Silver Dragon: Hello everybody!
Devil's Wyrm: Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
SilverD: Here's our gift to all you readers: a double duel!
DWyrm: With some other tidbits stuck in too.
SilverD: Enjoy! Merry Christmas! ^_^
DWyrm: And a happy Hanukah! -}^;;^{-
Notes: You all know about the dueling thing and mind link thing so let's get on with it! If you forgot, italics are for memories and visions. Also, for later, a normal person without a yami will have these … around their speech when speaking to someone else through telepathy. For a special instance of telepathy, the two communicating will use +…+ and -…- around their sentences.
Disclaimer: You get the point! We no own YGO!
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Ch.10: Dual Duel Dilemma (Try saying that ten times straight!)
Nabe left the museum in a puzzled confusion. He started for Battle City, his mind swirling with information. 'So that's Ishizu Ishtar. Hmm. Not bad, but a bit to old for my tastes. I wonder what made Ryou so heated. I would ask Sebak but he won't answer. He seemed pretty shook up. Best to leave him alone for now. I can duel without his help.'
Battle City was quickly emptying of duelists. The weaklings had all been eliminated, leaving only the strong, able duelists. Yugi, Joey and the infamous Kaiba among the few left. Nabe cruised the streets, eyeing different people, trying to get a challenge. Finally, he stopped, leaning against a building. Bored, he started flipping through his deck. He had kept his trophy cards out of his main deck, but he still had them with him. Nabe pulled them out. They really were not anything special; most were relatively weak or useless. But the monster he won from Rhona was pretty strong. With an attack of 2750, Senginjin was a force to be reckoned with. 'But it doesn't hold a candle to my Apocalypse Flame*,' thought Nabe as he gazed at the blue-skinned troll like creature on the card. 'I wonder how she's doing. Sebak said little of what happened to her. Well, I have nothing to do. Might as well go see her.'
At the hospital, Nabe learned that Rhona had left. Actually, the nurse assigned to her said she had been in some sort of coma, but she disappeared rather mysteriously last night. One minute she was brain-dead; the next she was gone. Nabe thanked her and left, even more confused. He entered the mall, bored again and looking for something to do. He went upstairs and sat on a bench. The duelist was about to look through his deck again when a pair of strong hands clapped themselves around his eyes and mouth. Before he could resist, Nabe was yanked back over the chair and pinned to the floor. His head was freed and he was about to yell when the stranger motioned for him to be silent. "Who the hell are you?" he hissed. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Quiet," whispered a strangely familiar voice from the shrouded figure above him, "you are being followed."
"Wait, do I know you?"
"Yes," replied the cloaked person, removing the hood, "you defeated me in a duel, remember."
"Rhona!"
"Shh! Not so loud. You don't want them to hear you. I'm not supposed to be awake."
"So I gathered. Who are they?"
"I'll show you."
The girl peered over the back of the bench Nabe had previously occupied, and Nabe moved beside her. "You see those two, over there by the vending machines?" whispered Rhona.
"Yah, they're wearing those weird robes like you."
"Yes, that's because they work for my former master. Marik hates losing, that's why he sent my mind to the Shadow Realm, remember?"
"Wait, Shadow what?"
"Shadow Realm. Marik sends his failures there, and anyone else that gets in his way. It is an alternate dimension, filled with monsters and powerful dark magic."
"How does he do this?"
"With his Millennium Rod. It has magic powers. One of which is the ability to send people to the Shadow Realm. Another is the power to control minds."
"Ookay."
"You don't believe me do you?"
"Oh, I believe you all right. I've been having some strange experiences lately. Right now, if someone came up to me and said aliens abducted him I would believe him."
"That bad huh."
"Yep, that bad."
"I think they're gone."
"Yeah, let's go."
The two stepped out of the little space behind the bank of benches and started for the crowds. After mingling for a few minutes, they went to the cafeteria. They sat at one of the booths and Nabe started to explain all the weird things of late. He even showed her the Manacle. "So, Sebak was the one who beat me, not you," said Rhona.
"Yeah…But that doesn't mean I'm not a good duelist. I won three other duels myself."
"Really? You know, I still have my Duel Disk and my deck. What do you say to a friendly match, just to see if you can truly beat me?"
"That sounds like an excellent idea," said a man sitting in the next booth.
"Yes, a very good suggestion," said a woman sitting on the other side.
"Oh great. Nabe run!" yelled Rhona as she jumped up and started for the nearest exit.
"What? Is something wro- AHH!"
"Nabe!"
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Back at Domino Museum, Ishizu sat in her office sighting the past with her Millennium Tauk.
The council of magicians had just adjourned and Ishizu was excited about the night's events. She hurried to the temple of Set, hoping that the afternoon ceremonies had been completed. The building was vast, though not nearly as large as the temple of Ra. The priestess searched through the ornate hallways and came upon the main chamber. In the center was a gold plated statue of the god of chaos; at its feet was a black stone alter, still smoking from the day's sacrifices. Standing over this alter was a man garbed in the long flowing robes of a high priest. He was completing a prayer. Ishizu waited respectfully by the entrance as the man finished. He turned and stood looking at her, his eyes tracing the outline of her body. His gilded collar sparkled in the last rays of the sun as he walked up beside her, taking Ishizu's hand and placing a single kiss upon the tan skin. They gazed into each other's eyes for a minute or so when a sound from the hallway broke their focus. Placing his arm protectively around her shoulder, Onuris lead her out into the night, fading into the fog from the Nile.
Ishizu pulled away from the past, shaken by the events she had witnessed. She had never liked to see her past life, but this was something she had to investigate. 'I knew I had had a love then, against the laws of priesthood. I never thought much of it; it seemed a trivial thing. But now it seems my old flame has been reincarnated in this age along with me. I must try to find out who the spirit is which resides in the Manacle. He may unlock the boy's past before he can deal with it. If that happens, things could go terribly wrong, if the spirit is who I fear.'
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"Nabe!"
The man seized the teen, his muscular arm locking Nabe's head against him. The young duelist squirmed in the hold until a cold, sharp point pushed on his neck. Rhona moved forward to help him when the woman blocked her path. "If you wish the whelp to live, I suggest you not do anything rash."
Rhona glanced at Nabe, then at the man, and finally at the woman. She could not discern their identities since their faces were half covered by the hooded robes. "What do you want?" asked Rhona, surprised the commotion had not been noticed by any of the shoppers.
"Let's talk somewhere a little more, private," said the man, looking at the stairs.
"Yes," said the woman, "let's go up top."
She made her way to the stairway access door, opening it for the others. Rhona hesitantly made her way in and up; the man and Nabe followed. The woman brought up the rear. "Where are we going?" asked Nabe as he was pushed roughly upwards. "I thought we're already upstairs."
"Quiet boy," replied the man. "We are going to the roof."
The group filed out onto the gravel roof of the mall, their feet crunching across the surface. As they neared the middle, Sebak abruptly took control, flipping the man over his back. The dragon kneeled down and grasped his neck, squeezing until the man's veins started to pop out. The woman growled and kicked Sebak in the ribs; he rolled off her partner and stood by Rhona, giving control back to Nabe. The teen blinked a few times then rubbed his side, wincing at the pain. "What the heck was that all about!" exclaimed Nabe, giving his captors a poisonous look.
The man got up, his hood falling back to reveal his face. It was darkly tanned and had a number of strange symbols seemingly branded into the skin. His head was shaved with more symbols tattooed across the scalp. He glared at Nabe with dark blue eyes. "You mean little to us, you cur. You were nothing but a bit of leverage. But now it seems there's more to you than meets the eye."
The woman removed her hood and stood next to the man. She had fairer skin and rich, black hair. It was tightly braided down her back with glistening beads spaced throughout. A barley noticeable scar ran across her right jaw line. Her piercing green eyes shone in the midday sun. "What we came for is you Rhona," she said, pointing a long, graceful arm at her. "You, little boy, just got in the way."
"Sef and Meskhenet," said Rhona, "I should have known Marik would send you after me."
"Who?" asked Nabe.
"I am Sef," said the man.
"And I am Meskhenet," said the woman.
"We are two of Marik's best Rare Hunters," followed Sef.
"He had us track you down, Rhona," continued Meskhenet.
"But now we have an even better opportunity," said Sef.
"We can send Rhona back to the Shadow Realm for good," said Meskhenet.
"And acquire more locator cards for master Marik," finished Sef.
"How do you plan on doing this?" asked Rhona.
"Simple," replied Sef, "we take both of you out in a double-duel."
"When one of you loses all your life points, you both lose," said Meskhenet. "In a double-duel, a duelist can't survive without his partner."
"We'll banish Rhona to the Shadow Realm and take both their locator cards," said Sef.
"There's one problem," said Rhona. "I have no locator cards, so I can't duel you."
"You can use one of mine," said Nabe. "I have four, so I can risk it. But I expect it back."
"Not very smart of you to waste your cards like that boy," said Sef.
"Thank you," replied Rhona.
"Excellent," said Meskhenet. "Let the double duel begin!"
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Ishizu delved back into her past, trying to find a connection between Nabe and the mysterious spirit. The memories flooded back to life as she felt her mind enter ancient Egypt.
Ishizu awoke in the high priest's chambers. Ra had not returned from his nightly voyage so the room was cast in shadow. A small light flickered in an adjoining room. The priestess felt for her lover but he was not there. Curious, she slipped out of bed, pausing to put on a light shift and slippers. Ishizu crept up to the doorand peered through the crack from where the light gleamed. Inside, Ishizu saw Onuris kneeling before a small sculpture. The light came from candles surrounding the little statue, reflecting off its bronze skin. He appeared to be saying a prayer. Ishizu was about to leave him to his duty when the words of his "prayer" caught her ear. "Oh great and powerful one, your humble servant awaits your command. As you know, your brethren have wrecked havoc upon this land. But the pharaoh has brought them under control, for now. You know, oh lord, that simple stone tablets and feeble human magic cannot hold your power back. Lend me your strength, great king of the desert, that I may free them so they may continue your work. The pharaoh cannot stand up against your power. Let me be your vessel to this realm that you may seek your revenge!"
Ishizu stood horrified at the door. Scared for her safety with this heretic, she quickly went back to bed before Onuris would notice her spying. She feigned sleep for what seemed like an eternity until she heard the slightest sound of his return. He slipped back into the bed so silently that at first she did not realize he had come back. Still uneasy, Ishizu fell into a fitful sleep.
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The four duelists positioned themselves in a square, one at each corner. All were armed with a Duel Disk, which they activated immediately. Rhona, [Snatch Steal, Snake Fang, Monster Reborn, Green Phantom King, Gryphon Wing] Nabe, [Magma Shield*, Flame Viper, Blast Juggler, Sparks, Fake Trap] Sef, [Mitchezuri, Castle of Dark Illusion, Polymerization, Mystic Plasma Zone, Thousand Knives] and Meskhenet [Dark Magician, Mysterious Puppeteer, Change of Heart, La Jinn The Mystical Genie of the Lamp, Soul Exchange] drew their starting hands. "Let the hunted begin," said Sef.
"Fine," said Rhona; she drew. [Tree Avenger*] 'My most powerful monster after Senginjin; I will use him to claim victory over these freaks.' "I set a monster [Green Phantom King: 500/1600] and place two cards facedown. [Snake Fang, Gryphon Wing] Who's next?"
"We will move back and forth. First you, then me, then your friend, and then finally Sef. I draw [Mystical Elf]," said Meskhenet. "I set a monster and end my turn." [Mystical Elf: 800/2000]
"I guess I'm next, and my name is Nabe." [Fire Wall*] "I set a monster [Flame Viper: 400/450] and place a card facedown. [Fake Trap] Finally, I play Sparks against Meskinet, which subtracts 200 of your life points."
A rain of flaming embers fell from the sky onto Meskhenet. She stood still as the cinders dropped around her.
[R: 4000, M: 3800, N: 4000, S: 4000]
"It's Meskhenet, you imbecile," said Sef while he drew. [Buster Blader] 'Hmm, interesting. With this I can summon our ultimate monster. I must tell Meskhenet.'
Sef concentrated on his mental link, channeling his spirit to his ally. The bond opened. +I have a plan to beat these scum. +
-Really? -
+I have just drawn Buster Blader, and I have a polymerization card in my hand. Do you have a Dark Magician in your hand? +
-Yes. Do you plan to summon Dark Paladin? –
+Yes. +
-Good. With him, we can't lose. Just let me push them around a bit with the Dark Magician, and then you can have him for the fusion. –
+Are you sure that is wise? +
-They are both ignorant mortals, what could they possibly do against us? –
+What about Rhona? She may be mortal, but she is still very powerful. +
-Let me deal with her. –
+Agreed. +
In his soul room, Sebak sensed an ancient power in play. Interested, he melded slightly with Nabe so he could see and hear all that happened.
"I set a monster [Castle of Dark Illusion: 950/1970] and place one card facedown [Mitchezuri] to end my turn," voiced Sef.
"Took you two long enough," said Rhona. [Armored Rat] "I set a monster. [Armored Rat: 950/1100] That is all."
"It is my draw," said Meskhenet. [Steel Scorpion] "I set a monster [Steel Scorpion: 250/300] also for my turn."
"Now it's my turn," said Nabe; he drew. [Rainbow Phoenix*] "Well, I might as well follow the trend. I set a monster [Rainbow Phoenix: 1500/1800] too."
"My move," said Sef. [Witch of the Black Forest] "I set a monster [With of the Black Forest: 1100/1200] for my turn."
Rhona drew. [Beast Fangs] "I tire of this defensive mood. I sacrifice my two set monsters for Tree Avenger [2550/2000] which I use to attack your newest set monster, Meskhenet."
The massive ent sprouted out of the ground, wielding his colossal, double-headed axe. Tree Avenger swung his blade around over his head and smacked it into the set monster. The Mystical Elf shattered, split right down the middle. "I'm finished if you care to continue," said Rhona.
"Hmph. As if I would surrender to the likes of you," said Meskhenet. [Reaper of the Cards] "I sacrifice my set"
+No, use one of mine, the one closer to you. +
"I mean one of my set monsters and one of Sef's to summon the Dark Magician. [2500/2100]
'Hmm,' though Sebak, 'they are using some sort of telepathic power to communicate. This changes the playing filed. I wonder if I can even the odds?'
"And I can pick a monster from my deck to place in my hand because my monster was the Witch of the Black Forest," added Sef. [Armored Zombie]
"I attack one of your set monsters, Nabe."
The violet-garbed conjurer swung his staff at one of the brown cards, shattering the Rainbow Phoenix underneath. Nabe glared at the robed woman. "Are you done yet?"
"Yes, yes, or course. You can go now," she replied.
"Good." 'Come on deck, don't fail me now.' [Senginjin] 'Rhona's card! But how can I tell her with out the two freaks knowing?'
//Let me handle that. \\
/Wha-\
Sebak felt with his power a magical signature in Rhona, one he did not recognize but one all the same. Using this signature as a guide, the dragon contacted the girl. //Rhona. \\
"Huh?" Who's talking?
//Do not fear. It is Sebak. I am sure Nabe has mentioned me. \\
Yes. You're the spirit from the Manacle.
//There may be a way to defeat these sand dogs. Nabe has drawn your card. \\
Senginjin?
//Yes. Keep an eye open for a way to summon him. I will contact you again if we find a way. \\
"Well little boy, is there anything you can do?" teased Sef, impatient to finish the duel.
"No, I pass."
"Pity. [Magic Jammer] I place a card facedown and play Mystic Plasma Zone. Finally, I play Thousand Knives, destroying the Tree Avenger."
The Dark Magician was surrounded by several gleaming knives which shot at the giant ent, cutting him to the ground.
"You'll pay for that," said Rhona. [Invigoration] "I play Monster Reborn to"
"Not so fast," said Sef, "I activate Magic Jammer to stop you."
-You idiot! You discarded your Polymerization just to stop that! –
+Yes. If I didn't, she would have destroyed your Dark Magician. We still have a chance, you have one too, remember. +
"I end my turn."
"I draw," said Meskhenet. [King of Yamiakai] 'I still have the Dark Magician, I don't need him.' "I summon La Jinn [1800/100] and attack your last set monster, Nabe."
The great green genie solidified from the air and sent a beam of energy at the set card, destroying the Flame Viper.
"Pitiful, I end my turn."
"Save your pity for the weak," replied Nabe. [Final Destiny] 'Yes! This will help.' "I place one card facedown [Fire Wall] and end my turn."
//Rhona. \\
"Oh!" What is it?
//I think we found a way. \\
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Ra's golden light streamed in through the open window, river birds squawked noisily on the Nile's shore. Ishizu's eyes fluttered open; she forgot where she was for a moment. Slowly, she gathered in the room, the table, the chairs, the bed, the window, and the door. "Oh!" she exclaimed as she recalled the night's events.
A servant stepped in, bowing respectively. "Master Onuris has left for morning prayer offering, priestess."
"Thank you, I best am off as well."
"As you wish, priestess."
Ishizu dressed and left the High Priest Onuris's home. There was no meeting today, but she had to tell the Magic Council of what she heard. Upon entering the palace, she found the head of the council, Sethos, talking with another of the council, Gahiji. She walked up to them as an equal. "Ah, good morning to you, Ishizu," said Sethos. "Any news from the Tauk?"
"No, none from the present. But I have come to know some information that must be investigated. Is there any way to have an emergency meeting today?"
"I'm not certain. The pharaoh has many obligations; he may not be able to attend. If it is truly a serious matter, I guess we could call for a general assembly, without the pharaoh."
"It is very serious."
"I see. Gahiji, go tell the others, but keep it discreet. We don't want to draw any unneeded attention."
"Of course, sir," said the holder of the Ring.
"Thank you Sethos."
"We have little to do now anyway, with the god monsters being sealed away and all. I just hope this really isn't that bad."
"I hope so too."
+++++++++++++++++
In little less than an hour, all the representatives of the Magic Council had arrived, save the pharaoh, at Sethos's residence. They had chosen his home instead of their chamber to reduce suspicion. Everyone was seated around the edge of a spacious, well furnished room. The room was round, having no front of back, and lined with seating cushions. On the right side, Gahiji, holder of the Millennium Ring; Chatha, holder of the Millennium Scales; and Wosret, keeper of the Millennium Eye, were seated. Opposite them, Sethos, holder of the Millennium Rod; Shadi, keeper of the Millennium Key; and Ishizu, holder of the Millennium Tauk, were seated. Sethos stood, Rod in hand, "We have gathered you all here today because Ishizu has come across some thing of great importance. Tell us, Ishizu."
She stood as he sat, "Last night I was…out walking, and I passed by the High Priest of Set's home. I can't remember his name, but I heard him praying through a window."
"His name is Onuris," said Wosret.
"That sounds all right to me," said Gahiji, "it's his job to pray."
This comment brought a round of chuckles through the room. "Please continue," said Sethos.
"It's what he was praying is what troubles me," said Ishizu. "Upon hearing his actual words, I became curious. I stood under the window and listened. He was praying to Set, or some heathen god like him."
"That still sounds normal," said Chatha. "What was he praying for?"
"He was praying for power."
"Power?" asked Sethos.
"Yes, power. Power to free the beasts we have fought so hard to contain."
"That cannot happen," said Wosret, "at any cost."
"No," said Sethos, "the beasts cannot be freed."
"I say we bring him to the council," said Shadi, "that we may bring to light the truth to his prayer."
"Fine, but we cannot do this today," spoke the leader, "not without the pharaoh."
"Then we must worn him and plan a meeting as soon as possible," said Gahiji.
"Yes," said Ishizu, "the sooner the better."
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SilverD: Sorry, but we just had to stop it.
DWyrm: Yes, it was getting a bit long.
SilverD: Nut don't worry, we'll finish it as soon as humanly possible.
DWyrm: Which should not be that long, seeing that I am not human.
SilverD: What do you think of the duel?
DWyrm: And what about the past experiences of Ishizu?
SilverD: We want your opinions!
DWyrm: Thank you to the reviewer. -}\;;/{-
Mina-chan AMD: Hope you like what we did with you. Just in case there is some confusion, you are Meskhenet. Please tell Sdrive he is in it too. He is Sef. Tell us what you think!
SilverD: Keep in touch! More is on the way!
Original cards:
Tree Avenger: earth att., plant type, 8*, 2550/2000
Fire Wall: trap, Stops magic and trap effects on fire monsters for three turns.
Rainbow Phoenix: wind att., pyro type, 4*, 1500/1800