Chapter 5: The Heart of Insanity
A.N. - Oops! Edited last chapter, I made a mistake! (Thanks for noticing too, seashell!) I wasn't fully awake when I wrote last chapter, and I got the timing mixed up. Yami Bakura's a little shy of ten, Mariku's about twelve, Isis is about fifteen (not that it matters, at the moment), and Yuugiou's eight! ^_^ he could be five, I guess, but that would mess up the rest of the ages. So now I feel really stupid. Heehee... well, now Yuugiou's eight! Not that it'll make a big difference in the end...
A.N. II - Also, sorry that this is slow coming. It was Thanksgiving, my little sister turned ten on the 1st, and I had to write a Duel. Most of you guys requested that I play out the Duel, so I am... I have no clue how it came out, but it certainly took me awhile! They're Dueling with 2000 Life Points, because I've never done a Duel before, so I don't want to make it too long. Not to mention, it's hard!
A.N. III - Just wanted to say, that I don't know all of the Japanese names for the cards; but I know that the Dark Magician was originally the Black Magician, and that the Celtic Guardian was the Elven Swordsman. I'm going to be calling them by their Japanese names in the Duel because 1. they sound cooler, 2. Yu-Gi-Oh! is Japanese, not American, and 3. I don't think that the Celtics existed during this time, so it would be odd for Yami Yuugi to be saying Celtic Guardian', no?
A.N. IV - Another thing; because they didn't have cards in Ancient Egypt, I can't say that they put cards face down on the field or anything like that. Magic and Trap cards will be known as for the time that they are dormant, and, well, Magic and Traps when they are activated. So putting a spell on the field is like laying a card face down. And also, they don't have cards in their hands to pull from; rather, they know which monsters that are in their because they picture their rosters in their mind's eye. Okay...? Hope my terminology doesn't scare ya.
A.N. V - Will I ever shut up? I just wanted to tell you, this is BEFORE the monsters are sealed into the stone tablets. THAT happens later... heehee...
Disclaimer: I now officially own Yu-Gi-Oh!; Yami Bakura gave it to me after he stole it from Kazuki Takahashi because I traded him the Millennium Puzzle (which I naturally stole from Yuugi). ...That's the worst lie I've ever told in my life. I still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! (surprise there). Rats.
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The room warped around us, becoming more and more distorted. I was used to the dizzying sensation by now; I remember that the first time I entered the Shadow Realm, I almost threw up. My little brother seemed to have mastered the transportation as well; he showed no signs of sickness. In fact, he seemed rather comfortable.
We arrived in a matter of seconds; my brother's mastery over the teleportation magic was rather impressive, I admit. He had chosen a simple arena; two stone podiums, outlined in gold paintings, stood on either side of the field, which was little more than packed dirt. Marble pillars surrounded the battlefield; in the center of it all stood a dark-skinned man, whom I noticed was mostly bald (excluding a ponytail of long black hair towards the back of his head). He had gentle, but intense, deep green eyes.
I stepped forward. I'll referee this match. I told them. Mariku nodded, and after a moment's consideration, Yuugiou nodded as well. He turned to a man in purple robes (who appeared to be the original referee), and said, Very well; Rishid, please serve as a simple bystander if you still wish to watch this match.
The man nodded, his emerald eyes glimmering; he stepped backward, allowing me to take his place. I did so, and turned to watch my brother and my best friend's match.
Why do you wish to Duel me? my brother asked, his voice light, as if this were nothing more than a simple game to him.
I am here to avenge my father. You destroyed his mind five years ago! Since that time, I have been carefully planning, waiting for this day... and now, the time has come! Prepare yourself, Yuugiou - this will be your last battle!
My little brother shrugged. Sure, you say that now... but I think I'll have fun proving you wrong! If you're as good as you say you are, then this should be an interesting match! Excitement flickered in his
eyes.
Their eyes interlocked, and at they let out a cry, their voices one:
With that, the games began...
As Pharaoh, I get to decide who goes first. I'll think I'll do the honours, and get this battle underway! I summon the Elven Swordsman - in attack mode! I'll also lay a spell on the field, ending my turn.
In a whirl of light, the Elven Swordsman appeared, sword raised. A pulsing light on the ground behind him symbolized the spell that my brother had placed. the young King of Games cried, let's see what you've got!
Very well. Mariku calmly replied, raising his rod and closing his eyes as he pictured his roster. After a moment of hesitation, he nervously said, I'll... I'm just going to put put my monster in defense mode, as well as a spell of my own. That'll end my turn.
Two pulsing lights, one in front of the other, appeared on the ground in front of him.
Yuugiou smiled. Not strong enough to attack me? Fine, then it will be I that go to you! Attack, Elven Swordsman!
As he rushed forward, the defense monster appeared on the field. It was none other than the Mystical Elf. Hah! You played right into my hands, cried Mariku. The attack power of the Elven Swordsman's only 1400, and the defense of my Mystical Elf is 2000! Not only does your attack fail, but you lose 600 Life Points, as well!
My little brother shrugged. That's what YOU think. he said. I'm going to activate this trap - Wabaku! It blocks any and all attacks that were used this turn - even ones of my own. So our scores are still even at 2000.
Mariku nodded his head. That's all very well, but you know, I'll destroy him next turn.
I wasn't finished! my brother yelled, outraged that he had been interrupted. After a moment, Yuugiou cleared his throat and continued, I can't attack again with my Elven Swordsman this turn, so I'm just going to put another spell down on the field. Now. It's your move.
Mariku smiled. Like I said, it's time to destroy your Swordsman. My Mystical Elf isn't strong enough, but I'll bet that my Doll of Demise is!
With a flash of light, the Doll of Demise (1800, 2000) appeared.
It was Yuugiou's turn to smile. You played right into my hands. I'm using my Trap Hole - the spell that I laid down on the field last turn - to destroy your Doll of Demise!
As the Doll of Demise disappeared with a cry, Mariku shook his head. There's nothing more I can do now... I'm going to end my turn.
My brother sighed. It figures. Very well; I'm going to activate my other spell - Defense Paralysis! It switches your monster into attack mode! Mariku grimaced, not liking this one little bit. Not only would the Mystical Elf be destroyed, but it would leave his Life Points open to direct damage, as well.
The man next to me, Rishid, nodded his head in approval at my brother's dueling strategy. I didn't remember him from my childhood; I figured him to be one of the newer servants. He seemed like a decent fellow, though, with a mind of his own. He was obviously not a lower-class servant...
I turned back to the game. Yuugiou had since played another monster in attack mode - his favourite, the Black Magician! Mariku swallowed a lump in his throat, preparing for the worst. cried my brother.
Mariku bit his lip and ducked his head; I could sense the pain his body was going through as his monster was destroyed, and his Life Points dropped to a mere 300. He refocused his eyes, regaining his composure. Then, he did something unexpected.
He laughed.
My brother raised an eyebrow, somewhat curious. Why are you laughing? Once I attack with my Elven Swordsman, you'll be defeated!
Smiling, Mariku answered, I'm going to activate my trap card, Wabaku.
Yuugiou raised his eyebrow even higher. But... if your spell was Wabaku, then why didn't you activate it earlier, before your Mystical Elf was destroyed? You won't get the points or your monster back...
Mariku grinned. You'll soon find out.
Yuugiou shrugged, obviously not concerned with Mariku's plan.
I smiled to myself. I knew exactly what my best friend was up to. I had helped him develop this strategy myself. And there was no way that my little brother could beat it.
All eyes were on Mariku now. This is the play that will make my revenge complete. Prepare yourself - this is the end! he cried. My heart thumped faster in anticipation of what was to come.
Yeah, yeah... do you know how many times I've heard THAT before? my little brother asked, somewhat annoyed. No one's ever beaten me. No one ever will.
There's a first time for everything, Mariku replied. And today will mark your first loss.
I'll start by summoning Swordstalker in attack mode! But that's not all, Yuugiou. I'm going to add this Magic spell to boost his attack! Megamorph!
My brother's eyes widened. Megamorph doubles its equipped monster's attack power if the user of the spell is behind in Life Points. And since I'm trailing you in the game, my Swordstalker's attack power is raised from its original strength of 2000 to 4000! That's more than enough power to destroy your monsters - and your Life Points!
My brother looked absolutely horrified. he whispered. No way... this can't be!
Oh, it is, Yuugiou! Mariku responded, holding his Rod high over his head in victory. He was grinning ear to ear now, obviously savouring every moment of this Duel. Now, maybe you'll believe that this truly is the end! Swordstalker! Destroy the Elven Swordsman!
My little brother looked like he was going to burst into tears at any moment. he cried, the point of light once again beginning to form on his forehead. I bit my lip in worry; he'd better not lose his temper and destroy Mariku because he won.
Mariku's attention was focused elsewhere. Swordstalker! Attack! I order you to attack!
The Swordstalker didn't move.
Okay, I lied. He moved - the wrong way.
The monster was now facing Mariku, who was beginning to get angry. Neither of us could understand what was going on. Swordstalker, obey my command! Destroy your opponent. Mariku cried desperately.
The Swordstalker destroyed. But it wasn't Yuugiou's monsters that he hit. It was...
I screamed as my best friend fell to the ground from the Swordstalker's blow, unconscious.
By this time, my little brother had regained his wits. Enough of this! I summon the spell Raigeki! Destroy the Swordstalker!
A flash of lighting-like energy pierced the monster in the back, and he disappeared with a flash of light. But apparently, Yuugiou wasn't finished. Black Magician, finish this battle! Attack Mariku's Life Points directly!
I exclaimed. Yuugiou, what do you think you're doing!? You can't attack NOW! But it was too late to call off the spell of the Black Magician...
As Mariku's Life Points dropped to zero, my little brother approached his opponent, who still lay motionless behind his podium. As per the terms of our agreement, your loss entitles me to Mind Crush you.
I cried, running forward, trying desperately to reach my best friend's side.
Yuugiou raised his hand. I knew I was too late.
I closed my eyes and covered my ears, but nothing could block out the sound of my best friend's screams echoing through the night.
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Blah, wish I knew more of the Japanese card names! Oh well... I'll have to do some more research online. Anyway, what do you think of my first Duel scene? Please review! Thanks!