Thank you Adelianna and silver swan for helping with my Shadow Realm stalkers. Adelianna, the Millennium Tooth is watching over me as I type this chapter. Then of course silver swan's yami is lending a helping hand. I hope silver swan's right about there not being anything going on, but the Mokuba incident worries me. Oh well, here's your new chapter.
Three things before I start. First of all I'm sorry about the long wait (Writer's block sucks). Secondly, Malik was wearing boxers in the bedroom scene (I can't believe I forgot to describe his nightwear), and finally this chapter will switch PoVs a few times. It starts with Seto.
Chapter Thirteen: Rescue Plans and Hidden Motives
Seto's PoV
"Before you say anything, I want to say something." I said firmly, "You were right."
"I'm not surprised." Yami said, "However I am surprised that you are accepting my help."
"To perfectly honesty, I actually need your help." I replied, "I have a feeling that it will come down to one of those Shadow Games you talk about."
"Let me guess you want me to participate in the game for you." Yami said, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I want you to teach me, so that I can withstand the Shadow Magic." I replied, "I want to be able to duel for Crystal, myself."
"Very well. Your training will start now." Yami said, as a golden Eye of Ra appeared on his forehead.
My study faded away and was replaced by a shadowy place where murky violet mist whirled. Even though it was dark I could still see Yami perfectly through the swirling haze. I remembered this place; Pegasus sent me here after our duel. Yami cleared his throat, causing me to break my train of thought. That's right; I was here to train, not remember the past.
"Summon one of your monsters." Yami said firmly.
"Blue Eyes White Dragon, come to me." I called, pulling one of my Blue Eyes's cards from my deck.
A thunderous and ferocious roar echoed through the mist as my Blue Eyes appeared above me. It landed behind me, letting out another fierce roar. Yami had a satisfied smirk on his face and nodded. I returned his smirk with one of my own before, suddenly falling to one knee. My heart was pounding like I had been running a marathon and I couldn't catch my breath.
"You shouldn't have done that." Yami chuckled, the Eye of Ra glowing on his forehead again, "Start small and work your way up to your strongest monster."
"I'll remember that next time." I wheezed as my study appeared through the mist.
"Do you even have a clue of where Malik's base is?" Yami asked.
"I checked the place where they took us yesterday, but it was deserted." I replied, rising to my feet, "I don't even have a way to track him down."
"You may not be able to track Malik and Marik, but we both know someone who can." Yami said, his crimson eyes flashing slightly.
"Ryou Bakura." I said with a slight growl.
"However you and I both know that we cannot blame Ryou for Bakura's actions." Yami said, seeming to read my angry thoughts.
"When do we meet with him?" I asked.
"We'll ask him after school lets him out." Yami replied, "However, you still need to train in the Shadow Realm."
I nodded and Yami took us back into the Shadow Realm. This time I summoned Saggi and smirked at Yami as my Dark Clown appeared. Yami gave me a satisfied nod and told my to see how long I could support Saggi. Saggi looked rather annoyed that I wasn't using him in a duel, but when Yami told him that he was strengthening me more than any of my other cards could Saggi rid his face of the annoy glare he had.
. "Now, add another monster for yourself to support." Yami said.
I nodded and summoned La Jinn, who yawned and looked bored as he floated beside Saggi. Saggi explained what was happening to La Jinn, and my genie gave me a curious glance, obviously noticing my fatigue. It was getting harder for me to concentrate, so Yami told me to order my monsters to return. I did so and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
When we returned from the Shadow Realm, I noticed that it was already one in the afternoon. I felt exhausted and sank into one of my chairs, while Yami leaned against another. He explained that I had come far in those two training sessions. I was too tired to hold up my usual cocky attitude so I merely nodded. Then Yami told me to eat and rest, because after we finish speaking with Ryou we were heading out to find Malik and Marik.
Crystal's PoV
I opened my eyes wearily to find that I wasn't in the main room anymore. I was back in Malik's bedroom again, however this time I was alone. I wasn't even on the bed this time either; I was lying on an Egyptian-styled couch. I slowly rose and looked out the single window in the room to see that the sun was hanging low in the sky. As I looked outside another thing came to mind, I was in a desert, which most likely meant I was in Egypt.
I felt a tear trickling down my cheek and gently wiped it away. Crying wouldn't get me back home, nor would thinking about it. I had to escape from here somehow and find my own way back home. I heard the door unlock and open behind me, but chose to ignore it and continue gazing out at the vast desert. I was vaguely aware that the door had been shut again, before I sensed someone was behind me. I turned and was surprised to see Marik standing behind me, not his yami.
"You don't look right?" Marik said, "Something's not quite right."
"What are you talking about?" I asked cautiously.
"Malik may have been dissatisfied with how your clothing looked on you, but I noticed something else was wrong." Marik replied.
"Something else?" I asked in confusion.
"Your eyes aren't the same, for one." He said, "They may still be sapphire blue, but they don't shine like sapphires anymore."
"If I feel ill or weak they don't." I replied softly.
"No, they were flashing and shining, right up until your Light Magic was completely removed." Marik said, shaking his head.
"What else is off?" I asked timidly, "You said my eyes were one thing."
"Your aura used to be bright white, like sunlight." Marik replied, "Now, it is weak like the light of an eclipsed moon. No one's aura should be that weak."
"Where's Malik?" I asked, fear evident in my voice.
"Waiting in the dining room." Marik replied, "I told him that I would bring you there after I spoke with you."
"Oh" I said softly.
"Follow me." Marik said opening the door.
I followed him down the hallways, memorizing each passageway for later use. Marik and I arrived in the dining room just a Malik was beginning to sit down. Marik led me to my seat and I sat down silently, very aware that Malik was watching me. I folded my hands in my lap and lowered my eyes, as I heard Marik walk around behind Malik and sit down. Then I listened silently to the soft clinking of their silverware as Malik and Marik began to eat.
"You need to eat something." Malik said, causing me to look up.
"I'm not hungry." I replied quietly.
"I refuse to believe that." Malik said, glaring at me with his sharp lavender eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I'm telling the truth." I said, cringing slightly.
"Let her be, Malik." Marik said with a smirk, "She'll learn that the only meals she will eat will be with us."
"Fine." Malik huffed, before turning back to his meal.
After they finished eating, Malik and Marik rose from the table. Rishid appeared from a doorway and spoke with them briefly. Rishid gave me a hard looked, before telling me to follow him. I bowed my head submissively and followed Rishid out of the room. He led me back to Malik's bedroom, where he locked me inside after he left the room and closed the door. After Rishid left, I went over to the couch I had woken up on and lay down to sleep; there was no way I was going to sleep in the bed.
Malik's PoV
"How much longer do you think it will be before you can completely control her?" Marik asked me, raising an eyebrow.
"I give it another day or two before she snaps, three at the very most." I said, "Why do you ask, Marik?"
"Her aura is extremely faint, and she is starting to fade." He said coolly, "How long do you think it will take for Bakura to find he can't use her magic?"
"Not long, Bakura obviously didn't know all of the facts about Light Magic." I replied, "Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked us to separate it from her."
"Master Malik?" Rishid's voice asked tentatively.
"Yes, Rishid?" I replied.
"The girl is in your quarters as you requested." Rishid said with a bow, "Is there anything more I can do?"
"Yes, there is." Marik said, "Make sure our spies keep a close watch on Bakura, Kaiba, and the Pharaoh. Have them notify us, if any of them make plans to head here."
"As you wish." Rishid replied, exiting the room.
"I am going to retire to my quarters and study the ancient writings on Light Magic some more. There are still a few things that I don't understand." Marik said turning to leave, "I suggest you retire to you quarters as well. Who knows what that girl has been up to in there alone."
I nodded and walked down the many hallways that led to my quarters. I had a feeling that the girl would not have done anything stupid, but I had also assumed she would eat when I became angered. When I opened my door, I didn't see the girl at once, but then I spotted her sleeping on the couch. Marik had been right her aura was almost nonexistent. This was making everything more promising for me.
[Maybe I was wrong on how long it would take her to snap.] I thought with a smirk, as I changed into my night clothing, [I may have complete control over her by sundown tomorrow.]
Don't you just love plot twists? Now I bet you can't wait until the next chapter. I'm sure Bakura will be quite angry to find he can't use Crystal' Light Magic. I can't believe how long this story has gotten, and I can't believe how many reviews I have either. This is so awesome. This next part is going to be tricky. I know how the ending of the story is going to be; I just need to figure out how to get there so bear with me.
Read Review and cya next chapter. ^_~