PART ELEVEN

Yugi and Honda stood once more before the imposing, if not particularly tall, Knights of Niisama. Yugi spoke.

O Knights of Niisama, we have brought you your Man Eater Plant. May we go now?

The Knights surveyed the plant before them. Their leader spoke. It is a good Man Eater Plant. I like the petals particularly. But there is one small problem.

What is that? said Yugi.

We are now... The Head Knight paused for dramatic effect. ...no longer the Knights Who Say



The errant knight was shushed. We are now the Knights Who Say



Therefore, we must give you a test. The spiky-haired, short-but-on-stilts leader continued.

Yugi glanced at Honda, then back at the Knight. What is this test, O Knights of- Knights Who Til Recently Said

The Knight smirked. Firstly, you must find...another Man Eater Plant!

Not another Man Eater Plant! Yugi cried out.



The Knight continued gleefully. Then, when you have found the Man Eater Plant, you must place it here beside this Man Eater Plant, only slightly higher so you get the two-level effect, with a little path running down the middle.

A path! A path! A path! Niisama! Shh! Niisama! Niisama! Shh! Shh! The Knights chorused.

Then, when you have found the Man Eater Plant, you must cut down the mightiest tree in this forest...with...a Demon Kraken! He finished triumphantly, brandishing a miniature squid-like object at them with a flourish.

We will do no such thing! said Yugi indignantly.

Oh, please! The knight whined.

Cut down a tree with a Demon Kraken? It can't be done.

Aauugh! Aaaugh! The Knights clasped their hands over their ears, writhing in pain.

Augh! Ohh! Don't say that word. Said the Head Knight.

What word? Asked Yugi, confused.

I cannot tell, suffice to say it is one of the words the Knights of Niisama cannot hear.

Yugi rolled his eyes. How can we not say the word if you won't tell us what it is?



You said the word again!

What, asked Yugi.

No, not is.' You wouldn't get very far in life not saying

Honda pointed down the trail. Look my liege, it's Sir Ryou!

Ryou rode along the trail, accompanied by his minstrels, who were singing.

Packing it in and packing it up
And sneaking away and buggering up,
And chickening out and pissing off home,
Yes, bravely he is throwing in the sponge.

Yugi grinned broadly. Sir Ryou!

Ryou smiled back. My liege! It's good to see you.

The Knight winced. Now he's said the word!

Surely you've not given up your quest for the Head of Exodia? continued Yugi.

He is sneaking away and buggering up-

Shut up! No, no, no. Far from it. Ryou assured Yugi.



I was looking for it.



Uh, here- here in this forest.

King Yugi shook his head. No, it is far from this place.



Aaaugh! Stop saying the word! The word... The Knight cried.

Oh, stop it! Yelled King Yugi.

...we cannot hear! The Knights whined.

Ow! He said the word again! The Head Knight whimpered.

Said Yugi, turning away. They began to ride out.

Wait! I said it! I said it!

The party of adventuring duelists ignored them.

Ooh! I said it again! And again! That's three its!' Ohh!




And so, Yugi, Honda, and Sir Ryou set out on their search to find the enchanter of which the old man had spoken during scene twenty-four. Beyond the forest they met Jounouchi and Otogi, and there was much rejoicing.

Yay! Yay!

In the frozen land of BattleCity, they were forced to eat Ryou's minstrels.

Get back! Eee!

And there was much rejoicing.



A year passed. Winter changed into spring. Spring changed into summer. Summer changed back into winter. Winter gave spring and summer a miss and went straight on into autumn. Until one day...