Chapter Sixteen: The Wise Old Tree
 "Hey Teran, do you feel up to this?" Yugi asked. Yugi was a bit uncertain about Teran's dueling prowess.
"Listen Yugi. This had better not be about you being afraid to duel with me," Teran said. Yugi looked down in distraction.
"I heard from Saria that you're still new on the dueling circuit. If you're afraid..." Yugi replied uncertainly.
"Me? Afraid? You have to be joking! I can handle anyone, anytime, anywhere. I'll be fine. You just look out for yourself got me?" Teran asked coldly.
"It's just that with monsters and strategies like Florensia's, I want to be absolutely certain that you're up for this," Yugi explained.
"I already told you Yugi! I'll be fine! Quit worrying about me damn it!" Teran shouted, "I landed a direct attack on Mia when everyone else failed! I can hold my own so when we duel Florensia, just watch your own back!" Everyone was shocked at Teran's tone of voice.
"Uh... The duel spot is directly ahead right Florensia?" Serenity evaded. Florensia caught Serenity's move.
"Right, I remember now. It's this way," Florensia added. Everyone but Elder Saria and Teran ran ahead.
"Now see here Teran. I may not be your mother, but watch your tongue here! This is sacred ground and I will not have you desecrating it. You got me?" Saria scolded. Teran gritted his teeth and nodded.
"But Yugi..." Teran began.
"Yugi nothing. There was absolutely no need for you to blow up at him. Now, you two need to get along like Saria and Joey if you're to beat my grandchild, got me?" Elder Saria reprimanded. Again Teran nodded. It was then Elder Saria put a hand to Teran's shoulder.
"You do realize that Yugi's looking out for you, don't you? He just looks out for you as a friend." It was then Teran looked down, his face contorted in seriousness.
"I don't make friends easily," Teran simply said and he walked off towards the others. Elder Saria joined the group and for a brief moment, her glance met young Saria's. As they neared a stream, young Saria couldn't help recalling parts of her past.
Teran. Five years and I'm still your only friend. Please goddesses, please let Teran trust again. Saria prayed then joined the group at the stream.
"Saria, how much farther is the spot?" Serenity asked.
"We just go upstream and we'll reach the spot," the Sage of Forest replied. From there, it was a rough climb through the foliage and rocks. But they soon reached a large tree wider than a house. The stream water seemed to come from underneath it and the tree had a large face in it.
"That is some tree," Teran whistled. The Sage of Forest walked towards it, standing in the ankle-high water. It was then the tree began to grow some strange blobs on it, some red, some green. Saria gasped.
"What are those things?" Tristan asked.
"Trouble!" Saria exclaimed. The blobs grew out beady eyes as they fully materialized. It was then the tree awakened and began to let out an unearthly moan.
"Those things are attacking the Great Deku Tree! Please! Someone help him!" The Sage of Forest exclaimed. Yugi and Yami wasted no time activating the duel disk.
"Celtic Guardian! Come forth!" Yami commanded, placing the monster card on the duel disk. The swordsman deftly appeared from a portal of darkness.
"Attack but don't hit the tree!" Yugi commanded. The group watched as the elf attempted to slash a green one when it disappeared into the bark of the tree. It then reappeared, giggling.
"Attacking them directly won't work! You have to knock them down first!" The Sage of Forest advised.
"How do we do that?" Joey wondered. Tristan grabbed his arm.
"Lets tackle the base of the tree together!" Tristan replied. Joey nodded. Serenity joined their side.
"I'll help!" Serenity added and they rushed the tree. In tag-team fashion, they rammed their shoulders into the tree's base. The others watched as the monsters fell to the ground but quickly hopped towards the shaken trio.
"Oh no! The guys are in trouble!" Florensia exclaimed. It was then young Saria reached for her belt, where a pouch waited. She thrust her hand inside and it came back out holding a short white bladed sword that gave off a soft green glow. She rushed the enemies.
"Hey! You goopy fiends! Over here!" Saria shouted. The monsters turned in time to see Saria letting loose with a horizontal slash that eliminated two of the red gel monsters. Tristan then reached into an ankle sheath and pulled out his metal rod.
"Meet my equalizer!" Tristan taunted as he struck one of the green gel monsters and watched as it dissipated. Joey however, was not so lucky with a red one. As he punched it, his fist got stuck in the red gel. The monster turned into a red orb that surrounded his hand and it quickly applied a ton of pressure, making Joey shout out in pain. Joey frantically shook the trapped hand.
"Let go of me you giant booger!" Joey shouted as he punched it into the water. Joey's fist hit the bottom and the monster vanished.
"Yugi! Now!" Saria shouted as she cut another red one down. Yugi nodded.
"Go Celtic Guardian! Attack!" Yugi urged. The Celtic Guardian laid waste to several of the monsters and Saria and Tristan wiped out the rest. The group met on a large lily pad summoned by the Great Deku Tree. The Celtic Guardian vanished and the lily pad rose like an elevator. The group now stood at eye level with the tree's face.
"I thank you for ridding me of those foul beasts," the Deku Tree thanked, "I fear if you hadn't been here, I might have perished. But I dare ask what brings you all to my wood?"
"Honorable Deku Tree. This child is the daughter of the legendary ones. She and her cohorts have come for the sacred pearl," The Sage of Forest explained. The tree gave a nod and the group watched as it shook its upper branches. As it did, a bright green light flew towards the group and it stopped in front of Saria's face. The light was actually an emerald pearl with a symbol that resembled multiple crescent shapes forming a circle. Saria grabbed it and put it into her side pouch.
"So, child of the wind, your father saw fit to give you the family magic pack. Maybe you have the ability to follow in his footsteps," The Deku Tree addressed.
"What do you know of my father? Has he told you of his adventures?" The tree nodded.
"Will you tell me about them?" The tree shook its head.
"That is your parent's job, not mine." Saria frowned.
"I see that you also have the Triforce Amulet. If you're going to restore its power, go further upstream and you'll reach the Shrine of Life. There, you can restore the amulet's power," The Deku Tree added. Saria reached for the amulet on her throat and nodded. Saria had always found it strange that her father never told her of his adventures. She knew he was a hero, but he didn't know what he had done to get there.
"Hey guys, I had better take care of this amulet. You guys go ahead and duel Florensia. I'll be back as soon as I can," Saria said. The group nodded except for Serenity.
"I'll go with you," Serenity declared.
"You sure you want to go?" Saria asked. Serenity nodded.
"It's not safe to go alone. That's why I'm going with you."
"That settles it then. The girls will head to the shrine, while we boys stay here and watch Yugi and Teran's duel," Tristan said.
"Don't worry guys! We'll be back before you know it!" Saria said and the rest of the group watched as they jogged up stream.
"OK. Set up over on that grass patch and we'll begin this duel!" Florensia ordered. Moments later, all players had their five card hands ready and Joey, Tristan, and Saria standing by. Yugi then focused and merged spirits with Yami, bringing him to the duel.
"OK, guys! Time to duel! I play Harpie Lady (1300/1400) in attack mode and also set two cards facedown to end my turn!" Florensia declared, her cards emerging in front of her.
That was her opening play last time so I should avoid summoning strong monsters right away. Yugi thought as he drew from his deck.
"I'll play one card facedown and summon the Feral Imp (1300/1400) in attack mode!" Yami declared, his green winged imp and facedown appearing in front of him.
Why did he play that throw away monster? There's no point in wasting a Trap Hole on that weak thing! Florensia thought as Teran drew.
What do I do? If this is like Saria and Joey's duel, those cards are Trap Holes. I should probably defend. Teran thought.
"I'll play a monster in defensive mode to end my turn," Teran declared, his monster appearing in attack mode.
"What the?"
"Your move activated my Shadow of Eyes trap card. Your Throwstone Unit (900/2000) is now revealed!" Florensia declared. Teran gasped as his soldiers and catapult waited to attack.
"Figures," Joey mumbled, "Florensia isn't as dumb as she looks. She made a different opening play than what when she played Saria and me!"
"That's correct! I'm not some amateur. I vary my plays to keep my enemy off guard. Teran, you'll have to take your game up a few notches if you hope to come close to beating me!" Florensia laughed. Teran frowned.
"I don't have any other move to make," Teran said.
"Good, because I've got an excellent move for you both! I first summon Birdface (1600/1600) in attack mode," Florensia began, her multicolored hawk-like monster appearing next to her Harpie.
"Now, it shall attack Yugi's imp! Birdface! Strike down the imp!" Florensia commanded. Yami grinned as his imp was clawed to shreds.
"Thank you. You've activated my trap card! Behold! My Magic Sacrifice card!" Yami warned, his trap revealing itself. Florensia gritted her teeth.
"What does that do?"
"It lets me sacrifice the monster you used to destroy my monster and summon a magician-type monster in its place! I'll sacrifice Birdface in order to summon the Dark Magician Girl (2000/1700)!" Yugi explained. Birdface vanished only to reappear as Yugi's female magician.
"Of course, this trap costs 500 life points, but it's worth every point," Yami added. He grinned as he stared down Florensia.
"Do you want to attack with your Harpie? Or are you going to play it safe?" Yami warned.
"It's still my move, and I'll pick off your partner's monster," Florensia replied and that's what Harpie Lady did.
"Now my turn is over, but I would watch out," Florensia warned.
"Your threats don't scare us! We can take you out one two three!" Teran shot back as Yugi drew.
"That's right! Now, I'll place two cards facedown and send my Dark Magician Girl to obliterate your Harpie Lady!" Yugi declared. The Dark Magician flew over towards Harpie Lady.
"Dark Magician Girl! Shoot down Harpie Lady with dark burning attack!" Yami commanded. The Dark Magician Girl spun gracefully then swung its staff towards Harpie Lady. In a brief flash of pink magic, Harpie Lady vanished as well as 700 of Florensia's life points.
"Savor that hit Yugi! I will do whatever it takes to beat you," Florensia warned.
"It'll have to wait until after my turn!" Teran shot as he drew.
"For this turn, I'll knock off your trap with Bait Doll!" Teran began. The group watched as the Trap Hole card Florensia hid vanished.
Now what do I do? This hand is the pits, but maybe this combo will buy us some time. Teran thought as he reached for his hand.
"Feeling lucky Florensia? I place one monster in defense mode and throw one card facedown on the field to end my turn!" Teran declared.
"You don't scare me kid! I can handle whatever you threw on the field, but first, I have some major work to do. I'll first remove both my Harpie Lady and Birdface from the game in order to special summon Garuda the Wind Spirit (1600/1200) and Silpheed (1700/700) both in attack mode," Florensia began, her hawk-headed biped monster and her white-clothed, scepter bearing monsters appearing on the field.
"So what if you got two monsters on the field at once? They're both weaker than Yugi's Dark Magician Girl. You wasted your monsters!" Teran pointed out. Florensia grinned.
"Not so! I'm sacrificing Garuda in order to summon Child of Winds (2000/1400) in attack mode!" Florensia pointed back, her monster now on the field.
"Big deal. That monster has the same attack as the Dark Magician Girl. In a head to head fight, it'll be a standoff," Tristan shouted.
"Not if I play my Rising Air Current field card!" Yugi, Yami and Teran gasped.
"Now my warrior is 500 points stronger than Yugi's Dark Magician Girl. So try this on for size Yugi! Child of Winds! Strike down Yugi's mage!" Florensia commanded, but Yami was ready.
"Not so fast! Activate facedown card! Magical Hats!" Yami interrupted, "Now you'll have to find my Dark Magician Girl to destroy her!"
"Oh yeah! I love this move!" Joey cheered.
"This duel is intense. Saria and Serenity are gonna hate themselves for missin' this," Tristan added. Joey glanced over at his friend.
"The shrine isn't far from here. They'll be back before you can say Deku Nuts," The Sage of Forest giggled.
"Well Florensia. What hat will you strike first? But I warn you! Strike the wrong hat and you'll be very sorry," Yami warned.

MEANWHILE, DEEP IN THE FOREST...

"How much farther? Do you have any idea?" Serenity asked.
"Yeah, we're there," Saria replied. The girls were standing on a large white rock, overlooking a beautiful field of flowers. At the edge of the field was a large rock wall where water draped down in a large waterfall. But the water never touched the ground. Instead, the water cascaded into a stone arch that led the water around into the stream. Below that arch was a pedestal of stone surrounded by deep blue water. The pedestal itself was being constantly drenched by water that splashed off the arch.
"That's it alright. That's the purification shrine," Saria declared.
"Good. So lets get down there," Serenity said. Saria nodded and the girls climbed down and jogged towards the shrine. As they neared it, they noticed one other thing. Near the pond that gathered around the pedestal, the shore was covered in thick brown mud.
"Yuck! You think your sage friend would take care of this," Serenity noticed.
"Yeah. But she doesn't for a good reason. This mud is therapeutic. It's good for your skin. We should try to get in a mud bath before you guys leave. Believe me: Fifteen minutes in this stuff, wipe it off and your skin shines with purity," Saria said proudly as she pulled off her shoes and socks. Serenity sat down on a nearby stump while she watched Saria undress. Serenity watched as Saria pulled off her belt, side pouch, shorts, T-shirt, duel disk watch and her hair tie. Saria then reached into her discarded shorts and pulled out the amulet. She put it around her neck and waded out through the mud in a lavender bikini. As she neared the water though, she suddenly sank down to her waist.
"Saria! Are you OK?" Serenity shouted. Saria tried to pull herself out when she began to sink further. Serenity promptly pulled off her shoes and socks and waded out.
"Wait! Don't come out!" Saria warned as Serenity neared her. As Serenity's foot neared Saria, she too suddenly sank down to her waist next to Saria.
"Sorry," Serenity apologized.
"That's OK. We must have stepped into a sinkhole. We shouldn't move too much or we might sink further," Saria warned.
"What do we do then?"
"No sudden movements. I'll figure a way out of this," Saria assured her.
That is, if I was allowed to use magic power. But I haven't been taught any spells yet! Oh! What am I gonna do? Teran, Saria, Yugi, Joey, Tristan! Please! Someone help us! Saria prayed. But her thoughts were interrupted when she suddenly sank down to her armpits. That was enough to make Serenity panic.
"Joey! Tristan! Yugi! Teran! Someone! Please help us!" Serenity screamed. Saria too was overcome with fear. Saria had didn't have any ideas on how to get out.

MEANWHILE, AT THE DEKU TREE...

"Your hat trick is in vain Yugi. I know where your magician hides," Florensia said calmly. Yami merely stood there, totally focused.
"If you're so sure, then move," Yami replied, just as calm.
"It's a shame I have to destroy you, but I have to win! Child of Winds! Attack with cross wind blast!" Florensia commanded. Everyone watched as the child drew a sword and swung it twice, forming an 'X' shaped energy beam. The child then fired it towards Yugi.
If she hits the right hat, we're in trouble! Yugi thought when a voice in a pleading tone entered his mind.
Yugi! Somebody! Anybody! Please! We need help! A familiar voice pleaded. Yugi and Yami gasped as the blast hit the hat.
"Saria?" They thought when everything white from the explosion.