A/N: KO here with another installment of My Pain is Your Pleasure! I have an announcement for all my patient reviewers who put up with all the dreaded a/n's last time, there're gonna be different kinds of a/n's from now on! Terri's comments will be labeled "T/N:" and Sybil's will be (obviously enough) "S/N:." Yes, I know you're thinking, "Oh, dear God, not more author notes!" However, there will be far less in this chapter! And now, on to review responses!
krimsonkiller: I know it's just Black Skull Dragon, but I thought keeping the "Red-Eyes" on there would make it sound more intimidating, but I guess I could stand to make it slightly less almighty-sounding....Thankies for the heads-up on Waboku, too! I knew it stopped LP damage, since I've got like 4 or 5 copies and can only use 3 (mutters about card limits), but I was going with the anime version of the card. If I remember right, it saved Anzu's monster, too, but it's been awhile since I saw that episode....Anyways, like I said, thankies for the heads up! Sorry it irritated you, but I'm no expert on the game....
authoraisarete: I had already thought Sybil should use "eradicate," so another "thankies" for you, too! However, like I said, this takes place before Battle City, so they have no idea about the Egyptian God Cards yet, so as far as they know, the BEUD and Exodia are the strongest. Although I don't know what you mean by "calling Bakura and Ryou," I don't own 'em, so you're welcome to 'em!
Ryou: I don't know her, but I have a feeling that's very bad....(inches away)
KO: o.O.................Yeah, anyway...thankies for the review!
Chapter 8 - A Hotly Contested Prize
Terri's POV
We began walking back down the street toward the game shop, and I paused by an alley, feeling eyes on me.
"Somethin' wrong?" Jou asked.
Ignoring him (A/N: Well, that's not nice!), I walked into the alley. (A/N: And that's not safe....) "Can I help you?" I asked.
"How much you want for that headband, sweetie?" my watcher, whom I noticed sounded teenaged, asked, leering at me as he exited the shadows. (A/N: Perv!)
"My Tiara? Before I answer--"
"Don't call her 'sweetie,' ya thug!" Jou cut in almost protectively. (S/N: smirks Already the aforementioned emotions begin to emerge....)
"Exactly. Like I was saying, my Tiara isn't for sale. However, you can have it...if you can beat me in two out of three games of my choosing." (T/N: What? Any advantage is fair....)
Hikari! Sybil cried, sounding shocked. How could you wager the Tiara on mere games?!
Relax, I don't plan on losing. "Jou, hold this," I said, handing him the Tiara. "This shouldn't take long. The first game will be simple (T/N: Like him....), a game of chance by the name of High-Low. We each draw a card, and the highest face value wins," I said, pulling out a deck of regular playing cards. "Challenger goes first." (A/N: Cargo pants, so she's got a bunch of pockets.)
"All right," he sneered, drawing a card. "King of Clubs! Beat that!"
"Gladly." Closing my eyes, I drew my own card. Without a word, I looked at it, smirked, and turned it around.
"How the hell'd you draw the Ace of Spades?!" he demanded.
"Can I have my card back?" I asked without answering.
"Ah, take the damn thing!" he growled, thrusting it at me. "What's the next game?"
"I forgot to mention one thing, well, two things: one, the games will become increasingly difficult, and two, if you lose, I decide what happens to you. (T/N: A little fear goes a long way....semi-evil grin) Now, the second event is a foot race in and out of this alley--"
"No problem."
"Seven times. Still think it'll be 'no problem?' Remember, you have to win both of the next two games to save yourself." (T/N: But a lot of fear goes even further....)
"'Save myself?' Tawagoto!" he laughed. "Once again, no problem!"
"Ryou, will you be referee for us?"
"All right. Ready…set…GO!" he yelled, at which we both took off between the two buildings.
"If you don't touch the wall with a hand or a foot, it's an automatic disqualification, so don't try to cheat," I announced.
"Fine, but you should know I'm the third-fastest runner in my class," he said as we kicked off of the wall and tore off in the opposite direction.
"Third-fastest, nç? Is that all?" I retorted, tagging Ryou's hand and changing direction again.
"What do you mean, 'is that all?' You think you're any better?"
"Doubtless. In my class, I was by far the fastest runner. This little competition of ours is starting to look one-sided, my friend." (S/N: Please ignore Terri gagging back here at having called him her friend....)
"Un, it's one-sided, but not in your favor, like you think."
"You sure?" I challenged, putting on an extra burst of speed. (T/N: KO, I hate you for this....)
"Positive," he sneered, kicking one leg out from under me and sending me sprawling on the ground.
"Why you--" I began, but was cut off by a searing pain in my left leg and arm. Glaring at my challenger, I staggered to my feet, hissing in pain as pressure was applied to my left side.
"Stop the race!" Ryou yelled. (A/N: Such a dedicated referee....) "Terri, are you all right?"
"Fine; worse has happened."
"Nani?! Hold still an' let me look at that ankle," Jou said, pulling my pant leg up a bit. (A/N: Not like that, people....)
"Sore de kamaimasen, I'm fine!" I insisted, wincing as I shook my leg free.
"Will you hold still? That ankle looks like it's sprained!"
"I'll be fine, that is, unless you keep ahold of my foot! You're gonna make me fall!"
"Then hold still!"
"You argue like you're married!" a new voice exclaimed, sounding amused. "Did I miss something?"
"I don't know about Jou, but I haven't started to fight!" I growled at the newcomer, a boy with brown hair styled into a point.
"And you know I don't fight girls, Honda!" Jou added.
"You know him?" I asked, hopping on my right foot to stay balanced.
"Honda? Un, we're like brothers!"
"How sweet," my challenger sneered, "but I believe we were in the middle of a race here!"
"Well, since I'm unable to finish said race...I forfeit," I sighed. (T/N: Once again, I hate KO for this.) "However, if not for my unfortunate 'accident,' I'd have won it by now," I growled.
"What happened?" Honda asked.
"I tripped," I said dismissively.
"Don't let her trick ya; that thug kicked her leg out from under her," Jou retorted.
"Do you mind? I don't need to be defended!"
"Consider yourself lucky; Jou doesn't often stand up for people."
"Oi!"
"Does this happen often?" I muttered to Ryou.
"More than you might think," he replied.
"Great," I responded, rolling my eyes. "By the way," I continued to my now-impatient challenger, "you have already given me the idea for your final challenge."
"Nothin' too physical, I hope, not with that leg an' that arm," Jou said, breaking off the argument.
"Why, Jou, you sound positively paternal," I smirked. "Why all this concern?"
"N-no reason," he stammered, turning red and looking at the ground. "Just--just friendly concern, that's all."
"And gomen, but I can't say anything about the amount of physical activity in this final challenge, since it's a fight. (T/N: Insert patented Chick Glare #82 here! At the thug, not Jou!) By the way, if that was just friendly concern, look me in the eye and say it." (A/N: And he's in the hot seat!)
"Can't do that," he replied quickly, turning even redder. (T/N: If possible....)
"Dôshite iya na no?" He muttered something incomprehensible, still refusing to make eye contact. "Speak up, will ya?" I added, ducking and forcing him to look me in the eye.
"I said I can't lie to someone twice! There, ya happy?"
"'Lie to someone?' You're serious?" I asked in surprise. (S/N: Once again, certain emotions show themselves....(WHACK!) HIKARI!)
"So, it finally comes into the open!" Honda jeered.
"Ruin a moment, why don't ya?" I retorted.
"Should we give you some privacy, then?"
"You're pushin' it," Jou warned. (A/N: Aw, standing up for Terri's honor....(WHACK!) TERRI!) (T/N: Do you see a pattern here?)
"And what exactly are you implying? I only met him yesterday!" I added.
"Okay, if you wanted me to back off, all you had to do was say so!"
"All right, then BACK OFF!" we yelled in unison. At this, he pressed himself against the opposite wall.
"Not literally," I groaned, slapping my forehead with my good (right) hand.
"Oi, where's that thug?" Jou asked as we all looked around. Sure enough, he was gone.
"Well, I'll be damned! The coward actually ran off! Kuso, and I was about to pay 'im back for this," I said, indicating my bloody left side.
"We ought to do something to stop the bleeding if we can," Ryou put in.
"That won't be necessary, although I appreciate your concern. If you'll just give me back my Tiara, I'll be healed when Sybil switches places with me."
"All right, then, take it; I don't think Sybil likes me holdin' this thing anyway," Jou said, quickly handing me the Tiara. "Besides, you need to get healed up."
"Dômo; I don't think Sybil's gonna be too happy about this, though," I replied uneasily, putting the Tiara back on.
Hikari! What happened to you? I take it you won? Sybil asked immediately.
Whoa, slow down! We had a race for our second event, and in the middle of the second lap, he kicked my leg out from under me, but he ran off a little later, so I guess you could say I won.
What else happened?
Nothing important.
You're hiding something from me, aibou.
What makes you think that?
You not only answered too quickly, you seemed nervous when you did answer.
Well, you'll have to read my mind to find out, if you can, I challenged, slamming up mental barriers. But if you would, would you switch with me for a minute? I really need to get this arm and leg healed.
I have a better idea, she responded. I heard her chant briefly in some foreign language, I assumed it was Ancient Egyptian, and I felt my injuries heal.
What'd you do? I asked, blinking.
A minor healing spell I learned from a priestess when I was alive. The only drawback is that the spell is a bit tiring.
Well, I appreciate it, but don't exhaust yourself.
"Oh, good, you're all right," Jou said. "Oi, Sybil never switched with ya."
"She said she used a healing spell," I shrugged.
So that was what happened, Sybil remarked.
What do you mean?
I think you already know, aibou; it was you who challenged me to get past your defenses and read your mind, she replied with a small laugh.
Note to self: improve mental defenses, I thought. Not exactly a fair way to read my mind, waitin' 'til my guard's down.
You should never have let your guard down. Besides, you never said I had to be fair, she responded. (A/N: Touché there....)
So I didn't, I sighed. Kiku, it wouldn't be in your best interests to make fun of me about this, okay?
Of course, hikari! Why would I make fun of you? she asked.
How am I supposed to know? I've got no idea how your mind works!
"We goin' to the Game Shop or not? Honda an' Ryou already left!" Jou said.
"Un, gomen! Let's go!" I exclaimed, running out of the alley.
"What's the hurry?" he called after me.
"Last one there's a Kaiba Seto wannabe!" I yelled, dashing off again. (A/N: Sorry Seto fans! (runs, only to be dragged back by Terri again) But I'm too young to diiieee!)
"I thought you didn't even like 'im!" he shot back with a grin, beginning to catch up.
"I don't, but I also don't plan on bein' the last one there!"
"You may have been the fastest in your class, but I'm no slouch either!"
"We'll see about that!" I cried as the Game Shop came into view. We ran toward it and tagged the walls at the same time, breathing hard. (A/N: Once again, not like that, people….) "That's the second time I've tied in something I never lose at!" (T/N: Dueling and racing.)
"Terri, I think we've got trouble!" Yugi called, running outside.
"What's up?"
"Terri, how exactly did you get here?"
"I ran; how else?" I responded, catching my breath.
"Iie, I mean how did you get to Domino?"
"W-why do you ask?" I inquired guardedly, my breath leaving me again.
"Did you fall out of kind of a black portal in the air?"
Eyes widening, I faltered. "A-ano…un," I sighed.
"Good! Maybe you'll know this girl."
"'Girl?' What girl?"
"I don't know, but we found her in the same spot on the sidewalk as you were."
"All right, take me to her," I requested, brows furrowed. He led me to the couch, and I saw a well-tanned girl with dark brown hair. "Jôdan ja nai!" I gasped. "Iris?!"
A/N: There, another chapter down! (notices Terri)
Terri: (grinning broadly)
KO: What're you so happy about?
Terri: She may be unconscious at the moment, but you brought my best friend back into the story! Now I hate you slightly less for the thug incident!
KO: -.-' Anyway--O.O (glomped by Terri) Yeep! Um, Terri, could you let go? I can't breathe!
Terri: (refuses to let go, but loosens glomp) I'll just do the preview now! (bounces off)
Preview and Summary of Chapter 9 - Friends and Family Reunite
Terri: Next time on MPYP, Iris wakes up! Yay! However, (calms down) I can't seem to convince her I am who I am, at least not for awhile. And, here's one family reunion you don't want to miss! What do you get when you mix 3000-year-old twins who haven't seen each other in, well, 3000 years? Memories deserving of any blackmail artist's admiration, that's what! That's right, Sybil and Yami have some catching up to do!
Sybil: You would blackmail my brother?
Terri: It's better than what you told us you did to him, wouldn't you say? (raises eyebrow)
Sybil: (pretending to look innocent and failing miserably) Why, hikari, I have no idea what you could be talking about!
Terri: Sure ya don't....(pats Sybil's shoulder)
Yami: Ironic that she can read minds and still "have no idea what you could be talking about," isn't it? (gives Sybil the guys' version of The Look)
Sybil: (nervous sweatdrop) Why are you looking at me like that, brother?
Yami: Again the mind reader is left completely in the dark….
Sybil: I'm almost afraid to find out what your mind contains, brother....
Terri: "Afraid?" You, Sybil?
Sybil: I said "almost!" If you had known him when we were alive, you would agree with me, hikari....
Terri: o.O Okay....I'll go with ya there....
KO: I hope you people appreciate this next preview, 'cause I'm having a hard time thinking of what to say....
Preview of Chapter 9:
"Okay, what's goin' on?!" Iris asked, eyes wide. "It's like when Yugi and Yami switch places, but with a headband instead of a puzzle, and Terri instead of Yugi, and--"
"I understand," I interrupted. "First, this 'headband' is in fact the Millennium Tiara."
Something wrong, Yami? I asked, sensing his surprise.
I'm sensing the presence of a Millennium Item. I believe it's the same one as before.
Before?"
Hai; I sensed it earlier, but I didn't want to wake you. It's nearby, but not one of the original set.
So you think there's a new set out there?
Possibly, he responded.
"Who are you?" Yami asked, narrowing his eyes.
"You've forgotten your own sister? I'm hurt, brother!"
"Sybil?!"
Translations from Japanese:
KO: (checks over chapter) Hmm, no new Japanese....(shrugs) Okay, no translations this time, then! Review please!
