LoneWolf16: *goggles* Geez, I guess people don't like violent fics…*shrugs* Oh, well, this one a bit more fun…
Sorry this took so long. But I was rushing to finish / "pre-write" one of my other fics, so I kinda had this one hold. But I'm done with that now, so new chapters for this one should be coming along a bit faster. I think; school is in full swing now.
Disclaimer: I don't own YGO.
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Chapter 6: Battle of Titans and Minds
Everyone was staring at the television screen. Splatters of blood ran down the walls and floor of the alleyway; a few droplets had even managed to hit the camera. Although they knew that Duelist Combat would be violent, this was more than they had bargained for…
On the screen, Bakura reached down to remove th Millenium Necklace from her deceased holder. "You won't be needing this now." Bakura carefully stored the necklace in one of his many pockets. He then began to recover his throwing knives; however, he purposely left one behind, stabbed into Ishizu's neck.
The announcer and Bakura walked past Ishizu's defiled body, leaving her behind for the rats.
Back at the waiting room, everyone was in an outrage. Ishizu was simply to be left there, alone? Yami thought that was highly undignified, not to mention wrong in Egyptian culture, to leave someone dead. And now a Millenium Item holder is gone; and the item itself under the thief's control.
Pretty much everyone else was almost sick.
Marik Ishtar, however, brother of Ishizu Ishtar, was enraged and out of control. His beloved sister was now dead, killed by that Ra-forsaken thief. And no one was there to take her back, to have her properly buried and paid her last rites.
Marik grabbed one of the nearby guards. "Why isn't anyone bringing her back? Why have they left her? Do you have no shame, leaving the dead to lie?" Marik whipped out the Millenium Rod and put it dangerously close to the guard's throat. "Do I need to make you get her myself?" The eye of the rod glowed with power. Marik was intending to take over this one's mind…
To those that watched, it seemed as if out of nowhere, a flash of red light circled around Marik for an instant. Afterwards, they doubted they saw anything at all. Marik, however, gasped and dropped the Rod.
To those that had magic, they saw or felt a flash of death and pain as well. Yami stared closely at Marik, who stooped down to pick up his Rod. Something had happened, but he didn't know quite what. Shadi looked on with some comprehension; he thought that he would see something like this. Marik was confused. The Rod had been blocked…
The guard that Marik had threatened simply shrugged, not fazed at all. The announcer then opened the door, letting Bakura back into the room. Marik growled at the murderer, his eyes narrowing.
Marik burst out, "How could you—"
The announcer cut him off. "There is no burial."
Bakura made his way to a secluded corner of the room, grinning evilly. Marik glared and moved to get in Bakura's face.
The announcer stopped Marik's approach. "The next duel will be between Marik Isthar and Mako Tsunami."
Marik halted, and then stalked over towards the door. His eyes, however, never left Bakura's face. His eyes said it all – I'll be coming back to finish this later. Murderer.
In the back, the booming laughter of Mako stopped. He had been chatting with Joey. Mako stood up and waved to Joey. "So long. I must go do battle."
Joey waved back. "See you. Come back after you whip him, alright?"
Mako smiled. "Sure thing." But after seeing what Bakura had done, he doubted if that would be true…
* * * * *
The car was silent for most of the car ride. Each duelist was brooding over what would come in the next few minutes.
Marik was inwardly seething. How dare that tomb robber, that thief, take the life of his sister? How could the host of this cursed tournament allow such death and blood? How could anyone be so ruthless? Marik winced. He knew one, and it was his own yami… Marik growled. He'd make that robber of his sister's life pay, and whoever the host of this combat too, and whoever would stand in his way…
Mako was looking out the car window, seeing not buildings but the sea. Somewhere out there, his father was waiting for him. I won't let you down, father, he vowed. And I shall win with honor.
The car turned and moved into the parking lot. The sign they had passed read, "Welcome to Dominio High School!"
Their eyes widened as they read the sign. They were going to wreck the school. What fun…
* * * * *
There is something about school that makes confrontations serious and dangerous. The announcer led them to the first classroom open: room 4, used for teaching foods. And cooking. And the various implements included…
The announcer nodded. "The entire school building is the dueling arena. Feel free to duel as you like."
The two duelists took their positions.
"BEGIN."
Mako whipped out his deck and pulled out a card. "I call upon the powers of Atlantis: A Legendary Ocean!"
Water came rushing in, filling the room (and the school) up to waist level. Marik was almost swept away from the waves of water. In desperation, Marik invoked the powers of the Millenium Rod. Instantly, Mako's eyes began to become glazed and dull – signals that the Rod was gaining control.
Marik grinned. This duel would be over soon, and if he had his way, with little bloodshed as well.
Mako stood still, under the control of the rod. In his far-off mind, another being was controlling him. But for some reason, he didn't mind…
Marik gestured with the rod, and Mako dove underneath the water. There Marik commanded him to wait. That is, until he drowned. If Marik felt like killing someone. Which in the current, madding moment he was in, he certainly did…
The seconds ticked off. Mako was currently underwater, sitting there, holding his breath. Marik was standing, Rod on his hips, looking a bit bored. The announcer mentally winced. His master would not be pleased with this easy battle.
In the far, hidden, almost-squashed mind of Mako Tsunami, his father was yelling at him.
"Mako! What are you doing? You have things to do!"
Father?
"A true man of the sea never gives up!"
I remember that…
"Hah! You don't remember anything! Where's your vow? Where's your courage? Where's your honor?"
Mako awoke from his stupor. Where was it? Where was he? Then the Rod contracted upon his mind, forcing it to continue its job – drowning…
"This is a challenge! And what did I tell you to do with them?"
Take it on…
Mako started to fight the control of the Rod. His mind, however, was weakened from the lack of oxygen. Nevertheless, the courage of Mako began to turn the tide.
Marik frowned. Mako was coming back; he was fighting the bonds he had put on the man's mind. He focused on the power of the Rod, and began to reestablish control…
It was a battle of minds. Mako was breaking his bonds, and Marik was holding them and creating new ones. Seconds were ticking; a person can hold their breath for only so long. But like Joey Wheeler, Marik had underestimated the determination, will, and heart of the sea duelist.
Mako sputtered and gasped, standing straight and tall from the water. Marik's mouth was agape. The Rod had been thwarted again? Something was wrong…
Mako glared at Marik. "Tried to take me over, Ishtar? Seems like it didn't work." He grabbed something off one of the counters. "Perhaps you should be taught a lesson." He threw the object where it hit Marik squarely on the head.
Marik tumbled down into the water, hit smack on the head with a metal pot. He too came up sputtering and gasping, to see Mako laughing his head off.
"By the…seven seas…I have never…seen…anything…so funny!"
"What?" Marik spat out.
"Your…head." Mako gasped.
"What?!?" Marik felt his head. He touched something hard, metallic, and curved. He looked up. The pot thrown at him had now become his helmet…
The laughter was contagious. Marik couldn't help but smile as he took off the "helmet." "Mako, get a grip."
Mako was doubled over, laughing. Marik grinned and sloshed over to a drawer, where he pulled out the Almighty Spatula. And gave Mako a Spatula Slap.
WHAP!
Mako went head over heels, to land smack in the water and come back up gasping for air. "Hey! That's uncalled for!"
"Who said this was a fair tournament?" Marik asked reasonably. And gave yet another Almighty Spatula Slap.
WHAP!
Mako went down in the water again. A few seconds later, Marik felt his legs pulled out underneath him.
They both came back up, Marik gasping, Mako grinning. "That was fun. Shall we do it again?"
Marik playfully growled. "Why you little fisherman! I should kill you and have done with it!"
Mako laughed. "But you won't." He then swept his arm across the top of the water, creating a huge splash aimed right at Marik.
Marik yelled, shielding his face as is customary to do so while being splashed. Marik then turned around and used the Almighty Spatula to create the Spatula Splash. Mako grinned back, and then the two duelists, formerly out for each other's blood, began to play like two little boys in a swimming pool.
Squeals of glee, dunking, whacking, gigantic waves, and laughter filled the empty hallways of the school. By now, the "battle" had moved to the gym, which was like the Supreme Swimming Pool. Mako had used several ocean field magic cards by now, and the water level was about 20 feet deep.
Mako scooped up a pot of water and tossed it at Marik. He had taken a pot from the cooking room and loved bonking Marik with it or tossing water.
Marik still had his Almighty Spatula, but now also had other "weapons" at his disposal. Some of the basketballs were floating around, and Marik had fun time throwing them at Mako just when he was about to do something. The Millenium Rod was half-forgotten, stuffed into Marik's belt.
The announcer was left to wallow in misery, becoming completely soaked and disgusted. No, his master would certainly not like this…
* * * * *
Outside, a mother and her young daughter Sybil was walking to the park. Sybil was gazing around like a young child would and saw the school. It looked a bit funny…
"Mommy, why is the school all wet?"
"Honey, they're probably doing some sort of remodeling."
Sybil shrugged. Okay, but why was the playground becoming flooded?
"Come on, dear, we have to hurry up or we won't have time to play!"
Sybil trotted to catch up. She did make note to come back again and find out why there was water coming out of the windows.
* * * * *
Marik and Mako were having a grand old time. In their minds, they knew that they were supposed to be fighting, but they wanted to forget all that and simply believe in good times.
Someone didn't quite agree with that.
Marik felt Him coming, reaching, and managed to gasp out a warning to Mako before it was too late. "Watch out! He's…coming!"
Mako stopped in mid-splash. "What?"
"My…other…self…"
Then his eyes blazed and the other side of Marik came forth, seizing control. Yami-Marik had come back. His crazed eyes rolled and he sneered at Mako. "Enjoying yourself?"
Mako dropped the basketball. "What - who - you - where's Marik?"
"Marik? Gone, and will not be coming back anytime soon." He dropped the spatula and pulled out the Millenium Rod. "So, since you like having fun, shall we play a game?"
"A-- game?"
"Yes, a game, you fool."
"But—"
"Are you scared? I thought your father taught you to take on all challenges. And so I challenge you, mortal, to a game of which will make the very oceans you trust in tremble!"
Mako shook his fist. "Do you deny the power of the deep? The very waters will rise up against you, traitor! I accept your challenge!"
* * * * *
The two of them stood on the stands on opposite sides of the gym, the bottom now covered with water.
"The game is simple, fisherboy. We each summon a monster to this world and let them do battle. Whosoever wins, shall continue. Whosoever loses, will be dead and his power consumed." He paused. "So let us begin."
Mako raised his arms. "I summon the Fortress Whale! Come forth!"
Lightening flashed and rain began to fall within the school. A huge, colossal being came down from the sky, to splash down into the room. The Fortress Whale had heeded his call.
Yami-Marik raised the rod above his hand. He laughed amidst the rain and water, the wind ruffling his hair. "You fool! Although the power of the gods is not yet open to me, I can still summon higher powers than you cannot comprehend!" The rod blazed, and the returned madman cried out, "Suijin! I summon you!"
A whirlpool swirled around, and a blaze of light formed on the bottom. The water elemental came into being, brought forth by Yami Marik.
A battle of titans had begun.
The element of water began to shoot streams of pure power at the whale. Big as it was, it could not dodge the blows quickly and was hit several times. It groaned in pain.
Mako gasped, clasping his side. He pulled away his hand, and it was slick with blood. Eyes wide, he stared at the opposing side, where Yami Marik was grinning and laughing at his shock.
"Surprised? Every time your monster is hurt, you are hurt as well. Your blood will bleed as your monster bleeds, you will cry out as it will cry out. So begin to pray to whatever god you believe in mortal, because your time here is about to end…"
The titans roared and raged. The whale had not lived in the sea for thousands of years without learning how to survive. It leapt above the water, to hover there by ancient magic long forgotten. Its roar filled the gym, to shake the very foundations, and it began to shower the water below with power.
Yami Marik screamed as he felt Suigin take a few hits. The water churned and frothed, to spray the poor, terrified announcer and he attempted to float and survive this mad battle of giants.
There was pretty much nothing Suigin could do. All that it did was create a shield of sheer water to protect itself, but that shield would only last for so long…
Yami Marik shrieked in anger. He would not lose; he would not be defeated! He invoked the power of the Millenium Rod, intending to take over that feeble mind of Mako and end this.
Mako felt the intrusion almost instantly. He screamed, hating the feeling of force and hate, of losing control.
"You cannot stop me!" Yami Marik yelled from the battering and waves crashing.
"Noooooooooooo!" Mako clutched his head. The feeling of traitor, of Marik suddenly turning against him…
~STOP IT!!!~
What?
~//You get out of my way!//~
~No! I won't let you!~
Who?
~//I must gain the power!//~
~The power you covet is not yours to take!~
But—
~//I shall take what is rightfully mine!//~
~NO!~
Yami Marik too grabbed his head, fighting the other being within his own mind. Two humans now screamed in agony, each fighting to control their minds. From titans to the inner world, the three battled for supremacy. Mental defenses were destroyed, secrets unleashed, and their very minds being slowly destroyed. The announcer watched in shock, seeing only grimaces of pain and never knowing the mental anguish.
Mako's head reeled. Two many beings, too many thoughts. He didn't know where he began and someone else ended. Was that really Marik inside his head? But what was that other being, that crazy one?
~//You fool! You cannot stop my power!//~
~No! You can't!~
Mako screamed. He felt like his mind was being torn apart. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!"
In his pain and suffering, Mako did not notice the edge of the stand. He toppled over, to fall within the torment, where the two titans were still fighting. Suijin had managed to raise itself on a pure wave of water; and the two leviathans were now waging battle above the water. Mako tumbled into the froth, right in the middle of the battle.
Suijin had charged up a ball of energy and had just loosed it.
Mako fell right into it.
Mako screamed, the waves of power, the power of the ocean, sweep through him. His very bones quivered and his body shook.
Then he fell, into the depths. The last thought Marik heard, before Mako's life was snuffed out, was, Father…
"K.O.!"
* * * * *
Sibyl's eyes were as wide as saucers. She had just seen two enormous monsters kill some poor man. It was raining inside the building. And the water was pouring out of the window.
The little girl was getting all wet, standing in the playground, which was now flooded. She thought about that poor man. He had looked so sad.
There was another man too. He looked scary.
She got off the slide, to go back to her friend's house before her mom found out that she was gone. She wanted to tell her mommy what she had seen. She would make everything better.
Sybil trotted out the playground, a silent witness to one man's death. One little, innocent girl.
* * * * *
Somewhere else in Domino, another person had watched.
More magic gathered around him. He nodded in approval. Not as much as last time, but enough to satisfy him.
The man folded his hands. The next one should be starting soon.
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LoneWolf16: O.O Okay, that was supposed to be funny or at least lighter than the last chapter, but it didn't exactly some out that way. Man, this was actually kinda serious, except for that middle part. *shrugs* But at least it wasn't so…bloody.
*smiles* Yeah, Mugendai, you guessed right! Your chosen name appeared in this chapter, and I'm actually thinking she'll come back in later chapters. Just uh, don't get too attached. This is a kinda violent ficcie… ^^;;;;;;;
*winces* If the characters were kinda off, sorry. Oh, and sorry that the location wasn't exactly a big part of this fic. I kinda needed a big room to hold all of the water in, and school happened to be the first thing I thought of. But don't worry, I think it'll play a part later on.
Hope you all liked this chapter. I'll try to get the next one written and posted up soon. See you all!