Last time on Yu-Gi-Oh: Prior to his duel with Ryou Bakura, Rathje Kiroishen
was visited by Yasumi Shiroko, who gave him her Dark Magician Girl to use
in his duel. Once the duel began, Bakura gained an early lead, which was
cut short by Rathje's Summoned Skull. The duel continued, Rathje summoning
Gate Guardian. As Rathje was about to finish the duel, he drew Dark
Magician Girl. He looked up at the stands, seeing his friends. He
reconsidered his actions, forfeiting the duel. As Kimu approached him,
Rathje made an attempt to escape. Crossing the arena, he left Dark Magician
Girl and Love and Hate with Bakura, dashing down the halls.
Author's Note: There are roughly three chapters left, including this one.
~
He moved swiftly down the hall, dodging around each corner with all the dexterity and speed he could manage. He had to have as much distance between him and Kimu's cohorts as possible.
No.
That wasn't why he was running. He could deal with the suits. He could hide from them. He could fight them. He could outsmart them. He could probably even return to the arena and wait there, they most likely wouldn't return there.
No.
He couldn't bear to see his friends, look Yasumi in the eyes and tell her he couldn't do it; he couldn't declare the final attack. He couldn't bear to defeat his friend. He couldn't do what was needed of him.
Is this redemption; through forfeit?
He was running to escape all these fears, these burdens. Each hallway, each tapestry on the wall, each portrait of Pegasus, Cecilia, Shadi, Richard, they all brought him further from where he had began.
And then he stopped.
Muttering angrily, he realized he came to a dead end. He was on the top floor, staring out a window. He looked out, seeing the freefall to certain death. Suddenly, an idea came to mind.
Placing a foot on the windowsill, he took a deep breath. Staring blankly down, he prepared for what would come.
Death; perhaps that would free him of his burdens.
"Rathje!" her voice cried.
He turned, seeing her. He closed his eyes, turning back to the window.
"Please," he murmured, "just let me..."
"Let you what?" she shouted, "Kill yourself?"
He nodded slowly, not able to look at her eyes. She walked a little closer. When he made no effort to stop her, she crossed the rest of the distance between them. Taking his hand lightly, she lead him down from the windowsill.
"Don't," she whispered.
Although she spoke quietly, her voice possessed a form of firmness. He swallowed dryly, following her back the way they had come. She brought him to her room.
~
Richard Pegasus stood in his private room, looking up at the three objects adorning the wall. One was a sword, another was a staff, and the last was a bracelet. The Millennium Eye and Ring flashing in the light that entered through the windows, his lips curled into a smile. He held a Duel Monsters deck in his right hand. He idly sifted through it, each monster similar to the others, but unlike anything ever seen before.
He stopped, pausing at one card.
A low, airy laugh emerged from his lips, forming more of a cackle as he threw his head back. His laugh rung loud and clear through the room, echoing off the walls.
~
"Rathje," Yasumi began softly, "are you alright?"
"No..." Rathje sighed, "I couldn't do it. I just...couldn't..."
"It's okay, Rathje," Yasumi continues, offering a smile.
They sat in silence for a while, neither speaking nor looking at the other. As the silence stretched onward, it became more awkward. Yasumi glanced at Rathje, opening her mouth to speak for a moment, and then closing it. Eventually, curiosity got the best of her. She turned to Rathje, looking into his eyes.
"Rathje, what happened to the Dark Magician Girl?" she murmured, "You had her on the field at the end of the duel, and then, well, I'm just wondering..."
"Bakura has the Dark Magician Girl..." Rathje replied, speaking slowly, "I'm sorry, but I thought that since I couldn't use her, Bakura might be able to. You said it would be like both of us dueling...well...I gave him Love and Hate as well...so now all three of us will be dueling..."
"...Rathje..."
"...I'm sorry..."
"No, I'm glad," Yasumi explained, "I'm happy Bakura's representing all of us. Or at least three of us...I don't know about Gavin..."
~
"Bakura," a voice called out from behind the youth.
Bakura turned, seeing Gavin, his eyes downcast, studying the floor.
"Yes?"
"I...I wanted you to have this..." Gavin murmured, "...for your duel. I know you have Love and Hate as well as Dark Magician Girl, you also have Cosmo Queen. I believe they are meant to demonstrate the position of the Millennium Guardians, as well as the Pharaoh himself."
Bakura nodded slowly, unsure of what to expect.
"I know it isn't the strongest card, but I feel it is the best suited from my deck..."
Gavin moved forward, handing four cards to Bakura before turning back down the hall and down the next corner. Bakura looked down, smiling a little at the cards.
"Giltia the Dragon Knight, Guardian of the Labyrinth, Protector of the Throne, and another Polymerization..." Bakura murmured to himself, "...thank you, Gavin...thank you..."
~
Croquet stood erect, staring blankly at the audience, minus Bakura. His eyes seemed void of all emotion, as if he had no preference towards the outcome of the awaited duel.
"Both duelists will now enter the dueling field," he announced, his face barely moving despite the volume of his voice.
Bakura, taking a deep breath, marched down the path, onto the dueling arena. After a pause, Richard Pegasus, dressed in a blue suit, walked towards the arena, taking his time.
"Congratulations, Bakura," Pegasus began, "for making it this far. You are truly a powerful duelist."
'Now let's see just how powerful you are!' he thought, Millennium Eye flashing beneath his hair.
"In the event of Ryou Bakura, the challenger, winning this duel," Croquet stated, "He will obtain a prize of his choosing, in memory of Maxmillion Pegasus' Duelist Kingdom, in addition to the entire new extension of Duel Monsters cards.
"But, in the event that Ryou Bakura loses this duel; he will be taken as a sacrifice to the Shadow Realm."
"What?" half the audience of the balcony echoed, the rest too shocked.
"What kind of sick, twisted tournament have you turned this into?" Mai shouted.
"Tournament?" Pegasus glared at her, a malevolent grin upon his lips, "This ceased to be a tournament long ago.
"To resurrect Maxmillion Pegasus, I must provide a replacement to the Shadow Realm," he explained, holding his hands out to his sides, "I believe Ryou Bakura would make a suitable replacement, as he possesses a great link with Pegasus. When I, the Spirit of the Millennium Ring, was within him, Bakura defeated Maxmillion Pegasus in a Shadow Game, as well as stealing the Millennium Eye."
"But Bakura didn't do any of that!" Tea yelled at Richard.
"Yes, but I was still within his body at the time. I have done many things, many before Ryou Bakura was my host."
As he finished this sentence, the Millennium Ring and Eye flashed brightly.
"Like...what?" Yugi asked quietly.
"Yugi," Richard smirked, a form of pain reflected in the man's hollow eyes, "It was I who inflicted Cecilia Pegasus with her 'disease'. She did not merely pass away. Did you not see the Soul Card? She is imprisoned forever within the Shadow Realm.
"My host just prior to Ryou had embraced me, wanting to give rise to my powers. I grew stronger, but still required something more. At that time, I thought it was the Millennium Items, but I was mistaken. It was Ryou Bakura. He was stronger, possessed a more correct match with the Millennium Ring. I had to find him."
"So then why did you leave him?" Yugi inquired, "Aren't you just as you were? Don't you need Bakura to reach your full strength with the Millennium Ring?"
"No."
The crowd could only stare and blink as the Spirit let this sink in before continuing.
"You see, as I passed through Ryou Bakura's body, part of him entered me, and I in him. I gained more mastery of my power just entering him, and retained that power when I left. So after I defeat him, and take Maxmillion Pegasus' body, I will gain more control of the Eye. And when I take your Puzzle, Yugi Moto, I will enter your body until finding the next Millennium Item, thus gaining more powers over your own Millennium Item.
"Now, are we going to duel, or are we just going to stand and stare at one another?"
Pure loathing was visible in both Ryou and the Spirit's eyes, although both held a form of respect for one another, as if through sharing a body, they realized the other's true strength and power, and understood it.
"Let's duel," they both said in unison, drawing five cards from their respective decks.
"You may have the first turn, Bakura," the Spirit stated calmly.
Bakura nodded, drawing a card, "Then I will set one monster and one trap card face-down and end my turn."
"Prepare yourself, Ryou Bakura," the Spirit cackled, "for a duel of the likes of which you have never experienced!"
As he said this, he played a monster face-up on the field. The monster appeared; a robed, black figure. Red eyes gleamed beneath the cloak. As it emerged from the arena's floor, a black fog surrounded the entire room, transforming it.
"Welcome to the Shadow Realm, Bakura," the Spirit laughed, "and all of you! We can't have a duel without an audience, can we?"
The group on the balcony watched in horror, some of them seeing the Shadow Realm for the first time. Others merely stared at the monster the Spirit had played.
"What card is this?" Bakura asked, looking at it carefully.
"Oh, yes," the Spirit smirked, "I forgot that you have not seen the new cards, and do not know of their abilities."
"What card is this?" Bakura demanded.
"This is the Devilish Marauder," the airy voice stated, not suiting its host, "it has 1900 attack points and 1400 defense points. It may only be summoned if I control no other fiend monsters."
(Author's Note: The whole Marauder thing is based off my old Runescape clan, Marauders of the Zenith...we sucked, unlike the Spirit of the Millennium Ring's cards...)
"So...you trade your versatility for strength?" Bakura murmured.
"Yes," the Spirit replied, "but you'll see my deck is just as versatile with this card...among others...
"Now, Marauder, attack the face-down monster!"
As a black wave of magic emerged from the monster, Bakura's Ray and Temperature flipped face-up, fading from play and into the Graveyard. Bakura gritted his teeth, drawing a card.
"I will set one monster and end my turn."
The Spirit grinned, enjoying himself, "I will play one monster face-down, as well."
The card appeared on the field beside the Marauder.
"Devilish Marauder, attack!"
Repeating the same type of attack as last turn, the Marauder attacked. It revealed Spirit of the Harp, which lasted through the attack, inflicting 100 points damage to the Spirit.
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 8000
The crowd watched silently as Bakura drew a card to start his turn. He then took a deep breath, adding it to his hand. Looking up, Ryou removed a different card from his hand, placing it on the field beside Spirit of the Harp.
"I summon Thunder Nyan Nyan onto the field!" Bakura declared, smiling for a moment as the monster appeared.
The grin soon vanished as he faced the Spirit once more. His opponent seemed indifferent, almost as if he did not register the monster as even being there.
"It appears we are in a form a stand-off at the moment," the Spirit murmured.
"Not quite," Ryou stated, "you still have one monster face-down, who I will now attack."
The female monster struck the three drums before her, bolts of lightning emerging to strike the face-down monster. It appeared, a massive boulder. The crowds above stared, puzzled.
Then it moved. The monster stretched, rising high above the others, twice the height of the Thunder Nyan Nyan. It was far from destroyed.
"What is this card?" Bakura asked.
The Spirit smirked, licking his lips with anticipation before replying, "This is the Defensive Marauder. Not only does it have 2100 defense points, but while it is face-up on the field, all attacks and targeting effects must target it."
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 7800
"Now, I do believe it is my turn," the Spirit said, drawing a card, "And I know just what I will do!"
The Spirit laid a card on the arena, his eyes laughing, "Behold, Ryou Bakura! I have no fear for what you can do, for all your attacks are redirected to Defensive Marauder!"
A small creature appeared. Compared to the other monsters, it was miniscule, the size of a rodent. It seemed to be a bulb of a plant, perhaps a flower.
"...what is that?" Bakura asked, though more thinking out loud.
"This is the Thriving Marauder, a plant," the Spirit explained, "It has 1200 attack and defense points."
"Then why bother playing it?" Bakura inquired, "What is its effect?"
"You will soon see," the Spirit hissed, "but, for now, I end my turn."
Bakura lifted the top card from his deck, placing it in his hand, "Well, I can't do much of anything this turn because of that Marauder of yours, so I'll end my turn."
"Excellent, then it is my turn," the Spirit laughed, drawing, "Then now you shall witness the power of the Thriving Marauder!"
The bulb opened, revealing a small flower. The petals were a deep hue of red. It didn't seem like much of a monster, though it was more threatening than the bulb.
"...I don't understand..." Bakura murmured.
The Spirit smirked, "I didn't expect you to, you've never seen these cards in your life.
"The Thriving Marauder is a relatively weak monster, I'll admit that, but its ability redeems itself tenfold. During each of my Standby Phases, my monster will gain 400 attack and defense points, thus it is now a 1600/1600 monster!"
"...So I'll have to defeat it quickly," Bakura said to himself.
"How?" the Spirit countered.
"I...I don't know..." Bakura sighed, looking at the Defensive Marauder.
"Soon my mere plant will rise to a mighty Mandragora! You will face the wrath of the ever-rising strength of my monster!" the Spirit threatened, "Next turn I will destroy your Thunder Nyan Nyan, and then your Spirit of the Harp!
"But for now, I end my turn."
Bakura drew, gasping slightly at the luck of his draw. He then placed the monster on the field, removing the other two, "I offer both of my monsters as a tribute to summon Cosmo Queen."
The host of the Spirit narrowed its eyes as the monster appeared, towering above all but the Defensive Marauder.
"Cosmo Queen," Bakura declared, "Attack Defensive Marauder!"
The storm of meteors swept down upon the stone creature, annihilating it instantaneously.
"I end my turn, Spirit."
"Good," the Spirit hissed, "Then I can return to bringing about your downfall, Ryou Bakura.
"For after my Thriving Marauder grows to 2000 attack and defense points, I move both of my monsters into defense position, set one trap card, and end my turn."
Bakura nodded, drawing a card from his deck, "Now I will summon Rogue Doll in attack position. It has 1600 Attack Points, more than enough to demolish your Devilish Marauder while it is in Defense Position.
"Cosmo Queen, attack the Thriving Marauder now, so it can't grow any larger!"
The meteors gathered, preparing to crash down upon the plant. Suddenly, flames flooded the ground beneath Cosmo Queen.
"I activate Widespread Ruin!" the Spirit countered, "Which will destroy your strongest monster: Cosmo Queen!"
"Not if I can help it," Bakura grinned, flipping his own trap card, "For I activate Seven Tools of the Bandit, which, after lowering my own Life Points by 1000, will negate your trap card!"
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 6800
Thriving Marauder was destroyed in the explosion of the meteors. Bakura sighed, looking up at the Spirit.
"Rogue Doll," he stated, "attack the Devilish Marauder."
The creature held both hands forward, unleashing a ray of light. The light engulfed the robed monster. When it cleared, the Devilish Marauder was no more.
"I now end my turn, Spirit."
The man drew, glaring at Bakura. He removed a single card from his hand, placing it on the field in face-down defense position, "I end my turn, Bakura. Attack, if you wish."
After drawing a card, Bakura shouted his command, "Attack the face-down monster, Cosmo Queen!"
The attack struck, hailing down upon the card. It flipped, revealing a form of bird-like creature. It rose, leaping forwards, away from the meteors. It struck back, swiping at Cosmo Queen with a wing-like arm.
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 5750
"What the-" Joey muttered in response from the stands.
"This is the Agile Marauder," the Spirit explained, "It has 1000 Attack Points and 1500 Defense Points."
"Then why wasn't it destroyed?" Bakura asked.
"It has an ability, Bakura," the Spirit continued, "When it is attacked, I may add the Defense Points of the attacking monster, the Cosmo Queen, to the Agile Marauder. Cosmo Queen has 2450 Defense Points, thus raising it to 3950. 2900 subtracted from 3950 is 1050, thus lowering your Life Points to 5750. Do you end your turn?"
Sighing softly, Bakura placed one more card on the field, "No, first I will set one trap card."
"Then I assume it is now my turn," the Spirit smirked, drawing, "and I will simply end it, for have nothing to do."
Bakura took a deep breath, drawing a card, "I will offer Rogue Doll as a tribute, summoning the more powerful Dark Magician Girl."
Rogue Doll disappeared in a white flash, the spell-caster appearing in its place. She held her staff tightly, facing the Agile Marauder angrily.
"In response to Dark Magician Girl's effect activating," Bakura began, "I flip my trap card, Love and Hate.
"You know this card, Spirit. You're the one who made it. It allows me to draw a random card from my deck each time a monster effect is activated. And so, I draw."
As the card flipped, a figure emerged from it. It appeared to be a form of judge, wielding a scale. On one side, a red heart lay, on the other, a black heart. The scale was evenly balanced, neither side higher or lower than the other.
"I now end my turn."
The Spirit drew a card, shrugging, though he faced the audience more than Bakura, "I will end my turn. This appears to be a dead-lock, Bakura."
Beginning his turn, Bakura added the top card on his deck to his hand. He smiled, removing three cards and placing them on the field, "I will now play Polymerization, fusing Seraphim and Flame Incarnation from my hand into the mighty Angel of the Flame!"
An angel and a blazing fire appeared on the field, entering one another to form a new creature, a spirit holding a fiery sword.
"It is a powerful card, indeed," the Spirit spat, "but it means nothing. My Agile Marauder can survive a blow from any of your monsters, Bakura!"
"I know, Spirit, but you can't defeat my monsters, either," Bakura stated, "So, for now, I end my turn."
"Then prepare yourself for the end, Ryou Bakura," the Spirit challenged, "For on my turn, I will demolish your army, and bring you one step closer to defeat!"
Bakura glared at the Spirit, the Spirit glaring back. On Bakura's side of the field, he had Cosmo Queen, Dark Magician Girl, Love and Hate, and Angel of the Flame, the four cards symbolizing the Millennium Guardians. The Spirit had one monster, a mighty defense. Loathing flared between the two as Ryou Bakura awaited his opponent's move.
~
Author's Note: Whoo, another chapter after a long wait. I apologize for the time it takes. It's almost over, one of two more chapters. Thank you to everyone who has read this far...actually, thank you to everyone who has read any of this. I probably would have stopped after chapter two or three if not for all of you.
Author's Note: There are roughly three chapters left, including this one.
~
He moved swiftly down the hall, dodging around each corner with all the dexterity and speed he could manage. He had to have as much distance between him and Kimu's cohorts as possible.
No.
That wasn't why he was running. He could deal with the suits. He could hide from them. He could fight them. He could outsmart them. He could probably even return to the arena and wait there, they most likely wouldn't return there.
No.
He couldn't bear to see his friends, look Yasumi in the eyes and tell her he couldn't do it; he couldn't declare the final attack. He couldn't bear to defeat his friend. He couldn't do what was needed of him.
Is this redemption; through forfeit?
He was running to escape all these fears, these burdens. Each hallway, each tapestry on the wall, each portrait of Pegasus, Cecilia, Shadi, Richard, they all brought him further from where he had began.
And then he stopped.
Muttering angrily, he realized he came to a dead end. He was on the top floor, staring out a window. He looked out, seeing the freefall to certain death. Suddenly, an idea came to mind.
Placing a foot on the windowsill, he took a deep breath. Staring blankly down, he prepared for what would come.
Death; perhaps that would free him of his burdens.
"Rathje!" her voice cried.
He turned, seeing her. He closed his eyes, turning back to the window.
"Please," he murmured, "just let me..."
"Let you what?" she shouted, "Kill yourself?"
He nodded slowly, not able to look at her eyes. She walked a little closer. When he made no effort to stop her, she crossed the rest of the distance between them. Taking his hand lightly, she lead him down from the windowsill.
"Don't," she whispered.
Although she spoke quietly, her voice possessed a form of firmness. He swallowed dryly, following her back the way they had come. She brought him to her room.
~
Richard Pegasus stood in his private room, looking up at the three objects adorning the wall. One was a sword, another was a staff, and the last was a bracelet. The Millennium Eye and Ring flashing in the light that entered through the windows, his lips curled into a smile. He held a Duel Monsters deck in his right hand. He idly sifted through it, each monster similar to the others, but unlike anything ever seen before.
He stopped, pausing at one card.
A low, airy laugh emerged from his lips, forming more of a cackle as he threw his head back. His laugh rung loud and clear through the room, echoing off the walls.
~
"Rathje," Yasumi began softly, "are you alright?"
"No..." Rathje sighed, "I couldn't do it. I just...couldn't..."
"It's okay, Rathje," Yasumi continues, offering a smile.
They sat in silence for a while, neither speaking nor looking at the other. As the silence stretched onward, it became more awkward. Yasumi glanced at Rathje, opening her mouth to speak for a moment, and then closing it. Eventually, curiosity got the best of her. She turned to Rathje, looking into his eyes.
"Rathje, what happened to the Dark Magician Girl?" she murmured, "You had her on the field at the end of the duel, and then, well, I'm just wondering..."
"Bakura has the Dark Magician Girl..." Rathje replied, speaking slowly, "I'm sorry, but I thought that since I couldn't use her, Bakura might be able to. You said it would be like both of us dueling...well...I gave him Love and Hate as well...so now all three of us will be dueling..."
"...Rathje..."
"...I'm sorry..."
"No, I'm glad," Yasumi explained, "I'm happy Bakura's representing all of us. Or at least three of us...I don't know about Gavin..."
~
"Bakura," a voice called out from behind the youth.
Bakura turned, seeing Gavin, his eyes downcast, studying the floor.
"Yes?"
"I...I wanted you to have this..." Gavin murmured, "...for your duel. I know you have Love and Hate as well as Dark Magician Girl, you also have Cosmo Queen. I believe they are meant to demonstrate the position of the Millennium Guardians, as well as the Pharaoh himself."
Bakura nodded slowly, unsure of what to expect.
"I know it isn't the strongest card, but I feel it is the best suited from my deck..."
Gavin moved forward, handing four cards to Bakura before turning back down the hall and down the next corner. Bakura looked down, smiling a little at the cards.
"Giltia the Dragon Knight, Guardian of the Labyrinth, Protector of the Throne, and another Polymerization..." Bakura murmured to himself, "...thank you, Gavin...thank you..."
~
Croquet stood erect, staring blankly at the audience, minus Bakura. His eyes seemed void of all emotion, as if he had no preference towards the outcome of the awaited duel.
"Both duelists will now enter the dueling field," he announced, his face barely moving despite the volume of his voice.
Bakura, taking a deep breath, marched down the path, onto the dueling arena. After a pause, Richard Pegasus, dressed in a blue suit, walked towards the arena, taking his time.
"Congratulations, Bakura," Pegasus began, "for making it this far. You are truly a powerful duelist."
'Now let's see just how powerful you are!' he thought, Millennium Eye flashing beneath his hair.
"In the event of Ryou Bakura, the challenger, winning this duel," Croquet stated, "He will obtain a prize of his choosing, in memory of Maxmillion Pegasus' Duelist Kingdom, in addition to the entire new extension of Duel Monsters cards.
"But, in the event that Ryou Bakura loses this duel; he will be taken as a sacrifice to the Shadow Realm."
"What?" half the audience of the balcony echoed, the rest too shocked.
"What kind of sick, twisted tournament have you turned this into?" Mai shouted.
"Tournament?" Pegasus glared at her, a malevolent grin upon his lips, "This ceased to be a tournament long ago.
"To resurrect Maxmillion Pegasus, I must provide a replacement to the Shadow Realm," he explained, holding his hands out to his sides, "I believe Ryou Bakura would make a suitable replacement, as he possesses a great link with Pegasus. When I, the Spirit of the Millennium Ring, was within him, Bakura defeated Maxmillion Pegasus in a Shadow Game, as well as stealing the Millennium Eye."
"But Bakura didn't do any of that!" Tea yelled at Richard.
"Yes, but I was still within his body at the time. I have done many things, many before Ryou Bakura was my host."
As he finished this sentence, the Millennium Ring and Eye flashed brightly.
"Like...what?" Yugi asked quietly.
"Yugi," Richard smirked, a form of pain reflected in the man's hollow eyes, "It was I who inflicted Cecilia Pegasus with her 'disease'. She did not merely pass away. Did you not see the Soul Card? She is imprisoned forever within the Shadow Realm.
"My host just prior to Ryou had embraced me, wanting to give rise to my powers. I grew stronger, but still required something more. At that time, I thought it was the Millennium Items, but I was mistaken. It was Ryou Bakura. He was stronger, possessed a more correct match with the Millennium Ring. I had to find him."
"So then why did you leave him?" Yugi inquired, "Aren't you just as you were? Don't you need Bakura to reach your full strength with the Millennium Ring?"
"No."
The crowd could only stare and blink as the Spirit let this sink in before continuing.
"You see, as I passed through Ryou Bakura's body, part of him entered me, and I in him. I gained more mastery of my power just entering him, and retained that power when I left. So after I defeat him, and take Maxmillion Pegasus' body, I will gain more control of the Eye. And when I take your Puzzle, Yugi Moto, I will enter your body until finding the next Millennium Item, thus gaining more powers over your own Millennium Item.
"Now, are we going to duel, or are we just going to stand and stare at one another?"
Pure loathing was visible in both Ryou and the Spirit's eyes, although both held a form of respect for one another, as if through sharing a body, they realized the other's true strength and power, and understood it.
"Let's duel," they both said in unison, drawing five cards from their respective decks.
"You may have the first turn, Bakura," the Spirit stated calmly.
Bakura nodded, drawing a card, "Then I will set one monster and one trap card face-down and end my turn."
"Prepare yourself, Ryou Bakura," the Spirit cackled, "for a duel of the likes of which you have never experienced!"
As he said this, he played a monster face-up on the field. The monster appeared; a robed, black figure. Red eyes gleamed beneath the cloak. As it emerged from the arena's floor, a black fog surrounded the entire room, transforming it.
"Welcome to the Shadow Realm, Bakura," the Spirit laughed, "and all of you! We can't have a duel without an audience, can we?"
The group on the balcony watched in horror, some of them seeing the Shadow Realm for the first time. Others merely stared at the monster the Spirit had played.
"What card is this?" Bakura asked, looking at it carefully.
"Oh, yes," the Spirit smirked, "I forgot that you have not seen the new cards, and do not know of their abilities."
"What card is this?" Bakura demanded.
"This is the Devilish Marauder," the airy voice stated, not suiting its host, "it has 1900 attack points and 1400 defense points. It may only be summoned if I control no other fiend monsters."
(Author's Note: The whole Marauder thing is based off my old Runescape clan, Marauders of the Zenith...we sucked, unlike the Spirit of the Millennium Ring's cards...)
"So...you trade your versatility for strength?" Bakura murmured.
"Yes," the Spirit replied, "but you'll see my deck is just as versatile with this card...among others...
"Now, Marauder, attack the face-down monster!"
As a black wave of magic emerged from the monster, Bakura's Ray and Temperature flipped face-up, fading from play and into the Graveyard. Bakura gritted his teeth, drawing a card.
"I will set one monster and end my turn."
The Spirit grinned, enjoying himself, "I will play one monster face-down, as well."
The card appeared on the field beside the Marauder.
"Devilish Marauder, attack!"
Repeating the same type of attack as last turn, the Marauder attacked. It revealed Spirit of the Harp, which lasted through the attack, inflicting 100 points damage to the Spirit.
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 8000
The crowd watched silently as Bakura drew a card to start his turn. He then took a deep breath, adding it to his hand. Looking up, Ryou removed a different card from his hand, placing it on the field beside Spirit of the Harp.
"I summon Thunder Nyan Nyan onto the field!" Bakura declared, smiling for a moment as the monster appeared.
The grin soon vanished as he faced the Spirit once more. His opponent seemed indifferent, almost as if he did not register the monster as even being there.
"It appears we are in a form a stand-off at the moment," the Spirit murmured.
"Not quite," Ryou stated, "you still have one monster face-down, who I will now attack."
The female monster struck the three drums before her, bolts of lightning emerging to strike the face-down monster. It appeared, a massive boulder. The crowds above stared, puzzled.
Then it moved. The monster stretched, rising high above the others, twice the height of the Thunder Nyan Nyan. It was far from destroyed.
"What is this card?" Bakura asked.
The Spirit smirked, licking his lips with anticipation before replying, "This is the Defensive Marauder. Not only does it have 2100 defense points, but while it is face-up on the field, all attacks and targeting effects must target it."
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 7800
"Now, I do believe it is my turn," the Spirit said, drawing a card, "And I know just what I will do!"
The Spirit laid a card on the arena, his eyes laughing, "Behold, Ryou Bakura! I have no fear for what you can do, for all your attacks are redirected to Defensive Marauder!"
A small creature appeared. Compared to the other monsters, it was miniscule, the size of a rodent. It seemed to be a bulb of a plant, perhaps a flower.
"...what is that?" Bakura asked, though more thinking out loud.
"This is the Thriving Marauder, a plant," the Spirit explained, "It has 1200 attack and defense points."
"Then why bother playing it?" Bakura inquired, "What is its effect?"
"You will soon see," the Spirit hissed, "but, for now, I end my turn."
Bakura lifted the top card from his deck, placing it in his hand, "Well, I can't do much of anything this turn because of that Marauder of yours, so I'll end my turn."
"Excellent, then it is my turn," the Spirit laughed, drawing, "Then now you shall witness the power of the Thriving Marauder!"
The bulb opened, revealing a small flower. The petals were a deep hue of red. It didn't seem like much of a monster, though it was more threatening than the bulb.
"...I don't understand..." Bakura murmured.
The Spirit smirked, "I didn't expect you to, you've never seen these cards in your life.
"The Thriving Marauder is a relatively weak monster, I'll admit that, but its ability redeems itself tenfold. During each of my Standby Phases, my monster will gain 400 attack and defense points, thus it is now a 1600/1600 monster!"
"...So I'll have to defeat it quickly," Bakura said to himself.
"How?" the Spirit countered.
"I...I don't know..." Bakura sighed, looking at the Defensive Marauder.
"Soon my mere plant will rise to a mighty Mandragora! You will face the wrath of the ever-rising strength of my monster!" the Spirit threatened, "Next turn I will destroy your Thunder Nyan Nyan, and then your Spirit of the Harp!
"But for now, I end my turn."
Bakura drew, gasping slightly at the luck of his draw. He then placed the monster on the field, removing the other two, "I offer both of my monsters as a tribute to summon Cosmo Queen."
The host of the Spirit narrowed its eyes as the monster appeared, towering above all but the Defensive Marauder.
"Cosmo Queen," Bakura declared, "Attack Defensive Marauder!"
The storm of meteors swept down upon the stone creature, annihilating it instantaneously.
"I end my turn, Spirit."
"Good," the Spirit hissed, "Then I can return to bringing about your downfall, Ryou Bakura.
"For after my Thriving Marauder grows to 2000 attack and defense points, I move both of my monsters into defense position, set one trap card, and end my turn."
Bakura nodded, drawing a card from his deck, "Now I will summon Rogue Doll in attack position. It has 1600 Attack Points, more than enough to demolish your Devilish Marauder while it is in Defense Position.
"Cosmo Queen, attack the Thriving Marauder now, so it can't grow any larger!"
The meteors gathered, preparing to crash down upon the plant. Suddenly, flames flooded the ground beneath Cosmo Queen.
"I activate Widespread Ruin!" the Spirit countered, "Which will destroy your strongest monster: Cosmo Queen!"
"Not if I can help it," Bakura grinned, flipping his own trap card, "For I activate Seven Tools of the Bandit, which, after lowering my own Life Points by 1000, will negate your trap card!"
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 6800
Thriving Marauder was destroyed in the explosion of the meteors. Bakura sighed, looking up at the Spirit.
"Rogue Doll," he stated, "attack the Devilish Marauder."
The creature held both hands forward, unleashing a ray of light. The light engulfed the robed monster. When it cleared, the Devilish Marauder was no more.
"I now end my turn, Spirit."
The man drew, glaring at Bakura. He removed a single card from his hand, placing it on the field in face-down defense position, "I end my turn, Bakura. Attack, if you wish."
After drawing a card, Bakura shouted his command, "Attack the face-down monster, Cosmo Queen!"
The attack struck, hailing down upon the card. It flipped, revealing a form of bird-like creature. It rose, leaping forwards, away from the meteors. It struck back, swiping at Cosmo Queen with a wing-like arm.
-Spirit: 7900, Bakura: 5750
"What the-" Joey muttered in response from the stands.
"This is the Agile Marauder," the Spirit explained, "It has 1000 Attack Points and 1500 Defense Points."
"Then why wasn't it destroyed?" Bakura asked.
"It has an ability, Bakura," the Spirit continued, "When it is attacked, I may add the Defense Points of the attacking monster, the Cosmo Queen, to the Agile Marauder. Cosmo Queen has 2450 Defense Points, thus raising it to 3950. 2900 subtracted from 3950 is 1050, thus lowering your Life Points to 5750. Do you end your turn?"
Sighing softly, Bakura placed one more card on the field, "No, first I will set one trap card."
"Then I assume it is now my turn," the Spirit smirked, drawing, "and I will simply end it, for have nothing to do."
Bakura took a deep breath, drawing a card, "I will offer Rogue Doll as a tribute, summoning the more powerful Dark Magician Girl."
Rogue Doll disappeared in a white flash, the spell-caster appearing in its place. She held her staff tightly, facing the Agile Marauder angrily.
"In response to Dark Magician Girl's effect activating," Bakura began, "I flip my trap card, Love and Hate.
"You know this card, Spirit. You're the one who made it. It allows me to draw a random card from my deck each time a monster effect is activated. And so, I draw."
As the card flipped, a figure emerged from it. It appeared to be a form of judge, wielding a scale. On one side, a red heart lay, on the other, a black heart. The scale was evenly balanced, neither side higher or lower than the other.
"I now end my turn."
The Spirit drew a card, shrugging, though he faced the audience more than Bakura, "I will end my turn. This appears to be a dead-lock, Bakura."
Beginning his turn, Bakura added the top card on his deck to his hand. He smiled, removing three cards and placing them on the field, "I will now play Polymerization, fusing Seraphim and Flame Incarnation from my hand into the mighty Angel of the Flame!"
An angel and a blazing fire appeared on the field, entering one another to form a new creature, a spirit holding a fiery sword.
"It is a powerful card, indeed," the Spirit spat, "but it means nothing. My Agile Marauder can survive a blow from any of your monsters, Bakura!"
"I know, Spirit, but you can't defeat my monsters, either," Bakura stated, "So, for now, I end my turn."
"Then prepare yourself for the end, Ryou Bakura," the Spirit challenged, "For on my turn, I will demolish your army, and bring you one step closer to defeat!"
Bakura glared at the Spirit, the Spirit glaring back. On Bakura's side of the field, he had Cosmo Queen, Dark Magician Girl, Love and Hate, and Angel of the Flame, the four cards symbolizing the Millennium Guardians. The Spirit had one monster, a mighty defense. Loathing flared between the two as Ryou Bakura awaited his opponent's move.
~
Author's Note: Whoo, another chapter after a long wait. I apologize for the time it takes. It's almost over, one of two more chapters. Thank you to everyone who has read this far...actually, thank you to everyone who has read any of this. I probably would have stopped after chapter two or three if not for all of you.