Chapter 8

Star Wheel Trials Debated

Everyone was down at the table by early light, for they had all become accustomed to the routines of the Royal Palace. Jenny came down in her Egyptian gown and took at seat at the table next to Seto and Alec, who were both dressed in Egyptian attire. Seto wore his blue outfit, which matched Mage Seth's out fit of blue with out the ankh, symbol on it.

Alec was in a white shirt with tank top that was kind of low cut but not showing anything, Sara, Melissa, Jade, Tea, and Mai had the same thing on just with different variations to them. Jenny was the only one who was in a dress, and she hated it, but since she was to be the Seer she would need to fit her part in the court if call upon by the Pharaoh at any time.

Pharaoh Amenhotep came down the hall followed by his son and daughter. Amenhotep did not show a sign from his mental fight with Jenny the night before; however, Jenny showed her pain in her eyes. Amenhotep saw this easily by looking at her, he hit her harder then he thought. Amenhotep had a small cut on his face from the blade strike Jenny had made, that was all the evidence he had but unseen unless looked for.

Seto saw the exhaustion in his daughter face as she struggled to swallow food with out squinting to force it down. "Jenny, are you alright," he asked in a quiet tone. Jenny sat up, "I am fine, just a little tired," she said, glancing at the Pharaoh then back to her food. Yugi, Joey, Mai and Andy watched from the other side of the table as Jenny answered her father, Seto did not catch the glance at the Pharaoh, however they did.

Prince Orin stood up after meal was completed, "Father it is time for me to continue my studies," he pronounced. Pharaoh Amenhotep smiled, "Good, then take Jennifer Kaiba with you, she must learn all she can before starting the Star Wheel Trials tonight," he said. Alec, Seto, Yugi, Andy, Kate, Melissa, and Andy all spat out their food, "WHAT!" they all said. Pharaoh Amenhotep looked at them, "Jenny is being tested on the Star Wheel tonight," he said.

Seto stood up, "Pharaoh Amenhotep, I have to object," he said. "Jenny just recovered from the poison, it isn't safe to put her there yet," said Alec worried. The Pharaoh looked at Seto and Alec hard, "She is stronger then you think Kaiba and Alexandra, and Jennifer is ready for the Star Wheel Trials," he said.

Alec did not agree with this, "I don't agree," she said standing up next to Seto, "Jenny isn't strong enough to keep her food down," she said pointing as Jenny squinted trying just to get something down which was juice. The Pharaoh looked at Jenny, "Are you going to let them speak for you?" he asked.

Jenny took a deep breath after putting down her goblet, and looked at her concerned parents she then looked back at the Pharaoh and let out her breath. Yugi stood up "Pharaoh Amenhotep! Please let Jenny rest one more night, she isn't…" "I am strong enough!" interrupted Jenny in an angry tone, "Don't under estimate me, Uncle Yugi, Mom, Dad, or Andy and Kate. This is my choice, I spoke with Pharaoh Amenhotep about this last night he and I have agreed that I am ready, I think, no change that, I know I am ready for this," she spoke in a determined voice.

Everyone at the table except Pharaoh Amenhotep, Prince Orin, and Melissa were all awe struck by Jenny's determination. "I can do this, and how dare all of you to say I am not strong enough yet, I am too," she spoke with a strong tone of voice, "I can do this and I will," she stood up and walked out of the room toward the hall leading to the library of knowledge.

Seto and Alec watched their youngest daughter walk away from the table in the presence of the Pharaoh, and everyone else, the looked as if she had taken a leather glove and smacked both of them across the face. Yugi sat down and rubbed his head, "Jenny doesn't know what she is doing," he said.

The Pharaoh looked at Yugi and the other adults then at his children, "Orin go and help Jenny study and prepare for tonight and Melissa make sure she is dress properly tonight, I don't want any thing to wrong about her you know what I mean," he said. Melissa nodded and Orin left for the library to help get Jenny prepared for the trials. "Princess," he started, "I know," she said, "leave and find something to do," she got up and left the room.

Andy and Kate looked at each other from across the table; Mai, Joey, Troy, Seto, Alec, Yugi, Tea, Matt, and Jade looked at the Pharaoh. "You all know what trials Jenny is about to starting tonight," he started. "I can't believe your putting in that torture chamber," snapped Alec quickly. Seto put his hand on Alec's back trying to clam her down, "Pharaoh, why now?" he asked trying to hold his anger in, "Why can't this wait? She isn't well enough yet she isn't thinking straight."

The Pharaoh shook his head, "Kaiba, I wish that we had more time, but the war is growing, we need the armors and Jennifer is the only one if, not, when, she passes the trials can protect this city while all of you fine the last of the armors.

"No, I won't stand for it," said Andy. "Nor will I, Jenny doesn't need to be put through another mental strain right now, she been beaten enough we saw it in her this morning," said Kate worried.

"Kathleen Kaiba, if I don't start Jenny tonight on it, when? We do not know when the next attack will be; your Monsters are strong but will not take much to defeat them, now, our enemy has seen your powers and will soon find away around them and defeat us all," said the Pharaoh in a salmon tone as if this wasn't an easy decision to make. Sara shook her head, "We can fight with what we have," she said, "If Jenny makes it through the trials she will know the rest of the armors locations giving us the advantage and a safe guard."

Alec turned and looked at her sister, "Please tell me your not siding with Amenhotep," she pleaded, "We are talking about my youngest daughter's life here." Melissa looked at her Aunt, "We are also talking about the lives of entire kingdom, Aunt Alec, would rather them go out to fight in a hopeless battle knowing full well they don't have a chance, or Jenny puts herself to the test and protects them giving a chance," she snapped.

Seto looked at Alec, "I know that you want to protect her as much as I do, but Jenny is stronger then we both think she is, she can do this," he said not only trying to convince Alec but himself about his daughter.

Alec looked up at Seto, "Please say you're not siding with them, now, Seto," she said. Seto sat down, "I am Alec, I can see the point that Melissa and Sara, with our monsters alone this city won't say protected long they will find away to break all of us and then what is left? With out the armors and the monster we have are all sitting ducks."

Alec looked at Yugi, "Please say that you're siding with me?" she pleaded to her younger brother. Yugi looked at his sister, "Yes, but then again Alec; Seto, Sara and Melissa do have a valid point, but if Jenny doesn't pass were all doomed anyway, I think it is best to put her in the trial while she is at her best." "I second," said Andy, "I third," said Kate. "I forth," said Tea. Mai, Joey and Troy had not said a word throughout the whole discussion.

"Joey your opinion matters here Mai and Troy's too, you are all part of the royal court, like the rest of us, like it or not we need your vote on this," said Alec. Jade and Matt sat and watched for their opinion had not been questioned yet.

Joey leaned back in his chair, "I am going with Melissa, Sara, and Seto, Alec," he said. Mai looked at Joey, "I am with you Alec, Yugi, Tea, Andy, and Kate" she said, "What chances do we have even if she fails, it would be a waste of her life and our time." Everyone turned their eyes two the last three people at the table, Matt, Jade, and Troy who now were in the hot seats.

They were the final vote, "Matt?" asked Kate. Matt shook his head, "Jenny, has this right, if she thinks she is ready I say have her go for it, but I also think she should wait, I am going to wait on my answer," he said. Troy and Jade were the deciding votes if Matt chooses to go with or without Jenny taking the trial.

Troy sighed, "If we don't do something soon then it is over for all of us," he said, "I am sorry Alec, Andrew, Kate, I am taking Melissa, Sara, Seto, Pharaoh Amenhotep, Dad's and Jenny's side on this."

"The vote stands at six to six," said Pharaoh Amenhotep, "if Jade chooses to side with either and Troy decides either, they will balance the scale." Alec looked at the table, "Then we are condemning my youngest to death," said Alec.

"Alec!" said Sara, "If we don't do something soon everyone is going to die and Jenny will too, it's a lose, a lose situation right now," she said. "Sara is right Alec, I am taking her side," said Jade in a quiet salmon tone of voice.

Alec looked at Matt, "Matt?" she asked. Matt sighed, "If I continue to say neither then the vote passes, so I am going to pick a side, I love Jenny, she is like another sister to me, Alec, she is a good friend I hate to see this happen to her, but this is her decision. Alec I am sorry, but I am pick Amenhotep's side," he let out a huge breath as if a large stone just sat on his heart.

"Then it is decided, the royal court says that she is to go, then so be it," said Alec sitting down in her chair.

Pharaoh Amenhotep looked at Alec, "She will make it, have faith in your daughter, she is stronger then you think," he said. Alec looked at the Pharaoh and got up and left the hall, Seto followed after her, "Alec!" he said worried. Yugi and the others finished their meal in silence. Melissa got up and went to the library to inform Orin and Jenny of the court's decision even though it was the same from when they left a few moments ago.

"ALEC!" said Seto running down the hall leading to their room. Alec stopped in the middle of the hall, "What Seto?" she asked in a strong tone of voice. "Alec, don't fight this," he said moving closer to her. Alec turned around, tear filled her eyes "Seto, she is our daughter why are you going to let her do this?" she asked in an angry tone.

Seto sighed, "Alec, with out Jenny passing the trials now, would cut our time short to prepare, plane and stop this war from finishing itself on this city." Alec leaned against the wall, "Seto, she is only 16 years old, hasn't even been with a boy nor enjoyed life, ever since we let her hinder her powers she has been miserable and now we just going to send her to her death," she said in hysterics.

Seto hugged Alec, "I know," he said holding his crying wife. "You were her age once, you found strength then now it is her turn. Alec please, let our daughter have this chance, I know she can beat the trials," he confided in her.

Alec looked at Seto, "You really think she can do this?" she asked him. Seto released Alec from hug, "Yes, you need to put a little more effort into the thought Jenny has grown up in to a bright, strong, egotistical, and pig headed girl who is the best parts of me and you."

Alec leaned against a wall, "Seto there is more that you need to know be fore you finish, Jenny needs some one to help her in the last trial, she needs to be in love with that person by giving him her heart she doesn't have one remember? The person also can't be of family where is she going to find someone, to love in this time?" she asked.

Seto looked at Alec, "She wouldn't have taken on this task or trial unless she already had someone in mind," he said. Alec closed her eyes, "Fine, I will do what I have to but I am not going to watch my daughter die," she said and went into their room.

Seto rolled his eyes and walked back to the dinning room, "Sara, where is Amenhotep, I need to speak with him!" he shouted. "He went in to the throne room, he has business with the peasants, why what is wrong?" she asked Seto. Seto shook his head, "I am afraid that I may have made the wrong choice. This is Jenny!" he said. Sara shook her head, "Put some faith in her, she will be fine," she said grabbing Seto by the shoulders. "You know as well as I do that the last trial Jenny needs to choose…" Seto started when he caught a glance from the young princess across the room. "She has chosen, my brother," said Princess Jenna, and then she left.

The day pasted slowly, Jenny had spent the entire day preparing her mind for the trials. Prince Orin watched her closely, "Jenny you need to get some sleep, the trials last three days without sleep," he said worried. Jenny looked up from the scroll, "I am fine Orion," she said.

Orin looked at her, "But I am not fine with it," he said. Jenny looked at him, "To be honestly Orion, I don't care," she said in an angry voice "I am taking the trials tonight, what does it matter if I make it," she snapped. "Everything!" said Melissa entering the library, "you won't get anywhere if you work yourself to the bone," she said. Jenny looked up, "What would know about the trials?" she asked.

Melissa smirked, "I know enough, Jennifer Kaiba, you aren't going to sleep for more then 72 hours, I suggest you listen to the Prince," she said. Jenny looked up, "I have to finish this scroll on mind battling," she said looking back down at it. Melissa walked over to Jenny, "Mind battling? Why do you need that?" she asked. Jenny sat up, "I think Pharaoh Amenhotep was trying to give me a hit to my first trial which I think will be a mind battle," she said.

Melissa shook her head, "What ever, so how much do you have to learn?" she asked. Jenny pointed to a large pile of scrolls that she had pulled from the library stacks, Melissa shook her head, "That does it," she said taking the scroll away.

Jenny looked up, "Hey I wasn't done with that," she said. Melissa put the scroll in with the pile, "You want it then you're going to have to duel me for it," she said. Jenny shook her head, "What do you think I was doing?" she snapped. "Mind battling is Duel monsters, except you do it in your mind, want to try me out?" she asked.

Melissa shrugged, "What the heck, fine, a mind battle, umm, how?" Jenny smirked just close your eyes oh and this will be painful." Melissa closed her eyes, Jenny did not blink but Melissa seems to become nervous as the two fought in her mind. Melissa then suddenly fell to the ground, Jenny kept a laser like focus on her cousin with out blinking, and cuts appeared on her cousin's arms.

Prince Orin could not believe what he was seeing he shook Jenny once Melissa screamed out in pain. Jenny blinked and Melissa opened her eyes, "Wow," said Jenny getting a hold of her self. Melissa stood up, "ouch," she said looking at her arms, "How did you do that?" she asked with wonder.

"Mind battle, it is when you call duel monsters and they become one with your body, and then you battle. However when you get hurt by the weapons they appear in the real world, kicks and punches too," she said rubbing her side. "Jenny, where did you first learn this?" asked Melissa. Jenny looked at Melissa from the scroll, "Pharaoh Amenhotep thought me last night in my room," she said. "So that is what you and my father were doing," said Prince Orin.

"You saw?" she asked. Orin scratched his head, "No, I saw him go into your room last night before Melissa pushed you in there," he said. Jenny nodded, "Yeah, that is what happened, I had the Blue eyes white dragon armor, and he had Obelisk, but power punched me in the ribs, that is why I looked tired this morning my mental strain was too much last night to take in my condition. However, that is a different story now that I know more," she said.

Orin grabbed the scroll from Jenny, "I think you have had enough mind training and need to get some rest," he said. Jenny looked at him, "I told you both, I am fine, I don't need sleep," she yawned. Melissa and Orin raised eyebrows, "Really!" said Melissa "then how come you look like your going to fall asleep." Jenny forced her eyes open, "I am fine, just leave me to study," she snapped. Melissa rolled her eyes, "I am going to go tell the others, catch you two later."

Jenny looked at her cousin and shook her head, "Pain in the butt," she muttered. Orin raised an eyebrow, "Jennifer?" he asked. Jenny's head hit the table with a loud thud, Orin looked down at her, "She is asleep," he said with a small laugh, "Guess mind battles do wear you out."

Prince Orin took Jenny in his arm, now being older then her, he would be able to carry her easily, but not as simple as he first thought. He carried the sleeping Jenny all the way up to her room, he lay her, down on the bed, "You know you're peaceful when you're not angry or talking," he said in a quiet voice he moved some of her faded long purple bangs from her face, "Sleep well my Princess," he said and left the room.

Jenny dreams seemed to be a little more peaceful, she stood on the balcony next to Orion, and he smiled at her with his small mouth and ocean deep aqua eyes. "Orion," she groaned as he took her in his arms. "I don't think I can keep going," she said in a tired voice.

Orion held her up, "Just a few more hours then the last trial, Jenny, please stay strong, just past this last test tonight and all the knowledge that you seek to fine the armors will be uses and the city will be safe, keep fighting sleep," he said to her. Jenny wrapped her arms around him, "You know Orion, I think I am falling for you," she said in a tired voice not sure of what she was saying.

Orion looked at her, "Jena?" he said surprised to hear her say that. Jenny looked up at him, "Just take care of my family for me, I can't bear to see them sad for long," she whispered.

Orion stood up, gently pulling Jenny up to face him, "You aren't going to die in that trial, Jenny," he said. Jenny shook her head, "But no one has, filled this void I feel, how am I to battle that how am I suppose to give my heart to some one if I don't have one?" she said. Orion held her in his arms mostly because of her exhaustion, "You will fill it, I won't let my father kill you in there, I know who you can give it to, you just need to ask of him," he said.

Jenny awoke from the vision, "Jenny!" said Sara, "Wake up!" Jenny opened her eyes; it was nearly nightfall now, the sun was on the other side of the palace. "Aunt Sara! How did I?" she asked confused to see her new surrounding where her room. Sara shook her head, "You were brought up here after you passed out in the library," said Sara.

Jenny let out a sigh of relief, "But mind battling I haven't…" "Don't worry about that Jenny, just past this trial," interrupted Alec. Jenny sat up and looked at the door, "The Pharaoh has requested that you come down stairs now so that way he can begin the trials of the Star Wheel."

Jenny looked at her self, "What happened to my clothes?" she asked looking at her self. Melissa popped her head in the room, "You are be dresses as a bride because after the trials you become the Pharaoh's woman," she said.

Jenny pulled at the silk cloth that touched her soft white skin, "But, I…" she said. Alec looked at her daughter, "You must or the city will fall," she said knowing that she was going to have accepted the decision.

Jenny nodded, "To be the Pharaoh's woman is the same as a…" "Concubine," said Sara. Jenny looked at Melissa, "So much for avoiding that!" she sighed. Melissa smiled, "Just live and I will tease you later for it," she said. The women finished working on Jenny attire, since now that she was awake they could do her make up, which she completely dreaded since she came to ancient Egypt.

Next chapter in a few I am going to do some last minute tweaking and then show time.

My notes to reviewer will be in the next chapter.