JK: Okay peoples the story is coming to a close so please if I leave a cliffy don't kill me * glances around nervously * at least not until I've finished the story…
YJK: *smiles maliciously* Oooo Bakura-san can I borrow one of your daggers? Please Pretty Please…
Bakura: *hands Dagger5 over to YJK* here you go…
YJK: * sweat drops * wrong 5 daggers
Bakura: *sweat drops* oops… *hands over 5 daggers* here you go…
YJK: thank you… now JK you really don't need your tongue now do you… *runs after JK*
JK: EEP!!! * Runs out of the room leaving computer alone*
Computer: I am so alone * starts crying and blows a circuit* oops…
Seto: *rolls eyes* okay review time…JK would like to thank-
DimitriFrancois: thanks for the uplifting reviews and here's the next installment…
Dagger5: Well I won't give away whether or not she or he likes each other, but I can tell you that I will e-mail you with hints if you want… but thanks for the review and as I promised a new chapter
Sorceress Vanessa: First thanks for the Christmas Present and here you go cookies
( :: ) and a gift wrapped Yami with a pretty pink bow… And nope not the end…Yet but anyways enjoy…
Yami: * glares at JK* I hate you…
Princess Jhada: * takes a picture of Yami* oh how cute…
Jade: *steals picture* Black mail material… Hahahahahahahahaha
Tea: So anyways here's the next chapter…
Chapter 9: The Showdown
I laid down and fell asleep dreaming about Osiris and Marik torturing my friends. I awoke with a start, sitting up quickly. Mokuba walked in and saw my eyes and instantly came to my side. He set his hand on mine, bringing me back to reality.
"Jade are you alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, just bad dreams," I told the younger Kaiba sibling, "Where's Seto?"
"Already out dueling," he told me.
:"Oh," I said my heart heavy.
Mokuba smiled at me, "Oh I'm to tell you, you can leave the hospital anytime you want."
"Really?" I inquired and he shook his head yes, "Great let's go then."
"Okay, I'll get the doctor then," Mokuba ran out of the room to get the doctor.
He came back into the room with Dr. Shelly trailing behind, "Ah Ms. Ishtar. I see you wish to leave."
"Yes I do," I told the doctor.
"Very well just be careful out there," Dr. Shelly told me, "Your release papers are already finished and signed. You just need to leave and that's all."
"Thank you," I told the retreating form of Dr. Shelly.
I got up and grabbed my clothes Jenni brought in last night. I put on a pair of black pants, boots, a dark crimson ¾ sleeve shirt with two dragons encircling my body, and my silver sleeveless trench coat (AN: think Kaiba's from battle city). I pulled my hair into a ponytail leaving a few loose strands framing my face. I stepped out of the bathroom and I heard Mokuba gasp at how I looked.
I smiled at him and accepted the duel disk from the younger teen. I hesitated a moment before strapping it on. I activated my deck leader and Tai appeared smiling knowingly at me. Mokuba led me out of the hospital and back to the town square. I saw Joey and Tristin standing around waiting on Yugi.
."Hey Mokuba, Jade," Tristin called out.
"Oi," I said as we came up, "Where is Yugi and Tea?"
"Running late. They should be…" Joey began but was cut off by Yugi's soft voice.
"Joey, Tristan," he said as he came running up, "Jade your out?"
"Yeah released a little while ago." I told him
"Joey, Yugi," Tea called out, "Hey guys we should go."
"Hey big brother," I heard another females voice call out.
I saw a teenager a few years younger than me come running up. Her long brown hair swayed behind her. She hugged Joey before standing next to Tristin. She was the one from the mall that day.
"Hello, I'm Serenity Wheeler." she introduced herself to me.
"Hi, Jade Ishtar," I said, "Well I think we are only missing Jenni from our group."
"Oh, she's with Seto right now. She said to go on without her," Mokuba said.
"Oh,okay," I said befallen to know that Jenni had moved in on Seto.
"Why don't we go duel and get into the finals, guys," Joey said suddenly breaking the awkward silence.
"Sure Joey," I said, "You guys ready?"
"Oh yeah," Joey said running ahead.
I just chuckled to myself as I followed him. Mokuba decided to stay by my side. I don't know if it was on Seto's order or not but it felt good toat least have hom there. Soon after five hours of walking I had three more locater cards bringing my total up to four. I only needed two more then I would be in the finals. I decided to stop by the fountain to rest my aching side. Mokuba sat down as well complaining about how no one else wanted to duel.
"Hey Mokuba, do you think Seto is trying to avoid me?" I asked the younger Kaiba sibling.
"No, it's just once he begins dueling he kinda gets last in his own world," Mokuba explained, "but tonight maybe you guys can talk. I mean…well…um…"
"It's okay, I was just wishing for something I know I can never have," I said sadly, "I'll see you tonight at your home.
Mokuba got up and grabbed my hand, "Jade…don't go, I didn't mean anything by what I said.
"I just need time to think is all," I told the boy, "Go ahead and find Seto and Jenni.
He looked rejected as I left the town square. I couldn't help but feel guilty for brushing Mokuba off like I that, but I did need time to think. I started towards the docks knowing the fresh sea air will help clear my head. I heard the soft foot steps of my deck leader Tai. I deactivated him indicating to other duelist I was not dueling anymore today. After about a fifteen minute walk I saw the docks. I sat down and felt the wind blow through my hair. Jhada came out of the crystal making so I only saw her. She stood next to me also watching the setting sun.
''Aibou are you alright? '' She asked me.
I turned to look at her, " I'm just thinking about things is all. I think Seto is avoiding me for some reason."
''Why is that? ''She inquired.
"He never came to see me this morning and then after I got out of the hospital I never saw him at all," I said sadly, "and I think my best friend is moving in on him."
''So you do like him and you are jealous that someone else is interested in him, '' Jhada commented.
Then it hit me, I did care about him and I was jealous, "Feh!"
Jhada chuckled from where she stood next to me. She stood for a few minutes more before going back into her crystal. I continued to watch the setting sun; my attention completely focused; that I didn't hear the person come up behind me. I turned to see Tristin behind me. I also saw Duke Devlin, Tea, Serenity, and Joey. Each person had a blank look in their eyes and I know that they are now Marik's mind slaves. Tristin's hand tightened it's grip on my shoulder.
"Jhada, you give yourself to me or else your friends shall suffer," Marik said through Tristin.
I managed to remove Tristin's hand from my shoulder as I stood up, "Still the coward, huh Marik. Release them I'm the only one you're after.
"Ha, ha, ha," Joey laughed as he approached me.
"You have no where to go," Duke added.
"Give yourself to me," Serenity said reaching out for me.
I jumped back and felt the edge of the dock under my foot. Jhada at the edge of my mind, but I didn't allow her to take over. Marik didn't know about my Millennium item yet and I intend to keep it that way. I looked at my duel disk and saw that my deck can be protected from water. I closed the deck slot and hoped I didn't fry myself with what I planned to do. I inched back as my friends came towards me.
"Ha ha ha, no where to go." Tea bellowed, "Give yourself to me."
"Not likely," I told him.
I turned and dove into the water. I swam as fast as I could until I know I was far enough away from the others. I surfaced and saw I was in the warehouse district. Climbed out of the water and ran towards Yugi's place. I needed the assistance of both he and the pharaoh.
''Aibou, what's going on? I could of helped you back there, ''Jhada nearly screamed into my mind.
"CHILL OUT, Jhada. The reason why I didn't allow you to help is because Marik doesn't know of either your existence or the crystal's," I explained.
'Oh… Gomen-nasai about screaming at you,' she said, 'Where are we going?'
'' Yugi's and the Pharaoh's home, '' I told her.
I ran into the Kame Game Shop and didn't see Mr. Motou or Yugi any where. This wasn't like them, they wouldn't normally leave it unlocked without anyone here.
"Yugi…Grandpa…" I shouted out as I ran into the back apartment.
I saw Yugi lying on the floor of his room, unconscious and puzzle-less. I kneeled beside him and saw a gash across his forehead that was bleeding freely. I went into the bathroom and found the first aide kit. I walked back into the room and once again kneeled by his side.
''Jhada, I need you to try and find Sorcerer and get him and Seto here now, '' I told my dark through our mind link.
'What's wrong?' she asked.
'' Yugi's been attacked and the puzzle is missing, '' I told her.
'Oh Ra no… I'll be back. Be careful,' she said before leaving her soul room completely.
I continued to help Yugi hoping that he will be okay, "Come on Yugi-boy."
"Don't call me that," I heard Yugi say painfully.
"Yugi!" I shouted and then hugged him.
"Ouch," he said sitting up once I released him, "They took the puzzle."
"I know," I said, "Marik has made our friends into mind slaves and they cornered me at the docks. I had to swim for it to escape."
"I was wondering about why you were all wet," Yugi commented, "Did you see Grandpa at all?"
"No. The door to the shop is unlocked, but he isn't there," I told the tri-color haired teen next to me, "Why?"
"Well when I got home he wasn't here, but Bakura was," Yugi began, "He challenged me to a duel and some how was able to win, even with Yami helping me."
"Oh Ra… I'm sorry Yugi," I began, "Somehow I feel this is all my fault…"
Yugi looked me in the eyes, "Jade this is not your fault and do not tell yourself that. Right now we need to figure out what we are going to do."
"I say we go kick Marik's and Bakura's asses," someone said coming into Yugi's room.
"Seto!" I cried out happy to see him unharmed.
Jenni and Mokuba walked in behind the CEO. I stood up and then helped Yugi to his feet. He swayed as a wave of dizziness threatened to overtake him.
"So how do you suggest that we do that," I inquired of the CEO.
"Easy draw them out using the best bait of all," he began, "A duel."
"A DUEL?! A DUEL?! IS THAT ALL YOU CAN THINK ABOUT, KAIBA, IS DUELING. OUR FRIENDS ARE AT THE MERCY OF MARIK AND BAKURA HAS THE PUZZLE AND OSIRIS IS STILL OUT TO GET ME AND YOU WANT TO DUEL. WELL SCREW YOU AND THE HORSE YOU RODE IN ON," I yelled at him all my frustration, fear, and desperation directed at him.
I stormed out of the room and down the stairs into the living room. I sat down on the couch and allowed the tears to flow down my cheeks. I don't know how long I sat this way. I looked up when I felt someone sit down next to me. I saw Yugi there concern in his large violet eyes. He hugged me in a comforting way as my tears continued to flow. Soon I looked up and saw Kaiba watching us jealousy in his eyes, which puzzled me. I thought he didn't like me and here he is giving Yugi the evil eye because the short teen is hugging me while calming me down.
'Hikari?' I heard Jhada say suddenly breaking my reverie.
'' Yes, what's up? '' I inquired.
'Um, I require your assistance in my soul room,' she told me and I could hear the desperation in her voice.
'' I'll be right there, '' I said before appearing in my soul room.
I walked into her soul room and saw a sight that surprised me. Jhada was kneeling next to the prone form of the Pharaoh. I ran to her side and also kneeled down.
"How can this be? He should be with the puzzled not here in the crystal," I commented.
"I do not know, but he won't wake up," Jhada said sadly, "I cannot lose him a second time. Please Hikari help him."
"I'll try," I said and my staff appeared in my hands.
I began healing him and broke the spell binding him from waking. Soon he moaned and opened his eyes and tried to sit up. I pushed him back down and received a glare in return. Jhada just glomped her brother happy that he was okay.
"Yami how did you end up in your sister's soul room?" I asked him.
"I am not real sure. I remember dueling Bakura then he used some type of magic and I lost. Then Bakura tried to get into the puzzle and then I woke up here," Yami told us.
"My barrier worked," I said rather proud of myself.
"Barrier?" Yami and Jhada both asked at the same time.
"Last time your were attacked I put up a barrier to prevent anyone from entering yours or Yugi's soul rooms. It must of bumped you out to protect you," I told him.
"Thank you," Yami said yawning suddenly.
"I think I will leave you to the capable hands of Jhada," I said before returning to my body.
I blinked a few times before I noticed that Yugi and Kaiba were glaring daggers at each other. I saw Mokuba and Jenni watching them with interest. I walked over to Mokuba to find out what I exactly missed. Mokuba led me into the kitchen, leaving Jenni to referee the two duelists. Sorcerer appeared next to me as I sat down.
"I'm sorry about the outburst earlier," I began, "But I guess my frustrations and jealousy finally surfaced. I hope Kaiba treats Jenni okay or else he will have to answer to me."
"Huh?" Mokuba said confused, "What are you talking about?"
"Kaiba and Jenni getting together," I said quietly.
Mokuba began laughing, "Jenni was with Seto only to find our why he was avoiding you. He really likes you, but is afraid to express himself. And right now jealousy has reared it's ugly head in Seto when he saw Yugi hugging you."
"Oh… OH!" I said, "I'd better break it up before someone gets hurt.
I ran into the living room just in time to step between the two duelists, "Seto sit down. Yugi sit down… right now… both of you…"
The two duelists sat down reluctantly before glaring once again at each other. Mokuba came in without Sorcerer and led Jenni out of the room leaving me alone with the angry Yugi and jealous Kaiba. I gave Mokuba a look that said 'Traitor' as he left. He just stuck his tongue out at me. I sighed and sat down on the floor between the two duelists.
"Will you two children just grow up," I said suddenly startling them out of their glaring contest, "I think we have a larger problem to deal with than who gets me don't you think."
"Uh… Sorry," Yugi told me, "I guess losing Yami just got me angry is all."
"It's okay, but Yami is okay," I told him.
"How? The puzzle was stolen," Yugi began but I stopped him.
"Remember the barrier I put up well it protected Yami by sending his spirit from the puzzle till it is reunited with you," I explained.
"Then where did he end up?" Yugi pleaded with me.
"In Jhada's soul room. Right now he is resting. It takes a lot out of one's body to jump into another item," I told him, "And Bakura won't be keeping your puzzle for long. He cheated and used magic to win."
"So we just have to find him," Yugi said.
Seto sighed in frustration, "It's like I said, draw them in with a duel."
I growled as anger crept into my face, "Enough with the dueling already. Osiris will not fall for it."
"Then what do you suggest," Kaiba said coldly.
"Give me one of your transmitters," I told Kaiba, "Yugi take these."
I gave him my deck and the crystal pendant. He tried to refuse, but I just pushed them into his hands. Kaiba put a transmitter under my hair so it was hidden from prying eyes. I kissed him on the cheek before walking out of the Kame Game Shop. I heard protests from Yugi, Mokuba, and Jenni as I left. Seto was strangely quiet. I walked down the street waiting on Bakura, Marik, or Osiris to appear. Soon I saw the tomb robber stepped out and just glared at the white haired spirit.
"Ah I see that you found out about my little run in with the Pharaoh and his weak hikari," he said smirking.
I just rolled my eyes at the egotistical bastard, "Where is Osiris?"
"I am right here my darling Sorceress," he said sweetly stepping from the shadows.
I watched as the Tombrobber and Osiris blocked my escape from the front and sides. I turned around to see Marik also waiting, his Millennium Rod catching the weak moon light. I summoned my phoenix staff and got ready to defend myself. I soon felt more familiar presences from all of my friends. I saw Yugi, Mokuba, and Jenni being dragged by more of Marik's mindslaves. Marik walked up to Jenni and set the rod on her forehead. I saw the Sennen Eye glow briefly before her eyes glazed over. She went limp in Marik's men's hands.
I felt my blood boil as the anger deep in me began to surface. He moved onto Mokuba and stood in front of the younger Kaiba brother. I took a step towards him, but stopped when he raised the Millennium Rod towards Mokuba. The dark haired teen struggled wildly in the grip of the mindslave, tears running down his cheeks. I saw Marik smirk once before I felt a sharp pain and blackness overtake me.
JK: Alright people I know I left an evil cliffy but it is for a good cause. The next chapter to be updated hopefully tomorrow will be the last in this story.
YJK: *waits for next chapter to be finished* okay no torture session today I will just let the fans do that…
JK: well anyways since everyone has been captured I will just end with this… 3-5 gets another one…
Ja Ne
Till next time…