Chapter 5. Fairies Lie
Well.. I must say I've had more fun with a head cold. Muttered Angelie, detaching herself from the midgets. Well, I've got to go, not that these duels haven't been interesting, it's getting late, and I'm thinking dinner-like thoughts.
Hey, yeah, where is the grub around here? Asked Joey suddenly. I'm starving! Aren't you always? Replied Tristan. Angelie sighed and drew an imaginary line on the far wall.
There's the food court, and by the way, Neko, Neko shivered with the anticipation of her rementioning the past duel. We're rooming together, and I call top bunk, and I'll be leaving the light off unless you have any objections.
She sighed in relief. No none at all. I've got to go too. See you guys later. She called softly as the two walked away in opposite directions. Joey turned to the remainder of his companions.
So... I think Angel-face has a good idea for once.
Joey, she may be a bit sharp, but she has good intentions, why do you rag on each other like this? Sighed Yugi. With a shrug, his friend replied, Well, mostly because we both can hiss at each other without any fear of the other actually DOING anything.
Like when you attacked her?
Yug, you'll burst something, I just jumped at her. She didn't get hurt or anything, and she knew I wasn't going to.
You can almost smell the sexual tension.
Argh! Angel-face, I thought you left!
I did, but I forgot my purse, so I came back. I'm not even sure what you where talking about, but I couldn't resist the line. She picked up her purse and left again. Joey sighed, head in his hand. Yugi shook his head and started towards the food court, muttering, That should teach you to talk behind people's backs, but it won't.
Dat's right! I'm stubbornly learned! Whooped Joey, throwing his fist in the air.
That's nothing to be proud about.
The following morning, Téa woke up to the strangest noise: Well, I don't care about evil spirits, I only care about evil loonies putting salt all over my bed! Téa lifted her head from her pillow and smelt sage.
Will you two PLEASE shut up? Moaned Angelie into her pillow as Neko pulled her blanket over her head. The strangest scene was layed out in front of her as she looked down at the war of egos. Gaia Morgana wearing only a open robe, was toe-to-toe with Mai Valentine, in a candy-red negligee, who had both eyes and face red. Mai coughed so hard that she teared, and Gaia hissed, Say it, do not spray it, second-year!
How DARE you! Mai spat, her eyes turning redder, seeming to be in contest with her face.
Wh-what is it? Yawned Téa, sitting up in bed.
This wacko wants to burn incense in our room, and as you can see I'm allergic!
Nonsense! Sage is healing, you're faking it! Mai seemed to have a comeback, but suddenly had a coughing fit so hard her knees buckled.
That's healing? Whoa! What's burning? It smells... like either perfume or- She looked at the bundle of herbs in Gaia's hand. NO. Not in this room, you deranged ex-hippie! Both of the older women looked sardonically up at Téa.
It's SAGE.
Sage -corl- is bad enough. Coughed Mai. Give me that. She took the smoking bundle and slammed it into the provided ashtray, which she then set outside. Turning on the air conditioning with a smaller cough, Mai began to search her personal effects. She had one of those traveling roll-out sets you see in catalogs, with the clear plastic pockets filled with hairbrushes, cosmetics and jewelry. Five women in a ten-by-ten room all trying to wake up at the same time was not a fun sight to see. Angelie attacked the restroom in her over-laced baby doll nightgown and would not leave until she was completely dressed: Shoes, hair and makeup. Neko changed underneath her nightgown, underneath her blankets, behind Téa's blankets, behind Téa's clothes, behind Téa. She was a bit modest. Téa was okay with changing in front of, or rather behind, Gaia and Mai, whom just changed quickly, and then fought for the mirror. One by one, the women came out of the room, wondering how they will stand rooming with these people.
Hi, guys. Sleep well? Asked Bakura as Téa, Neko and Angelie came down from the woman's rooms.
Slept well, woke sucko. Grumbled Angelie, filtering off. Neko rubbed her face and nodded, turning off by herself. Téa had to explain what this was all about.
Gaia Morgana burnt sage this morning and put salt in Mai Valentine's bed. Mai's plotting revenge as we speak. How's your group? Joey rubbed his eyes.
Well, Yugi has no spine, just so you know, Kaiba-nuff said, Tristan's a slob, and Bakura talks in his sleep.
And Joey snores. Finished Bakura. But Yugi is spineless. He had all his stuff out and Kaiba made him move it for no reason, and all he had to say was, sorry', really.
Yeah, what were you going to do with that donut?
Your talking in your sleep is worse, though, who were you plotting revenge on at three? Gave me a heart attack with: Pay, he'll pay, die and burn... shadow realm for eternity.. mwa ha ha... they'll all pay...', really, you were freaking me out, man. And Speaking of talking in their sleep and paying- Joey grappled Tristan, If I hear one more, Oh, Serenity,' YOU'LL pay.
They all do, even Kaiba, you should have heard the conversation at five thirty. Pay... they'll all pay.. dying.. burning...' No, not that donut! That one's mine! You can't put chocolate syrup on a strawberry jelly donut, what's wrong with you?' Come here, baby, I know what to do with that chocolate syrup...' ...bow to me...' ..die in hell..' ..save the donut..' ...oh, baby...' ...worship me...' ...I am the only ruler of this world, you shall die if you oppose me..' Is that a threat, little man?' Leave the donut out of this... no... ...no biting! No biting!' ..mm.. ha ha... bow lower...' ..you are weak..' ..so get another donut..' Oh, Serenity, oh Serenity, how wonderfully you service me...' ...lower...' Really, you guys. Freaky.
Said Téa slowly. But I'm beginning to think this Gaia Morgana is not the nicest person. I think we should avoid her.
Avoid her? Asked Yugi, Actually, I was just thinking how much I'd like to speak to her.
Asked Téa. Yugi shrugged.
After breakfast of course.
Finding a particular duelist in a place like Dead Duelist was not exactly easy. However, in the end, it was simply a matter of following the blasting Celtic Harp music. Right next to the vibrating speaker, wafting around her Rain forest Jasmine incense was none other than Gaia Morgana. Today she had a thin white veil under her headband.Yugi coughed and called to her.
Gaia Morgana! I challange-hoph, hoph, hoph-you to a duel... put that thing out! Coughed Yugi. She sniffed at him and snuffed the incense out with her fingers.
Fine. But allow me to cast a circle before the duel, if you don't mind.
Sure, whatever, if you accept my condition: Let's make it all or nothing, your three rings against my three.
Very well, if you'll gamble that, then give me a minute to prepare, and we shall begin. She pulled a few small items out of a silk bag and began to prepare'. Preparing' Involved sprinkling salt around her in a circle, lighting four candles: Green, yellow, blue, and red, in that order, lighting a new damn cone of sappy smelling incense, putting out a silver dish, lifting a small sack of something over her head and muttering under her breath in Gaelic, pouring sugar from the sack into the bowl and then, to Yugi's shock, pulling out a large ornamental knife, pricking her finger with it, and letting one drop of blood fall into the sugar while strewing purple and white flower petals about inside her circle of salt. She never even touched her deck. The area felt funny, not hot or cold or calm or windy, just funny..
I'm ready to duel.
What da heck was dat!?! Asked Joey in surprise.
Never you mind, you foolish little man. She scoffed, climbing into an arena. As Yugi's platform began to rise, he bonded with Yami.
He called as his voice slipped down the scale, the puzzle bursting into light.
It's time to duel! Proclaimed his older half, now in control.
Merry meet. Replied Gaia, shuffling her deck.
=^-,-^= Why would someone write a Yugi-oh fan-fic if they don't like writing duels? Oh, well.
Remember Yugi, we're here for you, no matter what! Called Téa from below.
Quiet your coven!
They're not in my control. They drew their cards and Gaia played a card.
I play Dreamsprite and one card face down. Your move. That was incredibly simple. I hate being in a fan-fic. Thought Yugi, playing Summoned Skull face down.
=^-,-^=Hey! No breaking the fourth wall! Bad Yugi! Bad!
I play a monster face down. Gaia cocked her head and smiled.
Why didn't you attack? Any idiot knows a Summoned Skull can wipe out a little Dreamsprite! Yami gasped.
How could you tell what I played? He asked.
Now, now, now... everyone knows what you say in a circle cannot be repeated anywhere else, much less in a duel. She smirked. I play Queen of Autumn Leaves! The lady of fall, the resting mother!
Dude, Gaia.. Said Tristan sounding vaguely disturbed, ..chill out....you're gonna burst something..
But that's not all... I play Polymerization on Queen of Autumn Leaves and my face down card, Green Phantom King! Witness the meeting of the Lord and the Lady! She Laughed as they spun around each other, oddly enough keeping their own forms but switching into matching robes of golden leaves, which oddly enough designated them as one 2300/3100 creature.
We welcome you into our circle, Beltenu. Whispered Gaia, bowing her head.
And DAT'S why I'm single. Said Joey matter-of-factly.
That creature is immensely powerful! Gasped Yami, I'm not sure how I'll destroy it.
I am. You won't. Replied Gaia, smirking. Blesséd be. In a head-on battle the Summoned Skull could destroy Beltenu, but while it's on the defensive, Summoned Skull would be destroyed! Maybe I can draw it out. But first-
I attack Dreamsprite with Celt-
-Tic guardian? Is that a good idea? Oh, well, you're King of Games, aren't you? I'm sure you know what's best.. She smiled evilly, And Dreamsprite's special ability?
How did you know my card? And what special ability?
The one where I can redirect any attack faced towards her? And guess what he's attacking now? He attacked Beltenu and was destroyed, dropping Yugi's life points to 1500.
My Guardian!
Maybe he should have been guarding, then.
How can you see my cards? How are you cheating?
I'm noticing a lack of perfect love and perfect trust. She smirked. I play this card faced down and end my turn. So mote it be.
Hmm...this lady may be a nut case, but she can duel. And she can definitely see my cards! So my only hope is to play something she can't defend against even if she sees it coming... if only I had Shadow of Eyes or something to make Gaia attack me! Well, I suppose I could do it without a card, but it would be risky... I'd need the perfect card... Heart of the cards... He drew. Thank you...
You are powerful.. and all I have to defend is a little knight, but his name should be familiar.. He played Gaia the Fierce Knight. Because it's yours as well! Tristan laughed and Téa cheered, Go Yugi! While Joey began to sing, Gaia, Gaia the Fierce Knight, oh, wait, that's your name too! And if the light is dim, you kinda look like him, Gaia, Gaia the fierce knight! La la la la la la la! Gaia, the wiccan duelist, drew a hiss against her teeth.
I did not come here to be insulted!
This intrigues me, Gaia; where do you to be insulted? Asked Yami with a smirk.
I play my sister, Witch of the Black Forest! The purple haired witch joined the field, a 1100/1200 creature. And I'm not too worried about the knight, if you hadn't drawn it, the best you would have had would be Feral Imp!
I'll ask you again, Gaia Morgana, how can you see my cards?
Speaking of cards, Yugi, do you read tarot? Have you ever noticed how much the High Priestess card looks like me? It's meaning is a powerful woman who will not share her secrets. Am I being too subtle?
Maybe for Joey. Replied Angelie as she walked past with a duelist searching for an empty arena. Joey growled and Gaia played a card face down.
So mote it be. Yugi drew a card. My Dark Magician! He has always come though for me in the past, and I have no doubt he'll help me now!
I play one card face down, and then I play my Beaver Warrior in attack mode! Go, attack her Witch! The Black Forest witch was destroyed and her life points fell to 1900.
Well, even knowing your cards I could not have expected that. Well done.
Your move, Gaia.
Thank you, now if you don't mind, I think I'll just play a little dish... Just Desserts. Yami drew breath as suddenly, his life points dropped to 1000. So mote it be.
I'm at a large disadvantage! She has nearly twice as many life points then me and many more monsters. Thought Yami. Maybe, but we can still turn this around! Thought Yugi. What do you mean, Yugi? The internal dialogue continued, I mean we have two cards to bring the ball back to our court! You see? He pointed them out in his mind. Reborn the Monster and Broken Record! Yami smiled. It's so obvious! No wonder I needed a child to point it out to me! Thank you.
Gaia Morgana, this will end soon! Tell me how you can see my cards!
Just because I'm about to slaughter you is no reason to give away the big secret..
I'll ask you once more, and then I'll end this!
Not with that hand you won't. She muttered under her breath.
How can you see my cards?
Well, now... She smiled and winked, waving one finger, That is a secret.
=^-,-^= Digging all these cross-anamai references?
Fine then! But tell me, Gaia, are you feeling nostalgic?
First I'll play reborn the monster on the Celtic Guardian, and then I play Broken Record! Broken Record brings back one magic card from the graveyard! And the card I choose is... Just Desserts!
Oh, Pan! Exclaimed Gaia.
Since you have two monsters on the field, you lose 1000 life points and then- He made a dramatic arm movement, -I'll attack with Gaia, the Fierce Knight! Gaia the Knight attacked Witch of the black Forest and she was destroyed.
I activate my face-down card, Brink of Life! Spat Gaia, as her life points brushed zero and skipped to a thousand.
Your move, Gaia. Gaia's hands were spread across the table and as she panted and gasped, This cannot be! You never had those cards in your hand!
I had those cards in my hand all along, Gaia, maybe you just got some bad information.
...No... never... And then, with record timing, Angelie, Neko and Mai walked past, talking to each other. Mai seemed a bit upset.
How did you do it? How did you beat me, and how did you make me agree to put three rings against your one?
That is a mystery, Muttered Angelie, Seeing as how the only way she almost beat Yugi by flashing her tits.
I did no such thing!
Whoa! Major not-cool vibes! Shout Mai suddenly. Neko seemed to go catatonic, and her eyes got huge as she looked around and gasped like a fish on land. All around. Behind her even.
Are you seeing something, Neko? Asked Tristan.
It's gotta be dat incense getting to her head...
Can't you see them? Their all over the place, there's one on Yugi's shoulder--it's--it's reading his cards!!
What do you see, Neko? Asked Mai.
Can't you see them? Can't you see the- the fairies? There was a long pause, and then Yugi's regular supporters burst into laughter.
Neko... you haven't been dueling, have you? Been uh... Joey mimed a joint, Neko's lower lip trembled.
...yes... of course... an innocent little girl... you can see them...
See what? And if has to do with being a girl, why couldn't I see them? Asked Téa.
Because you're not innocent, you're a dirty whore, remember?
Oh, shut up.
Yes, I see it now, Began Yami, taking this twist like just another move in the duel, That spell you cast before we began... you where summoning fairies. But fairies are not all innocence and light, which is why you had to tempt them in with not just sugar--but sugar flavored with blood. When they where summoned, however, they where not having enough fun toying with me so they proceeded to you, by continuing to feed you information like they had before, but unfortunately for you, they changed a few details, like which cards I had in my hand--and only Neko can see them because she is an innocent, someone who could maintain purity through any act, and further a young girl.
Heh. I told you it was magick. Said Gaia under her breath.
Whether it was magic or not, the fact remains the same, it's my turn, and you are wide open to an attack from my face-down card. Dark Magician, attack her sprite freely, because there is nothing for her to redirect the attack to!
Your Dreamsprite has been- Again with the dramatic arm movements, Gaia's life points dropped to zero.
Perhaps I may duel you again later, perhaps, He smiled, With honor? She sighed heavily and turned to him. And then she smiled.
Yes, Yugi, if I ever duel you again, it shall be with honor. Here, She removed the rings from her fingers and threw them across the arena, where Yugi caught them. It was foolish for me to bet it all on one duel, and more foolish for me to depend on anyone but myself to win. She smiled. I'll just get my things and go now. Blesséd be, Yugi Muto. She leapt down from the arena without waiting for the platform to land.
Merry meet, and merry part, and merry meet again! She cried, collecting her wand, athame, and sage into the silk bag and disappearing into the crowd.
Hey, wait a minute! Said Joey, pointing at the salt and burned-out candles, Who's gonna clean dis up?
Why, you, of course!