Silver Dragon: Hey! We won't keep you waiting with needless jabber this time!
Devil's Wyrm: Especially not after a cliffhanger.
SilverD: Read and enjoy!
Notes: You should know by now.
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Ch. 9: Confrontation
Sebak's clawed hand reached for the Ring spirit's throat. Bakura dodged swiftly, rolling over the stone floor to his feet. The dragon ducked and rolled to his feet as well, facing his opponent. The two circled each other, warily. The Ring glowed dangerously, the spirit's fists clenched at his sides, arms spread, and ready for anything. Sebak stood opposite him with his claws out in front; his teeth glistened in the light from the Ring. The draconic eyes were fixated on the Ring, like how a cat watches a dog, with caution but also with courage. Bakura took a baby-step closer; palms out in peace. "I did not mean you any harm, spirit, I just wanted to talk," said the tomb robber.
Sebak was now in a state of total instinct; all logical processes had frozen. Rage clouded his mind. Bakura stepped a tiny bit nearer, the Ring glowed a little brighter. The dragon snapped. Claws extended in full, almost two inches past the fingertip, Sebak leaped with inhuman strength at the tomb robber, roaring angrily. Bakura sidestepped his landing, saving his face from being shredded by inches. The deadly edges instead cut three deep gashes in the wall behind him. The Ring spirit took advantage and fired a blast of energy at Sebak. The beam connected. The Dragon screamed.
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In her temporary office, Ishizu Ishtar heard the scream and felt the magical disturbances. She left in haste, the precious tablets could not be damaged by battle.
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Music blaring through the room, Nabe was oblivious to the pain of his "yami." He continued to play Halo on his X-Box.
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Sebak lay a writhing mess on the cold stone, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Bakura kept his distance, still suspicious of the spirit. Just as he was calming, Ishizu entered the room, startling him further. The Ring spirit whirled to face her. 'She's the one with the Item!' he thought as she approached.
"There is no need to be so tense, I know who you are," said the holder of the Millennium Tauk.
"I have every reason to be," replied Bakura, motioning with his thumb to the other spirit. "He attacked me, all I wanted to do was talk."
"Yes, I know. I know why you are here as well: you want to take my Tauk."
"Yes, but right now I am more interested in him. The Tauk has the power of sight, both past and future. Do you know who he is?"
"I know little of his origins, I do not recall seeing him before."
"Could you find something if you looked?"
"Possibly, but now is not the time. He is awaking."
The two watched as Sebak slowly dragged his unsteady body to its feet. He stared at them through his fiery eyes. They fixed first on the Ring, burning with hate and fear, then on the Tauk. Sebak stared at it for some time, seeming to reminisce about a past affair. Then he looked at the holder herself and blanched briefly. Bakura growled. "Explain yourself you pathetic beast."
"You are the one who should be…sorry," said Sebak, his voice quavering.
"ME! You attacked me. I was only defending myself."
"You snuck up on me. I only assumed aggression."
"May the gods help you of such close-mindedness. Now, who are you and why do you fear me so?"
"Who I am is not important. I fear you because of your Ring."
"Why? I never did anything to you."
"I never said you did anything, besides just now. The Ring has done much to me, but not under your control."
"Really?" said Bakura; experimentally, he fired a low-power ray of magic at the draconic being.
"Ahhh!" yelped Sebak as the light struck him; he sank to the floor once again, his face twitching in pain.
"That is enough," said Ishizu over the tomb robber's wicked laughter.
She knelt down next to the shivering creature, touching him lightly on the head. Ishizu became slightly concerned when she felt the horns protruding from the spiky hair. Sebak jerked under her hand; she pulled away. He looked up at her, his scorching eyes turned cold and hard. The dragon gazed at the Tauk again for a second, and then stood, still wobbling faintly. "My apologies Bakura, I mistook you for another," said Sebak, glancing at the Ring. "If I were you, I would stay out of my way, advantage or not. You have caught me at a bad time. I will take my leave."
The Manacle glowed shortly and Nabe resumed control, the draconic features melting away like ice. He blinked a few times, staring at the two before him. "Um, hi Ryou and…Have we met?"
Bakura left without saying hello; Nabe thought he heard him say something about a coward as he passed by. "Ookay, what's his deal?" asked the confused teen.
"Ask your yami," said Ishizu. "I am Ishizu Ishtar, owner of this exhibit. It is nice to know some people would take the time from dueling to see it."
"Dueling? Oh! I almost forgot! It's nice meeting you Ishizu. I guess I should be going."
"Very well. Good luck Nabe."
"Thanks," said Nabe as he headed for the exit. 'Wait a minute. How does she know my name? Oh well.'
Ishizu watched the teen leave, almost in a daze. 'I have seen him before, in my vision. When I touched his yami, I received a vision. In it I saw my former self and Nabe, but he looked different. We seemed close, friends, or maybe something even more. The Nabe in my dream must have been his former embodiment. I must search the past for more answers, this may prove most important.'
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SilverD: So, how'd you like?
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SilverD: Thanks to our reviewer!
Mina-chan AMD: HUGE thanks for keeping track of our crazy update schedule. You are a most loyal and well-received critic. Keep thinking about the duel problem. I have an idea, but I would like your opinion. ^_^
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