Once Again, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of its spin-offs. If I did, Yasmin and Atticus would have been reunited.
Chapter Ten: The Gravekeepers
Mana sat in her room with her staff in front of her. She knew it was late, and the part of her that made good decisions said she should go to bed. She could hear the guys snoring from the other side of the wall. But she was so close to getting this spell right. Just one more try.
Aiming her staff at the empty card box in front of her, Mana cast her spell. The box hovered, even with her staff. She moved the staff up and down, left and right. The box followed the motion. "All right!" she quietly cheered. "I am so getting the hang of this!"
Mana motioned for the box to land on her desk, but it refused to move. "Uh-oh." She waved her wand in front of the box, and it still hung there, frozen. After several swings, the box broke free and flew right into her face. "Ow," she rubbed her forehead. Either it was really time to go to bed, or she was taking after her namesake more than she thought. Yugi did say he and the gang met Mana the magician's apprentice after she had failed a spell like that one. Deciding she'd had enough, Mana crawled under her covers and went to sleep.
The next day was like every other, except that Syrus was even more tense than usual. He kept a close eye on Professor Banner while Jaden painted his eyelids and went to sleep through class. Mana always struggled not to laugh when he did that; it was so glaringly obvious and yet none of the professors ever seemed to notice. Jaden was also such a sound sleeper that he didn't even wake up when one of Banner's potions exploded.
The bell signaling the end of class rang, and the slumbering Slifer finally awoke. "Morning, guys," he greeted them. "Learn anything good today?"
"Yeah, to duck," Syrus answered.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Banner called to his departing students. "I'm, uh, planning a little field trip!"
"Great!" Jaden and his field trips. "To where? Circus, carnival?"
"Even better!" Mana thought Banner's grin was almost forced as he spoke. "We're going on a ten-mile hike! All the way to the excavated ruins where we'll be taking geologic core samples! Saturday at 7:00 a.m.! Don't be late!"
This actually sounds kind of cool, other than the ten-mile hike part. Having heard all the adventures her parents went on, most of which involved ruins of some kind, Mana was actually excited for the field trip. Now she just had to figure out what was bothering Syrus.
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Atem sighed as he waited for Professor Banner to arrive. He hadn't been that interested in the field trip when Banner first announced it. Mana may find exploring ruins interesting, mainly from their parents' stories, but Atem took what she saw as exciting as danger to be avoided. He preferred to let sleeping mummies lie. He refused Mana several times on her pleading for him to come, but it was ultimately Alexis who convinced him to go. The ruins might have some clue to where Atticus was or to the residual magic in the Abandoned Dorm. Atem couldn't say no to that. So he lugged himself out of bed at the crack of dawn to make it on time for the field trip.
"What, only six?" Banner finally arrived and was disappointed in the turnout. "Where is everyone else?"
"They're probably sleeping, Professor," Syrus answered him. "You know, in their nice warm beds with their nice comfy pillows."
"Just like I would be doing if Banner hadn't threatened us with detention if we didn't show," Chumley grumbled. "It's seven in the morning! I need my beauty sleep!"
Jaden just looked at his tired roommates before attempting to lighten the mood. "I'll tell you what the secret to getting up early is," he said. "Staying up all night long!"
"You're the only one who could pull that off, Jaden," Mana elbowed her friend.
"Coming from the person who didn't wake up until we banged on her door?" Jaden teased her.
"Shut up, Jaden!"
Atem hid a grin as Jaden poked fun at his sister. Teasing her was always fun, but she usually plotted some small revenge against the culprit—usually Atem. Now he got to watch and not worry about Mana getting even with him. Jaden got to have that fun all to himself, as long as Mana didn't catch Atem snickering.
"To be honest, I could hardly sleep either," Alexis joined the conversation. "These ruins we're going to used to host the Shadow Games."
"That's sweet!" Jaden grinned. "Maybe you'll find some clues then about your brother."
"Yeah, that's kind of what I'm hoping for," she said.
"So that's why you agreed to come along," Mana narrowed her eyes at Atem. "I should have figured after all the times you said you'd rather sleep in."
Atem moved to the other side of the group. "Hey, I came, didn't I?"
His sister stuck her tongue out at him as Banner gave them the rules and instructions of the field trip. When he mentioned the ruins held an ancient tomb, Syrus grew tense and pulled Jaden and Mana aside. Atem kept one eye on them while Banner continued with his instructions, though he couldn't hear what the three Slifers were saying. "Okay, everyone, let's go," Banner finished and motioned for everyone to follow him.
Chumley voiced his opinions—or objections, depending on how one looked at it—the whole stroll there. His feet hurt; he had to use the bathroom; he hated climbing, crawling, and hiking; he was hungry. If Atem didn't have his dad's patience, he probably would have lost it at Chumley.
Atem breathed a sigh of relief when they finally arrived at the ruins. They were tall, mossed-covered structures, large enough to have been buildings in another time. He couldn't help imagining what Grandpa or Professor Hawkins would be doing if they were here. They'd be all over another site to explore. Banner and Mana were excited to look around, but Jaden convinced them and everyone else to eat lunch first.
Atem and Alexis brought chicken salad sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, and some cookies from the Obelisk kitchens. The four Slifer students had an assortment of rice-balls. Banner gloated about the pizza he made for himself and got as a perk of being a dorm head, though he was reluctant to share with the students, much to their annoyance. He opened his bag to get it and pulled out a furry surprise. Pharaoh meowed at the professor with bread crumbs all over his face. "You were supposed to stay at home!" Banner yelled at the cat. "Not hitch a ride and eat my lunch!" He turned hopeful eyes to the students. "Maybe you could share your lunch with me?"
Mana laughed at the beige cat. "You can have my rice balls if Atem splits his lunch with me."
"Why do I have to give up half my lunch?" Atem asked his sister.
"Because I'm your sister, you love me, and we're nice people," she grinned at him before swiping one of his sandwiches.
"Oh, thank you so much, Mana!" Banner greedily grabbed her rice balls and chowed down on them. If Mana were a truly devious person, Atem would suspect her of planning this from the beginning so she could get to his food. Ever since the time she had dinner in his room, she'd tried to mooch as much food from his dorm as she could. Atem sighed and divided the rest of his food before Mana ate it all. It was a good thing Obelisk had an abundance of food.
As they finished, a green light filled the area. Pharaoh ran away from the source, proving he had been nosing around in something he shouldn't have. The scared cat leapt into Banner's arms. As the green light faded, the singular sun split into three. "Does anyone else see this?" Mana asked.
"This is one lishus field trip," Chumley said as he watched the warping colors around them.
"I've got a really bad feeling about this," Atem tensed. He reached for his Black Luster Soldier card. Now might be a good time to summon him. Run. His partner's voice rang in his head. "Guys, call it Muto instincts or whatever you like, but we should move," Atem commanded.
"Quick, children, head for cover!" Banner agreed and led the group away. "We'll find safety over in that sepulcher!" Nobody understood the thing he said. "The thing with the big hole in it!" Banner, Alexis, Syrus, and Chumley ducked into the structure.
Jaden stopped to look at the sky again. "Jaden, now's not the time to stand around," Mana pulled on his arm.
"No, you guys stay in there," he said. "I'll lead this storm away!" With that he took off running.
"Are you crazy?" Mana yelled before chasing after him.
"Mana, Jaden, wait!" Atem turned back to the others. "I'll go bring them back," he told them before chasing his sister and her friend. Atem barely caught up to them before everything went white.
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"Atem?" Someone shook him. "Atem, wake up!" He recognized his sister's voice. Why was she always so energetic in the mornings? Every day he wanted to sleep in, she insisted on being up bright and early. Maybe if he didn't move she would go away and let him sleep. "Atem, wake up or so help me I'll blast you so hard you'll need Guardian Angel Joan's power to heal you!" Mana's shrill voice brought his hands to his ears.
Atem opened his eyes and met his sister's blue-green ones. "What are you yelling for?" he grumbled.
"Earth to Atem?" she pointed at the sky, where three suns loomed. "Remember the crazy light show?"
Atem looked around. The ruins were now well-maintained, almost like they were new. Could they have traveled back in time? "What did that cat get into?" he asked.
"I don't know," Mana answered, "but I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."
Winged Kuriboh hovered around Jaden as he came to. "Hey, buddy," he said as he looked around. "Whoa, I'm crazy dreaming."
"Not unless we all are," Atem said dryly. "Where do you think the others ended up?"
"We'd have to know where here is to answer that," Mana answered him.
"You sure Kuriboh here can't just pinch me and wake me up?" Jaden asked. His furry friend proceeded to swipe him with a claw. "Ow! What, do you sharpen those? How about a manicure once in a while?" he rubbed his cheek. "Wait, since when can I feel you?"
"I think that means we're in the Spirit World," Atem said.
He tensed when he saw a woman carrying their bags. She wore a short purple dress with a long black overcoat. Her skin was tanned like an Egyptian, or at least the Egyptians Atem had met. Her black hair was tied in a ponytail behind her except for a few bangs hanging over her golden headband. "This is sacred ground," she said. "You must leave here at once. You are in very grave danger."
Mana's staff materialized in her hand. She held it threateningly at the woman. "Look, lady, we don't even know how we got here," Mana glared at her. "What sacred ground is this?"
The woman heard some kind of noise and pulled the three students in the shadows, pressing them up against the wall of a ramp. "Quiet," she instructed them, "or do you wish to share the others fate?" Atem heard footsteps approaching, and he pressed himself closer to the wall. The footsteps walked up the ramp, and they were soon out of earshot.
"Look, you'd better tell us what's going on real fast," Mana raised her staff again at the woman.
"I know that staff," the woman studied the wand in front of her. "Where did you get it?"
"Uh, I am the namesake of High Priestess Mana, Guardian of the Pharaoh Seto," Mana answered, "and I am the daughter of the Nameless Pharaoh reincarnate. Now tell us what is going on."
The woman appeared to believe what Mana said and gave her more regard. Atem considered adding to Mana's ploy, but stopped himself in time. He didn't know how time worked as far as the Spirit World went. These people may not know the Pharaoh's name, so claiming to be his namesake would be pointless. Better to stick with High Priestess Mana. "I speak of the strangers who share your dress, High Priestess," the woman answered. "They have been taken by the Gravekeeper's Chief, and they will be punished for entering his most sacred tomb."
"No way, not on my watch they won't, lady," Jaden pushed in front of Mana to stare down the woman. "Take us to them, right now."
The woman looked to Mana, who still held her wand ready. "Do what he says," Mana answered her silent question. Atem rolled his eyes. His sister may have played her hand a little too heavy-handed. Now the woman probably thought she was some kind of royalty, and everyone was supposed to do what she wanted. If only the woman knew Mana called Atem Prince, or that Atem was named for the Pharaoh.
"So, High Priestess, by what means did you arrive here?" the woman asked.
"Please, it's just Mana," the Slifer girl answered, "And this is my brother, Atem, and my friend Jaden," she gestured to her companions.
"We don't even know where here is," Jaden chimed in, "but I bet it's someplace you could get a great tan!"
"Now's not the time, Jaden," Atem chided the underclassman.
The woman led them to a secluded room in an upper level of tomb/palace/temple whatever the people wanted to call it. Atem didn't know anymore. "You will wait here," the woman instructed.
"No way, I want to see my friends," Jaden insisted.
"I will find them," the woman narrowed her eyes at him. "Believe me, if you're found walking about, you'll be of no use to them. The High Priestess is the only one who could escape punishment. I will be back." With that, the woman left.
"What exactly does High Priestess mean?" Jaden asked the Mutos. "Mana, you threw at a lot of big words at her, and I didn't even follow half of them."
Mana grinned sheepishly and ran her free hand through her hair. "Basically a really fancy way of saying Yugi is my dad," she said. "He is the Pharaoh's modern incarnate, and I also played off the fact I was named after the High Priestess who served Atem's successor, Pharaoh Seto. I guess the woman didn't pick up on the namesake part. But I'm not going to complain if it keeps us out of trouble."
"You mean more trouble," Atem corrected her and assessed the situation, "because we're already in trouble. Based on what she said, it's likely our friends have already been captured. We need to tread carefully and stay alert. We don't know what these people are capable of, nor do we know how to get home."
"So that's what we do," Mana answered him. "We find our friends, get the heck out of these people's sacred land, and we find a way home. Easy."
"Wow, you guys hardly seem fazed by this at all," Jaden looked between the Muto siblings.
"Well, this isn't the craziest scenario we've heard of," Atem answered him.
"Yeah, our parents went up against a soul-eating serpent born from a glowing green rock that fed on the darkness inside people's hearts and wanted to destroy the world," Mana chimed in. "Compared to that, a trip to the Spirit World is actually kind of mellow."
"I do wish Ishizu was here, though," Atem added. "She'd probably know more about what this place is, or about the people who live here."
"By the way, Mana, what is that thing?" Jaden pointed to her wand. "Where were you even hiding it?"
Atem saw his sister tense up. He figured it would be a good time to tell Jaden about her magic, but it was ultimately her call. "Jaden, we are in a different world, we have no idea where our friends are, and we don't know what kind of punishment this Gravekeeper has in mind. Don't you think we have bigger problems than where I was keeping a blue and pink staff?" she redirected his focus.
"Right, tell me later," Jaden answered her points. Atem suspected his sister was hoping Jaden would forget about it by the time they made it home. He just hoped they actually did make it home.
Atem, play my card on your duel disk. Then I can cross into the dimension you are in. Black Luster Soldier's voice rang in his head. Trusting his friend, he took out his duel disk, put in on his arm, and placed the card in a monster slot. "Black Luster Soldier, come forth!"
The black and gold armored Soldier materialized in front of him. "Atem, you must prepare yourself. Convincing the Gravekeeper's Chief to release you and your friends will not be easy."
The orb at the end of Mana's staff glowed gold, and Dark Magician Girl appeared next to her. "He is right, Mana," she said. "The Gravekeepers are not so kind to trespassers."
"So are we really in the Spirit World?" Atem asked.
"One of them," Black Luster Soldier explained. "The Duel Monsters Spirit World is not just one world. There are twelve worlds in all, counting your world. Each one is governed by its own laws and powers."
"And the Gravekeepers are in charge here," Mana concluded.
"Someone, help us!" Alexis's voice cried out. The three humans quickly climbed up to the windows to see what was happening.
"Alexis, is that you?" Jaden called as he looked out the window. Their four missing companions were bound in mummy wrappings and being held in sarcophaguses. All Atem could see were their heads in the half-closed coffins.
"Jaden, do you want those other people to find out we're here?" Mana chastised him. "That woman was right about one thing; if we're caught, it'll be harder to help them."
"Stay back," Black Luster Soldier blocked the doorway, brandishing his sword at the intruders. Or owners. Atem grimaced now that they actually were found. Maybe they should use Mana's High Priestess ploy again.
"I won't let you harm them," Dark Magician Girl leveled her staff at the guards.
"It is the Ka of the High Priestess Mana," the guards stepped away from the Duel Spirits. "What is she doing here?"
The three humans climbed down from the windows. Dark Magician Girl turned to Mana, as did the guys. This was your plan, sis. What do we do? Atem met his sister's eyes. He could see her nervousness. He nodded to her, and she squared her shoulders before facing the men. "Dark Magician Girl is here because she is my friend and spirit partner," she said, leveling her staff at the men. "My name is Mana, namesake of Pharaoh Seto's High Priestess. This is my brother, Atem, and my friend Jaden. Black Luster Soldier is Atem's spirit partner. Who are you?"
"I am the Gravekeeper's Chief," the man who seemed to be the leader said. He was dressed in a purple shirt and green pants, his overcoat was white with black and gold accents with a black scarf, and his hair was covered by a black head cloth. He was tan like the other guards, and he had full black beard. "And you have traversed on the sacred tomb I protect."
"Well, Chief, if you just let us grab our friends, we'll say good-bye to you and zip back to the dimension we came from," Jaden suggested.
"That is not possible," the Chief glared at him. "You have tread in my domain, and you and your friends will be punished.
"Look, we mean you no disrespect," Mana tried to reason with the Gravekeeper. "We came here by accident, through means we don't even understand. Let us leave, and we'll never bother you again."
"No matter the means, you have still trespassed, and all must be punished accordingly."
"Can't we just pay a fine for something?" Jaden chimed in another suggestion.
"You cannot."
"Jaden, shut up before you really make him mad," Atem elbowed him.
"Well if we can't make up for this, you can't threaten us with your pointy spears!"
"Jaden, that's not helping," Mana slapped her palm against her forehead.
"You show some spirit, Jaden," the Chief eyed the Slifer. "I shall pardon your trespasses given you can survive my challenge. What is your answer?"
"What's the challenge?" Jaden asked.
"He'll accept," Mana answered, "as long as we all get to leave when this is over. Including our companions you've already captured" The Chief nodded.
"Mana!"
"No matter what his challenge is, he's not going to let us leave otherwise," she said. The Chief smirked and pulled a deck from his overcoat.
"Now you're speaking my language," Jaden grinned and pulled his duel disk from his bag. "You're on! For my friends, winning is no problem."
"You and your friends will be pardoned if you win," the Chief grinned, "but if you lose, you will be buried alive."
Everyone tensed up. Not if we can help it. Atem looked to his sister, who had the same idea he did. While Jaden dueled the Gravekeeper's Chief, they'd work on a backup plan to save the others. Especially if the Chief went back on his word.
The guards escorted the group to the top of the temple, the tall walls surrounding the burial ground where the captives were held. Atem and Mana stood to one side with their spirit partners, prepared to find a way to return to their world and to fight their way out should the Chief go back on his word.
Jaden and the Chief readied their duel disks. "All right, get your game on!" Jaden called out to the duelist.
"Get my game on?" the Chief asked as he drew his hand. "What do you speak of?"
"Sheesh," Jaden sighed. "It's a figure of speech. You know, like slang?"
"It's like slang? How dare you speak to me with the rotten tongue of a filthy serpent!" the Chief yelled at Jaden as he set a monster.
"I feel like we should have told Jaden to be a little more respectful before he started the duel," Atem whispered to his sister.
"Prince, this is Jaden we're talking about," Mana answered. "This is as respectful as I've ever seen him act. He doesn't do formalities."
Jaden started his move by summoning Bubbleman (800/1200) in attack mode and activating his effect to draw two cards. He finished his turn with a face-down card. The Chief countered by summoning his Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier (1500/1000) and then flip summoning his Gravekeeper's Guard (1000/1900). Guard's flip effect returned Bubbleman to Jaden's hand, leaving the Slifer open to a direct attack. The two monsters attacked Jaden, dropping his LifePoints down to 1500.
Jaden held his should where the spears had struck. "I felt that," he groaned. "This is real."
"It's a Shadow Game," Mana whispered.
"Yes, it is," Atem said, "though we shouldn't be surprised. We're in a different world with different rules. Shadow Games are probably normal to these people. I'd say this is the highest stakes duel Jaden's ever fought. Maybe one of us should have dueled the Chief."
"Don't count him out yet, Prince," Mana countered. "Jaden may have never fought in Shadow Game, but we should know by now to not count him out until it's really over. After all, the only two people to defeat him are me and Zane."
"It's not his dueling I'm worried about," Atem answered. "It's the fact that Jaden has never fought a duel where the monsters are real." He looked down to see the lids of the sarcophaguses closing on their friends. "Not to mention everyone's freedom is riding on his victory."
"He'll pull through," Mana insisted.
Jaden shook off the pain from the Gravekeeper's attacks and played his Polymerization to fuse Avian and Burstinatrix into Flame Wingman (2100/1200). Flame Wingman destroyed the Spear Soldier and knocked the Chief's LifePoints down to 1900. Jaden finished his turn with his Wroughtweiler in defense mode.
"Told you not to count him out yet," Mana grinned at her brother.
"I never said I'd thought he'd lose," Atem glared at her. "I'm just worried the real damage will get to him. Remember what Dad told us about Uncle Joey's duel with Marik? Uncle Joey would have won that duel if it weren't for the pain he endured from the Shadow Game. I just don't want the same thing to happen to Jaden."
"I know," Mana said. "I don't want that to happen either. Dad thought the Shadow Games were over when the Pharaoh left, but then Aigami proved him wrong. (1) Even without the Millennium Items, Shadow Games can still occur. We just have to be ready to deal with them."
"But I don't know if anyone can truly be ready for them," Atem answered her. "I know that most of the Shadow Game in the Abandoned Dorm was fake, but that last part was almost more than I could handle. And you wound up in the infirmary from the magic you used."
"Hey, I didn't exactly know what I was doing then," Mana pouted. "And I was fine after I dueled Jinzo."
Meanwhile the Chief switched his Guard into defense mode and set another monster and card. Jaden had Flame Wingman attack Guard, and Wingman's effect dropped the Chief's LifePoints by another thousand.
"This is almost too easy," Mana commented.
"I agree," Atem said. "I've got a bad feeling about what the Chief has planned."
The Chief drew two cards with Pot of Greed and then summoned Gravekeeper's Assailant (1500/1500) in attack mode. He then flip summoned Gravekeeper's Curse (800/800), activating it effect to inflict 500 points of damage to Jaden. The Chief continued his combo by activating the field spell Necrovalley. It increased the attack and defense of all Gravekeepers by 500 points, and neither player could target cards in the graveyard. The scenery around them changed to a rocky valley, like what Atem imagined the Valley of Light in the Capsule Monsters world to look like.
The Gravekeeper wasn't done yet. He sent his Assailant into attack Flame Wingman, and her effect switched him into defense mode, allowing her to destroy him. The Curse then destroyed Wroughtweiler, and since Necrovalley was in play, Jaden couldn't activate his dog's effect. Knowing how much Jaden relied on recycling cards from the graveyard, Necrovalley was a major obstacle in his way.
"He really turned this around," Atem said.
"We called it. The Chief did have something up his sleeve," Mana replied. She looked down to their trapped friends. "Atem, can you summon your Kuriboh?"
"Why?"
"He can slip down to the others," she answered. "He can at least let them know we're watching out for them. Also if the Chief goes back on his word, Kuriboh can multiply and free the others."
"Why don't you ever you use this strategizing to get better grades?" Atem asked his sister.
"Why doesn't Jaden? He paints his eyes and sleeps in class," Mana countered.
"I can't chastise him about his grades," he answered. "I can chastise you."
"Shut up, Atem," Mana elbowed him. "Just summon Kuriboh."
"She has a point," Black Luster Soldier spoke up. "I do not expect the Gravekeeper's Chief to betray us, but it never hurts to be prepared."
"We never expected Aknadin to betray us, but we should have seen it coming," Dark Magician Girl added. "Had we been prepared, we could have prevented Kisara's death in ancient Egypt."
"Okay, I'll do it," Atem grumbled as his three companions stared at him. "Score one for peer pressure." He took out his Kuriboh card. "Come forth, Kuriboh!" The little furball appeared next to him, nestling his cheek. "Yes, I'm happy to see you," he patted the creature. "Now I need you to go and guard my friends." Atem pointed to the mostly closed sarcophaguses. "Can you go down and protect them? Don't actually do anything to them, but protect them if something happens. Ignore the lids moving unless they close completely. Do you understand?" Kuriboh nodded and spoke in its language before hopping down to the others. "I guess he understood," Atem smiled. "Did either of you understand what he said?"
"I didn't," Mana answered. "I have no idea how Jaden understands his."
"Jaden has a special power," Dark Magician Girl answered. "I do not fully understand it, but it allows him to understand his Ka."
"Wait, so Kas are still a thing?" Mana asked. "Does that mean we have them?"
"Who do you think we are?" Dark Magician Girl grinned.
"You're the Kas of our namesakes," Atem answered. "Pharaoh Atem and High Priestess Mana."
"And yours," Dark Magician Girl added. "Kas can be shared with kindred spirits with similarly powerful Bas. We are bonded to you. That bond allows you to summon us into your world. Atem, you have the power to summon other spirits as well, which is why you were able to bring Kuriboh here."
"That's new," Mana commented. She looked down to see where Kuriboh was waiting. She spotted him sitting on top of Syrus's sarcophagus. "Looks like he's ready for whatever we need him to do."
"Good, because Jaden might be in serious trouble," Atem directed her focus back to the duel.
Jaden summoned Winged Kuriboh in defense mode. The Chief sent his Assailant to attack, and the Slifer activated his Transcendent Wings to level up his partner. But the Chief was ready for that, and he discarded his Gravekeeper's Watcher to negate the effect of Transcendent Wings. The Watcher ripped away Kuriboh's larger wings, reverting him to his level one form. The Assailant swooped into finish her attack and sliced through Winged Kuriboh with her dagger. At least with Winged Kuriboh's effect Jaden took no more damage.
"There goes that idea," Atem grimaced.
"He's not out yet," Mana kept her faith in her friend. "I know he can do this."
"I know you do, sis," Atem put his arm around her. "You wouldn't have pushed him to accept if you didn't. That's from my book."
The Chief ended his turn by setting a card. Jaden was also starting to lose his cool with his opponent's insults to Winged Kuriboh. "Stay calm, Jaden," Atem warned him. "Don't let your anger cloud your judgement."
"Right," Jaden took a breath and made his move. He activated Pot of Greed and drew two more cards. Then he summoned his Dark Catapulter in defense mode and played his Mirage of Nightmare. By setting his last three cards, Jaden was ready to refresh his hand with four new cards on the next turn.
The Gravekeeper was unfazed by Jaden's combo. He sacrificed Curse to summon himself. Gravekeeper's Chief (1900/1200) gained 500 attack and defense points from Necrovalley, and his effect allowed him to access his own graveyard against the field spell's effect. The Chief's second effect allowed him to resurrect a Gravekeeper from his graveyard, namely Spear Soldier. I guess it's true that only the Tombkeepers are allowed to handle the graves. Atem remembered what Ishizu had told him about being a Tombkeeper. It had pretty much killed any possible interest in archeology he would ever have. Gravekeeper's Chief also activated the trap Rite of Spirit to bring back Gravekeeper's Curse. Curse's summon inflicted 500 more points of damage to Jaden. The Slifer sank to his knees as his LifePoints dropped to 500. One more attack and he would be through. The sarcophaguses closed more, leaving only a sliver of light to reach their friends. Kuriboh started hopping around in alarm.
"Stay strong, Jaden!" Mana yelled to her friend. "We're all here for you! Now kick his butt!"
"You're right, Mana," he answered. "I'm not going to let my friends down. No way, no how! They're coming home!"
"Yes, their eternal home!" the Chief ordered his Assailant to attack Dark Catapulter, and her effect switched it into attack mode. Jaden countered with his face-down Emergency Provisions spell, allowing him to destroy Mirage and a face-down card to increase his LifePoints by 2000. And since Mirage was destroyed, Jaden wouldn't have to discard his hand on the next turn. "You should have attacked faster," the Chief berated his Assailant.
"Hey, it's not her fault you messed up," Jaden yelled at the Chief. "It's your own!"
"Shut your mouth," Gravekeeper's Chief commanded. "Better yet, why don't I just shut it for you? After all, I still have an attack, and now I will use it." He fired magic at Jaden.
"Oh no, you won't!" Jaden activated his Draining Shield trap, negating the Chief's attack and increasing Jaden's LifePoints by 2400. The Chief wasn't done and sent his Spear Soldier and Curse into attack, dropping the Slifer's LifePoints back down to 600. He finished his turn by activating Royal Tribute, which forced both players to discard every monster in their hands. Jaden lost three monsters to the spell.
Atem heard his Kuriboh squeal as the coffins closed more. Calm down, Kuriboh, or they'll hear you. Kuriboh looked up at him, and Atem put a finger to his lips. The little furball got the message and calmed down. "What do you think, sis?"
"If I know Jaden's deck as well as I think I do, there's still one combo he could do," Mana answered. "But I don't know if he can pull it off. It depends on what the Chief made him discard."
"Let's hope for the best then."
"All right, here goes something!" Jaden yelled as he drew. Judging from the grin on his face, Atem guessed the Slifer drew something really good. Mana cheered when Jaden found the loophole to Necrovalley: it negated the effects of cards targeting the graveyard, but the effects of cards already there were fair game. So Elemental Hero Necroshade's effect allowed Jaden to bring out his Bladedge (2600/1800) without a tribute. The shining gold warrior appeared on Jaden's field. "Now, Bladedge! Attack Gravekeeper's Curse with Slice and Dice Attack!" Bladedge destroyed the curse and wiped out the rest of the Chief's attack points. "That's game!" Jaden said as he struck his victory pose.
The scenery returned to the temple as the duel ended. The Chief sank to his knees, and the Assailant nudged him worriedly. "Hey! Is he okay?" Jaden yelled as he ran to his opponent. The Muto siblings were not far behind him.
The guards blocked their way with their spears. "No!" the Chief yelled. "He lives. He was an impressive opponent."
"Hey, thanks," Jaden grinned. "Some of your moves were pretty tight too, there. It was a sweet match. Let's duel again sometime!"
"What?" the Chief looked at him in shock. "You mean to say you enjoyed the Shadow Game?"
"This guy enjoys any duel he fights," Mana said as she rolled his eyes. "He tends to throw caution to the wind when he duels."
"Yeah, though I could've done without the whole friends in the coffin thing, but it was fun!" Jaden's grin widened as he spoke. He went on to compliment on other Gravekeepers for being scary and intimidating.
"Only one other person has ever passed this challenge," the Chief said. "That is, until now." He pulled a golden semi-circular pendant from beneath his black scarf. A closer look revealed it was only half the pendant, the broken edge going through the red gem in the middle of an eye pattern. "I bequeath to you this mystic medallion." He handed the pendant to Jaden. "It is yours."
"Really?" the Slifer excitedly grabbed the pendant. "Aw, some gift. There's only half."
Atem elbowed him. "Don't be disrespectful," he said. "Be glad we're not getting buried alive."
"You act like a pharaoh," the Chief commented. "You wield your Diadhank well, and you seem to know the ways of Shadow Games."
"My father battle in many Shadow Games in the past," Atem answered. "He made sure to teach me and my sister about them so we could be prepared for them. He also named me for a Pharaoh he was once close too."
"I see," the Chief turned his attention back to Jaden and the pendant. "The only other to have passed this challenge holds the other half," he explained. "Hopefully when the time comes for you to battle in another Shadow Game, this medallion will serve you well."
"Sweetness," Jaden said as put the pendant around his neck. "I'll be sure to remember that."
It was Mana's turn to elbow her friend. "Thank you, Chief," she gave him a polite bow. "We hope to avoid more Shadow Games, but we will accept any help we can get."
The Chief nodded to her before turning around to face the trapped humans. He extended his right hand, and by his command the sarcophaguses opened and released their captives. Kuriboh led them to his master as Atem, Jaden and Mana descended the temple. The furball threw himself at Atem once he was close enough. "Yes, you did a good job," Atem pulled the creature off his face only for it to nestle against his shoulder.
"Way to play, Jay!" Syrus congratulated his best friend. Then he noticed Dark Magician Girl Standing next to Mana. "Dark Magician Girl?" Hearts appeared in his eyes.
"Hello, Syrus," the blonde spirit winked at him. "I'm glad you're all right." Mana rolled her eyes.
"I knew you would pass this test, Jaden," Banner said. "I just knew it."
"Wait, what do you mean, test?" Jaden looked at his professor confused. "Don't you mean challenge?"
Everyone turned suspicious eyes on Banner. Is this was Syrus was nervous about earlier? Atem vaguely recalled him acting more nervous than normal and pulling Jaden and Mana aside. "Yes, of course," Banner smiled awkwardly at the students. "I mean, test, challenge, it is all the same, am I right? All that matters is that you won! Isn't that right, guys?" He laughed nervously as everyone just watched him.
"Now then," the Chief gathered their attention once more. "It is time for you to return to your own world."
"Sounds good to me," Jaden answered. "So how do we get back?"
"Go to the gate of the tomb," the Chief instructed, "when the three lights combine into one so that the veil of radiance appears before you."
"Sounds easy enough," Mana said.
Before they could do anything else, the other Gravekeepers turned on them, blocking their exit. They insisted the travelers be punished, whether the Chief did it or they did. "Stop!" the Chief commanded, moving in front of the group. "He has paid for their misdeeds; he has passed the challenge!"
The Guards moved in to attack the group, but they were thwarted by the Assailant, Black Luster Soldier, and Dark Magician Girl. The Assailant's hood and face cloth fell, revealing the woman who aided them earlier. "It's you," Jaden and the Mutos said at the same.
"Yes, I am Gravekeeper's Assailant," she said. "I'm sorry I fought you, but I had to obey my Chief."
"It's cool," Jaden accepted her apology. The others stared at the Assailant in wonder.
"When you finally return to your own world, High Priestess," the Assailant turned her attention to Mana, "please, give a message to the owner of the other half. Tell him Yasmin's still in the other world, but I haven't forgotten him, and that I believe, one day, we will meet again." If Dark Magician Girl hadn't been there, Atem was sure Syrus would have been more disappointed that the woman had a love. At least, Atem assumed she was in love with the recipient of her message.
"Stand back!" Yasmin commanded the other soldiers. "He has won the challenge and we must honor our word. We are the Keepers of the Graves, not the makers! If you want to harm any of them, you'll have to get through me!" She brandished her daggers at them. Reluctantly, the soldiers stood aside. "I would hurry," Yasmin instructed them.
"Sure, but how do we get home again?" Mana asked. "Can you point us in the right direction?"
"I think your friends can show you the way," Yasmin smiled at them.
Winged Kuriboh emerged from Jaden's deck. He flew over to the Kuriboh on Atem's shoulder, and the two playfully swiped at each other. "We will show you the way," Dark Magician Girl said.
"But we must hurry," Black Luster Soldier added. "The opportunity to leave is slipping away."
Winged Kuriboh flew ahead, leading the way. They ran for the gate, the lights drawing closer together as they did. "Come on, guys! We're almost there!"
Chumley tripped and fell. "Chumley!" Mana turned back to her friend. Dark Magician Girl was at his side in an instant. "Are you okay?"
He shook his head. "Go on without me," he said. "You don't have time to wait for me."
"No way, Chumley, we're not leaving you behind," Jaden insisted.
A light shone from Chumley's deck as Dark Magician Girl and Black Luster Soldier helped Chumley stand. Des Koala crossed over and hoisted Chumley onto his back. "I love running!" the koala duelist yelled as his friend carried him to the gate.
They arrived at the gate just as the suns combined. Green light shot between the tiles, engulfing the group of travelers. Atem held onto his sister as the light blinded them.
Atem woke to the sound of Kuriboh's voice. Mana was out next to him, her head leaning on his shoulder. His duel disk still held the cards of Black Luster Soldier and Kuriboh. Atem looked around, relieved that they were back in their own world. "Hey, Mana, wake up," he shook his sister. She groaned and grabbed his arm, not even trying to wake up. "Hey, I heard the Slifer cafeteria might be serving chocolate lava cake right now."
Mana jolted awake. "Lava cake?" she asked. "Are you serious?"
Atem laughed at her expression. "I have to remember that one," he choked out. It felt good to be home.
Jaden came to and looked around, picking Winged Kuriboh's card up. "It must have been a hallucination from those moldy sandwiches," he said.
"No, it wasn't, Jaden," Mana pointed to the pendant around his neck. "Unless hallucinations give us new jewelry. That would probably cost less than going to the store."
"Well at least we're back to one sun," Jaden looked to the sky. "But something tells me the shadows will be back."
"And we'll be ready for them," Atem assured the underclassmen. "After all, fighting shadows is what we do."
1. Dark Side of Dimensions is canon to this story. If you haven't seen it yet, go do so. It's a great movie that sets off my inner fangirl every time I watch it.
Thanks for reading! I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated. I had an idea another story, so I started writing that, and I'm working on finding a job. I can't promise my updates will be as frequent as they were, but I'll do my best to not make you guys wait so long! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far! You guys enjoying my story is the best success I could hope for.