Chapter 7- Heart of The Cards
After going through millions of grass barriers (literally), Marik finally reaches the end of the labyrinth. There's still grass below his feet, but at least the walls have finally seized. Marik analyzes his surroundings and notices he is standing in a courtyard of a large castle far in the distance. The grass is separated by light and dark greens, almost resembling a chessboard.
However, something else took away the attention of the Egyptian, as he sees two Duel Monster cards in the size of humans. The cards didn't hold any faces, but rather stick hands and feet. The cards are both holding brushes and a can of sparkly paint, and below them is a little fuzzball.
"Kuri! Kuri! Kuri!" The little creature squeaks.
With one swoosh of paint, the Kuriboh magically turns into a teal color. The little creature looks at himself and begins to scream in delight. Marik steps in a little closer,
"Um…why are you painting Kuribohs?"
The two cards turn to the boy,
"People stopped buying Kuribohs…"
"So we paint them a different color! Now they buy new Kuribohs!"
The two cards walk up to the next Kuriboh, and Marik curiously follows,
"So you just paint them? And people buy that shit?"
The Kuriboh turns into a new flashy red color and his eyes smiles in delight. The card responds,
"Yeah! Just a change in color and they won't even know it's the same Kuriboh!"
The cards lend out an extra brush and bucket of paint, "Here, why don't you try it?"
Marik was a bit hesitant at first, but the cards feel very welcoming and less crazier than any character he came across. Marik nodded at them and grabs the items. They both walk to find the nearest Kuriboh in sight. They found one, growling in a corner on the entrance of the labyrinth.
"Ohh, this one is very angry…"
"A change of color, and he'll be happy and new!"
Marik stares at the angry Kuriboh, who turns around to stare back. Marik aims the brush, his hand almost shaking,
"You better not have rabies…"
The Kuriboh growls as Marik takes another step forwards. And with one touch, the Kuriboh turns into Marik's favorite lavender color.
"Ha! I did it! My Skill-"
"ROAR!"
The little lavender Kuriboh launches into the air and tries to scratch its opponent. Marik and the cards dodge the furball, but the paint buckets fall onto the grass. The angry Kuriboh flees from the scene and enters into the bushes of the labyrinth. The cards stare at the maze,
"Guess the paint wasn't enough."
"WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND HERE!?"
A booming voice in the distance yells as its shadow comes closer. The painted Kuribohs run away from a golden carriage as other cards are dragging it above their um… heads. The guards let down the carriage and a male appears between its silk curtains. He was Egyptian, like Marik, only his hair defies the laws of gravity and the natural colors of hair!
One of the guards searches inside the carriage and holds down a golden Kuriboh with a little red bow. The Pharaoh walks towards Marik and the two cards, dramatically staring at the bucket of paint below his feet. Marik is confused and doesn't know if he should be afraid or not. Yet as he looks at his card companions, they are hugging each other as their flat bodies tremble in fear.
Finally, the Pharaoh speaks and his voice is much quieter, yet still sounding menacing,
"Tell me…have you've been…painting Kuribohs?"
The cards keep shaking and their voices only manage to whimper. The pharaoh keeps staring at them, his eyes turning almost hot red. Finally, one of the cards stands up and points at Marik,
"I-It was that boy, your Sexiness! He forced us to do it!"
Marik quickly snaps back at the betrayer, "I DID NOT!"
"SILENCE!"
The three quickly becomes quiet and turns back to the position of interrogation. The Pharaoh claps two times, causing the guards to pick up a spray bottle and presenting it on top of a fancy pillow cushion. The King takes it without looking and walks towards the guard with his prize pet.
"Kuri! Kuri! Kuri!" the pet squeals in delight at his master's presence.
The act isn't mutual, as the King stares at the creature and then at his hand, as he's getting ready to push the handle of the bottle. Suddenly, the water is sprayed at the Kuriboh and the golden paint washes down and reveals a fluffy brown creature.
The Pharaoh chuckles as his expression is hidden from the three victims,
"Hehehe, you guys…gave me a…fake gold Kuriboh…"
The male keeps chuckling, now turning into a laugh, which manages to spread to the two card painters.
Suddenly, the Pharaoh turns around and points at the cards. His forehead shines with a glowing eye as he shouts, "MIND CRUSH!"
The two cards melt in a fire and Marik jumps at shock as he sees them turning into a black puddle.
"HOLY FRIGGING FRIG FRIG! WHAT THE FRIGGING EFFF IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
The pharaoh keeps laughing and points at the other male,
"Don't worry, you'll be paying a different punishment! A sort of game, really."
"A game? I guess that's okay-"
"A COURT Game! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"…..What?"