Author's Notes: Well, Chapter 5 certainly didn't go completely as planned. Sorry about the concubine thing everyone... I have no clue where that came from, but I kinda like it, so it stays (Flames from Yami Bakura fans will be used to roast s'mores, so :-P). Anyway, we finally get into a dueling chapter! What, did you actually think I could do an entire story with no duels? Hah, no way. I'll probably write the entire duel and post it when I get to that part, so updates might be Disclaimer: All cast of Yu-Gi-Oh belongs to Fox Kids and whatever Japanese company made the show. I hold law over Amber though.
Chapter 6
Bakura was asleep by the time Te'Os reached his soul room. Curse Pharaoh for casting him so deeply into the Shadow Realm! But soon he would have his revenge, and the Millennium Puzzle would be his to control. "Now to make sure Bakura won't interfere." Not that he expected any resistance from his lighter side, but it was better safe than sorry. Striding over to the door of Bakura's soul room, he flung it open so hard that it cracked against the wall. The other boy, who had been sleeping, awoke with a startled jump.
"Te'Os!" he squeaked, fear lighting up in his eyes.
"Surprised to see me?" the thief asked with a smirk. "Did you think the Puzzle could permanently banish me?"
"The thought had crossed my mind." Te'Os was by the bed in the next second, and a stinging backhand landed on Bakura's cheek.
"Insolent whelp! Do not forget who is the stronger one."
"I know the truth about you now. You aren't as strong as you think." Now Te'Os was taken aback. Bakura had never said anything in his defense before, especially not something so brazen. What had happened in the last few days?
"Did you suddenly grow a spine, little whelp? Have you been talking to the Pharaoh? Has he told you stories of me?" Bakura slipped out of the bed and got as far away from Te'Os as the room allowed. He knew his mind was too weak to offer much resistance if the Spirit wanted to take over his body. But perhaps if he unnerved the thief, he could stall until Amber came back.
"The Pharaoh told me nothing. But his sister apparently knew you quite well." Bakura saw that his words had the opposite affect of what he wanted. Te'Os looked more angry than shocked, and his hands curled into tight fists. The Ring copy he wore began glowing, sending out waves of energy that made Bakura feel nauseous.
"So that little bitch came back too? I'll bet she still thinks I loved her."
"Did you?" Bakura knew the consequences for angering the Spirit, but he was tired of living like a slave. And at least the energy from the Ring had stopped.
"Did I what, love her? Of course not. She was merely a means to an end."
"She loved you. How could you hurt her like that?" Again Te'Os moved faster than Bakura could see, and a vicious gut punch sent him to his knees. The next punch caught him in the ribs, and he was just glad this wasn't his physical body. Te'Os stood over him, an evil smile on his face. "I can hurt her as easily as I hurt you now. I will take what I deserve this time, and if it kills people, that isn't my problem. Tomorrow I will challenge the Pharaoh and take his Millennium Puzzle. And if sweet little Niahla gets in my way, she will join her brother in the graveyard."
Tea blinked as the sunlight hit her eyes. The windows allowed ample light into the room, and Tea realized that she'd fallen asleep. Looking around, she saw that everyone else appeared to be asleep as well. Mai was next to her in the bed, and Joey and Tristan had the other. Kaiba had passed out on one of the couches. The guards had brought him, Yugi, and Yami in some time before dinner, which had been simply delicious. Pegasus seemed to really be treating them like honored guests, even though they all knew he'd probably rather lock them all in the dungeons. Well, they'd see what happened after the duel. After explaining about his anticipated duel with Pegasus, Yami had stayed silent the rest of the night. In fact, the only two things he'd looked at were the cards and Yugi. Pegasus had also made sure that Yugi's shoulder was looked at, and the small boy had his shoulder cleaned and bandaged. Glancing over at the other couch, Tea smiled when she saw the scene. Yami was sitting in the middle, both Yugi and Amber's heads in his lap. They looked like one big happy family. But wait, when had Amber been brought in, and where was Bakura? "Strange," she whispered to herself, looking out the window again.
"You're awake," came Yami's voice. It was softer than normal, like a velvety whisper. Tea shivered as her heartbeat picked up. She wasn't going to deny that the ex-Pharaoh was cute, but he seemed so very distant. Tea looked up to find him staring at her, his hands resting on Yugi and Amber's shoulders. She blushed and slid off the bed, sitting in front of the couch.
"I see they found your sister."
"Yes, they brought her in late last night. Bakura is still in the medical wing, but she said he was doing all right."
"That's at least one piece of good news. Now all you need to do is defeat Pegasus so we can go home." The Spirit nodded and smiled sadly, glancing down at the sleepers in his lap and running a hand through Amber's dark hair. "What's wrong?"
"I haven't seen my sister in over five millennia, and when I do, it's only for a day or two. I guess this is my punishment for shunning her so long ago."
"What do you mean? I'm sure she'd love to visit Domino City. And Yugi's grandpa will want to meet both of you."
"Tea, do you know what it's like to look different? To be changed so much that no one wants to be around you?"
"Are you talking about Amber's fusion with her guardian?" Yugi had told them the whole story, and Tea's heart had gone out to the ancient siblings. Surely having a "monster" for a sister must have been hard on the young Pharaoh, and having your own brother ignore you must've been as bad for Amber.
"I doubt the people of Domino would accept her any better than my subjects did, and they were used to magick and monsters. But she does have friends back in Egypt, and duties that befall the holder of the Millennium Ankh."
"What sort of duties?"
"She hunts those who misuse the Millennium items and holds them for judgment. If they are guilty, their soul is banished to the Shadow Realm."
"Is she here for Pegasus?"
"Yes. If he wins against me, she will duel him."
"But what'll happen to you and Yugi if you lose?" She saw his arm tighten around Yugi for a moment, like he was trying to protect the smaller boy from the world.
"I do not intend to lose." At that moment the guards opened the door, waking the others. Both sides stared at each other, until one guard spoke:
"The duel is about to begin. All of you will come with me." Silently, the teens followed, Yami and Amber bringing up the rear. She resisted the urge to hold her brother's hand, like they had often done back home when one of them had dueled. He had not done something like that since- Suddenly she felt fingers slide across her palm, and looked down to see Yami's hand around hers. She met his eyes, and the twins smiled as Amber folded her hand over her brother's, presenting a strong front to their enemy.
Back in the medical wing, Te'Os opened his eyes. Once again he'd subdued Bakura, taking control of his body. But when he sat up, a searing pain shot through his midsection, bringing a gasp to his lips. He curled on his side and clutched his stomach, riding out the waves of pain. It felt like a knife twisting inside him. What had that fool Bakura done to himself this time? He would never make it out of the room, let alone all over the castle. He reached for Bakura's shirt on the table, seeing his deck resting there as well. Carefully pulling on the shirt, Te'Os flipped through the cards. "I won't get far with walking, but maybe a card could help." The power of the Millennium items allowed their owners to summon forth the creatures of the Shadow Realm, who were depicted on the Duel Monsters' cards. Te'Os was betting that Pegasus had done this intentionally. The same rule held true for the magick and trap cards, and Te'Os now activated Dimensional Void. With the Ring homing in on the nearest Millennium item, he was sure to come out in a decent spot. A moment later, a black hole engulfed him, and he reappeared near the dueling hall, just within eyesight of the holographic projectors. He leaned against the wall for support and scanned the hallways, which were empty. "Perfect, now to wait for-" Footsteps reached his ears, and soon a group of guards emerged from one of the hallways, leading Yugi and his friends.
"Welcome duelists," said Pegasus as he stepped into view, looking pleased with himself. "I trust you all slept well?"
"Cut the pleasantries, Pegasus. Let's get this over with." Te'Os looked for the owner of the voice, and gasped when he saw Pharaoh Amun-Yami step forward. Niahla was by his side, still fused with her guardian. Te'Os felt Bakura stirring in his soul room, but he could do nothing.
"As you wish," Pegasus was saying. "We shall duel in the Shadow Realm." No! Te'Os knew he was too far away to get into the Shadow Realm with the others. He would have to move. But the first step he took sent a shock through his muscles, and he crumpled to the floor with a cry of pain. A moment later he heard concerned shouts, and strong arms lifted him up.
"Bakura, what are you doing here?" Yugi asked, trying to steady his friend.
"I was worried about you," Te'Os replied, changing his voice to match Bakura's. It was an easy task, and hopefully it would even fool the Pharaoh and Niahla.
"You should get back to the infirmary," Tea told him.
"No, I want to be with my friends." He suddenly felt fingers caress his cheek, and looked up to see Niahla staring at him with concern. He stared dumbstruck at her eyes, the red one seeming to pierce into his very soul.
"The Shadow Realm is not safe, Bakura. Please listen to your friends."
"I'll be all right, Niahla." She stiffened at the mention of her name, bending down until she was eye-to-eye with him. They stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity, and her eyes darkened. With one hand she guided the point of her Ankh into the eye of the Ring, and Te'Os paled.
"My name is Amber, Te'Os." With a twist and click, she unlocked the Ring, and a bright flash of light enveloped all of them. When it subsided, Bakura was lying on the floor, and Joey and Tristan realized they were holding the Spirit of the Ring.
"Very impressive," Pegasus said as he and his guards walked over. The group had almost forgotten about him when the Spirit had shown up. "But don't forget Yami, we still have a duel."
"I haven't forgotten, Pegasus."
"You're dueling the Pharaoh? You don't stand a chance," Te'Os said from his position on the floor. At least the pain had lessened, but Bakura was still feeling the effects of having his body moved. It made Te'Os' muscles spasm annoyingly, and if Bakura didn't stop trying to move, he would fix the little wimp so he never moved again.
"You speak from experience?" Pegasus asked the Spirit.
"He managed to defeat me once, yes. He stood up, and Joey and Tristan released their grip on him. "I propose we team up and defeat the royal siblings in one spectacular game." His gaze shifted to the girl now calling herself Amber, who was kneeling by Bakura. She still had feelings for the body, and probably would have some for the softhearted boy. Well let her have him, as long as her Millennium item was his.
"Leave my sister-" Yami began.
"I accept the challenge," Amber interrupted, helping Bakura sit up.
"Do you even have cards?" Joey wondered. She pulled a deck from the pocket of her pants, smiling slightly.
"Look them over if you want," she said, handing the deck to Croquet. "But they're all legitimate Duel Monster cards. And don't forget, I played the Shadow Games." Croquet finished flipping through her deck, nodding at Pegasus.
"My, but this is turning into an interesting day," the millionaire said.
"To the Shadow Realm then," Te'Os said as his Ring began glowing. As the guards all stepped back, the other Millennium items lit up as well, and soon the remaining group found itself swallowed by inky darkness.
"This place gives me the creeps," Tea said, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I'll say," Mai added. Pegasus and Te'Os walked about ten feet away, and the dueling arena became visible.
"All of you keep a safe distance," Yami warned.
"Be careful out there," Yugi said, smiling slightly. Without even thinking, Yami picked up his light side and embraced him tightly.
"I'll free your grandpa's soul, Yugi, don't worry."
"Amber, watch yourself," Bakura warned. "Te'Os is very powerful."
"I'll remember that," Taking her brother's hand again, Amber and Yami walked towards the arena with heads held high.
"Think they'll win?" Mai asked as she watched them go. She had a feeling that this was not going to be a short duel. She'd played against Yami- Or had it been Yugi? She still wasn't sure which one she'd played, but the Pharaoh was no slouch at the game. And Pegasus was the creator of Duel Monsters, and he'd managed to beat Kaiba like he was a child. And she had never seen Amber or this Bakura look-alike duel. Right now, it was anyone's game.
"Have faith, Mai," Joey replied. "That Spirit already beat the evil Bakura once."
"Yes," Bakura whispered, "But Pegasus is another matter."
"He cheated against me, I just know it," Kaiba added. "Yami will have to stay alert if he intends to win."
"I don't think they'll have any problems," Yugi said. Kaiba looked down at the small duelist, and a smirk curled his lips.
"Then tell me Yugi: Why are you shaking?"
