"I will put my staff aside for an Axe of Despair," she announced. Her staff morphed into what she wanted, if he countered it later it would simply morph back. The demoness hefted the weapon up as she tested it's weight, the face that screamed silently from the blade's anchor on the handle served no purpose other than to make a weaker opponent's skin crawl. Once she attacked, there would be no pauses. Both would have to think on their feet for any equips or cancellations to use. This was a battle after all, not a turn based game. Seraph had one advantage, she didn't have to wait for commands to be relayed from her master, she was on her own. She had stalled long enough, once she was sure her grip was just right, the demoness struck. Her blow landed on the defensive arm the Crab held up. It growled in pain before it struck her with the other pincer arm.
"If not for the fact I banned them, I could have used the magic of Eternal Rest on you. I have a feeling you don't know too many of the cards you can use. You aren't exposed to so many of them and I," Malik laughed. He had to speak loud since the two combatants made quite the racket. "I know every card there is. I can use them all against you, I can counter everything you do!"
"Maybe your head is so full of names you will confuse them," she grunted once the Crab had been thrown. It floundered on it's back unable to move, the demoness struck a hard blow to it's exposed belly. The armor was thinnest there and provided enough damage to make the monster try and curl inwards against the pain.
Malik hissed as he watched. "Of all things I can do, I can't turn him back over!" the Egyptian yelled with a stamp of his foot.
Seraph raised her axe and aimed for his eye in hopes of ending the battle. The Crab thrashed again and managed to get his shoulder appendages planted enough to roll him to one side. The monster clamored to his feet and swung a heavy claw at Seraph while she was still in the midst of pulling her axe out of the ground. The demoness was easily knocked back, in the instant it took her to regain her footing her staff had morphed back to it's normal appearance.
"De-Spell," Malik grinned. "Was just waiting to spring that. Afraid you're back to square one. "
"This is not over," Seraph cringed. And it wouldn't be for quite some time, as long as they were in this realm both she and the Crab Turtle would slowly heal. One would have to take the other out for a win else the battle could go on indefinitely.
Ryou sat up and groaned shortly after, he felt weak and shaky at the moment. His left arm was unnaturally heavy, one look told him why. He muttered as he poked the duel disk, he hadn't entered the tournament so where had it come from? For whatever reason, the back of his neck stung and it was hard to turn his head. Upon further inspection he found himself locked in a small room without windows or much of anything else but a chair and box. He sighed and rubbed his eyes before sitting against the wall. Bakura must have gotten into trouble and Ryou had just been the first to wake up.
"I suppose answers will come in time," he told himself. He cocked his head to the side when he realized Seraph wasn't around. He wondered if something had happened to her, normally she would have either gotten him out by now or at least been by his side. The teen drew his legs up and rest his arms on them before placing his chin on the canopy. It was awkward at first, the disk got in the way so he could only lean on his right arm. His eyes scanned the small enclosure, while he was grateful to find out that so far he was unharmed, he didn't relish the idea of being the one in control when/if someone came to question him. He had no idea where he was, who had taken him, why he was there or how long he had been there. Ryou closed his eyes and sighed heavily, maybe if he took a nap Bakura would magically get him out of whatever mess he had gotten into in the first place.
Tyldak yawned as he stretched, Jou and Yugo had left to meet with others and he was left alone in the apartment. It was rare before, but for whatever reason Jou's father had gone off on some trip. Jounouchi didn't seem to care that he'd been gone for almost a month, though Tyl couldn't blame him. The man was horrible and intolerable. Before then Tyldak was never allowed in the house so his father never found out about the bat. He would have to try and find some area to sleep outside. Normally the bat wouldn't care, but this place didn't have to many areas where he could be alone, so Jou's apartment had to be his place to sleep. The bat hobbled into the kitchen on hand-like feet before he opened the fridge, Jou needed to shop again. Or maybe Tyl could, but his idea of shopping for groceries was shoplifting. With a grunt Tyldak settled on fruit, it did have a pleasant taste and Jou didn't seem to like this particular item.
"So, the finals are tomorrow. Everyone and their grandmother's gonna be there and for the same thing," he laughed. The bat shook his head before taking a bite of the orange, rind and all because he happened to like it that way. He wondered just how many innocents would be finalists, if any. Mai was a finalist, she was pretty neutral in this because she knew messing with greater powers was dumb. But still, if she showed up knowing what was behind it all she wasn't that innocent or ignorant. He was sure Bakura and the new face, Malik, would be there. Seto was for sure as was Yuugi, and that made five. The other three could be the innocents. Or, there could be more, he didn't know for sure if anyone other then Yuugi, Seto and Mai had made it. One thing was for certain, they were the only legal entrants; the others weren't in the database last he checked. Unless they used other names, but Tyl didn't bother studying much. He wanted to get in and out before he was caught and he had managed it apparently since no one came looking for him or Jounouchi. Jou passed what Tyl had told him to the others, not that it would do much good as Kaiba himself was already aware of it Tyldak thought.
"I suppose I could play guard for the innocent finalists. Someone needs to protect their asses and I'm not looking forward to hearing everyone berate them for getting into something they weren't aware of..." he thought aloud. "But why would the finals be used for an end to all this? Seems dumb to use a card game to settle it. But whatever, who am I to say what's the right or wrong way to handle anything?" He grunted before he leaned over the trash can and spat the orange seeds out, now those tasted horrible when bitten into so he pulled them to one cheek as he found them.
"I can't help but feel this is going to turn out bigger than anyone planed for..." Tyldak sighed. "I hope they're prepared."
She hadn't moved yet, she stood still as could be and hoped his stone cold stare would leave her.
"You see, obedience has it's rewards. You accept me as your new master and I will in turn let you wander freely from your prison," Seto said.
Lilith scowled, she wanted to tell him that it was the Priest she feared and listened to, not him. But if she angered him then the Priest may come out. "I submit, then," she said with a sigh. "Malik is my master no more."
"Good," Seto smiled. "Now that we have reached an understanding I shall let you wander about. Do as you will but understand I have ways of checking on your whereabouts and your present company. Do something to displease me and find yourself in the Rod's holding cell."
"Yes, Master," she snarled. She needn't hide her displeasure on that, he knew she wouldn't like it anyway so showing it wouldn't bring punishment.
"Oh and Lilith, do be back by tomorrow evening before the finals begin. I want you there..." he said.
"By your will," she scowled with a bow.
"Yeah, and I really wanted to see her. I hope you understand," Cloey said with mock sorrow as she spoke to Troy.
"I do, completely. I'd want to be there if my sibling had made it or another friend. If they do end before the following evening would you still be up for the date?" he didn't even try to hide the hope.
Cloey moved the phone from her ear and glared hard at it before running her hand down her face. "I might, we'll have to see. I'll call you once I know for sure. And since you're using a hotel phone I had better let you go. I hear they charge you even if someone called you."
"Oh, they do?" he asked. "Ok yeah, I don't think I have anything worth talking about so I'll let you go. Talk to you soon!" he said happily before the click sounded.
The blonde hung up and let out a frustrated growl before she dropped the cordless phone in Mai's lap. "The little freakazoid is hoping the finals end before our date. He still really wants it, you know how much it scares me? The way he looked at us both that night, sends a chill down my spine," she shivered.
"Cloey," Mai said in a serious tone. "If you do end up on this date and he tries anything do not hesitate to take a swing or kick at him and get out of there..."
"Advice taken and stored for reference. But I doubt I'll even need it, I plan to stand him up if there is still time. And then stay indoors for a while until he's left for the States again."
"I'll cover for you if you do indeed stay home," Mai replied. She picked up the phone then got to her feet to set it back on the table with the charger. "But if you set foot out of the house before the day he's supposed to leave, you're on your on," she wagged her finger in emphasis.
"Dully noted," Cloey rolled her eyes.
"Nope, Otogi won't be joining us. I told him it was best for him to stay behind. He's still pretty new to our group and doesn't quite understand what's going on. He'd get in the way," Honda said.
"Same with Shizuka. I don't want my little sister gettin' hurt. Even though she was crushed to hear I had dropped out. Had her heart set on watching me in the finals. But I plan to make her proud by helping Yuug."
"Alright so we have this group here plus Mai," Anzu said as she looked around the table.
"Eh, Mai. Is she really in this to help or hoping it'll just be the same old game?" Yuugi asked.
"I honestly don't know," Honda replied. "She kinda brushed off most my warnings and insisted it wasn't anything she couldn't handle."
"Well she and I can stick together, then. I'm kinda not sure if I want to be there... but I really want to help," Yugo nodded.
"You know," Jou said as he leaned back against the chair. "You don't have to come, it won't upset me. I don't want you getting hurt. I don't want anyone getting hurt and that's why I'm going."
"But you could get hurt," Yugo insisted.
"That's what we're for, to watch him while he watches us," Yuugi said with a smile. "With all of us together and looking after one another, we have nothing to worry about."
"I hope your right, Yuugi. Because I somehow doubt Kaiba is the only thing we have to worry about. Who says the others aren't going to use this as a chance to get what they want? When else would everyone and all the items be together in one place?"
"Not all Anzu," Yuugi shook his head. "At least, I don't think so," he muttered.
"What do you mean, are you sure the other item holders won't be drawn as well?" Honda asked.
"I can't say..." Yuugi shrugged. "But we need to be cautious."
"Agreed," the others voiced.
The Nephilim wraiths of Seraph's attack faded and the Crab was still standing, Seraph hissed and glared at Malik.
"Negate Attack," he grinned.
"But you had said no traps were to be used!" the demoness roared.
"I lied," he shrugged. "Besides, I'm getting bored. And for a bonus since you missed an attack, I'll activate my Sealing Swords. Looks like your attacks are further blocked. I'll also use the opportunity to get my own attack in." He waved and the Crab prepared a water attack, Seraph hissed and activated Negate Attack herself just in time. Malik raised a brow as he studied the other glowing orbs she had just placed, more traps or magic she had waiting. "I'll use a Mystical Space Typhoon on the first one and assume the second is a trap and get Remove Trap on it." Both orbs blinked out and Malik grinned widely. "Looks like I hit them just right. And now you are completely open..." The Crab once again used a water attack then a physical, Seraph crumpled and remained motionless. The swords faded and she failed to do anything even then. Malik's summon grunted and turned to leave, it was over and Seraph had lost.
"Rishid," Malik said. "Pick her up, I'll get Rae to return us to the other realm."
"Yes Master," the other spoke as he approached the demoness. He picked her limp figure up once her wings had been folded before he moved back to Malik.
The Egyptian smiled widely as he ran his good hand over her face and neck, he paused before he went lower and pulled his hand back. "This almost makes up for the broken bones and lose of Ra and my Rod," he said. "Almost."
It hadn't been long since he woke up, Bakura snarled as he rubbed the back of his neck. The pain confirmed what he had thought when it first hit, someone took him out with a dart. He quickly checked his back pocket, his locators were still there.
"How nice of them to not relieve me of my locators," he grunted. The room held no means with which he could escape, except... A quick check of his front right pocket led his fingers to the Eye. "Perfect," he grinned. He began to pull it out but stopped when footsteps and voices started to approach. Bakura felt it a good time to learn what was going on, and in order to get answers he had put on an act. Quickly he slumped to the floor again and acted as if he were asleep, the door opened slowly and two shadows were cast over him.
"Wake up!" one of the figures snapped. He kicked the snowy-haired teen before moving back to the door.
"Wha?" Bakura asked in Ryou's voice. "Where, how?" he blinked as he looked around with fake fear.
"The other woke up in the spirit's place," the second voice said. "Threatening him isn't what Malik wanted."
"Then we make the spirit come out!"
So Malik was behind it after all, Bakura figured as much.
Another swift kick was given and Bakura scrambled to his feet. "That was uncalled for!" he said, still in Ryou's voice.
"Yeah well we'll keep doing it till your other half is out," the kicker said.
"Maybe you're going about it the wrong way," the second said. "Mention the fact Malik's after his lover. That should work."
Bakura snapped to attention and kicked the door back at the figure in it. The metallic object slammed into his face and when it moved back, Bakura could see the blood running from the nose of the one it struck. In the confusion he snagged him by the shirt and threw him against the wall, the other reached in and Bakura took his arm and twisted it fast against his back. Bakura then turned so his back was in the door.
"What about Seraph?" he hissed.
The figure he had restrained laughed. "Malik's gone to claim her, steal her from you! And then he'll use her to take you out before he goes for Kaiba!"
"I have other plans," the Spirit of the Ring growled. "For starters, you remaining in here." He snagged the keys from the other's hip then shoved him into the room. A boot to his ass caused him to stumble and fall on his already down friend. Bakura stepped through the door quickly and shut it, he flipped through the keys before he randomly chose one. Luck was with him and it was right, he managed to lock the door even though the figure on the other side was pounding and pulling on it. Bakura smirked as he pocketed the keys then pulled the Eye out, he knew he couldn't just walk out of the place so he had to change realms. He balled his fist tight around it and concentrated, eventually the familiar feeling of vertigo claimed him as the world spun. He was deposited neatly in the other realm where he flopped down. It was harder to use the Eye, to work properly it had to replace one of his own and Bakura had no plans to do that. Bakura decided to rest for a while, in a few moments he would travel a bit then shift back into an area away from his current location.
Oop, a little sidetrack thing... but it ties into what I have planned later so it's not just random.