The Duelist's Spirit'? What's that?"

"It's a force that drives all true duelists, and it's made of three things: faith, respect, and ambition. More specifically, it's faith in your skills, respect for your opponent, and ambition to face stronger opponents. By serving a man in exchange for power, you've lost the faith. Ergo, you've lost the spirit."

"…Could you run that by me one more time?" I asked.

"Very well. Put simply, by relying on Hikaru's power to give you strength, you've forgotten how to rely on your own strength. And that actually makes you weaker."

"I think you're wrong. There's no way I could possibly be weaker than I started. I was the bottom rung before I joined, Loki. Therefore, there's no way to go except up!"

Loki's expression of disappointment became stronger, and it pulled at my heartstrings. I think he almost shed a tear. "Do you really think so little of yourself, Shizuka? And do you think so little of me that I'd bother to train the girl you just described?" He hung his head. "That's…that's just…"

"Loki?"

His head shot up; his eyes were full of fire. "How DARE you insult me?"

I flinched at the sudden ferocity in his voice. "W-what do you mean?"

"When you insult your skills, you insult your teacher. And I don't turn the other cheek to such an insult. I demand satisfaction, Shizuka!" He activated his Duel Disk. "Prepare yourself!"

I recovered from the shock and answered, "Alright. Let's go!"

4000/4000

Tapping into Hikaru's power, I used my light energy to summon the card images before me. "I'll go first. I'll start by setting one card, and summoning Shining Angel (1400/800)! It's your move."

"Alright," he said. "I summon Kycoo the Ghost Destroyer (1800/700)! Then I'll set one card, and attack your Shining Angel!"

3600/4000

"You've triggered my monster's effect," I said. "Now, I get to special summon a light monster from my deck, as long as it had 1500 attack points or less. I choose Hoshiningen (500/700)!"

"I end my turn."

"Alright. My monster's effect increases the attack points of all light monsters by 500, and decreases the attack points of all dark monsters by 400. Do you see the light, Loki?"

"Yes," he admitted. "But I can overlook it."

"Overlook this; I play the field spell, Luminous Spark! As long as it's on the field, the light monsters gain 500 more attack points, but they also lose 400 defense points. And now, I summon Royal Knight (1300/800)! And thanks to Hoshiningen and my field spell, my new monster is stronger than yours. I attack your monster with Royal Knight!"

"I activate Spirit Barrier! That means I won't take any damage from this attack!"

4300/4000

"Wait a minute! Why did your lifepoints increase just now?"

"It's the effect of my Royal Knight," I explained. "Whenever it destroys a monster, I gain lifepoints equal to the defense of the destroyed monster. And now, I'll attack you directly with Hoshiningen!"

4300/2500

He clutched his chest in pain. "Now, I'll set one card and end my turn." As he drew I said, "I activate Solar Ray! For every light monster on my field, you take 600 points of damage!"

4300/1300

He fell down and started vomiting blood. "By the God Cards…" he gasped. After a minute, he climbed to his feet. "You've come far in such a short time, but I'm far from concerned. Using a crutch is a quicker and easier than waiting for your skills to develop, but what happens when the crutch breaks?"

"He may have a point." I pushed that thought to the back of my mind and said, "There's no need to needlessly punish yourself, when you'll simply end up joining us, no matter what you do."

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

"If you beat me, you'll face Yugi next. And we both know you can't beat him, since he defeated all three Egyptian God Cards."

"In that case, I must win, so I can face him."

"What?" I asked. "But you can't win against him!"

"Maybe not, but I'll never know for sure unless I face him first."

"This must be that ambition he was talking about earlier," I realized.

"But first thing's first," he said. "I have to mop the floor with you. And I'll start by summoning Berserk Gorilla (2000/1000)! And I use it to attack your Hoshiningen!"

3800/1300

"And without your monster's boost, your Royal Knight loses 500 attack points. I end my turn."

"Fine with me," I said. "If I lose that boost, I'll simply get myself another. I'll set one card, and equip my Royal Knight with Elf's Light, raising its attack points by 400, though lowering its defense points by 200. I destroy your monster!"

4800/1300

"That's all for me." "I'm sure by now he realizes the similarities and differences between Téa and me. We both use healing decks, but mine is much more aggressive than hers."

"Ok, no more Mr. Nice Sensei!" he snapped as he drew. "I call upon Maha Vailo (1550/1400)! And since it's a light monster, it gains power from your field spell. And I equip him with Big Bang Shot, giving him 400 more attack points, plus another 500 from Maha Vailo's effect! I slay your knight!"

4050/1300

"Then I'll set two cards and end my turn."

"Not bad," I admitted. "But now it's time to end this duel! I activate Ring of Destruction, and use it on your monster! Now, we'll each take damage equal to your monster's attack points. That means little to me, but it'll wipe out your remaining lifepoints!"

"I didn't think you'd be crazy enough to use Ring of Destruction so soon, but that doesn't mean I'm unprepared for it," he said. "I play Hollowed Life Barrier, so I'll take no damage this turn!"

1100/1300

"Darn," I snarled. "Still, I'm not done yet. It's my move, and I'll play Card of Sanctity, so we both draw until we each hold six cards. Then I remove two light monsters from my graveyard to bring out Soul of Purity and Light (2000/1800)! Now, I attack and finish you off!"

"Not yet. I activate my trap, A Hero Emerges! Now you must randomly select one card in my hand, and if it's a monster I can normally summon, I get to special summon it. But if it isn't, it's sent to my graveyard." He held his hand to me. "Pick a card; any card."

"Great. If I choose the right card, I'll win. But if not, he could turn this duel around. That serves me right for playing Card of Sanctity. …Did I purposely screw myself over, or something?"

"Pick a card," he insisted. "I'm not getting any younger."

"Alright! I choose the card on the far left." He pulled the card out of his hand and showed it to me. "UGH!"

"Good choice; at least, it is for me. Show yourself, Fusilier Dragon (2800/2000)!"

"In that case, I'll end my turn without attacking. Make your move." "Heh. If he's foolish enough to attack with Fusilier Dragon, he's in for a surprise; my monster's effect decreases his monsters' attack points during his battle phase."

"I know about your monster's effect," he said, surprising me. "But I can get around that. I'll set one trap, and activate Bait Doll! It'll force the activation of my trap, even though I just set it. And the card is Reverse Trap! It makes all effects that raise points lower them instead, and all effects that lower points raise them! Guess what that means."

I looked in panic at my Luminous Spark. "That means instead of gaining 500, Light monsters lose 500! My monster only has 1500 attack points now!"

"That's right. And thanks to your monster's effect, as well as the effect of my Reverse Trap, my monster's points will be raised by 300 during the battle phase. Fusilier Dragon, finish her off with nitro breath!"

0/1300

I sank to my knees. "I lost…even with all the power I got. Maybe I really am weaker for using a crutch." I looked up at Loki. "Please, tell me, Sensei! How can I become stronger?"

He walked over and offered me his hand. "Let me help you up. Once I help you gain your footing, you can use your own legs." I smiled a little, understanding the hidden meaning. I took his hand, and he pulled me up. "Why did you join the Society of Light?"

"I just…I felt so weak," I said. "You're my friend, and I didn't want to hold you back. I wanted another way to get strong, so I wouldn't bother you."

"We are friends," he replied. "If you felt that way, I'd want you to tell me."

"…"

"Teaching you doesn't make me weak, Shizuka. If anything, it makes me strive to become stronger myself, so I can be a better teacher to make you stronger. And that, in turn, makes me push myself even more."

I turned away, so I couldn't see his reaction when I said, "I never thought of it that way."

He gently turned my head so we faced each other. "Do you remember when I first asked you to be my apprentice? You asked me if I could make you a great duelist like Joey or Mai. Do you admire them for their strength?"

"Kind of," I said. "But they were also cool people. They're both so brave!"

"You see, Shizuka, your spirit is what's most important. A good duelist gains spirit through strength, but an elite duelist strength through spirit."

"Like Joey…Mai…Yugi! He's your next opponent!"

"Good. I've been meaning to get a rematch with him. Care to watch, Shizuka?"

I smiled, happy that he hasn't grown sick of me. "I'd love to."

End Chapter