Chapter 3: Blade of Fire and Shadow

In middle of the forest of Shad, Yugi and Tea continue their journey. It is a thick forest: barely enough light resides to see. The tree limbs are so long that they virtually block out the sun. Tea leads Yugi toward the path to their destination. Both started this trip only a couple of days ago, but Yugi forgot to ask an important question to Tea.

"Where are going," he says to Tea.

"We are going to a base in the Gannet Plains." Tea answers. "It will be a while before we get there."

"What do we do when we get there?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. My orders were to recruit you; they said they'd explain later."

"Got to love military protocol."

Sarcastically Tea answers," Yeah, right."

The joke gives both of them a good chuckle, until a group of four blades unsuspecting is thrown in front of Tea. Both Yugi and Tea look up on the treetops of the forest to see two Dark Assailants. Their skull masks disguised their true faces as they held four throwing blades in each hand. Both Yugi and Tea get in their battle stances ready to assault the fiends if they attempt another attack.

Yugi says to the Assailants," What business do you have here fiends."

The first Assailant answers," We come on behalf our benevolent master, Seto Kaiba."

The second Assailant follows saying," It is his decree that you two be eliminated immediately."

"Neither of you don't stand a chance against me," Yugi says.

"It is not us who will take you on," both Assailants reply in unity. "It is our commander."

From the cloak of the shadows emerges a purple, muscular warrior with a jagged blade of yellow. Across his face resides a fiendish smile that pierces through the darkness. With a snicker of wicked delight the warrior introduces himself.

"I am the Swordstalker," he says. "My orders are to take you down."

Yugi comments saying," I sense your power is weaker than mine."

"That may be, but not for long." In an instant the yellow blade the Swordstalker holds transforms into another blade of dark metal, with a force of energy illuminating from it. Continuing he says," This is called the Sword of Dark Destruction. A powerful blade that increases its user's strength greatly and this one has twice the power of a regular one. Now, let's see who is the stronger?"

Yugi knows he is out powered, but he says," You may out match me in strength, but it takes more than strength to win a battle."

"We shall see."

Yugi and the Swordstalker commence in a stare down, either one waiting for the other to move. Yugi observes the duo of Assailants above in the trees, noting them for further reference. Looking into the eyes of the Stalker, Yugi tries to read if he will make the first move. Neither one showed the slightest sign of making the first move, until the Stalker suddenly lunged out at Yugi. Before the blade even got close to Yugi, a strange aura glows around Yugi. Despite this development the Stalker prepares to strike Yugi. Yugi blocks with his staff and holds his ground.

"You should be dead by now," the Stalker says. "Your defense should be much weaker than my strength."

"Yeah, but the Reliable Guarding spell gives a person a great boost of defense," Yugi says. "I would say now we are in a stale mate, but one of use has to move."

Both releases form their positions and begin to battle again. Although Yugi is weaker than the Stalker, his great speed and agility give him enough time to avoid the blows.

Meanwhile, Tea wishes to help Yugi, until the duo Assailants appear above her.

"Not so fast miss," the duo says in unison. "You death falls upon us." With almost lightening fast reflects the duo bombards Tea with a barrage of knives. As the knives approach Tea calls out to Yugi.

Distracted by Tea's call Yugi lowers his guard. Stalker sees this as an opportunity and uses all his might to strike Yugi. Even though he barely misses Yugi, Yugi feels the resulting aftershock, which is more than enough to strike him down to the ground. Yugi falls to ground with the right half of his uniformed blasted into ribbons. With Yugi on the ground and the knives approaching Tea, it appears that only a miracle can save them.

Before the knives can strike Tea, a mysterious figure rushes from the shadows and knocks away the knives before they strike. Dumfounded by this development the duo of Assailants gazes at the figure cloaked in shadow.

Meanwhile, the Stalker's blade is about to strike though the body of Yugi, but another mysterious figure appears. This figure releases a blade with a chain that wraps around the Sword that the Stalker holds. As the chain holds the blade from completing its task, the Stalker becomes infuriated and turns to see this unknown figure. Yugi looks to the direction the blade comes from and can barely make out the figure him.

The Swordstalker says," Who ever you are, you're going to regret..." Before he can complete his comment, the figure releases a smoke bomb that spreads across the field. At the same time the other figure that protected Tea releases his own smoke bomb. With the field covered in smoke the Stalker and his Assailants cannot see their surroundings.

When the field clears of smoke, the three examine there surroundings to find that the mysterious figures as well Tea and Yugi have vanished.

After the Assailants return to the Stalker, the first one says," Sir, there is no sign of the enemy."

The second continues saying," They appeared to have vanished."

At first the thought of this angers the Stalker, but he clams down after a minute and says," No problem, there is only one place that they would go, and when they get their, we'll be waiting."

**********

Yugi could not see anything at first, but as he slowly opened his eyes he began to survey his surroundings. Next to his side was Tea, bandaging his wounds that he had endured. Around the forests was the scene of a small waterfall with a pond that it led into. Yugi looks at Tea wondering what had occurred. He tries to get up form the ground, but his wounds prevent him from rising to far without feeling pain.

Tea says to Yugi," Relax. You're still injured from that last attack."

Yugi asks," What happened?"

"We were attacked, they saved us."

"Who?"

"Us!" a voice calls out from the distance.

Yugi turns his head to see two men standing at the side of him. The first was a warrior with blonde hair and green eyes, equipped with a sword of red metal, dressed in garments of navy and red, with a helmet. The second looked like a warrior, but more like a cyborg with brown hair and brown eyes equipped with combat jeans and boats with a small arsenal mounted on his back.

"The names Joey, the Flame Swordsman," the red warrior says.

"My name is Tristan, the Cyber Commander," says the cyborg.

"I see," says Yugi. "My name is..."

"Yugi, I know. You're friend Tea told us," says Joey, completing Yugi sentence.

"I thank for saving us. Now I must ask why you two are here. I thought that nobody lived in this forest. "

"Well its part of are job, we're treasure hunters."

"Treasure hunters?" asks Yugi.

"Yes," says Tristan. "We are treasure hunters extraordinary. We seek the furthest treasure of the world. It just so happens there is tale of a treasure that exists in this forest. "

"We were looking near your location, until we heard the battle going on," Joey adds.

"Thank goodness you came when you did," says Tea.

"Thank you again, "adds Yugi." Yet we must go now, we need to get to the Gannet Plains."

"Wait Yugi," cautions Tea. "There is only one safe way out of this forest and you're in no condition to fight. We best wait till morning to leave."

"Good idea, you can stay the night with us," says Joey to Yugi.

"We couldn't imply."

"I insist. The creatures of the night aren't very friendly, and in you're condition, you would stand much of a chance. Best do as Tea says and wait till morning when you're a little better."

"Very well, until morning then."

**********

In the isolation of night Yugi sees himself, tide to a rack of some kind. The sight of flames and desolation surrounds his battered body. In the flames the dark figure emerges from the flames to reveal a figure cloaked in shadow. The voice says to him," You're too weak." The figure lets out a hideous laughter until Yugi opens his eye form the dream he had witnessed.

Yugi finds himself back at the site in the forests. No light can be seen except the light of the stars and the moon. Tea sleeps away from Yugi, Tristan sleeps on the ground farther from the group, and Joey sits in the middle of the group standing watch for any unforeseen enemies of the dark. He slowly moves his eyes toward Joey who stares at the sky. A look in Joey's eyes depicts a hint of some sorrowful emotion that lies in his heart

Yugi ask in a low voice to Joey," Why are you really out here."

Responding in an equally low voice, Joey says," Yugi, I didn't know you were up. You should really get some sleep."

"Magicians heal fast. Besides, I can that you're not out her just for money, so why are you?"

"If you must know, it's for my sister, Serenity."

"Your sister?"

"Yes, about two months ago, I found out my sister was going blind. There is a healer who can help her, but it will cost a lot of money. Tristan and I knew that neither of us could afford the cost, so we strengthened ourselves and decided to search for some big score that could help my sister Serenity. Yet, treasure is not as abundant as it uses to be, some warlord has been claiming all the treasures for himself."

Thinking to himself, Yugi thinks of the name of that man Kaiba.

"So, you friend Tea never explained why you two were out here."

"We're meeting a few people over at the Gannet Plains; we thought this way would be shorter."

"It is, but you must be in a hurry to want to risk the dangers of this place."

"Yes…in a big hurry."

"Well, it will be light soon. You better get some sleep before light. You'll need all the energy you can get."

At that note Yugi goes to sleep again, but not before he takes one last look a Joey staring in the sky again.

**********

The next morning, the group of Joey, Tristan, Tea, and Yugi have gotten near the exit of the forest. Yugi's cloths are now repaired as they say their final good-byes.

Tea says to Joey and Tristan," Thank you for your hospitality."

Tristan responds," Think nothing of it."

Yugi and Joey shake hands goodbye as Joey says to Yugi, "Goodbye Yugi."

" Goodbye Joey," Yugi responds. "Yet before I go, I wish to give you a gift."

"A gift?"

"I may have little money, but here is another friend to help you with your treasure hunting."

Yugi points his staff at the floor as says," I summon the spellcaster, Time Wizard."

A small clock watch like being with arms and legs with a cape and a staff with a spinner on the top appears on the field. Yugi says to the watch," Time, I wish for you to help Joey."

Time Wizard responds," Yes sir, Yugi."

With that said Time Wizard approaches Joey and says," Nice to meet you boss."

Joey responds to Yugi," Yugi are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I'm sure you'll find Time's help invaluable. Consider him a thank you for you hospitality."

"…Thank you Yugi."

"It's no problem."

With that said Yugi and Tea head for the exit of the forest, Joey and Tristan wave goodbye until the two are out of sight.

Tristan responds," So Joey, you want to continue searching for that treasure?"

Joey remains silent, but looks down at the Time Wizard at his feet.

Wondering if his friend may be a little deaf, Tristan continues to say," Uh, Joey. Can you hear me?"

**********

Later, at the exit of the forest, Yugi and Tea exit and with a sigh of relief Tea says," We made it."

A voice from behind her corrects her saying," Not quite!"

The two turn to see the Swordstalker behind them and turn again to see his two Dark Assailants in front of him. Within a minute the Swordstalker rushes toward Yugi and Tea, ready to slice them in two. Seeing as how Yugi has not yet fully recovered, he is in not shape to even block the bow. Plus, with the Dark Assailants blocking the way it seemed there was no escape from the thrust of the stalker's blade.

Yet, just before he strikes them, a chain like the one before emerges form the forest and grabs the blade again. The stalker looks to see the same assailants as before, only this time their faces can be seen in the light. It is Joey who through the chain and Tristan is right beside him.

Swordstalker looks annoyed as he says," You, again? You're becoming a pain in my side. I'll finish you once and for all."

As Yugi and Tea watch all that transpires, Joey tells Tristan," Take out those guys in the front, I'll handle this guy myself."

With great agility Tristan jumps in the front of the Assailants as the Swordstalker charges with the chain around his sword toward Joey.

When Tristan lands, the first Assailants comments by saying," Nice acrobatics."

The second Assailant closes saying," But you'll need more than agility to stop us."

The two throw a barrage of spikes that are aimed toward Tristan, but Tristan bounces them back like they were nothing. Surprised by this development the Assailants wonder why that their attack was ineffective. Tristan smiles beneath his mask as he says," I guess no one told you that I've had a few machine upgrades."

Tristan charges toward the Assailants at great speed and knocks them both out with a swift tuning kick. As the Assailants hit the ground they disintegrate into a cloud of particles. With that out of the way Tristan joins the crowd of Tea and Yugi as they redirect their attention back to Joey.

With mighty speed Swordstalker approaches Joey, ready to strike. Yet, as Joey and Swordstalker prepare to strike each other, an orange aura appears around both warriors. In an instant, the orange aura changes from orange to green. Joey pulls on the chain in one hand and takes hold his sword in the other hand, then prepares to counter the Swordstalkers blow with one of his own.

Finally the sword of the Swordstalker and Joey the Flaming Swordsman collide against each other. In a surprising development, the sword of Joey's breaks through the blade of the Swordstalker's double reinforced Sword of Dark Destruction. The Swordstalker lets out a scream of terror as Joey's blade cuts through the Swordstalker's blade and causes the Swordstalker to disintegrate into a cloud of particles.

In the light of victory Joey holds up his sword and yells his victory.

"Yeah, I beat you man," he says. "Don't go messing with Joey the Flaming Swordsman because you'll get burned."

In spite of his parading, Yugi, Tea, and Tristan, walk up to Joey.

"That was incredible," Tea says.

"I must inquire," Yugi says. "How were you able to defeat the Swordstalker? That Kunai with chain dropped his strength, but that still should have been more than enough to destroy you."

"It's and old warriors spell," says Joey. "It's called Sword and Shield; it was able to swap both our attack and defensive powers. I knew his swords gave him great power, but it lowered his defense more. With that double reinforced sword his defensive power was lower than mine."

"There is one thing I don't get," asks Tea. "If you had that ability all this time, why didn't you finish him off the first time?"

"I can explain that," says Tristan, as he picks up the remains of the Sword of Dark Destruction on the ground. "This double reinforced sword has value on the open market. If we had tried a frontal assault, then the sword would have been destroyed. We though if we led you out we could track down the Swordstalker and take him by surprise."

Yugi laughs at the thought that they saved them for a sword. Yet, considering the stakes at risk with Joey's sister, it wasn't too hard to imagine.

"Well it's a waste that we can't even salvage this junk," says Tristan.

Yugi stops chuckling and thinks of an idea. "Maybe there is," he says. "Joey, perhaps Time Wizard could be of some assistance."

"I'll give it a try," Joey says. "I summon the spellcaster, Time Wizard."

Time Wizard appears on the field and awaits Joey's instructions. Showing Time the broken sword, Joey asks," Time, could you rebuild this sword before I destroyed it?"

"I'll give it a try," Time Wizard says. Placing his staff around the pieces of Sword he releases his wave of power, calling out," Time Magic!"

In a near instant the sword that was once broken is now restored to its former glory, one day before. After the sword is finished, Time says," All done boss."

Joey picks up the sword and holds it up, after examining it for a few second, Joey says," Good as new."

Joey tosses it to Tristan who also examines it. "Better even," he says.

After the two lets out laughter of joy, they pick up the Time Wizard giving him three cheers. Afterwards, Joey summons the Time Wizard back and goes over to Yugi.

"Thanks a bunch Yug," says Joey. "Yet I now I have a question for you. Tristan and I were wondering, why was that Swordstalker after in the first place?"

"Yugi," says Tea. "I think we better explain."

After agreeing with Tea, she and Yugi take several minutes to explain the gravity of the situation with Kaiba, and the rebel forces. Joey and Tristan start to add things up and make sense out of there friend predicament.

"That explains a lot," says Joey. "This Kaiba seems to be that warlord that has been claiming all the worlds' treasures."

"Which would explain why he could afford such good craftsmanship," says Tristan.

"Now you know," says Yugi.

"Well that settles it," says Joey. "We'll have to come with you."

"What?!" everyone says, especially Tristan, who is extremely surprised by this development.

Joey continues saying," This Kaiba jerk seems to be real trouble. You'll need all the help you can get."

Tristan stands in front of Joey saying," Joey, are you crazy. What about the treasure of this forest?"

Whispering to Tristan, Joey tells him," Don't worry about it, we'll come back for it later. Besides, can you image what kind of rewards we'll find if we help them? Kaiba must have a mountain load of treasure somewhere, and if these guys defeat him, can you imagine our share."

After thinking of about it for a minute, Tristan's eyes sparkle with the thought of all the gold that they could claim. It would be enough to help Serenity and then some.

Whispering back to Joey, Tristan replies," Joey, I hope you're right. This Kaiba is supposed to be one really powerful guy, but if it means saving you're sister in time, then I guess we have no choice."

Whispering back Joey says," Trust me, this is the big score we've been waiting for."

After the group stops arguing, Joey says to Yugi and Tea," So, what do you say?"

"I don't know," says Yugi. "What do you think Tea?"

After examining the two seeming goofy looking characters, Tea says," Well… We could use the extra help, so…Okay, you guys can come along."

"Great," the two say.

Joey comes over to Yugi and says," Looks like we're partners now."

Yugi extends his hand and shakes Joey's who is politely shakes back. Yugi then says," Welcome aboard."

"Now," Joey says," On to the Gannet Plains."

So, their new companions Joey the Flaming Swordsman and Tristan the Cyber Commander join Yugi the Dark Magician and Tea the Magician of Faith in their journey to the Gannet Plains. Within their hearts and minds lies the prospect of new challenges to conquer and new rewards to receive.