Hello again! Got this one edited much sooner than I thought I would. May be a bit before I get another one of these stories up since I've been a touch preoccupied. I'm still getting back into the groove of things, but once I finally decide what I'm going to do a longer story on, my post days will either be Sunday Or Monday and I may only be able to post once or twice a month, but I don't know at the moment so meh.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
One with the story, this is a direct continuation of "Clubbing Fun"
For those stumbling onto this story might I suggest you read in this order:
1. Meet the New Girls
2. Fighting for You
3. Sleep Over Fun
4. Date night
5: Photoshoots and Drama
6. Tender Moments
7. Stress and Anger
8. Moments of Weakness
9. Moving Out Moving In
10. Adjusting
11. Clubbing Fun
Enjoy!
"I wish I could say I'm happy to see you, but considering the circumstances, that would be a lie." Tajra sighs as she walks to her family and suitors.
"You knew this would eventually come to happen. We demand you to marry one of these men." Melsha growls.
"No." Tajra hisses. Marik's father walks over to his son.
"Are her parents not aware of the prophecy?" he asks.
"Strange first question to ask your son, but eh. They're aware, they just choose to ignore it. Something about me not being worthy enough or some shit like that." Marik shrugs, not catching the look his father gives him while Ishizu and Odion struggle not to laugh.
"How dare you deny me? You're sole purpose in life is to carry on the bloodline of the most noble of sorcerers. Now, come with me woman and we can get to starting that task!" the man bellows. Tajra glares at him just as he fires a disarming spell. She jumps out of the way before noticing the spell his heading for Yugi.
"Shit!" Tajra hisses just as the spell almost hits Yugi, only to be deflected by a lilac colored shield that encompasses the whole area, surrounding the men and Tajra, giving them enough room to fight.
"Mother, look." The eldest son, Laluko, says pointing to Marik.
"But he's not a sorcerer." Melsha snarls.
"He has the blood in him though dear. Remember, his grandmother and mother." Alukit reminds.
"But father, very few beginners can cast a shield this strong and remain standing and he's not even breaking a sweat. Tajra has been teaching him." The sister, Nanitala, says.
"That's because dear sister, mother and father underestimated him. If you look closely you can see his creature, which shouldn't even be possible." Laluko chuckles. Nanitala looks closely and sees a faint outline of a small creature at Marik's feet.
"You, how dare you interfere with us!" the men from earlier bellows.
"I was just protecting my friends and family." Marik retorts.
"With some half decent shield." Another scoffs.
"Well, I'm not the one with a half-baked plan to try and force a girl to marry me now am I?" Marik snaps.
"She has no choice but to submit. It is how all the sorceresses are." Another says.
"Right, because all the other sorceresses are cobras correct?" Marik replies with a smirk. The sorcerers have no comment before they turn their attention back to Tajra. She changed her restrictive club attire to the proper sorceress fighting attire.
"Look, let's make this quick. I have little tolerance for idiots that includes you mom and dad." Tajra says as she glares at her parents who are outside the barrier.
"It makes sense now mother. His creature, it has to be the only creature that could withstand and would be brave enough to go near any snake. Honey badger." Laluko says.
"That would also explain your temper." Yugi chuckles to Marik as he rolls his eyes while Bakura keeps everyone filled in with translation. The group of people in the club have already gathered around the spectacle. The men decided to go one on one with Tajra, thinking that she'll be too exhausted after the first one. Such is not the case as Tajra fires multiple attacks and delivers flawless punches and kicks while defending, but Marik can tell, she is getting tired.
"She's getting tired." Marik says quietly.
"She doesn't look tired." His father states just as quietly.
"She doesn't like showing weakness. She's taken out five of them, the five weakest, but now that she's going onto the stronger ones it's going to get more difficult for her." Marik says just as she knocks out the sixth man. Tajra calms her breathing, she can feel the ache in her muscles and the strain from the magical use. She sees one of the men draw close, chanting what she understands to be a seduction charm. He fires and Tajra knows she can't move, but sees a lilac shield go up and dispel the magic.
"How dare you interfere novice!" the sorcerer shouts. Before Tajra can say anything she feels herself being pulled over behind the shield.
"Marik, I need to do this." Tajra argues tiredly.
"Let me help you." Marik says.
"You cannot help her boy! Not unless you defeat me!" the man shouts. Marik rolls his eyes but then an idea forms and he nods.
"Marik, don't! These guys have years more experience than you! They'll…" Tajra stops.
"I know what I'm doing, just keep the barrier up." Marik says as he watches the barrier change to turquoise.
"You don't understand." Tajra mumbles.
"Téa, could you come over here please. She needs the support." Marik says. All the girls walk over.
"I'll be fine." Marik says as he walks into the brawl.
"Before we get started, no killing curses." Marik states as the men glare.
"Why not?" One growls.
"Be a coward then, just proves how much of a spineless bastard you are." Marik smirks.
"Fine novice, we agree to that term." The one from earlier snarls.
"Pride card, got it." Tajra sighs.
"What?" Téa asks.
"Marik knows that by threatening their pride in front of my father they'll have to agree to his terms. Marik is proving himself to my father by just fighting one of them, and by making them seem inferior by calling them out it makes them seem less than desirable candidates. He may not have been raised in our customs, but he understands the basic principles." Tajra says as she feels her power returning and the aches dull.
"So, who was next?" Marik asks. The man who fired the seduction charm steps up.
"Me novice, and you'll need more than guts to beat me." He snarls as he fires a magical blast only for Marik to effortlessly deflect it and teleport behind him and kick out his leg, breaking it. The man topples and mid fall, Marik kicks him across the shielded area. As he hurls through the air, the man fires a blast at Marik. Marik blocks and fires a shot back at the man, knocking him unconscious.
"Whoa. He did that easy." Joey chuckles.
"These three will not be so easy." Tajra groans as she heals herself and goes to stand.
"I challenge you next." The next man says.
"It was only the hyena I agreed to fight." Marik snarls.
"I don't care whelp. You put yourself in here, so you have to deal with it. Beating you will only prove to Tajra how much more superior I am." The man snickers. Marik rolls his eyes as the man lunges. Marik dodges.
"Of course the lion charges headlong without thinking first." Marik quips, angering the man.
"You dare insult me!" the man shouts as he launches spells and curses through the air.
"I'm saying you're predictable." Marik says as he jumps over the man, lands behind him, sweeps out his legs and in the next fluid motion elbows him in the back, sending him flying.
"I will not be beaten by an amateur!" the man growls.
"I'm no amateur. I know three teleport charms, three barrier charms, three levitation spells, the three killing curses, several healing charms and attack spells." Marik says, catching Tajra's attention.
"There are only two killing curses you fool." The man growls.
"There are three, and I know them because I read them in Tajra's books. The copies you all have. I take it you haven't gotten to volume thirteen then." Marik smirks.
"You did not read that spell!" Tajra shouts annoyed.
"I was bored." Marik defends as Tajra face palms.
"There are three?" the man asks.
"Mind killer, heart stopper and soul stealer. Yeah, there's three." Marik says.
"How can he know all three? No novice can know all three." Melsha snarls.
"Face it mom, he's not a novice." Nanitala sneers. The man stands and attacks again, Marik again dodges but catches the subtle movement of the man's true plan to attack again. Marik teleports to the other side while the man swings at air. The sorcerer glares at Marik, intent on getting rid of any and all competition and pays no mind to the formation Marik's hands are in as he charges blindly while the two remaining suitors simply shake their heads. Unleashing the attack spell known as lighting fire, the man flings back across the area, dazed and unconscious.
"How is he still standing?" Alukit asks.
"Well father, honey badgers are known for their endurance and tenacity." Laluko chuckles as Marik looks to the other two.
"Any other takers?" Marik questions. The two shake their heads.
"Heal her so one of us can claim her, you'll be doing no one any favors." The sorcerer hisses.
"Hmm…two snakes. An asp and a cobra. This should be interesting." Marik says as he walks over to Tajra, rests one hand on her shoulder and the other on the top of her head. They both close their eyes and her parents watch in awe as he restores her energy and heals her minor injuries.
"Take over the shield while I deal with them. Thanks for dealing with the other two." Tajra smiles as the shield changes color again and she walks back into the area. One of the last men walks forward.
"Kuohlo. Remember my name Tajra." Kuohlo smirks as Tajra rolls her eyes as flame envelopes her.
"Tajra, wait on that." Marik suggests. The flames die down and Tajra's parents stare in awe. No one could calm her down and yet he was able to soother her so easily. Kuohlo and Tajra circle each other and he feint attacks her. She doesn't flinch, she can tell he's trying to get her to jump. Tired of the dance they do, Tajra starts to attack, reading her opponent's moves and hitting him where it counts. Kuohlo starts to counter attack but before he knows it she has a hold over him and flings him to the barrier wall before the ground, knocking him out. Laluko teleports the ninth man out of the bubble and now it's just Tajra and the last man standing. Cobra against cobra.
"The name is Marishko. You will be mine." Marishko states as he attacks. Tajra dodges easily and blocks the secondary attack.
"Not likely." Tajra retorts.
"It is destiny that we, two cobras, powerful, are to be together. Come Tajra, don't deny your fate." Marishko says as he dodges her attack.
"You know nothing of my destiny. Besides, I'm throttling my attacks." Tajra says, casting a look to Marik.
"Why is that?" Marishko asks as he sends an attack her way, she blocks.
"I was told to wait. Have I waited long enough Marik?" Tajra asks. Marik nods and Tajra's family knows what she means by that.
"They aren't even married. How can he have the much of a hold over her?" Melsha asks.
"Mother, you know how." Nanitala sighs.
"Yes, when the souls bond of two sorcerers, they have a power over each other in times of duress, but that doesn't mean that before they marry that can happen. She wasn't like this when she went on that rampage." Melsha says.
"Because her destined wasn't there." Laluko says.
Green fire dances around Tajra's feet.
"Pyrotechnics." Marishko chuckles as he conjures up some fire.
"You have no idea what's about to happen do you?" Tajra asks in her two toned voice that even sends chills down Seto's spine as the fire engulfs her. Out of the flames, a white cobra with its hood raised to reveal large black and white wings. Its eyes pure fire as it spits at him, flames at the back of its throat. Standing on its head, Tajra with her fire around her still eyes pure turquoise and the eye of a cobra on her forehead. Marishko stares in fear and shock.
"Now, do you still think you are powerful Marishko? Because from where I'm standing, you can't even come close to this level of magical power." Tajra chuckles.
"Shouldn't you, oh I don't know, tell her not ta kill the poor chump?" Joey shouts at Marik.
"If she wanted to kill him, she would've by now. Plus she knows I would tell her to stop. Just watch." Marik says calmly.
"You sure she's not going to anyway? She's high on power right now, sound familiar?" Tristan asks.
"I'm sure." Marik says calmly as they turn their attention back to the two sorcerers.
"I'll still claim you as mine!" Marishko shouts as he launches an attack. All his attacks are deflected by the massive cobra's tail and wings. Fire comes forth and Marishko jumps out of the way. No scorch marks.
"Hey, the fires not hot." Duke says.
"No, she made it to only burn when it comes in contact with human skin, not linoleum." Marik deadpans.
"Well, shit." Duke grumbles.
"As fun as it is to watch you jump around like a fool, I don't want to kill you." Tajra sighs.
"Because you know you can't because we are to be together?" Marishko says.
"No, because it would be a waste of time and energy. So, here's your options…" Tajra starts.
"Listen woman, I give the demands and choices. You have one of two choices, either marry me or die, since you would be of no use to me." Marishko states.
"And that was stupid." Marik, Bakura, Yugi and Seto all say in unison. Tajra's eyes narrow at the man and fire comes from the cobra's mouth, this time though, Tajra has the fire wrap around Marishko and levitates him forward.
"And where, exactly, do you get off telling someone who could've killed you the moment you walked in what to do? I could end your pathetic excuse of a life right now you chauvinistic sack of shit. I could have my pet here eat you alive and listen as you scream in agony and terror as your digested and sent straight to the abyss. So, shut the fuck up and listen to me or you will not get a choice of what happens in the next few minutes. Option one, you surrender. Option two, you fight until you die from exhaustion or until my pet catches you. You have until I set you back down to choose." Tajra growls as she starts to lower him, his eyes wide with panic. The moment his feet hit the ground he starts to run around the area, dodging the tail. He runs to Marik.
"Call her off." Marishko begs.
"I don't believe that was an option." Marik says calmly. Fire blasts at the area they are in as he jumps.
"Please tell her to stop with the giant snake. Tell her to stop firing at me. Tell her to…" Marishko starts before he jumps again to dodge the flames.
"Tell her to marry you? Are you fucking crazy? She's my girlfriend, why the hell should I help you. You had your chance to give up you stupid son of a bitch, so either give up and I might call her off or well, option two." Marik says as the man jumps again.
"Could you honestly live with yourself if you let her kill me?" Marishko asks.
"I've done a lot of terrible shit in my life and I only regret about a handful of things I've done, these people know what those things are, but let me put it to you like this. Your life is in your hands. She gave you the choice, so you choose. Give up to someone who is far more powerful than you or die trying to beat her in an uphill battle. Your choice." Marik states. Marishko jumps, dodging the next attack, turns midair and lands and full on bows, on his knees, face to his hands, bows.
"I give!" Marishko shouts.
"Tajra, he gives." Marik states just as the snakes about to fire. Tajra hears Marik and halts the attack. The cobra lowers its head to where its nose is barely a foot away from Marishko.
"Good choice, albeit late. Let this be a lesson to you. You might be a cobra as well, but I am your queen and you never challenge your queen, is that understood?" Tajra hisses.
"Yes." Marishko squeaks.
"Good, now, get out of my sight." Tajra snarls. Marishko runs to where Laluko opens the barrier and lets him out. The cobra shrinks back down in size before it slithers up to Tajra's hand and sinks into her skin. Marik lowers the barrier then and quickly pulls her to him, knowing she'll calm almost immediately. The glowing snake eye disappears from her forehead, her eyes return to normal and she almost passes out.
"Stay awake babe." Marik says as she wobbles slightly in his arms.
"Air." Tajra says. Marik nods, looks to his family before the five walk out of the club into the cool air, Marik having a firm grip on Tajra. The crowd is silent for a moment.
"Ok everyone, shows over, carry on!" Joey and Tristan start as Tajra's suitors are teleported back to the hotel while her family goes to check on her. They walk outside to see Tajra leaning against Marik, Ishizu rubbing one of Tajra's shoulders and Odion keeping watch while Marik's father was speaking quietly to them all.
"Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth." Marik says as he continually keeps one of his hands glowing with a healing charm.
"Tajra." Melsha says quietly.
"Mom, I don't want to argue about this anymore." Tajra says shakily.
"I'm not here to argue. I just wanted to check on you." Melsha says.
"And, we're also here to say that we won't be bringing anymore suitors because clearly, you have found your intended." Alukit says.
"Thank Ra." Tajra mumbles as Marik chuckles.
"What changed your mind?" Tajra asks as her parents, sibling and in-laws approach.
"Two things. The suiters were all defeated, fairly. And well, Marik." Melsha says.
"How did I change your mind?" Marik asks.
"Where to begin. You were able to fight off some well-trained sorcerers and conjure up complicated spells and charms. But more importantly, you were actually able to reign in our daughter in her rage. And, we could see your creature, the honey badger, standing at your feet. All of that combined shows us that we were, well, wrong." Melsha says.
"You know what this means right?" Tajra asks Marik.
"Let's get you healed up first." Marik says as he places his hands on either side of her head and heals her.
"I'll never get tired of that one." Tajra chirps as she regains her balance. Marik shrugs before he and Tajra separate.
"Mister Ishtar, as part of our customs, I'm going to show you my past since you cannot look at it yourself." Tajra says as she takes his hands in hers. Melsha places her hands on either side of Marik's head as he closes his eyes. Just then Bakura pops his head around the corner only to turn back around.
"They'll be in in a moment." Bakura states calmly. The rest of the group nods as the energy starts to return to the club.
Marik's father rubs his head slightly after he sees Tajra's past but smiles at the young woman before him.
"Thank you for sharing that with me." He says.
"May I also see your past? I know it's generally reserved for parents, but our mother passed after Marik was born and I did raise him…" Ishizu says shyly. Tajra smiles and takes Ishizu's hands just as Alukit places his hands on Marik's head after letting him have a moment to regain his balance. After both are done Alukit looks to Marik.
"You weren't kidding about having done some terrible things in your past, but you have repented and changed for the better." Alukit says.
"Yeah, and let me tell you, it took a lot of apologizing." Marik chuckles. After a moment Marik realizes something and turns to his sister.
"So, what, exactly brought you here sister?" Marik asks.
"I may no longer have my millennium necklace, but I am part sorceress, and have a ridiculously good intuition dear brother. I knew that once father got here that we should go to different clubs to find you, and this just oddly enough was the first one we happened upon, that and we saw your motorcycle." Ishizu smiles. Marik smiles at his sister before he hears the music pick up inside.
"Well, I don't want our friends to think we ditched them, so, we're gonna head back inside and maybe tomorrow we can all do some catching up in a less crazy way?" Marik suggests.
"That would be wonderful!" All parties reply before they leave. Marik's father looks back at him.
"Your sister has explained most of what happened. I wanted to apologize for the phone call a while back." He says.
"I'll explain more tomorrow father, but I think we can both agree, now is not the best time. And I do forgive you because I believe you do have a right to a degree. We'll talk more about this tomorrow." Marik says. His father nods and then leaves with Ishizu and Odion.
"Well, let's get back in there and recover what's left of our night with our friends." Tajra says.
"I need a drink or ten after all of this." Marik chuckles as they walk back into the club.
"You and me both babe." Tajra giggles as she changes her clothes back to what they started out as that night, relieved that there was finally some closure to the issue with her parents.
A long chapter for once. Hope you all enjoyed! I will do the best i can to post more frequently, but until then please R&R!