Chapter 9: A Blow to the Heart


A.N. This is going pretty well, I think. I feel like this is around the halfway mark in this story; I hope you're enjoying it thus far! I'm aware that I didn't get lots of stuff about the pyramids right... I've never been to Egypt (Though I desperately want to go! I loved Egypt long before I started watching Yu-Gi-Oh!), so I had to do with the little information that I knew...

Disclaimer: When neon pink cows fly on wings through the sky, I'll own Yu-Gi-Oh!. It'll be awhile, it seems...

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I shook myself out of my fright. I just had to think, to keep moving... if I was caught, I'd be doomed... The first thing I did was pick my small sack of valuables off of the floor and secure it to by belt, so I wouldn't have to carry it with me, and I could use both of my hands.

I... suppose I'd better... check out what's going on... I was trembling. But there was only one way out of the pyramid. And that was the way that I came in... at least I'd have my Man-Eater Bug with me. I hadn't sensed it die, so I figured that it was the only thing between me and capture.

Swallowing a nervous lump in my throat, I ran forward, still being careful not to make too much noise. I reached the wall, which now had another hole in it, though the bulk of the structure was still standing. Peering through the gaps, I saw all four guards facing down my Man-Eater Bug, who was snarling.

You can't summon another monster here, Haga! one of the guards was saying to another. Their attacks could make the entire pyramid collapse!

The boy with green hair turned to the similarly short, but seemingly more mature speaker. Be quiet, Ryusaki! I know what I'm doing. You never comprehended strategy.

I comprehend that we could be crushed! he answered. You may be better at Dueling than me, but at least I'm not suicidal!

the one called Haga snorted, unable to come up with a better insult. Well, how do we get past this monster?

I don't know! Ryusaki answered. You said it yourself, you're the brains. But destroying the pyramid isn't a good idea.

Haga said. Then we'll wait outside, and ambush the thief when he comes out!

Good idea. Ryusaki agreed. All right, people, you heard the captain! We wait outside.

The group turned to leave, and I let out a sigh of relief. They didn't hear me, but my monster did. He turned and let out a roar, of what I assumed to be happiness that I was safe. I smiled shakily, and climbed through the hole.

Good job holding them off... I complimented it. But now we've got to come up with a plan to get past them, before they ambush us...

The Man-Eater Bug roared again, loader this time, and advanced on me slowly. Maybe we should try and leave now, before they prepare our ambush... I pondered.

My monster was standing over me now, and he let out a cry - right in my ear. Cut it out! They'll hear you, and they'll come back... ow... OWW!!!!!!

I was officially afraid. This must have been how Mariku felt... I thought. Ahh! What are you doing!? Put me down! I demanded to my Man-Eater Bug, who had picked me up with his sharp, pointy claws (none too delicately, I might add), and was holding me over his mouth. Gods, what did I do to deserve this!? My own monster's going to eat me alive! What is going on? My Bug let out a roar of triumph, obviously enjoying seeing me squirm.

Let me go. Let. Me. GO! Obey me; I summoned you! Please, please don't eat me! I cried.

While my screams hadn't effected my Man-Eater Bug, they had been noticed by someone else. Four someone elses, actually - the four guards had probably heard my screams while they were leaving the pyramids. What the-? I thought that was the thief's monster! Haga cried.

It isn't one of ours, that's for sure! replied Ryusaki. It must have turned on him! Something really needs to be done about this; his isn't the first monster to pull this stunt! These monsters are really getting out of control!

His words surprised me - many peoples' monsters were turning on them? - but I did not have time to ponder the new information for long. I was a little... preoccupied. I cried to my monster, who was slowly lowering me into its gaping jaws.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a blazing light. I closed my eyes, wincing at the sudden brightness. In a moment, I opened them again, adjusting quickly - maybe the light had thrown the Man-Eater Bug off, and I could escape-

But no, my monster was lowering me, gently, to the ground. I blinked in surprise. What's happening? I... it's obeying me again! I wasn't sure what happened, but it had something to do with the strange light... the light, coming from my Ring.

As the guards adjusted to the sudden bright light - and again, the darkness, once the Ring stopped glowing - they came to the same conclusion that I had - the Man-Eater Bug was back underneath my control. Naturally, they were quite terrified.

I climbed on its back, riding my monster piggyback style. Thank you. I whispered to my monster, grateful that it was listening to me again. Now, we must get out of here, no matter what! If they catch me, how will the Ishtars pay their taxes...? I can't let them down again. Not to mention, my little brother will probably torture me for the rest of my life! My monster roared in understanding. Grasping its rough back, I held on for all that I was worth.

Ryusaki and the other two unnamed guards quickly flattened themselves against the wall; the (mostly) brown-haired one was muttering something under his breath, his eyes wide. Only the captain - Haga - stood in they way; he too was muttering something, which I quickly recognized as a summoning spell. He's going to call another monster from the Shadow Realm!

My monster must have realized the same thing. And remembering my orders to get out at all costs, it did the only thing that one could do in the situation, while still hoping to live.

The point of his claw slipped in and out of the captain's chest neatly, completely crushing the rib cage, and piercing his heart and lungs. He let out half of a scream, which died as quickly as he did. I might have screamed myself. I had never seen anything so horrible in my entire life. And the worst part was, it was my fault.

I had just killed someone.

My Man-Eater Bug ran on like nobody's business, completely oblivious to the fact that murdering another person was wrong, horribly wrong. After all, it had just followed my instructions. My instructions to get out.

Getting out seemed like a really good idea. My monster agreed, obviously, and was now dashing all-out to the outskirts of Cairo. Upon reaching the safe streets, I climbed off of my Man-Eater Bug. I backed away from it almost immediately, afraid that it might disobey me again, and attack...

Why did it disobey me in the first place? I wondered. I've never shown anything but respect to my monsters... I've never beaten them, like some Duelists do. And the Man-Eater Bug has always been loyal... until now. The guards said that other people were having similar problems... is that what happened to Mariku, too? Is there a problem with the monsters...?

My Bug didn't seem to be feeling disobedient now. It roared softly to itself, then began placidly licking Haga's blood off of its leg. I shuddered inwardly. I didn't think I could stand the sight of any more blood... the horrible scene that had taken place just moments ago played, and replayed in my mind. I thought that I was going to be sick...

I pushed down my nausea, and turned to my monster. Thanks for getting me out of there alive, I said. I wasn't about to tell it off for killing someone under my orders. Not to mention, I didn't want to risk another rebellion. I really appreciate it, you were a great help. I couldn't have done this without you. Now the Ishtars will be able to survive this tax collection, until we can make enough money on our own. I owe you.

I could sense my Man-Eater Bug's happiness at my praise. Looking back, I found it hard to believe that it had been trying to kill me less than five minutes ago. I continued, You've really helped us out of a jam. I've got to go now, but I'll summon you from the Shadow Realm when I need you again, all right?

My monster nodded his head in approval, and roared one last time before he disappeared back into the Shadow Realm - through my Ring. Using my heirloom to channel my Shadow Powers took a lot less energy than trying to perform the rituals on my own, I noticed.

As I sank back into the shadows of the alleyways, with only the moon's light to guide me home, I felt the weariness from the night's work wash over my body. I don't think I'd ever felt more exhausted...

Halfway home, what the guard named Ryusaki had whispered finally hit me. So, the monster is controlled by the demon... the Pharaoh must know about this!' Ryusaki had recognized me. And now he was going to tell his master what I had done... I swallowed a lump in my throat.

What would I tell the my little brother?

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Gulp! What's going to happen to our little angel? Nobody knows! (Except for me, of course. ^_^) Please review if you want more!

Oh yeah, for you people that don't know the Japanese version, (Insector) Haga is- um, was Weevil Underwood, and (Dinosaur) Ryusaki is Rex Raptor. I had to put them SOMEWHERE, and Weevil fans, don't kill me! I actually kind of like him, but they messed him up a bit in the american version. Ryouta Kajiki (Mako Tsunami) will also be making an appearance later! And maybe even Esper Roba, once I find out more about him.