Well…obviously, here's the next chapter. It's longer than my chapters usually are. I just couldn't find a good cut-off place, apparently. Oh well.
On to the next!
"Is this fun? A battle with people's very lives on the line? Do you think this is fun?! Answer me!" Yami shouted, Ava feeling his anger rising.
Pandora simply smirked, "Of course, because I know I will escape!"
"You filthy scum! Not only did you risk our own lives, you brought in an innocent! As such, you give me no choice." Yami said, getting into his Duelist Mode. "I will show you what a True Duelist's battle looks like!"
As the holo-projectors turned on, Ava felt her anxiety begin to lift.
If he lost this…NO! If Yami lost this duel, he and Yugi were done for. And, knowing that, Ava felt her core become cold, like ice.
"He'll win." A small voice said in her heart. "Trust in him."
She looked around, but knew the voice hadn't been something in corporeal form or existence. It was something else that revolved around her Bracelet. Was it the Guardian, the one she was said to have been in the past?
"I go first!" Yami declared.
Little did he know—although it wouldn't've surprised him—his opponent was already cheating upon drawing his first cards. Shaving the edges just a little had allowed him to immediately draw his Dark Magician, the cheat. No matter. He would win!
"I set a card on the field and then summon Alpha the Magnet Warrior, defense mode!" Yami said, making his play. "Turn over!"
"My move, then!" Pandora said, drawing his card. "Legion of Field Jester in defense mode!"
"My draw, then!" Yami said, drawing his card.
Ava looked at the field, sensing something was off. This player, since he was a Rare Hunter, surely wouldn't play fair. He spoke of using Dark Magician, which meant he was a Spellcaster-type player. Any other time, she would like this sort of duelist. The Spellcaster-type Deck was always her favorite, but, this time, she couldn't bring herself to like it.
"Still, the look on his face…" She said inside herself. "That smirk of his means he is well on his way to achieving whatever goal he has in mind. I'm gonna say it's summoning his Dark Magician. And, if I know bad guys and their facial expressions, I'm going to say he already has that card in his hand."
Yami smirked, "Pandora, I'm going to play a Magic Card this turn."
Ava had a feeling of what was coming next.
"A Magic Card?!" Pandora exclaimed.
"And that card is…" Yami said, drawing out his play. "Hand Obliteration!"
"Alright!" Ava shouted, attempting to cheer but found it hard to do so with her hands and feet restrained.
"Wh-WHAT!? Hand Obliteration?!" Pandora shouted, eyes wide in pure shock.
That meant that both players' discarded their entire hand to the grave. Which meant, even more, that Pandora couldn't summon his monster! So, then, Yami had already figured it out, too. And judging by the look on Pandora's face, he wasn't too happy about that play.
"Just as I figured. You already have Dark Magician in your hand. Of course, I'd never drop my guard around a trickster like you." Yami stated, confident and proud, like he always was. "Judging by the way you cut and shuffle, you don't seem to cherish your cards at all. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that you'd cut them.
"So, then," Pandora began. "Were you aware of my trick from the start?!"
"No doubt. The guy's like a genius." Ava said, adding on, "You made a mistake challenging him!"
"And my turn is over yet!" Yami exclaimed, his "Brain Control" being exposed.
"Oh, good card!" Ava mentally commented.
The rest was obvious.
"I sacrifice my Magnet Warrior and Legion of Fiend Jester!" Yami called out, both monsters disappearing. "I summon…Dark Magician!"
Man, if Ava could have snapped a picture of Pandora's face! The guy was truly scared!
"Now, I'll show you the anger of the cards, Pandora!" Yami said, speaking before calling his attack. "You're the one whos et up this dangerous game, so I hope you're prepared to suffer because of that. Now, Dark Magician! Attack him directly! Dark Magician Attack!"
Pandora had been cut down a few pegs, but, judging by the newfound expression on his face, it wasn't enough to set him running.
"Pandora! If you cut the cards like that, you're just using them for your own needs! If you continue this game, you'll feel the full anger of those cards!" Yami warned, continuing. "Give up this game and save yourself!"
"Give up? Who would do that?! This game is just starting! I hope you enjoy the consequences of your actions!" Pandora shouted, drawing his cards.
"Yugi! Be careful! His guy says he's a magician, but all magicians in today's world merely use trick after trick! He's not finished, so look ou—AH!" Ava shouted, but she was cut short as she felt another surge go through her body. It wasn't as bad as the last, but it was still enough to render her silent for a little bit. "Bas…Bastard."
"Pandora! Leave Ava out of this!" Yami warned.
Pandora, shrugged. "Then she needs to learn to not interrupt a performer. After all, I control this stage and the duel! I will be the victor, meaning will be the one who escapes and survives! You'll be nothing but minced meat, while little—what was her name? Oh!—Ava will be nothing more than a lightly fried puppet. My master has instructed me to hand her over, still alive and breathing, when I win."
Yami's eyes widened. He has his proof. Marik didn't want just the bracelet Ava wore. He wanted her, too. But…why?
"That is if you win!" Yami corrected. "Which won't be happening!"
"My turn!" Pandora said as he drew. "I play Killer Tomato. Defense mode. Then, I place one face-down. Turn end!"
"Fine!" Yami said, drawing his card. "I summon Beta the Magnet Warrior!"
"Yami, you're so blind! How could you not even consider his face-down?!" Ava shouted in her head.
"Activate! Trap Card!" Pandora shouted, clicking a button on his Duel Disk.
It was Reviving Coffin of Black Magic.
This wasn't good. Ava sighed, her wrists starting to ache from the restraints.
"A Red Dark Magician?!" Ava shouted. "Come on! He looks horrible! I respect the cards, but I don't like fake or copy-cat cards! Take down the 'Fake Magician', Yugi!"
Yami analyzed the scene. While he was able to summon the creature, both monsters had the same number of points. This would be a battle determined by magic and trap cards, rather than a number of monsters. "For my turn, I place two face-down cards. Turn over!"
Pandora smirked. He knew his opponent's plan. He played two face-down cards, ending his turn.
Yami was up next. "I place one face-down card and end my turn."
Pandora did the exact same move.
Ava was getting irritated with this. Was neither going to attack, just keep playing face-down cards?
Soon, the answer was given.
"I will take the first strike!" Pandora shouted, revealing his first face-down. "Mystic Guillotine!"
Yugi's Magician was dragged and set on a guillotine, primed and ready for his execution. Ava had to close her eyes. For some reason, watching his Dark Magician die was the worst thing ever. Luckily, he was saved by "Magical Hats", keeping the magician safe.
"In that case, I reveal my second face-down! Thousand Knives!" Pandora said, revealing the face-down.
Apparently, he was going to strike the hat the hid the Dark Magician, so Yami revealed his next face-down: Magic Removal. Next, both Magicians attacked, both being destroyed, only for both to be revived. Ava, again, had to sigh.
These two seemed evenly matched.
"You've played against my Dark Magician well. I applaud you, Pandora." Yami gave his opponent recognition. "I draw and end my turn. Pandora, your skills are quite good. If you're a duelist of this caliber, then you shouldn't have fallen to this level so easily. Why is you follow Malik and act as one of the Ghoul's Rare Hunters?"
So, Pandora's past was explained. He had been a famous Magician and, one day, one of his escape acts went really wrong. Ending up scarred and "no longer handsome", he had lost his love, Catherine, only then realizing she was more important than he originally thought. He gave up hope, apparently—although Ava didn't understand why. He still could've turned his life around. After that, Pandora met Malik, who promised to reunite Pandora with his love, Catherine, using his Millennium Rod, of course. All he had to do was kill Yugi and bring Ava, relatively healthy and well, to Malik's dwelling area.
"Why don't you encourage your lover to trust and believe in you? Even now, it isn't too late!" Yami stated. "Honor your girlfriend with your heart and soul!"
"Seriously! What you're talking about, Pandora, isn't the same as what you had before! Mind control can't sprout love! It'll be fake! Take it from a girl who knows a thing or two about this!" Ava said, momentarily attracting Yami's attention. She continued. "Catherine, if she truly loved and cared for you, will understand. You don't need all this!"
"You're still a child, Avianna. What do you know about such matters?" Pandora stated, looking back at the girl. "After all, aren't your parents gone over half the year at a single time? According to what I've been told, you've been raising yourself for the past four to five years. And, yet, you talk about such things? Your parents might love each other, but sounds like they're purposely leaving you behind."
"At least they didn't leave me because I became ugly on the inside and outside." Ava shot back, a scream of pain erupting from her as Pandora hit the Electricity Button.
"A lonely little girl staying in the house of someone who might as well be a stranger." Pandora stated, crossing his arms. "Face it, girl. If your own parents deserted you, what should stop this kid from doing the same?"
Yami spoke, not able to hold himself back any longer. "Because I don't leave my friends behind, Pandora! Now, get out of Ava's mind and stop with your head games!"
Pandora began cackling, "Believe what you'd like. As long as I live with my Catherine, I don't care. And, for that, I will kill you!"
Drawing his card, Pandora set a face-down and ended his turn.
And Yami placed two face-downs.
"It's another Face-down Battle…" Ava thought, groaning inside.
"I play my Magic Card! Beckon to Dark!" Pandora called.
Clouds gathered in the sky, followed by a giant demonic-looking hand coming from them. It tried to drag Dark Magician out of the game, but Yami played his Trap Card, Hand Mirror of Spirit. Unfortunately, that only acted Pandora's real plan.
"You fell for it, after all" Pandora boasted. "That hand was merely a decoy to get you to use your Trap Card. My aim was this! A Trap that activates in response to another Trap! Nightmare Cross!"
Chains came from the new card, fixating Yami's Dark Magician onto a cross, rendering him nearly useless in the game.
"Oh no…" Ava said aloud. "With no monster, his Life Points are wide open."
"Oh, that's not it! AHAHAHAHAHA!" Pandora said, cackling once more. "There was one small detail I forgot to mention. I've been saving it until the right time, which is now! Go, my Dark Magician! Direct Attack!"
Yami let out a scream that Ava couldn't bear to hear, but, of course, she wasn't paying attention to his suffering too long.
"AHHHHHHHH!" Ava's voice called out, the electricity flowing through her body much stronger than it had before.
When it ceased, she felt like she was going to pass out. Her head felt heavy, yet light at the same time. Her body ached, but it also felt numb.
"AVA!" Yami screamed, his eyes wide in pure terror.
"She's not dead…" Pandora stated, "But I promise you that, should your points reach zero first, she won't be in the best condition upon leaving. Still, it'll be better than what you'll be like. AHAHAHAHAHA!"
"Shut…up…" Ava said, weak in her words. "You're…getting on…my nerves."
"Ava, stop! Do not talk anymore!" Yami shouted, fearing she didn't have much energy left inside. He turned to Pandora. "Let's finish this!"
"The magic show has reached its climax! The moment your Life reaches zero, my task will be complete!" Pandora said, pointing to Yami. "Not only will you be met with great pain, you'll lose something you care about! When you are met with great despair, the curtain will fall! Now! Take your final turn so we can end this!"
Yami's eyes fell on Ava, who seemed to have recovered from the shock, but she was still out of it. She looked bad. He couldn't deny that. But he couldn't focus on that, not entirely. There was more riding on this duel than a single person, after all!
"I summon Big Shield Gardna! I end my turn." Yami said as he played his monster.
He couldn't do anything else.
Pandora looked amused. "Oh? A wall monster, huh? You're thinking as long as you have defending monsters, you're safe, then? I'm afraid that is all in vain, though! Yugi, your life will end this turn! It's my turn!"
Drawing his card, Pandora played "Killer Doll", as well as Magic Card: Ectoplasmer. Ava didn't like that card. She might have been out of it, but she could still pay attention, enough to know what was going on.
"Of course, this card comes with a price. The Magic Card transforms my monster isn't Ectoplasm energy, and then I can directly attack the player. It will pass right through your wall monsters!" Pandora explained, leaving Yami extremely shocked, as well as appalled.
"You mean…you're willing to sacrifice your own monsters' souls?!" Yami exclaimed.
Pandora cackled, "That's right! The selected monster will die!"
Ava noticed something, and she was sure Yami noticed it, too. Pandora's Dark Magician flinched, growing worried at his master's own words.
"If this match wins back my Catherine, my monster is nothing but a stepping stone!" Pandora said, readying for the attack. "Now, I shall turn both my Killer Doll and my Dark Magician into Ectoplasm! FIRE!"
The first, the soul of the doll, came out at Yami.
Of course, Ava couldn't help but cry out in pain as she was, again, shocked as his Life Point count lowered. Happily, it wasn't as bad as when the Magician directly attacked him.
However, there was one attack still left.
Oddly enough, Yugi's Dark Magician seemed to care about Yami and his well-being. And, not only that, every time Ava was shocked, he also looked in her direction, as if he wasn't just a monster hologram but something more than that.
"You should understand why I am unbeatable, as a fellow Dark Magician user." Pandora claimed. "Because I can step on my servants without a second thought! Even if it means their death! The way you try to win is pure naivety! Your servant is unable to move. He can't protect you or do anything! Isn't it okay to use the life of your servants to defeat the enemy in front of you?!"
Yami looked pissed. "You bastard!"
"My Dark Magician devotes his life and soul to my needs. For my victory!" Pandora exclaimed.
Ava lifted her head, seeing the look the red magician held in his eyes.
"Oh, really? Heh. Why then…why does he look like he scared beyond his wits?" Ava asked.
Immediately, the red magician looked at her, his eyes wide.
Ava looked at him, feeling as if she wasn't just looking at a hologram, speaking, "I'm sorry. For you to have a master, such as him, I am truly sorry. You never deserved such a thing."
"Silence!" Pandora shouted. "The finale is here! Ectoplasmer! Change Dark Magician into Ectoplasm!"
Yami was feeling the same feeling Ava was. He was sure of it.
"Pandora, your monster is crying." Yami said, solemn.
"Like I care! Ectoplasmer! Attack!" Pandora declared. "I win!"
Ava didn't know why, but she had such an urge to scream out her thoughts. She couldn't control herself. "PROTECTOR YOUR MASTER!"
Yami was surprised when his magician began glowing, almost as if Ava had done something, although he knew that wasn't what had happened. Apparently, Pandora's card affected not only his own magician but Yami's as well. Neither Ava nor Yami could believe what happened. The soul of Yami's magician was protecting his master, keeping him safe from the attack. The look Pandora had said he didn't expect such a thing to happen, either.
Pandora was speechless.
That was okay, for Yami wasn't.
"Tyranny isn't the only way to win a battle. I will teach you this, Pandora!" Yami exclaimed.
He would not let his monster's sacrifice be in vain. He promised him that much.
Pandora was admitting to a minor setback, but he still plenty of tricks up his sleeve—like the fact he still had two more Dark Magicians in his deck!
"Continue the duel!" Pandora shouted. He set a Face-down and ended his turn.
"You only have 700 Life Points left, and I'm not sure how much little Avianna can take." Pandora chimed, Yami looking to his friend. He couldn't say she looked fine, but she did seem better.
"Still, we need to be careful!" Yugi chimed, Yami mentally acknowledging that his partner was correct.
"The cards will decide how our fates end!" Yami shouted. "My turn!"
Summoning Gazelle, Yami fell into another of Pandora's traps. "Demon's Scale!"
Yami's eyes widened, Pandora explaining how his card worked. "This Trap is activated when an opponent summons a monster. Judging by how many monsters I have on the field, it will make your field even to that!"
Both of Yami's monsters were defeated, further irritating the duelist.
Yugi chimed in, "At least it didn't take away any of our Life. Which means Ava is safe, too."
Yami had to admit that his partner was right.
But they needed to win this duel! Only then was Ava truly safe.
Pandora drew, smirking, "With this card, m victory is assured! A card that will allow me to instantly summon my Dark Magician! Black Magic Curtain!"
After paying half his Life, Pandora's magician did, indeed, return.
During this, Yami looked at Ava, who nodded. She knew what he was doing—asking permission.
"Yugi, how do you like my perfect Magician Deck? Summon speed, quick acting, and magic combination. Including everything, it surpasses your deck. I'm the only one worthy of being called the true Dark Magician user, don't you think?" Pandora laughed, again, and, then, spoke. "You have no monsters guarding you. If I were to attack you, you would lose! The only thing guarding you are your Face-downs, which are, most likely a Trap that activates when an attack is called, wiping out the attacking monster. Why don't I seal such an eyesore?"
Yami's eyes widened, "Seal my cards?!"
And just like that, Yami's two face-downs were sealed and rendered useless. Thus, Pandora called another attack, thinking victory had already been snatched.
Yami closed his eyes for just a moment, this thoughts ringing, "Ava, thank you. Had you said 'no', I wouldn't have done what I am about to do."
"WHAT?! BLACK MAGIC CURTAIN IS ON YOUR SIDE OF THE FIELD?!" Pandora exclaimed.
Yami smirked, "This card affects the entire field, Pandora! However, like you said, to use it I my pay half my Life. Had I only been affected, I wouldn't have thought twice about such a move, but when a friend is put on the line…well, I tend to change my tune. But she has given me her permission, and I intend to make good use of it!"
As Yami's Life Points dropped, Ava muffled a cry that came as more electricity flowed through her. He was down to a mere 350 points, now, and Ava was down to her final breaths, or so it seemed in her opinion.
"Im-impossible! You said you don't have another Dark Magician in your deck!" Pandora said, shaky in his speech.
Yami replied, "Yes, you're right. I only have one Dark Magician. However, in the world of Duel Monsters, there is but one female magician called the "Magician's Disciple"!"
Pandora didn't believe it. "Impossible! There is a Magicians Card that I, the Magicians User, does not know about?!"
"I'll show it you, then!" Yami shouted.
The curtain on "Black Magic Curtain" pulled away, the cute and fun "Dark Magician Girl" coming forth. Ava smiled. She was happy to have given Yami the chance to summon her. And it was even better to see Pandora's surprised expression as beholding a monster he'd never even heard of.
"Her attack is only 2000! It can do nothing against my Dark Magician! So, go! Attack the Dark Magician Girl!" Pandora demanded his monster.
"Dark Magic Attack!"
"Black Burning Attack!'
Pandora chuckled, "With this, I win!"
Yami, too, chuckled. "Are you certain?"
Pandora's tune changed upon seeing his Magician disappearing, slowing fading off the field. He was so confused. How could this have happened?
"His attack should be 500 points higher…" Pandora said.
"I'll tell you." Yami replied, explaining, "For each Dark magician that sleeps in the Graveyard, Dark Magician Girl gets an additional 300 attack points. The soul of a fallen ally makes her stronger!"
There, beside Yugi's fallen magician was Pandora's own magician, giving strength to Yami's monster. Guess he didn't like be used as a mere "stepping stone", eh?
"Betrayed by you, your Dark Magician had chosen to fight against you, instead." Yami added. "My turn! Prepare yourself, Pandora!"
Dark Magician Girl readied for her next attack.
Pandora grew frightened. This attack, if it worked, would surely bring about his end. And in a very brutal way!
"Dark Magician Girl! Direct attack the player Pandora and end this!" Yami shouted.
The attack successfully hit Pandora, who had been trying to escape his own inescapable restraints. And, as it did, his Life count hit "0". Yami had—thankfully—won!
"Pandora! Because you've betrayed your cards, you've lost!" Yami spoke, triumphant.
[Elsewhere, but nearby]
Tea, Mokuba, and Grandpa all ran towards a RPG shop, Tristan speaking as he noticed them all. "Hey! What's up!?"
Tea looked and replied, "Yugi's missing. So is Ava. Mokuba said they went off the radar, but he said he was able to find both. They should be in here, somewhere."
"Well, let's not stand around, then. Let's break in that place!" Tristan said, getting off his motorbike.
Back with Yami and his now-finished duel, Yami was speaking, again. "For a duelist, to not cherish the bond between your cards, you're only walking down the path of failure. My victory was sealed the moment you disrespected your Dark Magician!"
Pandora was still in some state of shock. "Impossible! To respect your cards…no! A card should only follow the instructions of its true master!"
"A duelist like you who threw away the bonds between your cards, who willingly put an innocent soul in danger, all in order to obtain victory…" Yami closed his eyes, looking back to Pandora after a few seconds. "You've already lost the Duelist Soul! All that awaits you is your last act of cruelty."
At the moment the Life Point count hit zero, Yugi's box opened, revealing not only the key but also a Puzzle Card. Outside the room, Tea and the rest were rushing to get to where Yugi and Ava were, hopefully, being held. However, the door was locked. Inside, though, they could hear a sound.
"What is that sound?" Tea asked.
Ava noticed Pandora pull a spare key from his sleeve, her a little perturbed. However, she didn't want to see his legs get cut clean off. That would be a sight that would hard to forget. But something strange happened. He stopped moving, freezing.
"Yami…?" She asked, still weak.
"Hold on, Ava!" Yami said.
"No…it's him." Ava corrected. "Something's wrong."
"Please, let me off the hook, Master Malik!" Pandora shouted, Ava feeling sick to her stomach.
This "Malik" was insane. He'd willingly let a saw chop off his henchman's legs…because he lost a card game? This wasn't right. This proved just how truly deranged this new bad guy was.
"Huh? The key…it's gone…?!" Pandora stated, not able to see or feel the key in his own hand. Malik had taking over part of the man, it would seem. Pandora screamed, "I WAS JUST HOLDING THE KEY A MOMENT AGO…!"
Pounding came from on the other side of the door, Tristan shouting, "Hey! Guys! You in there?!"
Ava looked at the door but looked back to Pandora. Next, she looked at Yami. "Leaving him there isn't right. This is a punishment that just isn't right, Yami!"
Hearing the others from behind the door, Yugi took over.
It would seem Yugi had the same sympathy Ava did, for he rescued Pandora.
Yugi breathed hard, speaking, "It's wrong to throw your life away for a game!"
However, Pandora was already gone. The man staggered, rushing towards where his love was, supposedly, sitting. But it hadn't been real. Just a trick put on by Malik. Still, Pandora didn't seem to notice. All he kept doing was caressing the mannequin, as if she were a real person. His mind was gone, definitely.
Yugi walked closer, "Pandora?"
Pandora turned around, but a shining eye on his forehead told that it was no longer him.
"Why did you go and do that?" Malik's voice came through the man. Walking closer, he spoke, again, "You're the vessel for the other Yugi, correct?"
"His personality just changed…?" Yugi glared. "So, then, you're…!"
"Ah, I see. You weren't conscious when we met earlier today, then." Malik's voice stated, continuing. "My name is Malik!"
Yugi's eyes widened. "You're Malik?! How were able to control Pandora?!"
"I can control people from any location. I can even alter their memory. If I ease off enough, their voices can still be heard." Malik stated. His attention was drawn to Ava. "I see you're still in good shape. I'm glad. It would've been a pity to lose you. In fact, had I lost you due to this fool's rash actions I would've been in quite the predicament."
Ava blinked.
What did he mean by that?
Yugi's eyes were drawn to Ava, but they came back to Malik, "Why do you want to kill us?!"
"It doesn't concern you…" Malik replied. "But I do have business with the soul you contain."
"And Ava?! How does she find into any of this?!" Yugi demanded.
"She is the Pharaoh's Guardian, whether she wants to be or not. Scriptures say she is the Guardian to the powerful king, the one who sealed the monsters away so long ago, but…well, I figure she doesn't have to belong to a single king and nothing more!" Malik explained, Ava beginning to feel her stomach drop. He continued. "And, should she refuse, I have other ways to making her see my goals are accomplished."
His Millennium Rod, in other words.
"I used the same method when controlling Bandit Keith." Malik stated, Yugi's going wide. Malik continued. "In order to prove the existence of your other self. To see if you were really the one chosen to solve the Millennium Puzzle, and to see if the man inside you was the one I thought he was! When you completed the Millennium Puzzle again, you confirmed the existence of that man. But that's not all you did…"
Yugi's eyes went wide.
"It wasn't long after that day that Ava arrived, was it?" Malik asked. "She was purposely put here, by guidance of the gods. She could've gone to any other city, but she chose here."
"Wrong!" Ava shouted. "My parents flew me here, so try another one!"
Malik replied, "Yes, upon being told a great opportunity awaited you in this little Japanese town. However, coincidences aren't always a matter of luck. Sometimes, they are choices fate makes for us! Because of the Pharaoh, you had to come here. Your souls are tied together, by fate. However, I won't be controlled by it. Instead, I will break the traditions set down by our ancestors, destroying this curse that has been passed down my family line, generation after generation! And you, Ava, are going to help me."
"Why are you trying to kill us?!" Yugi demanded to know.
Malik continued, answering Yugi, "It doesn't concern you, but I have business with the soul you contain! Revenge. You see, I am the heir of the clan of Tomb Guardians who lived in darkness for 3,000 years. And I will avenge them!"
"This is so messed up; it isn't even funny." Ava said in her thoughts.
This guy, who had a bone to pick with a 3,000-year-old king, who has been dead for those years and had no memory of anything, wanted to kill this high school student for…well, Ava didn't know.
"But Yugi has nothing to do with that! Yami was rumored to be a just king. I highly doubt he'd want you to leave in the conditions you were forced to live in!" Ava shouted. "If you wanna blame anyone, blame your family! They did this to you!"
"Because they were forced to!" Malik shouted in return.
Ava backed down.
This was a losing battle.
"We must live apart from the outside world, living only to guard the Millennium Items we were given. For that, we must die." Malik explained. "We must return the Pharaoh's memory to his soul. I hold one of the seven items, which I must hand over to the Pharaoh's soul. Even if it means certain death, I must protect it—that is what I was taught as a child."
Ava looked at her bracelet. Malik noticed the movement.
"Ah, yes, that special item. It is bound to the Guardian's Soul and none other. Therefore, I must have Avianna and not just the item alone. Only she can use its true power. However," Malik stated, growing a little irritated as he continued, "Due to the spell cast on her spirit during the final moments before the Pharaoh sealed himself away into the confines of the Puzzle, capturing her isn't a simple matter. The same magic that protects the Puzzle protects her. However, she isn't immune to my mind control!"
"Hold on," Ava said. "You said that he did this in his final moments. Why?"
Malik seemed to have no problem with explaining. "Scriptures say the Pharaoh told his Guardian, whose name remains unknown as it was removed from all records, to leave the palace grounds and never return, for her own safety. He wanted her safe, since he knew he would no longer be present to protect her. Relieved of her duties, she was free to leave the palace and go anywhere she wanted. The Pharaoh, apparently, even offered her riches, so that she could live comfortably for quite a while. But she did not leave. She vowed that she would remain and fight until she could no longer. For her king—a long-time friend—the Guardian remained. The Pharaoh watched her fall in battle, protecting her King with her own body as he chanted a final spell, the same spell that would lock away the Shadows Games, as well as his own soul. During her final breaths, the Pharaoh placed some type of charm that embedded itself in her soul, promising that they would see each other in time. For 3,000 years, it has been dormant. Even after you were born, it still slept, nestled inside until that day—the day when the Puzzle was together and the Pharaoh's spirit reborn! Everything has been set up by the gods, every path ever taken, any choice ever made—it was all for this!"
"Wait…so, then, the Pharaoh's memory stone tablet and the Millennium Items are related?" Yugi questioned, still trying to piece everything together.
Ava wanted to know, too, but she really wanted to leave.
Honestly, she could live happily never knowing or hearing about Malik ever again.
"The problem is finding the Pharaoh's soul…" Malik stated, throwing Ava for a loop.
"Hold on! You just said that Yami is the pharaoh! You've already found him! Ancient Spirit trapped inside a magical pendant that is thousands of years old! How is that hard to find?!" Ava shouted, aggravated at how much this guy wasn't making sense.
Malik ignored her, speaking once more, "The only clue is in the original Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic text of the Pert Um Heru, the Book of the Dead. It says, 'You will know him by the three god cards he wields.' In other words, the one who collects those cards will be crowned the title of 'Pharaoh' and regain the Millennium Items and his lost memories!"
"Okay…" Ava said, "So…where do I come in this? Do I really protect anything or is that just a nice title? Other than standing in as part of the 'Support Squad', I don't sound real important."
Malik responded. "Once the title of Pharaoh is handed over, you will immediately resume your duty of Guardian and Servant. Although, I doubt you're as 'useless' as you claim."
Ava's eyes widened.
Yugi looked to her, wondering what Malik had meant by that. It seemed as if Ava knew.
"I will put an end to the curse that has fallen to my family, and, to do that, I will take revenge on the Pharaoh's soul and kill him a second him!" Malik exclaimed, Ava feeling a piercing pain of some sort in her chest.
This guy meant business. Both the Pharaoh and Yugi were in serious danger!
"And if the prophecy says that the Pharaoh will wield the three god cards, then I will obtain them and become the new Pharaoh!" Malik finished, Ava furrowing her brows.
"And let me guess…take over the world? Bend them to your will? The usual stuff bad guys like to do?" Ava asked, trying to keep a brave face on.
In truth, you thought this guy was insane!
Again, though, she just seemed to get ignored. Perhaps, though, that was better than him paying attention to her.
Malik continued, "I formed the Ghouls for the sole purpose of locating those cards. In doing so, I have already obtained two of them. The third resides in this town—in this Battle City!"
Yugi's eyes widened, although Ava didn't become too surprised. Honestly, it wasn't too big of a deal. She figured the cards were floating around—although, it seemed only one of them was. The other two were already in Malik's possession!
"So that was his reason for joining this tournament!" Yugi exclaimed, finally piecing everything together in his mind. "His lost memory…"
Malik looked at Ava, "You, also, have something of a Lost Memory, my dear. However, only the Pharaoh, the one who sealed it away all those years ago, can give it back to you."
Ava gave a disgusted sigh. "Sorry, I already know who I am. I am Avianna Soule. Born August 12th. I enjoy long walks in the moonlight and really love sipping hot chocolate during the winter months. I like swimming, though, for when it's hot. What I don't like is all you bimbos telling me who I supposedly really am!"
Yugi's eyes widened.
Obviously, she hadn't come to terms with everything, not that he blamed her.
"Oh, well, then tell me why it is you have dreams that center on everything we 'bimbos' have been telling you? I might not be able to control your thoughts, but I am still allowed to scan them. All I see if a head full of dreams that focus on a destroyed Ancient Egypt, the day the Shadow Games nearly destroyed everything. You were there, Ava! The memories are still in your head; despite what you want to believe!" Malik shouted, Ava growing flabbergasted at his words.
How did he know what her dreams showed?
"But, if you don't believe me still, then answer one simple question: Have the visions started?" Malik asked, Ava furrowing her brows together. "If not, they will soon enough. And, when they do, you'll wish they didn't. They began in a Guardian who they were but a child, which gave the tell-tale sign of who was Guardian and who was not."
Yugi had to admit—this was all too much!
"Yugi!" Malik shouted, Yugi looking at Pandora. "Once I kill you, I can finally free my family of our cursed path, and the world will be mine!"
Ava had to sigh.
She knew the whole "World Domination" would come about soon enough. Bad guys always wanted to rule the world.
She looked at Yugi, but he seemed to be pondering over something in his head. Somehow, she had an idea of what it was: If Yami got his memories, the two would be separated. But, while that seemed sad, Yugi had to face it eventually. They were each their own person, each bearing his own soul and his own life.
"Malik! I won't let you take away the other me's life! We will fight you!" Yugi shouted.
"You're merely a vessel," came Malik's reply. "When the time comes, you can die alongside him."
Ava growled, "We'll see who gets to that 'finish line', Malik."
Malik smirked. He kind of liked Ava's feisty attitude.
"Within this city, another Rare Hunter is lurking, but is far different from the ones you've battled thus far." Malik teased. He continued, "This servant of mine wields a God Card! Osiris the Heaven Dragon!"
Ava's eyes widened.
Suddenly a picture of something flashed in her mind—it was a red dragon, but this thing was huge. Could this, possibly, be the God Card he had mentioned? If so, why had she seen it?
"Osiris?" Yugi asked, startled with such news.
Malik continued, finishing his end on the conversation, "He will appear before you sooner than you think. So, remember…beware the Silent Doll."
"Silent Doll? What?" Yugi asked aloud.
"We'll meet again, Yugi, Ava."
After those words, Pandora's body went limp. His mind was gone, and it looked as if he soul was gone, too. Poor guy. All to be with the girl he loved, too. He was a jerk, but Ava still couldn't help but be a little sympathetic about him. Good thing was that, at that moment, everyone on the other side of the door barged in. After everyone had exchanged greetings, Tea, noticing the markings that covered Ava's wrists and ankles walked over to the girl, eyes going wide in horror.
"Ava! What happened?!" She exclaimed.
Immediately, everyone's eyes landed on the girl. Curious, Tristan walked over. In a way, after seeing the slight wounds on her body, he kind of wished he didn't. Metal restraints and electricity was not a good combination. in fact, some of her skin had truly been burnt away, leaving a very painful injury behind.
"Whoa! Those look like burn marks, pretty bad ones, too! What the hell happened?!" He asked, nearly flipping out.
Up until now, Yugi hadn't really noticed the true shape Ava's body was in. However, now that the attention was on her, it didn't take long for him to notice.
In regards to the question, Ava didn't see the point in lying. "Yugi was backed into a duel. If he denied, I would've been fried to a crisp. Luckily, he won! So, here we are."
Oh, the looks she got in return.
"What?" Ava asked, blinking.
Okay, there is the end of this chapter. I know…it's a weird place to end it. But hopefully you guys enjoyed where this chapter went and where the story is beginning to go.
Until the next!