Gema J. Gall: I'm BAAAAAACCCKKKKKK! Those lousy penguins thought they could
take away my account! They are more dangerous than we thought they were!
We need to stop them!
Tommy: The penguins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lady Akhana: No, we need to get that hot cocoa mug out of your hands.
Star: Seriously, it is the middle of summer.
Gema J Gall: Hot cocoa gooooooooooodddddddddddddd!!!
Moonlady (To Akhana): We need to do something about Gema. Also, Demon Child and the Foxes are getting a bit carried away.
Tommy: AGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Lady Akhana (To Moonlady): I think I have an idea.
E-100 Alpha: I'm back!
Star: So what did you find out?
E-100: Well, I was talking to a friend who was researching the penguins and....
Tommy: The penguins will destroy us all!!!!!!!!!
Joe Marusa: Will someone shut him up!
DC Kantel: I will! I will!
Lady Akhana: No! Um...... Gema needs you.
DC Kantel: She does?
Gema J Gall: I do?
Moonlady: Well, I think its time you learned how to duel.
DC Kantel: Really?
Lady Akhana: Yeah, and Gema is going to teach you.
Gema J Gall: Need chocolate.....
*DC Kantel and Gema begin playing Duel Monsters*
Star: Thank goodness they are distracted. All we need is to deal with Fox Demon and Dark Fox.
Pharaoh Light: No, we need to deal with the penguins.
Pharaoh Dark: We just finished installing the Mayonnaise Wall. That should protect us from air attacks.
Pharaoh Light: And we refilled all the weapons with mustard.
Dark Fox (who has just entered): Where'd Demon Child go? He said he was going to help us with the prisoner.
Moonlady: He's busy with Gema.
Fox Demon: He what?!
Pharaoh Light: Just the two we needed to see! You can help us replace the lightbulbs!
Dark Fox: But the prisoner.....
Pharaoh Dark: We all want the screaming to stop. You're coming with us. *The four walk off.*
Joe Marusa: What a relief.
E-100 Alpha: So any new words on the penguin's movements?
Lady Akhana: Besides trying to freeze Gema's accounts, nothing.
Perfect ARMs: Listen, I know I'm new here..... But does something seem suspicious to you?
Star: What do you mean?
Bakurakrazie: Well, the penguins tried to take Gema's account. But she rebuilt it, and they aren't doing anything about it!
Moonlady: That does seem strange.....
Perfect ARMs: Not only that, but because of their actions, even more people have joined POF!
Lady Akhana: Really?!
Bakurakrazie: Yep!
Perfect ARMs: Introducing Imp is Insane, Demon of Shadows, Seadragon 1012, Cloud Dragon, and Kitty Tigri to POF!
Imp is Insane: Hi!
Demon of Shadows: Glad to be here!
Kitty Tigri: Let's kick penguin butt! *Holds out her penguin warding crucifix.*
Cloud Dragon: I'm with Kitty Tigri on this one. *Brandishes her sword laced with mustard.*
Seadragon 1012: They have my sister, and I've been hearing parts of their plan! I came as soon as I could.
Moonlady: This is great!
Imp is Insane: So where do you keep the grub? *Begins to look for food.*
Demon of Shadows: So what is the first mission?
*In the corner where DC Kantel and Gema are playing cards*
Gema J Gall: You can't put Flame Swordsman on the field until you tribute a monster!
DC Kantel: I don't care! I play Flame Swordsman in attack mode. Then, I power it up with my lighter! *Pulls a lighter out of his pocket.*
Gema J Gall: What are you doing? *He starts to burn the card.*
DC Kantel: My card receives a power bonus from the fire.
Gema J Gall: You're burning your own card!!!
DC Kantel: I don't care! *Burns the other end of the card.* Ouch! Hot! *He throws the card into the air. It mysteriously floats to Tommy's deck.*
Moonlady: He's burning the penguin deck!
DC Kantel: I hate it when that happens.
Seadragon 1012: This has happened before?
Kitty Tigri: I think I'd be better off not knowing. *Everyone watches as the deck burns*
Lady Akhana: What is that coming out of his deck? *Little black shadows begin to form*
E-100 Alpha: It's the penguins!
Joe Marusa: Sound the alarm!
Star: We are under attack! *Group grabs mustard weapons*
Cloud Dragon: Bring it on! *Begins to swing sword.*
Gema J Gall (Who is radioing for back up): We need back up now more than ever! Send us your e-mail/review ASAP!!! princess8light@yahoo.com or princessakhana@yahoo.com!
**************************************************************************** ****
A group of three rare hunters watched the duelists from a shadowy alley. They were looking for victims, for easy prey. But much to their surprise someone came up from behind them. This person wasted no time. He knocked out one. Another saw this and fled. He picked up the leader by his collar and started to talk to him.
"What are you scum doing?" he asked. He only seemed more sinister with his spiky dark hair and dark leather trench coat.
"None of your business!" snapped the rare hunter.
"I'm making it mine," said the boy. He tightened his grip. The rare hunter paled.
"Just......just orders......" he stammered.
"What orders?" asked Rudy, not giving any room for not answering.
"The.....the m-master wants us to-to watch certain p-p-p-people," he stammered. "It's just orders......"
"Who are you watching?"
"Just-just a g-g-irl."
"Who?"
"I don't know who she is! I guess she's friends of one of the master's targets....... All I know is that I'm supposed to watch the blind girl with brown hair......."
"Your orders have been changed," said Rudy. He pulled his right hand back and slugged the rare hunter. The rare hunter collapsed, unconscious. "People like you make me sick." He walked away, completely unnoticed by the rest of the world.
(AN/ Remember, Rudy belongs to Perfects ARMs, not GJG, K?)
**************************************************************************** ****
Shayla was walking around Battle City, completely lost and trying to find someone she knew. She had hid her duel disk in her backpack so she wouldn't look like a duelist and thus not be challenge to any duels. But that still didn't help her shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
"Shayla!" exclaimed a familiar voice. "What are you doing here?" The small boy hugged her.
"Hello, Mokuba," she greeted. "I don't even know where here is. I'm completely lost. Why did your brother have to pick such a large place for his tournament?"
"Because it was the only place that could hold all of the competitors," a deeper voice answered from behind her. Shayla froze. She hadn't realized Seto Kaiba was in the area.
"How are your duels coming?" asked Mokuba.
"Oh..... I have three locator cards, but I don't think I am going to try for more," she answered, nervously.
"You don't want to be in the finals?" asked Kaiba, who seemed a bit surprised.
"No, there's way too many weirdos running around. And I am not about to repeat the Duelist Kingdom," she answered. Kaiba seemed totally surprised.
"Come on, Mokuba," he said as he turned to leave. "We still have two god cards to find."
"Ummm, coming," said Mokuba as he picked up his brother's briefcase.
"You're not leaving me here!" exclaimed Shayla as she matched pace with Mokuba. "And what is a god card?"
"It is a really powerful card that Pegasus made," answered Mokuba. "There's three of them, and we are trying to find the other two. A group called the rare hunters have them." Shayla felt a sudden chill.
"Deja vu. I've ran into one..... they are completely insane," muttered Shayla, lost in thought for a moment. "Wait! You have one of these cards?"
"Yeah, Obelisk the Tormentor," answered Mokuba. The group stopped. He pulled out a laptop and began to type.
"Why does something seem so familiar about this?" wondered Shayla. "And this isn't a good kind of familiar, either."
"I think you've said enough, Mokuba," replied Kaiba. "We do have bigger things to worry about."
"Huh?" gasped Mokuba. "I think....."
"What is it?" demanded Kaiba as he looked over his brother's shoulder.
"Someone just played a god card, down by the river," answered Mokuba.
"That is where we are going," stated Kaiba. There was a faint hint of excitement to both of their voices.
"Wait! Don't you want to hear who is playing?" asked Mokuba as he closed the laptop and put it back in the briefcase. "It's Yu-Gi versus one of the rare hunters."
"Yu-Gi?!" gasped Kaiba. ".....I should have known......"
"Wait for me!" exclaimed Mokuba as he fell in step behind his brother.
"And you are certainly not leaving me alone in this madhouse!" exclaimed Shayla as she caught up.
They walked in silence most of the way. Shayla couldn't seem to shake the feeling that there was a dark cloud hanging over them. She remember it was that feeling that caused her to have her last name change, 'Tempest.' And that wasn't very reassuring, considering all that had happened in the Duelist Kingdom when she went by that name.
"What is going on?" she asked herself as she tightened her grip on her backpack. She wanted to keep her scales close.
They made it to the river, where the duel was progressing. It did not look good for Yu-Gi. The enormous god card had circled around his opponent, looking every bit at fierce as its name suggests. It was deep red with teeth as long as a person's arm. It looked like a Chinese dragon, in shape. But its face was something completely different. A second mouth was above the first. Its yellow eyes glared at Yu-Gi. It attack was 7000. Yu-Gi seemed to despair.
"What is going on?" asked Shayla.
"This looks bad," answered Mokuba. "Slifer the Sky Dragon is in play, along with several active magic cards and Revival Jam. With each card that rare hunter draws the gad card gets stronger. Yu-Gi doesn't have much in play, and his life points are really low." Yu-Gi collapsed to his knees, like many duelists who put themselves completely into the game.
"Get up, Yu-Gi," said Kaiba. It almost sounded like an order. "Never before have I seen you kneel to an opponent."
"Kaiba?" asked Yu-Gi, who just then noticed their arrival.
"You can beat it!" added Mokuba.
"In all the times I've seen you duel, I've never seen you give up," continued Kaiba.
"Wow!" thought Shayla, impressed and surprised. "I never thought I'd hear this happen. Kaiba actually encouraging Yu-Gi..... That cold exterior he always shows has to be an act. He tries to hide his heart...... He isn't such a bad guy after all. I mean, Mokuba thinks he the best, and Mokuba spends the most time with him. His act has to be to fool the rest of the world.... And it does have them fooled."
"Maybe it was just a fluke at the Duelist Kingdom," continued Kaiba, sarcastically. He was trying to simultaneously provoke and encourage Yu-Gi. "Get up and prove your skills!"
"Right!" agreed Yu-Gi as he stood up. "It isn't over yet, rare hunter."
"You should have given up when you could," replied the rare hunter. He spoke in a voice that sent shivers down Shayla's spine. She knew he was not what he seemed.
Yu-Gi drew his next card and began his turn. "I play one magic card face down. Then I play Big Shield Gardna in defense mode." His monster appeared. He was a giant with an equally large shield and an awesome defense of 2600.
"But that will only activate Slifer's special ability," said Strings, the rare hunter. "It's second mouth will open, draining 2000 points off of your monster's statistics. It will do the same for any monster you summon on the field. And since a monster was summoned to the field, I get to draw three more cards." He was referring to a magic card he had in play.
"It what?!" gasped Shayla.
"How can he have so many cards in his hand?" asked Mokuba.
"His magic cards," replied Kaiba, shortly, "they allow him to have more cards."
Down below the duel disks showed the action with unparalleled clarity. The Osiris god card opened the jaw above its jaw and shot a wave of thunder at the Big Shield Gardna, taking its defense down to 600.
"Slifer's power comes from the cards in its user's hand," muttered Kaiba, throwing strategies around in his mind. "The more cards the duelist has, the higher Slifer's stats gets. So what is its weakness...."
"Could you just use a magic card to get rid of it?" asked Shayla.
"Magic cards and trap cards don't effect god cards," answered Kaiba, coldly.
"They don't?!" she gasped. The chill got stronger. "What about effect monsters?"
But Kaiba didn't answer. He was too busy watching the duel.
"It's my turn now, pharaoh," said the rare hunter. But Shayla was beginning to get the impression he wasn't the one talking. "I draw another card, which raises Slifer's attack to 11000. None of your monster's can hope to with stand it. And now, I will destroy them. Slifer, attack!"
The hologram of Slifer did. Intense thunder radiated from its primary mouth. It was so intense that everyone had to look away (except Shayla). The Big Shield Gardna was blown to dust.
"How can Yu-Gi win this?" asked Mokuba.
"How can...." muttered Kaiba. Then an idea struck him. He reexamined the magic cards. "That's it!"
"What?" asked Mokuba.
"Slifer's strength is in its second mouth, but that is also its weakness," answered Kaiba. "Now, can Yu-Gi realize it?"
Yu-Gi was getting ready for his next turn. He drew a card and smiled.
"So, he got the card he wanted, but can he pull it off?" asked Kaiba, mostly to himself.
"Rare hunter, this card I have just drawn will be then end of you, and your god card," said Yu-Gi.
"Impossible!" said the rare hunter.
"Watch," said Yu-Gi. "I activate my face down magic card, Monster Reborn. And I will bring back my Buster Blader!" His monster appeared. It was wearing incredibly large blue armor lined with silver. In its hand was a sword twice as long as it was. Its attack was 2600, but it gained 500 points for every dragon in play, so because of Slifer its attack was 3100.
"For all the good that that does you," retorted Strings. "You summoned a monster, so I get to draw three more cards. Then, Slifer's second mouth will open, striping your monster of 2000 points!" Buster Blader now had an attack of only 1100.
For some reason, this didn't seem to bother Yu-Gi. "I play one magic card, and then I'll have my Buster Blader attack your Sky Dragon!"
"He can't be serious!" gasped Mokuba.
"Just watch," said Kaiba, who had an idea about what is going.
"I know these duelists always have their strategies..... But this......" thought Shayla.
"You forgot about my Revival Jam," said Strings. A blue blob of jelly appeared in front of Slifer, protecting it. "As long as it stays in play, it will take any attacks you launch!" The Buster Blader swung and sliced through the Revival Jam.
"And, because of my magic card combo, every time my jam is destroyed it will only reform," gloated Strings. The pieces of the Revival Jam began to merge back together.
"I activate my other magic card, Brain Control!" said Yu-Gi.
"Is he going to control Slifer?" asked Mokuba.
"Hahahahahahahaha!" laughed Strings. "You can't take over Slifer, magic cards don't work on god cards. You've made your last mistake. And now Slifer will destroy you, and its attack it 17000.
"What makes you think Slifer was my target?" asked Yu-Gi. Two ghostly hands shot forward and grabbed the Revival Jam.
"And that's your turn?" asked Strings, laughing again. "My turn, and I will crush you, pharaoh."
"It's not your turn yet!" said Yu-gi.
"Oh?"
"A monster appeared on my side of the field, so you have to draw three cards," he said.
"Hahahahahahahaha!" laughed Strings. "Fool, but thanks."
"Not only that," continued Yu-Gi, "but Slifer's special ability has to activate. It has to open its second mouth and blast your Revival Jam." Thunder once again danced across the duel space as the Revival Jam was disintegrated.
"And now...." started Strings.
"It is still not your turn," said Yu-Gi. "Thanks to your magic card, Revival Jam has to reform before you can continue."
"Oh, my gosh!" gasped Shayla. "He did it!"
"What?" asked Mokuba.
"Since a monster has appeared on my side of the field, you have to draw three cards," continued Yu-Gi. "Then Slifer's special ability has to activate, destroying the Revival Jam again. It will reform, causing you to draw three more cards. The cycle keeps happening without end until you run out of cards in your deck and lose."
"No!" gasped the rare hunter, as he drew the last cards from his deck. He collapsed, the cards scattered around him.
"Wow! You did it, Yu-Gi!" exclaimed Mokuba as he slid down a small hill to meet him. Kaiba wasn't far behind. Shayla was taking her time on the steep slope. She did not want to fall.
"You figured how to beat Slifer, well done," compliment Kaiba.
"Here," said Mokuba. He had been rooting through the scattered cards and pulled out the god card. "This was a Battle City tournament, and since you won, you get his rarest card."
"Thanks, Mokuba," said Yu-Gi as he took to card.
"So you found Slifer's weakness," said Kaiba. "Now, you will duel me for your god card!"
"What?" asked Shayla as she joined the group.
"I have every intention of claiming all the god cards, so Yu-Gi, you will duel me for them!" said Kaiba, a viscous look crossing his eyes.
"Kaiba...." started Yu-Gi, But Strings stood up and interrupted him.
"Well done, pharaoh," he said. "But I am not done with you yet. I still hold a god card more powerful than the one I lost."
"What is going on?" asked Shayla.
"I don't know...." replied Mokuba, who sounded just as nervous as she did.
"Marik, grow a backbone and show your face!" snapped Yu-Gi.
"Not yet, pharaoh, my game is just beginning," continued the rare hunter. Shayla could feel some kind of magic, and it was beginning to make her nauseous, just like the Duelist Kingdom. "I am coming to Battle City to claim what is rightfully mine, your Millennial Puzzle!"
"Grrrrrrrr....."
"Just like you beat Slifer by exploiting its weakness, I too will beat you by exploiting your weakness," continued Marik. "I can sense everything in Battle City, the Millennial Puzzle, the two god cards, my mind slaves, the countless people participating, even potential mind slaves."
"What is he talking about?!" demanded Kaiba.
"So tell me, Yu-Gi, which of your friends would make the best mind slave? Tea? Or Joe maybe?" continued the possessed Strings.
"Don't you dare hurt them!" threatened Yu-Gi.
"You put your faith in those weaklings, and that will be your undoing," continued Strings. "Try to protect them, if you can!" With that he collapsed, completely unconscious.
Yu-Gi turned and took off running.
"Where are you going?!" demanded Kaiba. "You owe me a duel!"
"I'll duel you later!" retorted Yu-Gi. "Right now my friends are in trouble!"
AN/ Sorry for my ad-libbing. As they say, deal with it! And, as always, please read, review, and enjoy! (
Tommy: The penguins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lady Akhana: No, we need to get that hot cocoa mug out of your hands.
Star: Seriously, it is the middle of summer.
Gema J Gall: Hot cocoa gooooooooooodddddddddddddd!!!
Moonlady (To Akhana): We need to do something about Gema. Also, Demon Child and the Foxes are getting a bit carried away.
Tommy: AGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Lady Akhana (To Moonlady): I think I have an idea.
E-100 Alpha: I'm back!
Star: So what did you find out?
E-100: Well, I was talking to a friend who was researching the penguins and....
Tommy: The penguins will destroy us all!!!!!!!!!
Joe Marusa: Will someone shut him up!
DC Kantel: I will! I will!
Lady Akhana: No! Um...... Gema needs you.
DC Kantel: She does?
Gema J Gall: I do?
Moonlady: Well, I think its time you learned how to duel.
DC Kantel: Really?
Lady Akhana: Yeah, and Gema is going to teach you.
Gema J Gall: Need chocolate.....
*DC Kantel and Gema begin playing Duel Monsters*
Star: Thank goodness they are distracted. All we need is to deal with Fox Demon and Dark Fox.
Pharaoh Light: No, we need to deal with the penguins.
Pharaoh Dark: We just finished installing the Mayonnaise Wall. That should protect us from air attacks.
Pharaoh Light: And we refilled all the weapons with mustard.
Dark Fox (who has just entered): Where'd Demon Child go? He said he was going to help us with the prisoner.
Moonlady: He's busy with Gema.
Fox Demon: He what?!
Pharaoh Light: Just the two we needed to see! You can help us replace the lightbulbs!
Dark Fox: But the prisoner.....
Pharaoh Dark: We all want the screaming to stop. You're coming with us. *The four walk off.*
Joe Marusa: What a relief.
E-100 Alpha: So any new words on the penguin's movements?
Lady Akhana: Besides trying to freeze Gema's accounts, nothing.
Perfect ARMs: Listen, I know I'm new here..... But does something seem suspicious to you?
Star: What do you mean?
Bakurakrazie: Well, the penguins tried to take Gema's account. But she rebuilt it, and they aren't doing anything about it!
Moonlady: That does seem strange.....
Perfect ARMs: Not only that, but because of their actions, even more people have joined POF!
Lady Akhana: Really?!
Bakurakrazie: Yep!
Perfect ARMs: Introducing Imp is Insane, Demon of Shadows, Seadragon 1012, Cloud Dragon, and Kitty Tigri to POF!
Imp is Insane: Hi!
Demon of Shadows: Glad to be here!
Kitty Tigri: Let's kick penguin butt! *Holds out her penguin warding crucifix.*
Cloud Dragon: I'm with Kitty Tigri on this one. *Brandishes her sword laced with mustard.*
Seadragon 1012: They have my sister, and I've been hearing parts of their plan! I came as soon as I could.
Moonlady: This is great!
Imp is Insane: So where do you keep the grub? *Begins to look for food.*
Demon of Shadows: So what is the first mission?
*In the corner where DC Kantel and Gema are playing cards*
Gema J Gall: You can't put Flame Swordsman on the field until you tribute a monster!
DC Kantel: I don't care! I play Flame Swordsman in attack mode. Then, I power it up with my lighter! *Pulls a lighter out of his pocket.*
Gema J Gall: What are you doing? *He starts to burn the card.*
DC Kantel: My card receives a power bonus from the fire.
Gema J Gall: You're burning your own card!!!
DC Kantel: I don't care! *Burns the other end of the card.* Ouch! Hot! *He throws the card into the air. It mysteriously floats to Tommy's deck.*
Moonlady: He's burning the penguin deck!
DC Kantel: I hate it when that happens.
Seadragon 1012: This has happened before?
Kitty Tigri: I think I'd be better off not knowing. *Everyone watches as the deck burns*
Lady Akhana: What is that coming out of his deck? *Little black shadows begin to form*
E-100 Alpha: It's the penguins!
Joe Marusa: Sound the alarm!
Star: We are under attack! *Group grabs mustard weapons*
Cloud Dragon: Bring it on! *Begins to swing sword.*
Gema J Gall (Who is radioing for back up): We need back up now more than ever! Send us your e-mail/review ASAP!!! princess8light@yahoo.com or princessakhana@yahoo.com!
**************************************************************************** ****
A group of three rare hunters watched the duelists from a shadowy alley. They were looking for victims, for easy prey. But much to their surprise someone came up from behind them. This person wasted no time. He knocked out one. Another saw this and fled. He picked up the leader by his collar and started to talk to him.
"What are you scum doing?" he asked. He only seemed more sinister with his spiky dark hair and dark leather trench coat.
"None of your business!" snapped the rare hunter.
"I'm making it mine," said the boy. He tightened his grip. The rare hunter paled.
"Just......just orders......" he stammered.
"What orders?" asked Rudy, not giving any room for not answering.
"The.....the m-master wants us to-to watch certain p-p-p-people," he stammered. "It's just orders......"
"Who are you watching?"
"Just-just a g-g-irl."
"Who?"
"I don't know who she is! I guess she's friends of one of the master's targets....... All I know is that I'm supposed to watch the blind girl with brown hair......."
"Your orders have been changed," said Rudy. He pulled his right hand back and slugged the rare hunter. The rare hunter collapsed, unconscious. "People like you make me sick." He walked away, completely unnoticed by the rest of the world.
(AN/ Remember, Rudy belongs to Perfects ARMs, not GJG, K?)
**************************************************************************** ****
Shayla was walking around Battle City, completely lost and trying to find someone she knew. She had hid her duel disk in her backpack so she wouldn't look like a duelist and thus not be challenge to any duels. But that still didn't help her shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
"Shayla!" exclaimed a familiar voice. "What are you doing here?" The small boy hugged her.
"Hello, Mokuba," she greeted. "I don't even know where here is. I'm completely lost. Why did your brother have to pick such a large place for his tournament?"
"Because it was the only place that could hold all of the competitors," a deeper voice answered from behind her. Shayla froze. She hadn't realized Seto Kaiba was in the area.
"How are your duels coming?" asked Mokuba.
"Oh..... I have three locator cards, but I don't think I am going to try for more," she answered, nervously.
"You don't want to be in the finals?" asked Kaiba, who seemed a bit surprised.
"No, there's way too many weirdos running around. And I am not about to repeat the Duelist Kingdom," she answered. Kaiba seemed totally surprised.
"Come on, Mokuba," he said as he turned to leave. "We still have two god cards to find."
"Ummm, coming," said Mokuba as he picked up his brother's briefcase.
"You're not leaving me here!" exclaimed Shayla as she matched pace with Mokuba. "And what is a god card?"
"It is a really powerful card that Pegasus made," answered Mokuba. "There's three of them, and we are trying to find the other two. A group called the rare hunters have them." Shayla felt a sudden chill.
"Deja vu. I've ran into one..... they are completely insane," muttered Shayla, lost in thought for a moment. "Wait! You have one of these cards?"
"Yeah, Obelisk the Tormentor," answered Mokuba. The group stopped. He pulled out a laptop and began to type.
"Why does something seem so familiar about this?" wondered Shayla. "And this isn't a good kind of familiar, either."
"I think you've said enough, Mokuba," replied Kaiba. "We do have bigger things to worry about."
"Huh?" gasped Mokuba. "I think....."
"What is it?" demanded Kaiba as he looked over his brother's shoulder.
"Someone just played a god card, down by the river," answered Mokuba.
"That is where we are going," stated Kaiba. There was a faint hint of excitement to both of their voices.
"Wait! Don't you want to hear who is playing?" asked Mokuba as he closed the laptop and put it back in the briefcase. "It's Yu-Gi versus one of the rare hunters."
"Yu-Gi?!" gasped Kaiba. ".....I should have known......"
"Wait for me!" exclaimed Mokuba as he fell in step behind his brother.
"And you are certainly not leaving me alone in this madhouse!" exclaimed Shayla as she caught up.
They walked in silence most of the way. Shayla couldn't seem to shake the feeling that there was a dark cloud hanging over them. She remember it was that feeling that caused her to have her last name change, 'Tempest.' And that wasn't very reassuring, considering all that had happened in the Duelist Kingdom when she went by that name.
"What is going on?" she asked herself as she tightened her grip on her backpack. She wanted to keep her scales close.
They made it to the river, where the duel was progressing. It did not look good for Yu-Gi. The enormous god card had circled around his opponent, looking every bit at fierce as its name suggests. It was deep red with teeth as long as a person's arm. It looked like a Chinese dragon, in shape. But its face was something completely different. A second mouth was above the first. Its yellow eyes glared at Yu-Gi. It attack was 7000. Yu-Gi seemed to despair.
"What is going on?" asked Shayla.
"This looks bad," answered Mokuba. "Slifer the Sky Dragon is in play, along with several active magic cards and Revival Jam. With each card that rare hunter draws the gad card gets stronger. Yu-Gi doesn't have much in play, and his life points are really low." Yu-Gi collapsed to his knees, like many duelists who put themselves completely into the game.
"Get up, Yu-Gi," said Kaiba. It almost sounded like an order. "Never before have I seen you kneel to an opponent."
"Kaiba?" asked Yu-Gi, who just then noticed their arrival.
"You can beat it!" added Mokuba.
"In all the times I've seen you duel, I've never seen you give up," continued Kaiba.
"Wow!" thought Shayla, impressed and surprised. "I never thought I'd hear this happen. Kaiba actually encouraging Yu-Gi..... That cold exterior he always shows has to be an act. He tries to hide his heart...... He isn't such a bad guy after all. I mean, Mokuba thinks he the best, and Mokuba spends the most time with him. His act has to be to fool the rest of the world.... And it does have them fooled."
"Maybe it was just a fluke at the Duelist Kingdom," continued Kaiba, sarcastically. He was trying to simultaneously provoke and encourage Yu-Gi. "Get up and prove your skills!"
"Right!" agreed Yu-Gi as he stood up. "It isn't over yet, rare hunter."
"You should have given up when you could," replied the rare hunter. He spoke in a voice that sent shivers down Shayla's spine. She knew he was not what he seemed.
Yu-Gi drew his next card and began his turn. "I play one magic card face down. Then I play Big Shield Gardna in defense mode." His monster appeared. He was a giant with an equally large shield and an awesome defense of 2600.
"But that will only activate Slifer's special ability," said Strings, the rare hunter. "It's second mouth will open, draining 2000 points off of your monster's statistics. It will do the same for any monster you summon on the field. And since a monster was summoned to the field, I get to draw three more cards." He was referring to a magic card he had in play.
"It what?!" gasped Shayla.
"How can he have so many cards in his hand?" asked Mokuba.
"His magic cards," replied Kaiba, shortly, "they allow him to have more cards."
Down below the duel disks showed the action with unparalleled clarity. The Osiris god card opened the jaw above its jaw and shot a wave of thunder at the Big Shield Gardna, taking its defense down to 600.
"Slifer's power comes from the cards in its user's hand," muttered Kaiba, throwing strategies around in his mind. "The more cards the duelist has, the higher Slifer's stats gets. So what is its weakness...."
"Could you just use a magic card to get rid of it?" asked Shayla.
"Magic cards and trap cards don't effect god cards," answered Kaiba, coldly.
"They don't?!" she gasped. The chill got stronger. "What about effect monsters?"
But Kaiba didn't answer. He was too busy watching the duel.
"It's my turn now, pharaoh," said the rare hunter. But Shayla was beginning to get the impression he wasn't the one talking. "I draw another card, which raises Slifer's attack to 11000. None of your monster's can hope to with stand it. And now, I will destroy them. Slifer, attack!"
The hologram of Slifer did. Intense thunder radiated from its primary mouth. It was so intense that everyone had to look away (except Shayla). The Big Shield Gardna was blown to dust.
"How can Yu-Gi win this?" asked Mokuba.
"How can...." muttered Kaiba. Then an idea struck him. He reexamined the magic cards. "That's it!"
"What?" asked Mokuba.
"Slifer's strength is in its second mouth, but that is also its weakness," answered Kaiba. "Now, can Yu-Gi realize it?"
Yu-Gi was getting ready for his next turn. He drew a card and smiled.
"So, he got the card he wanted, but can he pull it off?" asked Kaiba, mostly to himself.
"Rare hunter, this card I have just drawn will be then end of you, and your god card," said Yu-Gi.
"Impossible!" said the rare hunter.
"Watch," said Yu-Gi. "I activate my face down magic card, Monster Reborn. And I will bring back my Buster Blader!" His monster appeared. It was wearing incredibly large blue armor lined with silver. In its hand was a sword twice as long as it was. Its attack was 2600, but it gained 500 points for every dragon in play, so because of Slifer its attack was 3100.
"For all the good that that does you," retorted Strings. "You summoned a monster, so I get to draw three more cards. Then, Slifer's second mouth will open, striping your monster of 2000 points!" Buster Blader now had an attack of only 1100.
For some reason, this didn't seem to bother Yu-Gi. "I play one magic card, and then I'll have my Buster Blader attack your Sky Dragon!"
"He can't be serious!" gasped Mokuba.
"Just watch," said Kaiba, who had an idea about what is going.
"I know these duelists always have their strategies..... But this......" thought Shayla.
"You forgot about my Revival Jam," said Strings. A blue blob of jelly appeared in front of Slifer, protecting it. "As long as it stays in play, it will take any attacks you launch!" The Buster Blader swung and sliced through the Revival Jam.
"And, because of my magic card combo, every time my jam is destroyed it will only reform," gloated Strings. The pieces of the Revival Jam began to merge back together.
"I activate my other magic card, Brain Control!" said Yu-Gi.
"Is he going to control Slifer?" asked Mokuba.
"Hahahahahahahaha!" laughed Strings. "You can't take over Slifer, magic cards don't work on god cards. You've made your last mistake. And now Slifer will destroy you, and its attack it 17000.
"What makes you think Slifer was my target?" asked Yu-Gi. Two ghostly hands shot forward and grabbed the Revival Jam.
"And that's your turn?" asked Strings, laughing again. "My turn, and I will crush you, pharaoh."
"It's not your turn yet!" said Yu-gi.
"Oh?"
"A monster appeared on my side of the field, so you have to draw three cards," he said.
"Hahahahahahahaha!" laughed Strings. "Fool, but thanks."
"Not only that," continued Yu-Gi, "but Slifer's special ability has to activate. It has to open its second mouth and blast your Revival Jam." Thunder once again danced across the duel space as the Revival Jam was disintegrated.
"And now...." started Strings.
"It is still not your turn," said Yu-Gi. "Thanks to your magic card, Revival Jam has to reform before you can continue."
"Oh, my gosh!" gasped Shayla. "He did it!"
"What?" asked Mokuba.
"Since a monster has appeared on my side of the field, you have to draw three cards," continued Yu-Gi. "Then Slifer's special ability has to activate, destroying the Revival Jam again. It will reform, causing you to draw three more cards. The cycle keeps happening without end until you run out of cards in your deck and lose."
"No!" gasped the rare hunter, as he drew the last cards from his deck. He collapsed, the cards scattered around him.
"Wow! You did it, Yu-Gi!" exclaimed Mokuba as he slid down a small hill to meet him. Kaiba wasn't far behind. Shayla was taking her time on the steep slope. She did not want to fall.
"You figured how to beat Slifer, well done," compliment Kaiba.
"Here," said Mokuba. He had been rooting through the scattered cards and pulled out the god card. "This was a Battle City tournament, and since you won, you get his rarest card."
"Thanks, Mokuba," said Yu-Gi as he took to card.
"So you found Slifer's weakness," said Kaiba. "Now, you will duel me for your god card!"
"What?" asked Shayla as she joined the group.
"I have every intention of claiming all the god cards, so Yu-Gi, you will duel me for them!" said Kaiba, a viscous look crossing his eyes.
"Kaiba...." started Yu-Gi, But Strings stood up and interrupted him.
"Well done, pharaoh," he said. "But I am not done with you yet. I still hold a god card more powerful than the one I lost."
"What is going on?" asked Shayla.
"I don't know...." replied Mokuba, who sounded just as nervous as she did.
"Marik, grow a backbone and show your face!" snapped Yu-Gi.
"Not yet, pharaoh, my game is just beginning," continued the rare hunter. Shayla could feel some kind of magic, and it was beginning to make her nauseous, just like the Duelist Kingdom. "I am coming to Battle City to claim what is rightfully mine, your Millennial Puzzle!"
"Grrrrrrrr....."
"Just like you beat Slifer by exploiting its weakness, I too will beat you by exploiting your weakness," continued Marik. "I can sense everything in Battle City, the Millennial Puzzle, the two god cards, my mind slaves, the countless people participating, even potential mind slaves."
"What is he talking about?!" demanded Kaiba.
"So tell me, Yu-Gi, which of your friends would make the best mind slave? Tea? Or Joe maybe?" continued the possessed Strings.
"Don't you dare hurt them!" threatened Yu-Gi.
"You put your faith in those weaklings, and that will be your undoing," continued Strings. "Try to protect them, if you can!" With that he collapsed, completely unconscious.
Yu-Gi turned and took off running.
"Where are you going?!" demanded Kaiba. "You owe me a duel!"
"I'll duel you later!" retorted Yu-Gi. "Right now my friends are in trouble!"
AN/ Sorry for my ad-libbing. As they say, deal with it! And, as always, please read, review, and enjoy! (