Chapter 10: The Challenge of Taiyou Tenma
Yugi and the others found Ishizu standing by the clock tower. "Ishizu!" called Yugi as they ran over. "We found the Millennium Torque."
Ishizu turned to them. "I am glad that you have returned safely. Sadly, it is not sufficient; a single Millennium Item does not have enough power to restore the Egyptian God Cards from stone. The next Millennium Item…" She suddenly touched her forehead. "What is this presence I'm feeling?"
Loki turned in surprise. "Yes, I sense it as well."
A masked man ran up to them, wearing a Duel Disk. "I am the Puppeteer of Doom! I won't let you meddle with Tenma-sama's plans!"
"You want to stop us? Let's dance," said Shizuka as she drew her Duel Coat.
"Ah, so we are on the same page."
"Duel!"
[8000] [8000]
[Kawai Shizuka] [Puppeteer of Doom]
(Fatal Yandere) (Rise of the Worms)
"I'll start," said Shizuka. "Draw. Launch Spell, Gladiator Proving Ground: I add a Level 4 or lower Gladiator Beast to my hand from my deck, and I choose Gladiator Beast Bestiari! I set a monster. I'll set a card. Turn end."
"My turn, draw! I summon Worm Cartaros (4/1200/500)! Cartaros attacks your set monster!"
"Sorry, my monster is Gladiator Beast Hoplomus (4/700/2100)!"
[8000] [7100]
"Since my monster battled, I return my monster to my deck to Special Summon Gladiator Beast Murmillo (3/800/400)! When he's summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast, I can destroy a face-up monster, and I choose yours!"
"I'll set a card. Turn end."
"My turn, draw! Murmillo attacks directly!"
[8000] [6300]
"Murmillo just battled, so I return him to my deck, and Special Summon Gladiator Beast Octavius (7/2500/1200)! When Octavius is Special Summoned by a Gladiator Beast, I can destroy your set Spell or Trap!" With that, Puppeteer's Mirror Force was destroyed. "I'll set a monster. Turn end."
"My turn, draw! I summon Worm Xex (4/1800/1000), and when he's summoned, I'll send a Worm Monster in my deck to the Graveyard, and I'll choose Worm Yagan. And since Worm Xex is the only monster I control, I can Special Summon Worm Yagan (4/1000/1800) in facedown defense mode! Worm Xex attacks your set monster!"
"It's another Gladiator Beast Hoplomus (4/700/2100)!"
[8000] [6000]
"I return my monster to my deck to Special Summon Gladiator Beast Murmillo (3/800/400), and destroy your Worm Xex!"
"Turn end."
"My turn, draw! I summon Gladiator Beast Bestiari (4/1500/800)! Now, I return Bestiari and Murmillo to my deck to Fusion Summon Gladiator Beast Gyzarus (6/2400/1500)! When Gyzarus is Special Summoned, I can destroy up to two cards, and I'll crush your Worm Yagan. Octavius attacks directly!"
[8000] [3500]
"Gyzarus attacks directly!"
[8000] [1100]
"Since Gyzarus just battled, I return him to my Fusion Deck to Special Summon Gladiator Beast Laquari (4/1800/400) and Gladiator Beast Bestiari (4/1500/800)! By Laquari's effect, it gains 300 ATK! Turn end."
"My turn, draw! I'll set a monster. Launch Spell, Double Summon: I'll summon Worm Xex (4/1800/1000)! Xex attacks Bestiari!"
"Open Quick-Play Spell, Shrink: your monster's ATK is cut in half!"
[8000] [1000]
"Bestiari battled, so I return him to my deck to Special Summon another Gladiator Beast Laquari (4/1800/400)!"
"Turn end."
"My turn, draw! Launch Spell, Nobleman of Crossout: I banish your set monster! Laquari attacks directly!"
[8000] [0]
"The end," sneered Shizuka. "That's what happens when a nameless goon goes against the top-ranked in Japan."
"Bah!" he spat. "Don't get all cocky just because you beat me! This is an invitation for a challenge from Driver-sama!" He tossed Shizuka a card and ran off.
"It's a video card," said Yugi. "Try setting it in your Duel Disk, Shizuka." She did so, and a white-haired man with a ponytail and an eyepatch appeared before them.
"Bravo!" he said enthusiastically. "I guess that both my agents have failed me! I guess that both my agents have failed me!" With a laugh he said, "I had a feeling you guys will be a thorn in my side! But why fret when I can make a game out of this? Here are the rules: let's see you turn the Egyptian God Cards back from stone and bring them to my castle before time runs out! If you don't make it in time, I can't vouch for what happens to the world! How does that sound?" Then he laughed as he flickered out.
"He's the one resurrecting the Devil Gods?" asked Ishizu. "…We cannot worry about that now; time is of the essence. The second Millennium Item must be found so we can restore the Egyptian God Cards. That is the only way we can defeat Taiyou Tenma and imprison the Devil Gods again. Please find the next Millennium Item."
"We'll do it," Loki sighed, "but I'm only going along with it because I have to."
Ishizu bowed respectfully. "I'm sorry, Loki, but I have no one to turn to but to you. I know I am asking for the impossible-"
"It's only improbable. We promised to help, and so we will. So stop apologizing and tell us where to go."
Ishizu smiled. "Thank you. The next Millennium Item is at Domino Pier."
000000000
Nobody guarded the entrance to the ship, so the four of them were able to simply walk in. They were surprised to see Kujaku Mai, dueling with Juan-Claude Magnum, playing table-top rather than with Duel Disks. "Harpie Lady Sisters, attack him directly: Triangle Ecstasy Spark!"
[4900] [0]
Magnum reeled back from the final hit. "My Mai, you are excellent, as always! But today, I'm better than usual! I've constructed a new perfect absolute ultimate deck filled with special unique powerful rare cards! Let's duel again!"
"I can't deal with this," she groaned.
"Isn't that the American movie ninja, Juan-Claude Magnum?" asked Loki.
"Yeah, he's stalking Mai," replied Jonouchi. "He just doesn't take a hint."
Hearing their conversation, Mai turned in surprise. "You came just at the right time. Can one of you duel this creep in my place?"
Shizuka nudged Loki. "Go ahead, Loki-sensei."
Clearly, he didn't expect that. "Huh? …Sure."
"You're a lifesaver." She turned to Magnum. "You hear that? This guy will take you on!"
"It doesn't matter who you force me to duel, Mai!" said Magnum. "When I win, you have to marry me, as you promised!"
"You better not lose," she ordered as Loki drew his Duel Coat.
"Perish the thought," he replied. "Yugi-kun, you'll find the Millennium Item in the hold. You can go get it while I polish off this guy." Yugi nodded and ran off with his friends.
When Yugi and his friends reached the hold, they found another man in a black turban waiting for them. "To the souls guided here by the Millennium Item, prove your worth by conquering my duel challenge!"
"I'll tackle this one," said Shizuka.
[1000] [5000]
[Kawai Shizuka] [Guardian]
The guardian only had Marshmallon on the field; Shizuka had Kozaky (1/400/400), Burning Algae (3/500/1500), and Giant Kozaky (4/2500/2400) attached with Snatch Steal on the field; she had Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Tribute to the Doomed, Black Pendant and Mystical Space Typhoon in her hand.
"Launch Spell, Tribute to the Doomed," declared Shizuka. "I discard Black Pendant to destroy your Marshmallon!" Once it was destroyed she declared, "Giant Kozaky attacks directly!"
[1000] [2500]
"Kozaky attacks directly!"
[1000] [2100]
"Burning Algae attacks directly!"
[1000] [1600]
"Launch Quick-Play Spell, Mystical Space Typhoon: I destroy Snatch Steal, returning Giant Kozaky to your field. I tribute Kozaky and Burning Algae to summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon (7/2400/2000)! Since there's no Kozaky on the field, Giant Kozaky is destroyed and you take damage by its ATK!"
[1000] [0]
"Impressive. Take this item." He tossed Yugi the Millennium Ankh and vanished.
At that moment, Shadi appeared as an apparition before him. "Shadi? But how?"
"The Millennium Items retain the memories of their bearers," Shadi answered. "These memories will guide the chosen duelists in their quest. Follow them to the salvation of the world." And then he vanished. Yugi remained silent for a brief moment, before he returned to the casino.
Loki glanced back to them as Magnum ran out in disgrace. "You have the Millennium Ankh?"
"Yes, so let's go back to Ishizu," replied Yugi. "Mai-kun…it's been a while, but we can't stop and chat right now."
"You go on ahead," prompted Mai with a dismissive wave. "I'll be here for a while, so call me if you need me to return the favor."
000000000
A few minutes later, they arrived at the Clock Tower. Before they even said a word, Ishizu looked up and said, "You have obtained the Millennium Ankh. With the power of two Millennium Items…" She placed the card on the ground and took the Millennium Ankh from Yugi, chanting heretical scriptures; light poured into God of Osiris and cracks slowly formed. The stone casing fell apart and the card was back to its original glory. She picked up the card and said, "God of Osiris has regained its power. Egyptian God Cards choose their bearers. This card chooses you, Yugi."
"God of Osiris…" Yugi shook his head, saying, "I can't use it. That card belongs to my Other Self."
Ishizu frowned. "After all the trouble you undergone to attain it, you will forfeit the resurrected Egyptian God Card?"
"I think Loki should hold on to that card."
"Oh?" asked Loki.
"Without my Millennium Puzzle, you're the strongest of us four. Besides, you have more knowledge about God Cards than any of us, and you're the one who found Osiris in the first place; I'm absolutely sure you're the best one to use Osiris!"
Loki raised his eyebrow. "Are you insane? Am I really so trustworthy?"
"Take it," insisted Shizuka. "We trust you."
"Loki, don't be shy! Take it!" Jonouchi insisted. "I'd be leaping out of my skin to get a card like that!"
"I understand," said Ishizu. "Since you all agree…Loki, I will entrust you with this card."
Loki immediately snatched the card when she handed it over. "Alright, twist my arm," he said with an evil grin. "Let's just hope that my greed doesn't get the better of me."
"Yeah, awesome!" cheered Jonouchi. "We have the first Egyptian God Card!"
"Still," said Yugi, "it seems that in order to restore a single Egyptian God Card, we need the magical powers of two Millennium Items."
Ishizu nodded. "You are correct. In order to resurrect all three Egyptian God Cards, you must gather the other Millennium Items. And quickly!"
"Why not?" replied Loki. "With Osiris under my command, I'll be able to plow down any duelist who comes our way. There's no problem."
"I'm glad to hear it. The next Millennium Item…is in Italy, among the Catacombs."
"…That's a problem," Loki said with a twinge of embarrassment. "How, for example, are we to get to Italy?"
"I have a lot of money, from dueling professionally and sponsorship contracts," said Shizuka. "I could buy airline tickets for us."
"True, but if we're going to be hopping back and forth all over the world, we need a faster and more cost-efficient mode of transport. Maybe I should call Satomi and-"
"You rang?" asked Satomi, suddenly appearing behind them, causing everyone a start.
"How long were you listening?" demanded Loki.
"Long enough to know you need my help. Well…ok." With a snap of her finger, she conjured a black ring and handed it to Loki. "Use this to travel the corridors of darkness. You can safely take up to four people with you."
"In that case," said Shizuka, "I think Loki-kun and Yugi-kun should go."
"What?" asked Jonouchi. "What about me?"
"We need to stay behind and protect our friends here, just in case."
"I guess," sighed Jonouchi.
"We'll be back soon," promised Yugi. "C'mon, Loki-kun."
"Of course," said Loki as he slipped the ring on. He conjured a black portal, and the two of them vanished.
End Chapter