Ultramarine Fire
Chapter Three: At Last We Meet
Dina stood outside the bedroom door eavesdropping on the two speakers inside. Something was amiss in there and she was determined to get to the bottom of things. Whether Taylie wanted her to or not.
"And just who do you think you are?" Taylie demanded, "And how the heck did you get in here?!"
"I am Urvasi," the woman smirked, "and I have powers beyond your mortal comprehension."
"And people say I'm crazy." Taylie remarked.
"Mildly." Urvasi agreed.
"What do you want?"
"To train you, and create a little mayhem in the process."
"What on Earth are you talking about?!" Taylie cried.
"Chaos, mass confusion, sheer pandemonium."
"No," Taylie held her temples with a growl, "I meant what do you want to train me for?"
"Your destiny."
Uh-oh, Dina's eyes widened, I've heard this one before.
"You're not making much sense." the actress informed her. "So what are you? Some sort of Amazon drill instructor?"
"You should be so fortunate." Urvasi gave a menacing grin. "I am a powerful feline sorceress often thought of as a goddess of chaos and ill nature by the foolishly amusing mortals of the past."
"Yeah, and which mental institution did you escape from?"
"Perhaps you require some physical proof?" Urvasi spread apart her hands in one sweeping gesture and her human guise was dropped to reveal her feline body still cloaked in its 'Amazon' robes.
"Nice try," Taylie yawned, "but I've worked around special effects most my life."
"Mortal you try my patience." Urvasi stated nonchalantly, "I am here because of your gift of ultramarine fire. You are the Flame Keeper, a destined member of the Queen's Court."
"What?" now Taylie was convinced that this oddly attired woman was out of her mind. Yet…
*Flashback*
Azura and a few of the older actresses whipped around the large kitchen of the rented townhouse preparing dinner for a good deal of the other cast members while Shashi and Taylie stood atop chairs at the stove stirring the vegetables.
After one of the women took the pot on the front burner away to have its contents strained Taylie leaned forward to stir what was sitting on the back burner. She absent-mindedly let her free hand rest atop the empty burner.
Shashi had noticed and snatched her hand up to examine it for burns. The Indian girl was shocked not to find so much as a red mark. Taylie herself hadn't felt a bit of pain. Oh sure, she noticed the heat, but it wasn't painful.
"Taylie you're lucky you didn't burn yourself," Shashi scolded.
"I've never burned myself." Taylie shrugged.
******
Taylie didn't think much more of her resistance to burns until she hit the age of twelve and was awestruck while lighting candles.
The storm outside had caused the power to flicker and finally go out. In the darkness the cast members had no choice but to light candles in their separate rooms. Taylie had taken the matchbook out of her nightstand's drawer and struck a match for the candle on her dresser.
Guided by the dim glow from the candle she made her way down the hall to Shashi's room. Storms were always less intimidating when she was with her 'big sister'. Shashi was in her bedroom fiddling with her own candles.
"Why'd I place them all in such high places." she asked herself while struggling to pull one off the top of an overhead shelf.
"I'll help sis," Taylie offered. She sat her candle down on the floor then climbed atop Shashi's shoulders.
Striking a match she accidentally dropped it on the floor where Shashi hurriedly stamped it out.
"Shoot!" she snapped her fingers and gasped as a small blue flame appeared on their tips.
"What's the matter?" Shashi strained to look up.
Jumping down Taylie turned to her sister with blazing nails.
"TAYLIE!" Shashi cupped her hands over her hand to douse the flame.
"I think I did it." Taylie said with awe as she snapped her fingers again to have the flame reappear. "See…it doesn't burn."
Shashi had made Taylie vow never to tell anyone. She was scared to death that her little sister would be looked upon as an oddity for having such a 'unique talent'. And the two later discovered that there were very serious drawbacks to Taylie's newfound ability. If she were to create too large a flame her body temperature would increase to dangerous and even seemingly impossible levels, making her fall ill. The fevers were hard to explain to the others but their concern thankfully took precedence over any suspicions.
"I'm a freak." Taylie stated one day as she gazed at herself in the mirror of Shashi's vanity.
"No," Shashi hugged her friend, "you're just special, that's all."
"My eyes look weird, I don't burn, and I can make blue fire." Taylie seemed on the verge of tears. "I'm not special, just a freak of nature."
"You shouldn't talk like that." Shashi objected, "You're a little different Taylie but that doesn't matter. You've just got a few gifts. And people think you're only wearing contacts anyway."
"But you can even see the fire in my eyes Shashi!" Taylie was leaning against the mirror, "That's strange and you know it! I must be a demon or something. No human looks this way."
"STOP IT!" Shashi turned Taylie to face her, "You're my best friend Taylie! I won't let you insult yourself like this."
"But maybe that's why my parents got killed," tears escaped the crystal and deep blue eyes, "Because I'm a freak and that guy was after me."
For lack of a better plan Shashi pulled Taylie into an embrace and rocked her back and forth on the vanity seat, "You mustn't think that way Taylie. You're not a demon or a freak. You're Taylie Opel, my little sister and dear friend. You have to know that. Because we all need you Taylie, whatever happens…especially me."
*End Flashback*
"Oh don't worry," Urvasi seemed to have seen the same recollections as Taylie, "she's a part of all this too."
Taylie was about to order the stranger to leave her 'sister' out of this when Urvasi cut her short, "As a matter of fact, I paid her a visit first."
A light fell in the corner where Shashi was slumped lifelessly down in a wooden chair. "SHASHI!" Taylie ran to her friend and shook her with trembling hands, "What did you do?!"
"My my aren't we uptight?" Urvasi chided, "She's only unconscious. I needed to talk to you in private for a moment."
Taylie noticed a bow a set of what looked like golden arrows at Shashi's feet. "What are these?"
"Unlike some members of the Queen's Court Shashi doesn't have any particularly strong gifts. Except impeccable aim. The arrows are a perfect weapon for her. Certainly befitting for The Huntress." Urvasi said matter-of-factly.
"All right, if you know so much about us then why am I a human torch?" Taylie snapped.
"Because that's your role in destiny." Urvasi wondered how many times she was going to have to repeat herself to this woman, "And you should be grateful that you're so well armed. But of course you have yet to master any real control over your gifts. That's why you'll need training. Fate has given you a difficult life little Taylie, you can't just go rushing blindly into what lies ahead. And there are many soon to come who will seek to lead you astray."
"Stop talking to me like you're some kind of saint," Taylie spat, "I don't know what makes you think you have the right to just barge in here and tell us how things are going to be but I'm not buying into of this destiny crap! Now leave!"
Outside Dina gave a small laugh and shook her head, That never works.
The faint sound of someone stirring behind her caught Taylie's attention. Shashi was coming around. "Shashi? Are you okay?!"
"You!" Shashi exclaimed springing to her feet at the sight of Urvasi.
"Welcome back." the feline sneered. "You weren't exactly cooperative either."
Picking up the bow and snatching an arrow Shashi took aim at the sorceress, "I don't appreciate people who think they can dictate my life to me."
"I'll be at the docks tonight at eleven o'clock sharp," Urvasi announced, "your first training session in the Shadow Realm will begin then. I suggest you show up, if I have to come looking for you, I just might leave any wounds you receive unhealed."
Shashi let the arrow fly but by the time it reached the spot where Urvasi stood the feline had vanished.
The two 'siblings' exchanged glances of puzzlement before jerking around sharply as the door was pushed open. Dina smirked at their frightened expressions while leaning against the doorframe. "Looks like you two have been inducted. Welcome to Hell, ancient dark magic style."
******
A certain crazed Egyptian nervously paced across an otherwise vacant room on his boat at the docks. The platinum blond man decided he'd had enough of being crammed inside the vessel with no one but his insane darker half to converse with so he went up onto the deck for air.
Looking out across the cloudy night sky he noticed that only a handful of stars had managed to shine through the darkness. He envied those stars and their unwavering luminance. If only he could suppress his evil half and shine with the glory of his own destiny. He knew that he was meant to be the next powerful pharaoh but no one else seemed to see it that way. Well he'd show them all, especially that troublesome maniacal darker half of his! No one was going to stand in his way! He would rule all!!!
The glare of headlights over the piers caught his attention and he noticed a motorcycle with two passengers pull alongside one of the many piles of wooden crates. Now why would anyone travel out to the docks at this time of night? Intrigued Malik decided to venture forth for a better look.
He slipped along through the maze of cargo and fishing nets right up to the pair of strangers unnoticed. Up close in the shadows he could make out their faces and clothing. Two young women in somewhat odd attire. The taller had long black hair pulled up in a ponytail and wore a grayish-indigo cloak that covered only her upper body yet revealed her pale yellow skirt and strapless top. The other female had far lighter-yet still lightly tanned-skin and wore a similar cloak over a red tank top and black jeans with blue flame designs around the shins. An odd pair to be coming out alone on such a dim night. But it wasn't as if he had anything better to do than amuse himself with their antics. Idly he wondered what business had brought these two women to the docks, it certainly seemed as though the two were hiding something.
"Why are we doing this again?" Shashi asked with evident irritation.
"Because Dina says there's really no way around it. Because that ludicrous sorceress will come after us anyway if we don't." Taylie answered for what was probably the twentieth time that night, "And because of this!" she snapped her fingers and allowed a large flame of ultramarine fire to ascend several feet into the air.
"Taylie stop drawing attention to us!" Shashi hissed.
Malik gasped upon seeing the smaller figure emit the blast of…blue fire? Suddenly a realization dawned upon him. Of course, Ishsyzu said that the one who could rid of me of Marik would possess great compassion and power! This must be who she was talking about!
"I don't see anyone," Shashi sighed, "We should get back to the theater. Azura will notice that we're gone soon."
"She'll just assume that we've gone out joyriding." Taylie shrugged, "But we should split up and look for that Urvasi pain in the-"
"I'll go search down this way," Shashi interrupted, "see if you can spot anything that way."
Malik watched in disbelief as Shashi pointed a finger in his general direction. This was going to be all too easy! Marik would be but a happily forgotten memory before the night was out!
Don't think you can be rid of me so easily fool. Speak of the devil; Marik had decided to make his presence known.
Quiet demon! Malik mentally hissed, Your days have finally been numbered. This girl doesn't know it yet but she's going to help me destroy you at last!
A dark laughed echoed through the grim chambers of Malik's mind, So optimistic, what if she doesn't want to help you? What if I just seize control and KILL her first!
Before Malik could respond with a threat Taylie had caught sight of him lingering in the shadows. "Hey!"
Malik froze and looked straight ahead to have lavender meet icy and sapphire eyes. He'd have to think up something crafty quick if he was going to persuade this young woman to do his bidding.
Quickly he pulled out his Millennium Rod and held it up before her. With a golden glow emitted from the eye atop the staff he concentrated on making this Taylie his newest mind slave.
Raising an eyebrow Taylie simply stared at the object in bewilderment. "Um…nice toy?"
Malik's eyes widened, why wasn't the item working?! Taylie should have no will of her own right now! Then he saw it, the same eye shining atop the young woman's brow as often appeared upon his own! The glow was bright and defied that of the Millennium Rod. With a grimace Malik lowered the item, Ishsyzu was right, this girl is powerful.
Taylie felt an odd warmth beneath her bangs but attributed it to the constant flow of the strange fire through her veins. The stranger before her was more of a concern now. Had Urvasi sent this man to test her as part of the 'training'?
Said sorceress watched the scene unfold through a portal before her while she awaited the arrival of the others. Mortals could be so entertaining sometimes, especially when they no idea of what they were getting themselves into.
"No member of the Queen's Court can be stripped of her will by a Millennium Item," the feline smirked, "of all people not even the son of the tomb keeper knew that simple fact, how disappointing."
Promptly Malik decided to move on to Plan B. Putting on his best amiable smile he tucked away the Millennium Rod and extended a hand towards Taylie. "Hi, I'm Namu."
Not again, Marik rolled his eyes, at this rate I won't have to finish you off. Your insistence to return to failed plans will bring about your defeat for me.
All of your schemes have been equally unsuccessful spirit, Malik jeered, My only concern now is convincing this woman to annihilate you!
You'll excuse me if I don't cower in fear, Marik cackled.
Taylie had reluctantly shaken hands with the stranger who seemed to be temporarily lost in his thoughts. After a few moments the blank look on his face was starting to worry her.
"Uh, Namu?" Taylie waved a hand in front of his face, "Anybody home?"
Blinking the man resumed his friendly façade. "Sorry about that, just drifted off there. So what was your name again?"
"Taylie Opel," this was the test? To be confronted by a seriously disturbed cloaked guy? Okay, so he was easy on the eyes, but that hardly accounted for the peculiarity of the situation.
"What brings you out to the docks at this hour Taylie?" Malik (Namu) inquired politely.
"Just meeting someone, what about you?" she was becoming more suspicious of this guy by the minute. Something about this whole encounter just seemed off.
She's obviously a new minion of either the pharaoh or his queen. Marik concluded, Any idiot could see that she's not buying your nice guy pretence for a second.
Malik was getting frustrated with Marik again; he always had some snide remark for any of his light's plans. At least this time he had the reason of Malik trying to destroy him to support his critical behavior. Ishsyzu must be out of her mind to think that Malik could ever just deal with having Marik around to mock him. Malik may be the 'lighter' half of the two but he was plenty dark enough on his own!
"Have you seen anyone else here tonight?" Taylie asked in a voice that sounded miles away to Malik.
"What?"
"Tonight, did anyone else pass by here?" Taylie repeated.
"I'm afraid you're the first person I've seen in hours." Namu scratched the back of his head and flashed her a sheepish grin.
"Oh," Taylie sighed in defeat, "guess she decided not to show after all. And Urvasi made a big deal of us coming all the way down here!"
"Urvasi?" Namu questioned.
"The person my friend and I were supposed to be meeting here." Taylie explained too tired to care that she was giving too much information out to someone she'd just met.
Malik studied the girl as she folded her arms and slumped against one of the wooden stakes. "You know I've got a play to put together in just a couple of weeks but I had to drag myself out here to the docks because some lady waltzes into the theater and tells me I've got all this training that I just have to do."
"You're an actress?" Namu inquired.
"Yep, and I'm also directing this next play too." Taylie smiled, "I hate to just sit here and complain but I've been pretty stressed lately. Sorry about the earful."
"We all have our problems." Namu shrugged then added with a sly grin, "It would be nice if we could help each other out with certain troubles."
"Yeah," Taylie ran a hand through her bangs, "but unless you're some kind of natural born actor I doubt we can do much for each other."
Namu seemed confused, "Why do you say that?"
"I need an actor for the lead male role in the play," Taylie answered, "there's flyers in the local papers about it. If we don't find someone soon my cast won't be able to put on the production. Everyone's been working overtime on getting things right too, I'd hate to have to postpone the whole thing again."
"Well maybe I should at least come by and audition?" Namu offered, "Who knows, maybe I'm just the guy you're looking for?"
Taylie laughed at his overly kind smile and shook her head in defeat, "Okay Namu, drop by the old Domino Theater tomorrow after four and we'll give ya shot."
"Great," Malik's plan finally seemed to be working (although things usually started out that way before going downhill), "then maybe you can help me with my little problem?"
"What kind of a problem?"
"You might say it's a pest problem." Marik snorted at the insinuation.
"Okay sure, why not?" shrugging herself up off the stake she fished a pen out of her pocket and scribbled an address on Namu's hand. "See you tomorrow Namu. Remember, auditions start at four. Hope we can help each other out."
"Oh I'm sure we will." Malik chuckled while the unsuspecting teen wandered off in search of her friend.
Not if you don't get the part. Marik taunted, You're not exactly a skilled professional.
Pulling out his Millennium Rod he twisted the item around in his grasp, Then I'll just have to eliminate the competition.
******
Urvasi sighed as she watched the two mortals depart. Things were definitely taking a turn for the worse. How could humans be so gullible?
"Hopefully a dose of Shadow Realm training will knock some common sense into them."
Shashi hadn't found the sorceress yet but she had met up with the other members of the court. Taylie soon ran across the group but said nothing of the young man.
"Still no sign of the felines?" Dina asked.
"No, what's with these immortals is punctuality above them?" Taylie growled in frustration before turning around and yelling across the docks, "Hey Urvasi! Some of us haven't got all eternity to wait around!"
"No need to shout," Taylie spun around to come face to face with the sorceress, "I wasn't all that far away."
"Well someone needs a pager." the actress huffed.
"Who are you?" Rebecca demanded.
"Urvasi, sister to Felaine." crossing her arms the feline regarded the queen with mild interest. "You're much shorter in person."
"There's another one?" Shashi turned to Dina.
Nodding the guardian grunted, "Proof that Fate is cruel."
"Are we gonna get this training over with or what?" Taylie snapped.
"Just as soon as you obtain a way to focus that flame of yours." Urvasi replied gesturing towards Dina and Rebecca. "Mystic and the Queen contain somewhat mystical abilities as well. Mystic with her Oracle skills and the Queen with her duel monster form."
Approaching the two members Urvasi took a ring from each and offered the jewelry to Taylie, "Use these to focus and contain your fire Flame Keeper. Without them you could very well disintegrate in a blaze of your own creation."
"How cheery," Taylie muttered while slipping the rings on her right hand. Wearing Mystic's ring on her thumb, Rebecca's on her pinky, and her own on her middle finger she would supposedly be able to control her otherwise unmanageable powers. Urvasi assured her that she'd be grateful for the ability once she sat foot in the Shadow Realm.
"The Queen of Games huh?" Shashi faced Rebecca, "So what's this all about?"
"Our trainers seem to think there's a new evil brewing," Rebecca sighed, "that means more training for us."
"And what exactly is the Shadow Realm?" Shashi persisted.
"You'll see." Rebecca shifted to her second form and raked her claws across the air before her. Stepping back she and the others watched (Taylie and Shashi in awe) as a portal into the Shadow Realm was opened.
The two rookies stared into the swirling dark abyss. "T-that's the Shadow Realm?" Taylie clenched her ringed hand tight. "What the heck are we supposed to do in there?"
"Just try to stay alive." Urvasi smirked as the group forced themselves to enter a dimension where one's worst nightmare was an all too horrific reality…
________________________________________________________________________
*Next chapter: Malik auditions with the help of his Millennium Rod and Taylie discovers the truth about Namu. And just how did the new members fair against the creatures of the Shadow Realm during their first training session? Review please!*