Chapter XI: All is Fair in Love and... Food Duels?
They looked at the house with fear.
Sounds were coming from it.
Sounds of Akane Tendo cooking.
Understandably, they were afraid. They could only hope nothing bad came out from this.
---
Akane pulled her creation out of the oven, along with the hard boiled eggs that were also in the oven.
Why she had hard-boiled eggs in the oven is anyone's guess. The creation decided to look at it's taste value, and somehow managed to eat a piece of it's self. The thing decided it tasted like regurgitated crap. Hence it did what no other creation of Akane has done before.
It crawled/slid/slithered/something over to the garbage can and jumped inside.
Akane blinked. Then looked at her eggs.
"Well at least these should be good."
That quickly ended as the eggs began to shake and crack. After a few moments the shells of the eggs fell away.
---
It had been a few days since the meeting with Exodia himself in the dreamscape. Ranma and Hotaru found themselves entering the city of Linn.
A city that was currently hosting a carnival.
While Celadon had medieval style technology (Save the Country of Altech) their rides were still top notch, if a little odd.
There were typical 'hit the target games' and the hammer test of strength, as well as 'Dunk a Lord' a game where if you could hit the target you could send a Lord (Or rather someone dressed as a lord) into a giant bucket of water.
To add to these there were Ferris Wheels, powered by a pair of Mammoth Graveyards, a Roller Coaster that to pulled to the top of the first drop by a Battle Steer using Kunai with Chain, 'Arm Wrestle an Axe Raider' and 'Whack a Giant Rat'.
In other words a typical carnival with a Shadow Games twist. And a very large crowd.
And the place where Ranma and Hotaru decided to go to and have some fun. (Decided, in this case, was Hotaru pleading with Ranma to go)
Let it be known that one of the true pleasures Hotaru could enjoy was carnival rides and somehow gathered the energy (Despite her lack of stamina and health) to go from booth, to booth to booth, all the while dragging Ranma around.
Eventually the two agreed to meet later at a rest area. As they separated Hotaru took off in the direction of the rides as Ranma had a better look around. Pretty soon he found himself standing near a tent with the picture of an orb in front of it. A fortunetellers shop. Ranma was about to ignore it when his puzzle began to glow and point towards the shop.
'Yami?'
'It's not an Exodia Piece like before we reached the cave. This feels... different, yet familiar.'
Wondering about the mystery Ranma entered the tent. Once he was inside the Puzzle stopped glowing and was no longer pointing at anything. It looked like standard fortunetellers shop, a table with a purple cloth that held a standard crystal ball on top of it. Two chairs were around the table across from each other. Part of the tent had a divider that he couldn't see past. After a moment a woman walked from behind the divider.
She was a young woman, in her twenties with black hair. Her skin was tanned as if she came from a desert village. Her hair cascaded down her back and two long locks of hair bound in gold that dropped down near her shoulder. Her soft eyes had a light blue hue in them.
Outside of her face, there was little to describe. Her body was covered in a white cloak with only a red sash at her waist and a red scarf around her neck.
"Greetings stranger. I believe you came in here for your fortunes. I am Ishizu, please have a seat."
Ranma blinked a few times, but decided to do as she said.
When he was seated Ishizu sat across from him. "The future is made of two things. Fate and Freedom. Fate decides the events that shall happen, and Freedom lets you choose a response to that event.
"So may you hear the six sprits of fate as they begin to whisper then scream out saying... Let It Begin!"
The crystal ball began to glow a pale green, and Ranma's senses could tell this was no cheap magic trick.
"The Bearer Spirit asks you: Bear which burden?"
As he looked into her blue eyes Ranma answered with a word that seemed to pop into the front of his mind. "Truth."
The orb then began to glow red with light purple.
"The Wanderer Spirit asks you: Walk which path?"
Once more an answer seemed to come from the back of his mind into the front of his mind. "Freedom."
The Orb glowed a fiery red and orange.
"The Builder Spirit asks you: Design which plan?"
Ranma quickly answered, "Prosperity."
Once more the orb changed it's color, this time to yellow.
"The Sage Spirit asks you: Swear which oath?"
"Victory."
The orb glowed with red and deep purple, swirling like flames.
"The Leader Spirit asks you: Share which vision?"
"Mercy."
For the final spirit the orb glowed white and purple.
"The Almighty Spirit asks you: Shape which future?"
"Peace."
At the final answer the crystal ball began to glow a pure white, enveloping the tent. Then it stopped abruptly.
"The Spirit Fates have spoken. Your hardships shall be long for those things of which you seek. Beware the man with an Eye of God, a man with a Rod of Mind and a woman controlling the Gate of the Ages. Each of them you shall meet. That is fate. The outcome? That is freedom."
"I see Ms. Ishizu."
"It was Fate that we too would meet. Go now. Fate has more for you to do. But I believe Fate shall have us meet again."
---
"Akane... what are those... things?"
The things Kasumi were referring to were a pair of dinosaur like things held in Akane's arms. When the eggs hatched the result was a green coloured raptor standing half a foot tall, and a rusty brown raptor of the same height.
"Aren't they cute? Say hello D-Chan and L-Chan!"
"D-Chan and L-Chan?"
"Dino-Cute and Lizard-Cute!"
Let it be known that outside of Washu, Akane was the only person capable of creating Dinosaurs from scratch. However two main things separated them.
Washu would think creating Dinosaurs were too easy while Akane just made them while trying to cook hard-boiled eggs in an oven.
The second thing was Washu could be original with names.
---
Bakura looked around the carnival at Linn. He HAD been tracking the bearer of the Puzzle but he had lost him in the crowd. He could use his Millennium Ring to find him, but decided against it. That might draw unwanted attention. If he was right having a Millennium Item might draw unwanted attention, hence why it was under his sweater at the moment.
Turning around towards the center benches he bumped into someone.
"Oh dear, awful sorry about that!" He went to help the girl he knocked over up... and barely kept his composure.
'My word! It's the same girl I spotted with him from before! If I hang around her I may be able to keep better track of the Puzzle Bearer and may even learn his name.'
"That's OK. I just came over here to sit down for a while. I have a friend I'm going to meet here as well."
"I see. Well, would it trouble you if I hung around Miss..."
"Hotaru. And I don't mind."
"Thank you. I am Bakura."
---
Ranma walked towards the rest area of the Carnival and thought about his meeting with Ishizu. 'Eye of God, Rod of Mind and Gate of the Ages? Yami do these ring any bells?'
'None Ranma. It's best not to worry about it. We will learn more when the time is proper. In the meantime we should ensure Hotaru hasn't overexerted herself and meet up with her.'
'Good idea.'
It took little time before he reached the rest area. After a moment he found Hotaru chatting with a young man. He had white hair and wore a white sweater.
"Hey Hotaru-Chan!"
Hotaru looked over to see her partner and waved him over.
"Ranma, come here!"
He quickly walked next to her. "Have fun Hotaru-Chan?"
"Yup. This place is fun."
"Good to hear. Who's your friend?"
The young man then decided to speak up. "Bakura. Bakura Ryou. Pleasure to meet you."
"Same." Then... IT happened.
'Grrrroooowwwwwllll.'
Bakura and Hotaru looked over to Ranma, who had the good sense to be sheepish. "I guess we should find a place to eat."
"Sounds good. Want to join us Bakura?"
"Very well. But where should we..."
"Ya be lookin' for a place to be eatin' then?"
The three turned towards the voice that interrupted Bakura.
He was a chef. Most people could tell by the white pants, shirt, chef's hat, and an apron saying 'Praise the Cook'. He was a bit pudgy and had a pointed mustache.
Ranma was the first to speak up. "Ummm... yes, Mr...?"
"Chef Torah Spicer! The Dueling Cook!"
Hotaru blinked.
Ranma blinked.
Bakura blinked. Twice.
"The Dueling Cook?"
"Aye that I am! And how this be suitin' ya! I challenge ANY one of ye to a duel! Should ye win... I will cook all the food ye can eat for no cost to ya coffers!"
Ranma smiled. Yami could help him on manners, but Ranma couldn't just pass up free food.
"All right then..."
"I'll duel!"
Ranma looked toward Hotaru. "You sure Hotaru-Chan?"
The dark-haired girl nodded. "I can do it."
Torah nodded. "Well then Lass, you an' me in a duel! Follow me!"
---
Ryoga was running. He was running very fast. He was running from that blonde woman that kept trying to bed him. He had hoped that his lost curse would prove useful for once and help him lose her.
No such luck. In fact the curse seemed to have dragged her along for the ride, making an... interesting series of events.
In Tokyo a member of the Dark Nebula was defeated as a Lost Boy and a Part Were-Cheetah ran over him.
They ran over a field, uprooting carrots, much to a Cabbit's delight.
In Nevada the Military's new 5-TNY Tank was thrown out of the way, Ryoga not bothering to go around it.
Eventually they somehow ended up in Brianna's room.
Screaming followed.
---
The decks were shuffled and the crowd had gathered.
"Let's Duel!"
The arena arose and the podiums did as well. Each player drew five cards as the battle commenced.
------------ Hotaru: 2000 Torah: 2000 ------------
"I will begin the duel with Bean Warrior in Attack Mode!"
Rising up from the ground was a five-foot bean with arms and legs, and a sword in one hand. (1400/1300)
"Yer turn Lass!"
"I respond with Beautiful Headhuntress, in Attack Mode!" (1600/800)
Hotaru's lady-warrior rose to the field, oversized sword held high.
"Beautiful Executioner's Strike, destroy Bean Warrior!"
Rushing forward the warrior swung her sword through the plant fighter, cleaving it in half.
------------ Hotaru: 2000 Torah: 1800 ------------
"Ack! Aye, that be a good blow lass. But it be MY turn now. An I be summoning the Mystic Tomato in Defense Mode!"
Rising up from the ground was a new monster, a tomato with a grinning face on it. (1400/1100)
"My turn be over."
"Headhuntress, make a salad out of that monster! Beautiful Executioner's Strike!"
Once more the warrior rushed forward and cleaved a monster in two, shattering into the graveyard. As she returned to her spot a monster began to rise to Torah's field, a Mystic Tomato.
"Huh? I just destroyed it."
"Nay lass, this be a second Mystic Tomato. Ye see I can grab a dark monster of fifteen hundred attack or less from me deck when me Tomato is destroyed by ye monsters. But now it be my turn."
He drew a card and smiled. "And I be playing a card face down, and Bistro Butcher, in Attack Mode!"
The new monster was a human like, but had blue skin and a pointed nose looking like a goblin. He wore a butcher's outfit and held a butchers knife in his left hand. His other hand was replaced by a hook.
"Attack the Lass's Headhuntress! Butcher House Attack!"
Rushing forwards the monster pulled the lady-warrior closer with his hook and drove the knife into her stomach, shattering the lady-warrior.
------------ Hotaru: 1800 Torah: 1800 ------------
Drawing a card Hotaru made her move. "One card face down, and Flame Swordsmen (1800/1500) in Attack Mode!"
As her fire warrior arose she nodded. "That ends my turn."
"And thus begins mine." Torah drew a card, but flipped his down card. "I activate Bell of Destruction. With this one monster be destroyed, and a quarter of it's attack be deducted from both duelist life points!"
Appearing in the center of the field was a ring with several oval shaped 'bells' on the outside of it.
"Bell of Destruction, destroy Flame Swordsmen!"
"Not so fast." Hotaru quickly flipped her own card.
"Fairy's Hand Mirror lets me choose the target of your cards, and I will change the target of Bell of Destruction to YOUR Bistro Butcher."
"Aye! This can be not!"
The bell flew over the Butcher and floated down so it surrounded The Bistro Butcher. After a moment it exploded, depleting both duelist life points.
------------ Hotaru: 1350 Torah: 1350 ------------
"It is a very even duel." Bakura remarked as he and Ranma looked on.
"Indeed. But I think Hotaru will win."
"It's my turn now, and I attack your Tomato with Flame Swordsmen! Oh and one more thing."
"Aye lass?"
"Your Tomato appeared in Attack Mode, and you haven't switched it yet."
"What?"
"Flaming Sword of Battle!"
Charging forward the fire monster swung it's sword incinerating the vegetable.
------------ Hotaru: 1350 Torah: 950 ------------
Afterwards a new Mystic Tomato arose.
"Nice one Hotaru-Chan!"
Hotaru blushed from Ranma's complement, but managed to keep her mind on the duel.
"You move Torah."
The chef drew a card and smiled. "It be time to cook up the specialty! First I play Mushroom Man Number Two, in Attack Mode!"
What arose was a large blue-topped mushroom with arms.
"And next I be offering both me Tomato and me Mushroom to play Hamburger Recipe!"
The two monsters began to glow with light and started to merge with each other. "Be ready! I ritual summon... Hungry Hamburger!"
As the glow faded the new monster appeared. It was seven feet tall and looked like a common Hamburger with tomato, onion, and lettuce a hamburger patty and sesame seed buns.
Unlike a common hamburger (Aside from it's size) the buns were the monster's jaws with very sharp teeth. (2000/1850)
"And I be boosting it with Dark Energy! (2300/2150) Attack Hunger Hamburger! Feeding Frenzy!"
Bounding forward the Food From Hell opened it's buns/jaws and clamped on to the Flame Swordsmen. Then it began to swallow the Swordsmen (Much to disgust of everyone watching) then belched at Hotaru. Her response was simple.
"GROSS!"
------------ Hotaru: 850 Torah: 950 ------------
Ranma shivered a bit. 'Note to self, do not order hamburgers for awhile.'
Seeing it was her turn she drew a card. 'I can use this in a bit. I hope.'
"One card face down and Axe Raider, in Defense Mode." (1700/1150)
"Aye. I will summon Boar Solider in Attack Mode."
Rising to the field was a pig standing like a human, a heavy stone hammer held in one hand. (2000/800)
"And I also be attacking your Axe Raider with me monster! Gobble it up Hamburger! Feeding Frenzy!"
Once more to the disgust of everyone the Food Monster ate another monster.
Hotaru sighed and drew a new card. 'This is more like it.' "Red- Eyes Black Dragon, in Attack Mode!" (2400/2000)
As the black dragon rose to the field Hotaru pointed at the giant piece of fast food. "Attack Red-Eyes, with Inferno Fireblast!"
The dragon took a moment to charge it's attack, then burned the fatty food to waste.
------------ Hotaru: 850 Torah: 850 ------------
'Ack! Me Hamburger is toast! I need me big monster now!' He drew his card and smiled.
"Alright Lass! It time for me biggest monster now! I summon... Sengenjin!"
The monster the arose stood higher than the dragon. It was a blue skinned cyclops with red boots and weapons of all kinds sticking out from it's back. It roared as it stood on the field. (2750/2500)
"Sengenjin Attack! Mighty Clubbing Fist!"
Rearing back with one hand the beast swung at the black dragon, destroying it.
------------ Hotaru: 500 Torah: 850 ------------
'Oh great!' Hotaru thought. 'How can I stop this?' She quickly flipped her down card.
"I activate Scapegoat, to buy me some time."
With that a gate appeared and opened up letting four small goats travel onto Hotaru's side of the field. One was blue, a second orange, a third red and the last pink. Each one was in defense mode. (0/0)
"They'll absorb attacks while I work out a plan."
"Not bad Lass, but not good enough. I will use Stop Defense, to move the Blue Goat to Attack Mode. Sengenjin, finish the job! Destroy the Blue Goat."
"Not today Torah." Hotaru flipped over a card and a box with an extending arm appeared. At the end of the arm was what looked like two large suction cups.
"Magic-Arm Shield, use Boar Solider to block the attack!"
The arm extended out towards the man-pig and held it in front of Sengenjin.
"What is it doing with me Boar?!" Torah exclaimed as the beast brought his fist back.
"Magic-Arm Shield lets me block one of your attacks with your own monster."
With that Sengenjin plowed his fist through the trapped Boar Solider.
------------ Hotaru: 500 Torah: 100 ------------
"Dang that trap! Still, I still fear not." Torah gestured to his monster. "I still be havin' Sengenjin on the field, and ye have no way to be stoppin' him."
Hotaru looked into her hand and frowned. 'He might be right. If Buster Blader was in my hand, I KNOW I could take it, but the only monster I have is Kanan, The Swordsmistress. I need a good card, and I need it now. Please deck, please.'
She drew her next card and smiled. 'Thank you deck!'
"Well, make ye move!"
"I play Kanan, The Swordsmistress, in Attack Mode!"
The female warrior in green armour rose from the ground sword and shield at the ready. (1400/1400)
"Such a weak monster against my Sengenjin?"
"Not after my new card. I equip her with the magic card United We Stand!"
Hotaru slapped her card down as the goats and Kanan began to glow.
"What be this?!"
"United We Stand grants one of my monsters eight hundred attack points for every monster I have on the field. And since Kanan is a monster and each of my four goats is considered a monster that adds four thousand more attack points!" (5400/1400)
"AH! No, this is not possible!"
"Kanan, Attack Sengenjin!"
Charging forward the warrior rushed at the larger monster, slicing it in half and sending it to the graveyard.
------------ Hotaru: 500 Torah: 0 ------------
The arena left and those that gathered to see the fight congratulated both duelists. Ranma placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder.
"Good work Hotaru-Chan."
"Tha-thanks Ranma." She beamed back at him. 'Is it always so warm this time of year?'
"Yes, a very well played duel if I say so myself." Bakura added in his somewhat dignified manner.
"Aye! I should be knowin' this. I dueled her."
They turned to see the chef with a smile on his face.
"I may have lost, but that was a helluva good duel, don't ya say? And a deal be a deal, I be cookin' what ever ye be eatin'!"
Ranma stomach decided at that time to growl, stating it was eager for the food. Ranma sweat-dropped as Torah let out a hearty laugh.
"Aye, let us be goin' then."
---
One hour later. Chef Torah was relatively pleased.
That Ranma fellow sure could eat a lot of food. He almost regretted making that bet, but he couldn't help but smile as someone ate his food with such gusto.
It should be noted that Ranma ate at a higher speed than he should have, despite Yami's advice.
Bakura parted ways with Ranma and Hotaru, and the duo entered an inn for the night, wondering what the next day would bring. In the meantime Bakura wrote back to his superiors with new information.
---
Ryoga sighed as he relaxed a little. He managed to get away from that woman. Mind he turned into a pig to do it, but he did it.
And he found himself at the Tendo Dojo. Surly Akane would comfort her poor P-Chan. Then came the growling.
The black pig turned to see the newest house pets.
D-Chan and L-Chan. Both now over a foot tall.
Both looking at Ryoga. Their look said it all.
'We predators. You Prey. We big and hungry. You plump and juicy.'
"BBWWEEEEE! BUUHH, BWWWWWEEEEEEEE!"
(Pig to Human Translation: RANMA!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!)
---
A uniformed man knocked on the door and waited for a moment.
"Come in."
Opening the door he walked towards the man seated at the head of a table, glass of wine held in one hand.
"Sir, our spies in Linn reported a sighting of a Millennium Item."
"Really Croquet? Which one?"
"Unknown sir. It's worn like a pendant and looks like an upside-down pyramid. But our spies have confirmed it's a Millennium Item."
"Perhaps it's the unknown 'Seventh' Item. Intriguing."
"Shall we have it taken sir?"
"Not yet. Linn is too far from my sphere of influence. Right now we should buy our time. Besides, I want to have some fun with this."
"Of course sir."
"Dismissed."
As the uniformed man left, the man at the head of the table stood up and walked to the window, long silver hair blocking his left eye and wearing a cardinal red dress suit. A cape the same color as his suit but white on the inside started from his shoulders then went down to his ankles.
He smiled and swirled his drink in it's glass and looked out the window.
"Yes. I see a lot of fun in the near future."
An strange glow shined from underneath his hair at his left eye.
---
Name: Chef Torah Spicer (The Duelling Cook)
Deck Style: Assault From The Kitchen Deck
Favourite/Best Monster: Sengenjin
Other Monsters: Bistro Butcher, Hungry Hamburger, Boar Solider.
Info: A chef who loves a good duel and those who enjoy his food. His deck is based on foods and has a fondness for his Hungry Hamburger.
Authors Info: Sorry I haven't updated in awhile, life is a pain. OK, as for Ishizu's 'Spirit's of Fate' that was based off of Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis. Also United We Stand is an actual card, also known as The Power of Teamwork. Fitting name, huh? And that IS how Bell of Destruction works, except it's the total attack, not a quarter. As for the reason Hotaru duelled and not Ranma, well I had the idea of this duel with some of her cards in mind. Sides, I'm sure you like to see her kick butt. ^_^ Lastly, do I REALLY need to tell you who that last guy was? And the Eye of God, Rod of Mind and Gate of Ages? Do I need to tell you those too?
Next Chapter: He Ain't Prince Charming!
They looked at the house with fear.
Sounds were coming from it.
Sounds of Akane Tendo cooking.
Understandably, they were afraid. They could only hope nothing bad came out from this.
---
Akane pulled her creation out of the oven, along with the hard boiled eggs that were also in the oven.
Why she had hard-boiled eggs in the oven is anyone's guess. The creation decided to look at it's taste value, and somehow managed to eat a piece of it's self. The thing decided it tasted like regurgitated crap. Hence it did what no other creation of Akane has done before.
It crawled/slid/slithered/something over to the garbage can and jumped inside.
Akane blinked. Then looked at her eggs.
"Well at least these should be good."
That quickly ended as the eggs began to shake and crack. After a few moments the shells of the eggs fell away.
---
It had been a few days since the meeting with Exodia himself in the dreamscape. Ranma and Hotaru found themselves entering the city of Linn.
A city that was currently hosting a carnival.
While Celadon had medieval style technology (Save the Country of Altech) their rides were still top notch, if a little odd.
There were typical 'hit the target games' and the hammer test of strength, as well as 'Dunk a Lord' a game where if you could hit the target you could send a Lord (Or rather someone dressed as a lord) into a giant bucket of water.
To add to these there were Ferris Wheels, powered by a pair of Mammoth Graveyards, a Roller Coaster that to pulled to the top of the first drop by a Battle Steer using Kunai with Chain, 'Arm Wrestle an Axe Raider' and 'Whack a Giant Rat'.
In other words a typical carnival with a Shadow Games twist. And a very large crowd.
And the place where Ranma and Hotaru decided to go to and have some fun. (Decided, in this case, was Hotaru pleading with Ranma to go)
Let it be known that one of the true pleasures Hotaru could enjoy was carnival rides and somehow gathered the energy (Despite her lack of stamina and health) to go from booth, to booth to booth, all the while dragging Ranma around.
Eventually the two agreed to meet later at a rest area. As they separated Hotaru took off in the direction of the rides as Ranma had a better look around. Pretty soon he found himself standing near a tent with the picture of an orb in front of it. A fortunetellers shop. Ranma was about to ignore it when his puzzle began to glow and point towards the shop.
'Yami?'
'It's not an Exodia Piece like before we reached the cave. This feels... different, yet familiar.'
Wondering about the mystery Ranma entered the tent. Once he was inside the Puzzle stopped glowing and was no longer pointing at anything. It looked like standard fortunetellers shop, a table with a purple cloth that held a standard crystal ball on top of it. Two chairs were around the table across from each other. Part of the tent had a divider that he couldn't see past. After a moment a woman walked from behind the divider.
She was a young woman, in her twenties with black hair. Her skin was tanned as if she came from a desert village. Her hair cascaded down her back and two long locks of hair bound in gold that dropped down near her shoulder. Her soft eyes had a light blue hue in them.
Outside of her face, there was little to describe. Her body was covered in a white cloak with only a red sash at her waist and a red scarf around her neck.
"Greetings stranger. I believe you came in here for your fortunes. I am Ishizu, please have a seat."
Ranma blinked a few times, but decided to do as she said.
When he was seated Ishizu sat across from him. "The future is made of two things. Fate and Freedom. Fate decides the events that shall happen, and Freedom lets you choose a response to that event.
"So may you hear the six sprits of fate as they begin to whisper then scream out saying... Let It Begin!"
The crystal ball began to glow a pale green, and Ranma's senses could tell this was no cheap magic trick.
"The Bearer Spirit asks you: Bear which burden?"
As he looked into her blue eyes Ranma answered with a word that seemed to pop into the front of his mind. "Truth."
The orb then began to glow red with light purple.
"The Wanderer Spirit asks you: Walk which path?"
Once more an answer seemed to come from the back of his mind into the front of his mind. "Freedom."
The Orb glowed a fiery red and orange.
"The Builder Spirit asks you: Design which plan?"
Ranma quickly answered, "Prosperity."
Once more the orb changed it's color, this time to yellow.
"The Sage Spirit asks you: Swear which oath?"
"Victory."
The orb glowed with red and deep purple, swirling like flames.
"The Leader Spirit asks you: Share which vision?"
"Mercy."
For the final spirit the orb glowed white and purple.
"The Almighty Spirit asks you: Shape which future?"
"Peace."
At the final answer the crystal ball began to glow a pure white, enveloping the tent. Then it stopped abruptly.
"The Spirit Fates have spoken. Your hardships shall be long for those things of which you seek. Beware the man with an Eye of God, a man with a Rod of Mind and a woman controlling the Gate of the Ages. Each of them you shall meet. That is fate. The outcome? That is freedom."
"I see Ms. Ishizu."
"It was Fate that we too would meet. Go now. Fate has more for you to do. But I believe Fate shall have us meet again."
---
"Akane... what are those... things?"
The things Kasumi were referring to were a pair of dinosaur like things held in Akane's arms. When the eggs hatched the result was a green coloured raptor standing half a foot tall, and a rusty brown raptor of the same height.
"Aren't they cute? Say hello D-Chan and L-Chan!"
"D-Chan and L-Chan?"
"Dino-Cute and Lizard-Cute!"
Let it be known that outside of Washu, Akane was the only person capable of creating Dinosaurs from scratch. However two main things separated them.
Washu would think creating Dinosaurs were too easy while Akane just made them while trying to cook hard-boiled eggs in an oven.
The second thing was Washu could be original with names.
---
Bakura looked around the carnival at Linn. He HAD been tracking the bearer of the Puzzle but he had lost him in the crowd. He could use his Millennium Ring to find him, but decided against it. That might draw unwanted attention. If he was right having a Millennium Item might draw unwanted attention, hence why it was under his sweater at the moment.
Turning around towards the center benches he bumped into someone.
"Oh dear, awful sorry about that!" He went to help the girl he knocked over up... and barely kept his composure.
'My word! It's the same girl I spotted with him from before! If I hang around her I may be able to keep better track of the Puzzle Bearer and may even learn his name.'
"That's OK. I just came over here to sit down for a while. I have a friend I'm going to meet here as well."
"I see. Well, would it trouble you if I hung around Miss..."
"Hotaru. And I don't mind."
"Thank you. I am Bakura."
---
Ranma walked towards the rest area of the Carnival and thought about his meeting with Ishizu. 'Eye of God, Rod of Mind and Gate of the Ages? Yami do these ring any bells?'
'None Ranma. It's best not to worry about it. We will learn more when the time is proper. In the meantime we should ensure Hotaru hasn't overexerted herself and meet up with her.'
'Good idea.'
It took little time before he reached the rest area. After a moment he found Hotaru chatting with a young man. He had white hair and wore a white sweater.
"Hey Hotaru-Chan!"
Hotaru looked over to see her partner and waved him over.
"Ranma, come here!"
He quickly walked next to her. "Have fun Hotaru-Chan?"
"Yup. This place is fun."
"Good to hear. Who's your friend?"
The young man then decided to speak up. "Bakura. Bakura Ryou. Pleasure to meet you."
"Same." Then... IT happened.
'Grrrroooowwwwwllll.'
Bakura and Hotaru looked over to Ranma, who had the good sense to be sheepish. "I guess we should find a place to eat."
"Sounds good. Want to join us Bakura?"
"Very well. But where should we..."
"Ya be lookin' for a place to be eatin' then?"
The three turned towards the voice that interrupted Bakura.
He was a chef. Most people could tell by the white pants, shirt, chef's hat, and an apron saying 'Praise the Cook'. He was a bit pudgy and had a pointed mustache.
Ranma was the first to speak up. "Ummm... yes, Mr...?"
"Chef Torah Spicer! The Dueling Cook!"
Hotaru blinked.
Ranma blinked.
Bakura blinked. Twice.
"The Dueling Cook?"
"Aye that I am! And how this be suitin' ya! I challenge ANY one of ye to a duel! Should ye win... I will cook all the food ye can eat for no cost to ya coffers!"
Ranma smiled. Yami could help him on manners, but Ranma couldn't just pass up free food.
"All right then..."
"I'll duel!"
Ranma looked toward Hotaru. "You sure Hotaru-Chan?"
The dark-haired girl nodded. "I can do it."
Torah nodded. "Well then Lass, you an' me in a duel! Follow me!"
---
Ryoga was running. He was running very fast. He was running from that blonde woman that kept trying to bed him. He had hoped that his lost curse would prove useful for once and help him lose her.
No such luck. In fact the curse seemed to have dragged her along for the ride, making an... interesting series of events.
In Tokyo a member of the Dark Nebula was defeated as a Lost Boy and a Part Were-Cheetah ran over him.
They ran over a field, uprooting carrots, much to a Cabbit's delight.
In Nevada the Military's new 5-TNY Tank was thrown out of the way, Ryoga not bothering to go around it.
Eventually they somehow ended up in Brianna's room.
Screaming followed.
---
The decks were shuffled and the crowd had gathered.
"Let's Duel!"
The arena arose and the podiums did as well. Each player drew five cards as the battle commenced.
------------ Hotaru: 2000 Torah: 2000 ------------
"I will begin the duel with Bean Warrior in Attack Mode!"
Rising up from the ground was a five-foot bean with arms and legs, and a sword in one hand. (1400/1300)
"Yer turn Lass!"
"I respond with Beautiful Headhuntress, in Attack Mode!" (1600/800)
Hotaru's lady-warrior rose to the field, oversized sword held high.
"Beautiful Executioner's Strike, destroy Bean Warrior!"
Rushing forward the warrior swung her sword through the plant fighter, cleaving it in half.
------------ Hotaru: 2000 Torah: 1800 ------------
"Ack! Aye, that be a good blow lass. But it be MY turn now. An I be summoning the Mystic Tomato in Defense Mode!"
Rising up from the ground was a new monster, a tomato with a grinning face on it. (1400/1100)
"My turn be over."
"Headhuntress, make a salad out of that monster! Beautiful Executioner's Strike!"
Once more the warrior rushed forward and cleaved a monster in two, shattering into the graveyard. As she returned to her spot a monster began to rise to Torah's field, a Mystic Tomato.
"Huh? I just destroyed it."
"Nay lass, this be a second Mystic Tomato. Ye see I can grab a dark monster of fifteen hundred attack or less from me deck when me Tomato is destroyed by ye monsters. But now it be my turn."
He drew a card and smiled. "And I be playing a card face down, and Bistro Butcher, in Attack Mode!"
The new monster was a human like, but had blue skin and a pointed nose looking like a goblin. He wore a butcher's outfit and held a butchers knife in his left hand. His other hand was replaced by a hook.
"Attack the Lass's Headhuntress! Butcher House Attack!"
Rushing forwards the monster pulled the lady-warrior closer with his hook and drove the knife into her stomach, shattering the lady-warrior.
------------ Hotaru: 1800 Torah: 1800 ------------
Drawing a card Hotaru made her move. "One card face down, and Flame Swordsmen (1800/1500) in Attack Mode!"
As her fire warrior arose she nodded. "That ends my turn."
"And thus begins mine." Torah drew a card, but flipped his down card. "I activate Bell of Destruction. With this one monster be destroyed, and a quarter of it's attack be deducted from both duelist life points!"
Appearing in the center of the field was a ring with several oval shaped 'bells' on the outside of it.
"Bell of Destruction, destroy Flame Swordsmen!"
"Not so fast." Hotaru quickly flipped her own card.
"Fairy's Hand Mirror lets me choose the target of your cards, and I will change the target of Bell of Destruction to YOUR Bistro Butcher."
"Aye! This can be not!"
The bell flew over the Butcher and floated down so it surrounded The Bistro Butcher. After a moment it exploded, depleting both duelist life points.
------------ Hotaru: 1350 Torah: 1350 ------------
"It is a very even duel." Bakura remarked as he and Ranma looked on.
"Indeed. But I think Hotaru will win."
"It's my turn now, and I attack your Tomato with Flame Swordsmen! Oh and one more thing."
"Aye lass?"
"Your Tomato appeared in Attack Mode, and you haven't switched it yet."
"What?"
"Flaming Sword of Battle!"
Charging forward the fire monster swung it's sword incinerating the vegetable.
------------ Hotaru: 1350 Torah: 950 ------------
Afterwards a new Mystic Tomato arose.
"Nice one Hotaru-Chan!"
Hotaru blushed from Ranma's complement, but managed to keep her mind on the duel.
"You move Torah."
The chef drew a card and smiled. "It be time to cook up the specialty! First I play Mushroom Man Number Two, in Attack Mode!"
What arose was a large blue-topped mushroom with arms.
"And next I be offering both me Tomato and me Mushroom to play Hamburger Recipe!"
The two monsters began to glow with light and started to merge with each other. "Be ready! I ritual summon... Hungry Hamburger!"
As the glow faded the new monster appeared. It was seven feet tall and looked like a common Hamburger with tomato, onion, and lettuce a hamburger patty and sesame seed buns.
Unlike a common hamburger (Aside from it's size) the buns were the monster's jaws with very sharp teeth. (2000/1850)
"And I be boosting it with Dark Energy! (2300/2150) Attack Hunger Hamburger! Feeding Frenzy!"
Bounding forward the Food From Hell opened it's buns/jaws and clamped on to the Flame Swordsmen. Then it began to swallow the Swordsmen (Much to disgust of everyone watching) then belched at Hotaru. Her response was simple.
"GROSS!"
------------ Hotaru: 850 Torah: 950 ------------
Ranma shivered a bit. 'Note to self, do not order hamburgers for awhile.'
Seeing it was her turn she drew a card. 'I can use this in a bit. I hope.'
"One card face down and Axe Raider, in Defense Mode." (1700/1150)
"Aye. I will summon Boar Solider in Attack Mode."
Rising to the field was a pig standing like a human, a heavy stone hammer held in one hand. (2000/800)
"And I also be attacking your Axe Raider with me monster! Gobble it up Hamburger! Feeding Frenzy!"
Once more to the disgust of everyone the Food Monster ate another monster.
Hotaru sighed and drew a new card. 'This is more like it.' "Red- Eyes Black Dragon, in Attack Mode!" (2400/2000)
As the black dragon rose to the field Hotaru pointed at the giant piece of fast food. "Attack Red-Eyes, with Inferno Fireblast!"
The dragon took a moment to charge it's attack, then burned the fatty food to waste.
------------ Hotaru: 850 Torah: 850 ------------
'Ack! Me Hamburger is toast! I need me big monster now!' He drew his card and smiled.
"Alright Lass! It time for me biggest monster now! I summon... Sengenjin!"
The monster the arose stood higher than the dragon. It was a blue skinned cyclops with red boots and weapons of all kinds sticking out from it's back. It roared as it stood on the field. (2750/2500)
"Sengenjin Attack! Mighty Clubbing Fist!"
Rearing back with one hand the beast swung at the black dragon, destroying it.
------------ Hotaru: 500 Torah: 850 ------------
'Oh great!' Hotaru thought. 'How can I stop this?' She quickly flipped her down card.
"I activate Scapegoat, to buy me some time."
With that a gate appeared and opened up letting four small goats travel onto Hotaru's side of the field. One was blue, a second orange, a third red and the last pink. Each one was in defense mode. (0/0)
"They'll absorb attacks while I work out a plan."
"Not bad Lass, but not good enough. I will use Stop Defense, to move the Blue Goat to Attack Mode. Sengenjin, finish the job! Destroy the Blue Goat."
"Not today Torah." Hotaru flipped over a card and a box with an extending arm appeared. At the end of the arm was what looked like two large suction cups.
"Magic-Arm Shield, use Boar Solider to block the attack!"
The arm extended out towards the man-pig and held it in front of Sengenjin.
"What is it doing with me Boar?!" Torah exclaimed as the beast brought his fist back.
"Magic-Arm Shield lets me block one of your attacks with your own monster."
With that Sengenjin plowed his fist through the trapped Boar Solider.
------------ Hotaru: 500 Torah: 100 ------------
"Dang that trap! Still, I still fear not." Torah gestured to his monster. "I still be havin' Sengenjin on the field, and ye have no way to be stoppin' him."
Hotaru looked into her hand and frowned. 'He might be right. If Buster Blader was in my hand, I KNOW I could take it, but the only monster I have is Kanan, The Swordsmistress. I need a good card, and I need it now. Please deck, please.'
She drew her next card and smiled. 'Thank you deck!'
"Well, make ye move!"
"I play Kanan, The Swordsmistress, in Attack Mode!"
The female warrior in green armour rose from the ground sword and shield at the ready. (1400/1400)
"Such a weak monster against my Sengenjin?"
"Not after my new card. I equip her with the magic card United We Stand!"
Hotaru slapped her card down as the goats and Kanan began to glow.
"What be this?!"
"United We Stand grants one of my monsters eight hundred attack points for every monster I have on the field. And since Kanan is a monster and each of my four goats is considered a monster that adds four thousand more attack points!" (5400/1400)
"AH! No, this is not possible!"
"Kanan, Attack Sengenjin!"
Charging forward the warrior rushed at the larger monster, slicing it in half and sending it to the graveyard.
------------ Hotaru: 500 Torah: 0 ------------
The arena left and those that gathered to see the fight congratulated both duelists. Ranma placed a hand on Hotaru's shoulder.
"Good work Hotaru-Chan."
"Tha-thanks Ranma." She beamed back at him. 'Is it always so warm this time of year?'
"Yes, a very well played duel if I say so myself." Bakura added in his somewhat dignified manner.
"Aye! I should be knowin' this. I dueled her."
They turned to see the chef with a smile on his face.
"I may have lost, but that was a helluva good duel, don't ya say? And a deal be a deal, I be cookin' what ever ye be eatin'!"
Ranma stomach decided at that time to growl, stating it was eager for the food. Ranma sweat-dropped as Torah let out a hearty laugh.
"Aye, let us be goin' then."
---
One hour later. Chef Torah was relatively pleased.
That Ranma fellow sure could eat a lot of food. He almost regretted making that bet, but he couldn't help but smile as someone ate his food with such gusto.
It should be noted that Ranma ate at a higher speed than he should have, despite Yami's advice.
Bakura parted ways with Ranma and Hotaru, and the duo entered an inn for the night, wondering what the next day would bring. In the meantime Bakura wrote back to his superiors with new information.
---
Ryoga sighed as he relaxed a little. He managed to get away from that woman. Mind he turned into a pig to do it, but he did it.
And he found himself at the Tendo Dojo. Surly Akane would comfort her poor P-Chan. Then came the growling.
The black pig turned to see the newest house pets.
D-Chan and L-Chan. Both now over a foot tall.
Both looking at Ryoga. Their look said it all.
'We predators. You Prey. We big and hungry. You plump and juicy.'
"BBWWEEEEE! BUUHH, BWWWWWEEEEEEEE!"
(Pig to Human Translation: RANMA!!! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!!!)
---
A uniformed man knocked on the door and waited for a moment.
"Come in."
Opening the door he walked towards the man seated at the head of a table, glass of wine held in one hand.
"Sir, our spies in Linn reported a sighting of a Millennium Item."
"Really Croquet? Which one?"
"Unknown sir. It's worn like a pendant and looks like an upside-down pyramid. But our spies have confirmed it's a Millennium Item."
"Perhaps it's the unknown 'Seventh' Item. Intriguing."
"Shall we have it taken sir?"
"Not yet. Linn is too far from my sphere of influence. Right now we should buy our time. Besides, I want to have some fun with this."
"Of course sir."
"Dismissed."
As the uniformed man left, the man at the head of the table stood up and walked to the window, long silver hair blocking his left eye and wearing a cardinal red dress suit. A cape the same color as his suit but white on the inside started from his shoulders then went down to his ankles.
He smiled and swirled his drink in it's glass and looked out the window.
"Yes. I see a lot of fun in the near future."
An strange glow shined from underneath his hair at his left eye.
---
Name: Chef Torah Spicer (The Duelling Cook)
Deck Style: Assault From The Kitchen Deck
Favourite/Best Monster: Sengenjin
Other Monsters: Bistro Butcher, Hungry Hamburger, Boar Solider.
Info: A chef who loves a good duel and those who enjoy his food. His deck is based on foods and has a fondness for his Hungry Hamburger.
Authors Info: Sorry I haven't updated in awhile, life is a pain. OK, as for Ishizu's 'Spirit's of Fate' that was based off of Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis. Also United We Stand is an actual card, also known as The Power of Teamwork. Fitting name, huh? And that IS how Bell of Destruction works, except it's the total attack, not a quarter. As for the reason Hotaru duelled and not Ranma, well I had the idea of this duel with some of her cards in mind. Sides, I'm sure you like to see her kick butt. ^_^ Lastly, do I REALLY need to tell you who that last guy was? And the Eye of God, Rod of Mind and Gate of Ages? Do I need to tell you those too?
Next Chapter: He Ain't Prince Charming!
