JK: Okay people I was just plain bored waiting on Inuyasha to come on so heres another chapter… *sees angry mob stop and stare in shock*
YJK: *wakes up* Nooooooo!!! You can't do this… my torturing session is not done…
Yugi: *whacks YJK upside the head with the newly reacquired Millennium Puzzle* JK does not own YGO only her original characters…
JK: * smiles at Yugi then glomps him happily* thank you and enjoy, consider this an early Christmas gift everyone…
Chapter 7: The Start of the Tournament
I blinked my eyes a few times. I looked around and saw that I was in the Shadow Realm, but I was not being affected by it though. I debated on whether or not to walk around and finally decided to stay where I was, at least for the moment. I heard a noise behind me and flipped around to see the Dragon of Courage watching me with crimson eyes. I stood still frozen with fear with this giant beast watching me closely. I head a roar from above and saw the huge forms of three Blue-Eyes White Dragons flying over. They landed next to my dragon also watching me with interest. I stepped back slowly afraid of what they would do.
"Do not fear them, my friend," I heard a soft, smooth male voice say, "They will not harm you, Sorceress."
I saw a male figure step from behind the four dragons. He was dressed in deep red robes and carried a gold staff with a crimson stone atop it. His dark blue eyes were soft as he watched me and he kept pushing his dark colored hair from his eyes. He stood about six feet tall and walked towards me. I began back peddling and tripped over my feet landing onto my backend. He stopped advancing and went back to watching me.
"Brother did you have to scare her so?" another soft voice asked, this time female.
"I did not mean to," the male said.
A woman stepped next to the man dressed in deep blue robes and carried a silver staff with a midnight blue stone atop it. Her deep crimson eyes watched me concerned. She only shook her head at her brother causing her long dark cascading hair to brush the ground gently. She was about the same height as her twin and she came slowly to my side. I didn't move too shocked at who she is to do so. She offered me her hand and I accepted as she helped me up from the ground.
"Wh-who are you?" I finally managed to ask, "Where am I? Is this the Shadow Realm?"
"I am sorry, where are my manners. My name is Sakura," she said as she bowed to me, "And my rude brother there is Tai."
"But how is this possible. I mean you are just cards. You cannot be real, can you?" I stated confused.
"The game you play, Duel Monsters, was once the shadow games. Each monster was once real and is real just as I am and they are," Sakura explained, "And you are the Sorceress of the Phoenix. The only one to summon the Phoenix Mage."
"Just a minute, so you're telling me that I am a sorceress and can summon the Phoenix Mage?!" I started shocked, "How did I end up here then?"
"That I do not know. It is possibly a hidden power of the millennium item you wear," she told me.
I stood in silence thinking for a few allowing all this to sink in. Yeah, I mean I knew I was different and everything. But this, now this is just strange. I am almost as powerful as the Pharaoh himself. Yeah, I can rub that into the smug face of the high and mighty King of Games.
"So what exactly is this place?" I asked.
"This is where your monsters stay until they are summoned to the field. It is a safe place, unless invaded by other monsters or enemies. And the Shadow Realm has plenty of both," Tai said to me.
"Okay, then if this is where my deck stays then why are the Blue-Eyes here?" I asked.
"That you will have to ask them about," Tai said, "But we really must go inside."
"Go inside?" I inquired of the male spellcaster.
"Yes, follow me and you will see," Tai said taking my arm and leading me into a…castle!
He led me to a room off the entrance hallway and to my amazement I saw almost all of my duel monsters cards milling about. I just stopped trying to figure out what was actually happening. I mean yeah maybe seeing a few of them is okay but this is just not possible.
"Mistress?" I heard someone say.
I turned around and saw the Red-Eyes Black Dragon looking at me. I let out a shriek and ran behind Tai, scared. The Red-Eyes just blinked at my reaction as I peeked around Tai's back. I felt like a young child hiding behind Tai's back like this, but I just couldn't help itl
"Mistress is everything okay?" the Red-Eyes asked.
"Tai I do not think she is ready for all this," Sakura said, "We need to return her to her own realm."
"But how?" Tai countered.
I left the twins to argue amongst themselves on how to get me home and approached the Red-Eyes. I reached out my hand and rested it on his head feeling the smooth scales under my fingertips. I felt like I belonged here with all my duel monsters. Finally somewhere that no one judges me by my handicap.
"Mistress?" Red-Eyes questioned once again.
"My Red-Eyes Black Dragon in real life," I said rather breathlessly.
Red-Eyes continued to stay by my side while the twins finished their conversation. I actually wanted to stay as my hand unconsciously stroked the smooth scales of the dragon at my side. I saw the Blue-Eyes and thought of Seto and all of my new friends. I also thought of Osiris and what he would do to them. I thought about how to get back and realized Sorcerer usually comes here.
"Um…excuse me guys," I began but the twins continued to argue, "GUYS!"
The twins suddenly stopped and looked at me. Red-Eyes was chuckling at their reaction and faces to my shout. I walked over to the spellcasters and waited for their undivided attention.
"I know that Sorcerer Seto is frequently coming to the Shadow Realm," I began, "And if it is okay with one of the Blue-Eyes I will accompany them to find him."
"Mistress do you think it wise? I mean do you trust these Dragons enough to go into the Shadow Realm," Red-Eyes said eying the Blue-Eyes threateningly.
I stepped between the dragons to prevent any body parts from flying, "Red-Eyes I trust their master and so I will also trust them. They also protect my dragon."
Red-Eyes sighed knowing to argue with me would be futile, "Very well, but if she is harmed in anyway I will come seeking you out with vengance in mind."
"No harm will come to this child while she is under our care," One of the Blue-Eyes said in a deep voice.
Red-Eyes reluctantly nodded his head in agreement and I walked to the first Blue-Eyes. Sakura looked worried in just letting me leave, but her brother smiled at me reassuringly. I climbed onto the Blue-Eyes' back and we took to the skies, if you can call it that. Soon I saw another castle come into view and Sorcerer waited on the roof. We landed and I got down and patted the Blue-Eyes in thanks. Sorcerer came to my side, worry apparent in his eyes.
"Jade, I am so relieved to find you unharmed," he said instantly.
"How did you know I was here?" I asked him.
"Because I felt the presence of shadow magic when you collapsed in my Hikari's office," he began.
I could tell he was hiding something from me, "Sorcerer? What are you not telling me?"
He did not look me in the eyes, "Seto is extremely worried, but Mokuba is missing as well."
"What?!" I shouted out feeling some how responsible, "But how did he go missing in a few hours?"
"Jade you have been separated from your body for nearly a week," Sorcerer told me.
I stood in shocked silence at what he told me. I felt tears slide down my face and to the ground as the guilt and anger set in. sorcerer looked confused at seeing my tears. I clenched my fists before starting the ancient Sorcerer in the eyes. He shied back from my gaze afraid of my wrath and power eminating off my body in waves.
"Return me to my mind now, Sorcerer," I said in a low threatening voice, "I have a tournament that needs to be won."
"Very well," he said before beginning to chant in ancient Egyptian.
I felt myself return to my soul room. I knew Jhada was probably controlling my body for the moment. I exited from my soul room making my dark aware of my return. She appeared in front of me happy of my return. I took over my body and saw I was in Kaiba Mansion watching television. Seto sat in a trance like state not seeming like himself at all.
"Seto," I said.
He looked at me with vacant eyes, "Jhada I do not want to be bothered."
"Fine then Kaiba, be a bastard. I'll just keep all your Blue-Eyes and return home with them," I said testily.
"Jade?" he questioned and then embraced me, "Jade it is you."
"Seto…you're…choking…me…" I said between gasps and he released me, "Judging my your frame you wouldn't thing you were that strong."
"Looks are deceiving," he said, "How did you return, what happened, and what are these cards?"
"One at a time please," I began, "First Sorcerer returned me, I don't know, and the Dragon of Courage is my missing card and the other is a card from my realm. It allows any fusion to be made without the need for the polymerization card."
"I assume it is powerful then," he inquired.
"Here in this dimension it is," I told him.
He handed the card back to me and was about to do the same with the dragon card. I shook my head no and gave it back to him.
"Seto keep it. It is better protected with you then me," I said, "So what secrets do you have planned for the tournament."
"Hmm, maybe I shouldn't tell you," he began.
"Seto!" I called out throwing a throw pillow at him (JK: hence the name hehe sorry pointless dribble now back to the plot line).
He tossed it back and began heading upstairs. I gave chase and soon we were laughing uncontrollably in my room. I sat down on the bed while Seto sat down on the chair.
"Seto…" I began.
He interrupted me though, "Jade I'm… um…"
"Kaiba we'll find him. Osiris won't harm him because he wants me and now you own one of the powerful cards he requires," I said.
"I know, but I can't seem to fell as if I have failed him," Kaiba confessed to me.
"Come now we should rest. Tomorrow begins the tournament," I told him.
"Yes we should," he said walking towards the door, "Good-night Jade."
"Good-night Seto," I said as he left the room.
I got ready for bed and knew tomorrow will begin the hardest fight for all of us. Seto for his brother, Yugi for the balance and the puzzle containing Yami, and myself for Jhada and my life. I laid down and instantly fell asleep. My dreams I did not remember at all and I awoke to someone poking me in the side. I rolled over and saw Mokuba smiling at me. I started not truly believing my eyes at what I saw.
'' Jhada please tell me I am not dreaming, '' I demanded of my dark.
I felt Jhada shift to look our my eyes, 'No he is truly there and not a mind slave either.'
"Thank Ra," I whispered then said, "Mokuba how?"
"Jenni saved me and then I found myself here at home," he said.
"Seto will be so happy to see you," I said, "The tournament!"
"I'll meet you downstairs," Mokuba said leaving the room.
I got up and dressed in black boot cut pants, black boots, a black strap shirt that has a dragon wrapping around my body, a silver dragon armlet on my left bisep, and a silver dragon finger armor/bracelet on my right hand. I put on silver eye shadow, silver lipstick, and silver glitter on my face, arms, and exposed shoulders. I put my deck into my deck case on my belt and went down stairs my hair loose around my face. As soon as I reached the bottom landing I saw Seto Kaiba's jaw hit the ground.
"Good morning Seto," I said, "We should leave."
"Ye-yes, I mean come on," he said as he and Mokuba went to the limo.
I followed behind knowing today is the day it will all begin. The limo pulled away and went to Kaiba Corp. where we shall arrive via Seto's private helicopter. We made our way to the landing pad and got into the helicopter. As we haeded to the town square Seto handed me the new duel disk system. Soon we were over the town square where many duelists waited for the start of the tournament.
"Welcome duelists from around the world. If you are here it means that you are worthy to participate in my tournament. Most of you should be familiar with the duel disk system, but this year there is a new feature," Seto began, "Each of you will have to pick a deck leader. They will go everywhere you go, give you tips, and offer their deck leader abilities when needed.
Now if you choose to use your deck leader in the active duel and they are destroyed then you lose. As before you'll need six locator cards to get to the finals and loser will give up their rarest card… now begin and I look forward to beating you losers."
There were fireworks signaling the start of the tournament. The helicopter let us out in the town square. Seto immediately set up his Blue-Eyes as his deck leader. I recognized it as the one from the Shadow Realm who gave me a ride. I pulled out Tai, Magician of Courage and used him as my deck leader. When he was summoned he bowed to me momentarily before taking in his surroundings.
"Seto I'm going to find Yugi and a duel, okay," I said.
"Very well, just be careful," he told me before leaving me alone.
I sighed and tried to spot the tri-colored hair of Yugi Motou as I walked the crowd. I saw Mai up ahead, but she was engaged in a heated duel. I stopped and saw that she had out her Harpy Lady Sisters and Harpies Brother. Her deck leader was one of her Harpy Lady's. Mai's opponent was a small petite boy who seemed to favor the beast and pyro cards. Mai had her Harpy Lady Sisters send one final blow to the boy and won the duel. The boy handed over his rarest card Dragon Capture Jar and his locator card. I waved Mai over and she came.
"Hey hun," she said walking up to me, "Duel yet?"
"Not yet. I was hoping to find Yugi," I told her.
"I think I saw him by the water fountain," Mai offered, "Well gotta go, mor duels to win."
"Good-luck Mai," I called after the female duelist.
I started towards the fountain reveling in the different deck leaders out and about. Tai walked next to me also amazed by what he saw. I let Jhada take over for a few as we searched out Yugi in the increasing crowd. I saw a group of people ahead of me surrounding two duelists. I recognized the Flame Swordsman deck leader and realized that Joey was dueling. I fought my way through the crowd to the front of the group. Joey was trailing by 500 life points and only had Garoozis 1800/1500 on the field. His opponent had Battle Ox equipped with giant axe which brought it up to 2300/2000 on the field. I stepped next to Yugi and saw it was Yami instead.
"Hey Yami," Jhada/me said, "How is he doing?"
"Not good. He needs his Time Wizard or his Red-Eyes to come up, but so far nothing," Yami/Yugi told us.
"Okay," we said, "Hey Joey you can do it, just believe in the heart of the cards."
Joey smiled inspite of the duel at what I told him. He drew his next card and smiled very big. He laid down one card in the trap/magic zone and played baby dragon 1200/800 in attack mode. He then ended his turn. His opponent then had Battle Ox attack Baby Dragon which triggered Negate Attack. Joey drew once more before making his move.
"Alright dude, I'll play Time Wizard, Go time roulette," Joey said.
His Time Wizard began the time roulette and we waited on baited breath. Soon it stopped and landed on the time machine causing his Baby Dragon to grow and change into the Thousand Dragon 2100/1800. He then equipped it with Dragon Treasure bringing the attack up another 300 attack points. Joey attacked his opponent destroying Battle Ox then he used Garoozis to attack hi opponent directly. This ended the duel and Joey got a locator card and the card Labrinth Wall 0/3000.
"Well done Joey. I know you could do it," Yugi said.
"Jade, how are ya doing?" Joey inquired.
"Great. I'm ready to find a duel and begin winning my locator cards," I said.
"Come on then," Yugi said.
Tea, Tristin, and Joey ran ahead to find a food stand. Duke Devlin stayed behind and walked next to me. I sighed, but didn't say anything to the Dungeon Dice Creator. I saw Yugi's Dark Magician eyeing Tai and Tai doing the same. I knew that these two might not get along with each other, but here's to hoping anyways. Yugi reverted back to himself and motioned for me to stop. Duke also stopped as well.
"Duke could I have a moment, " I inquired, "Please. I'll meet up with you later."
"Okay," he said before sulking away.
"I think Duke really likes you," Yugi teased me.
"Oh man don't remind me please," I moaned, "So what's up? And Tai do not hurt DM or else Yami will kill me."
"I will not think of such things, not to such a noble spellcaster," Tai told me before bowing in respect to Yugi's Dark Magician.
"Okay did I just miss something?" Yugi asked.
'Yes Hikari what exactly happened when you were in the Shadow Realm?' Jhada piped in.
"Tai is the Magician of Courage on of four powerful cards, even more powerful than the Egyptian God Cards," I explained, "Seto Kaiba has my missing dragon."
"That is actually the safest place for it, " Yugi commented, "But how is it you can communicate with your deck leader?"
"Because I summoned him from the Shadow Realm," I said, "You can as well. Just summon him as if you were in a duel and he will appear just as Tai has."
"Cool," Yugi said removing DM and summoning him.
"Good-day Master Yugi, Pharaoh," DM said, "I am Ergos."
"Wow," Yugi commented again, "But how?"
"It's shadow magic, baby, shadow magic," I said smiling, "Now come on I need to duel."
"Yeah that and Duke will send the national guard to find you if you don't show up soon," Yugi said laughing.
I felt an involuntary shudder go through by body at the though of Duke Devlin drooling over me and sending out the search party. I followed the shorter teen through the crowd and to the hotdog stand where only Duke and Yugi's grandpa waited. As we came closer Duke made to embrace me, but I just glared at him.
"Good-morning Mr. Motou," I said to the older man.
Yugi winced at his grandpa being called Mr. Motou, "Jade you can call him Grandpa if you want."
"Yugi, Jade are you going to duel at all?" Mr. Motou asked us.
"Yes, but I think I will go and find Seto and Mokuba first," I told him, "How about meeting here for lunch."
"Sounds great," Yugi said, "See you later."
I waved bye as I walked back towards the town square. Every now and then I would glance over at Tai making sure that he was still there. I saw a middle aged man come closer to me. He was dressed in the same kind of robe that Jenni was in the last time I saw her. He had a duel disk on his arm. I turned to leave, but my path was blocked by another two men also garbed in dark colored robes. I was herded into an alley against my will.
"Jhada Ishtar I challenge you to a duel and you cannot decline per the rules of the tournament," the man said in a flat monotone.
"Marik you coward. Face me yourself instead of through your flunkies," I spat out.
The man just laughed, "Why would I want to waste my time when I have plenty of 'flunkies' as you put it to do my deeds."
"Very well, rules are 4000 life points, 1 tribute for 5-6 summoning points, 2 tributes for 7-8 summoning points, and you cannot attack on the same turn you tributed," I started, "Loser forfeits their rarest card and locator card."
"Very well, but one other rule…" Marik began through his mind slave.
"What…" I demanded.
"If I win you become my mind slave, no fights, nothing," he said smirking.
I felt Jhada start at the stipulation, "Fine, but if I win you will release Jenni from your control."
'Hikari what are you doing, you can't trust him,' Jhada said.
'' Jhada this mind slaves cards are not powerful at all. They are only average, '' I told her, ''I can feel the weak power from them. ''
'Very well, but let me take over at least,' she pleaded with me.
'' I can do that, '' I told her and let her take control once again.
"Very well I agree…" Marik's mind slave said.
"Let's Duel!"
JK: another evil cliffy… I think my evil yami is beginning to rub off on me… but anyways I'm going to make this short 'cause it's 3 am and I feel like a zombie while typing this.
Yugi: *Yawning deeply* why must she keep me awake and not one of the others, any way 3-5 reviews and you'll get a special yuletide treat.
JK: isn't he just so Kawaii when he yawns… anyways see you in the funny papers
Ja Ne.