Last chapter, yay!!!!!! Here we go!!!!!!
Chapter 18: The Beginning
The group ran over to the ash-strewn dock, stopping in a circle around the Manacle of Set. No one moved, afraid what would happen if the Manacle was touched. Then suddenly, the ash underneath the Manacle moved. Everyone jumped back at the sight except Yugi, who knelt down next to the mound and picked up the Manacle. Nothing happened. Yugi looked at the Manacle then back to the mound and then turned to his friends. "Guys," he said, "I think Nabe is in there."
"You think so?" said Joey.
"Well, let's dig him out before he suffocates!" yelled Tristan, bending down to start moving ash.
With everyone's help, Nabe was soon freed. He opened his eyes to find Yugi and all the others hovering over him. Blinking the mist out of his eyes, Nabe sat up. "Hey guys, what happened?"
Everybody stared at him in utter shock. "You- you don't know?" asked Tea.
"No, I've been locked up in my soul room since Tristan was taking Serenity to find Joey. I helped them hold off some thugs. Then out of the blue, Sebak actually helped me beat them, but he never let me out."
"Well that explains a lot," said Tristan.
"Speaking of Sebak, where is he?" asked Nabe.
All eyes fell on Yugi who, sighing, took that as his queue to tell the story. After several minutes of telling, retelling, and explaining, the truth seemed to sink into Nabe. "So," said the teen, picking up the Manacle, "Sebak really is gone."
"Yeah, at least from the Manacle," said Yugi.
"I guess it's safe to put this on now," said Nabe as he slipped the Manacle onto his right arm. "Say, has anyone seen Rhona?"
"Who?" asked Duke.
"Rhona! She's my height with long black hair. I dueled with her early on in the tournament, and she double-dueled with me against Sef and Meskhenet."
"Sorry," said Yugi, "We haven't seen her."
"Where are those two anyway?" said Joey.
"I guess they ran off when they had a chance," said Mai.
"It looks like Ishizu and that other man are okay, though," said Serenity.
Indeed, the other two Item holders walked up to the group and stood in front of Yugi. "Thank you, Pharaoh, for allowing us to serve you," said Shadi.
Yugi blushed, "Hey, this isn't Yami you know."
"I know," he replied.
Yugi went completely red. "You're welcome."
"Nabe," said Ishizu, "this Manacle is more powerful than it seems, Millennium Item or not. Keep it close always and beware the power within."
With that said, the two turned to leave. Shadi sank into the ground as he always did. Before leaving, Ishizu looked over her shoulder at Yugi. "Be careful Yugi," she said, "for this in only the beginning."
With the sound of Ishizu's car driving away, everyone looked back down at Nabe, who was still sitting on the pile of ash, tracing the Eye symbol on his Manacle with his fingers. Serenity knelt down next to him. "What's wrong," she asked.
"Oh, I just hope Rhona is all right. I don't know what happened to her after that double-duel."
I know where she is.
"Ah!"
"What is it?" asked Serenity.
"Sebak! I just heard him!"
"We didn't hear anything," said Tristan.
"No, no! I heard him in my head!"
"The Manacle," said Joey, "he must be in it again!"
Please, tell your friends to stop yelling; I'm not Sebak.
"Wait, he said he's not Sebak."
"Of course he did! He wants you to trust him again," said Duke.
"He's telling the truth! His voice is different!"
"Make him prove it!" yelled Joey.
On queue, a ghostly shape appeared next to Nabe. He looked just like the other boy, but older, with thinner, kohl-lined eyes and swept back hair. This new spirit surveyed the group before looking down at his new friend. "My name is Onuris. Thank you for freeing me from the Dragon's control."
"Wait," said Yugi, "I thought Sebak, the Desert Dragon of Set, was the spirit in the Manacle of Set."
"As you have seen, Pharaoh, when Sebak allowed you to see the past, the Dragon first possessed me before you defeated him."
"But his body was destroyed at the same time," said Nabe, "your body."
"Yes, but my mind, my soul, was trapped inside the beast's. I was sealed alongside him."
"So, when Sebak escaped the Manacle, you were left behind," said Yugi.
"That is correct," replied Onuris.
"Well," said Joey, "thanks for clearing that up!"
The spirit merely smiled weakly back then turned to Yugi. "I hope we will meet again some time."
"Sure," replied Yugi, "any time!"
With a last farewell, Onuris faded away, returning to the Manacle of Set. Nabe stood up, dusted himself off, and faced his friends. "I don't know how to thank you guys."
"You're our friend, Nabe. You don't have to thank us!" said Tea.
"What are you going to do now?" asked Yugi.
"Well, since I just lost to you, and current events have lessened my love for Duel Monsters, I am forfeiting the tournament."
"WHAT!" yelled Joey, practically attacking him. "You have enough locator cards! Why?"
"I just don't have the heart for it right now, considering all that's happened."
"Good luck to you, Nabe, in whatever you're going to do," said Yugi.
"Same to you, Yugi," replied Nabe. "Beat that Marik freak, save the world, and solve all the mysteries."
With that, Nabe Zenbushi turned on his heel and walked off. Yugi looked up at his friends and held up his locator cards and Duel Disk. "Ok guys, let's finish this!"
The End
A/N:
Sucky ending, but the best I can do. Sorry about the EXTREME wait for this. I was otherwise occupied all summer and just when I decide to start writing again…BAM! The computer gets fried. I hope you have enjoyed reading this as I have had writing it. And as a special treat for being so loyal, here is a teaser from the sequel:
The match abruptly ended. Nabe was thrown backwards by the force of the impact. Lying dazed upon the ground, the teen stared up at his better, the muzzle of a pistol looking back at him. The cloaked man laughed, moving the weapon closer. "So," he said, "the great Nabe Zenbushi has finally fallen. Wish me luck with your friends."
With one last laugh he pointed the gun at Nabe's chest and fired.
Hope you all like it! Huge thank you to all the reviewers!!!!! (Nice poem Sdrive!) See you next time! REVIEW!!!!!!!!!