One is better than none, I suppose.

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Disclaimer: See other chapters

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Flashback:

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"What is this thing you want me to do," Yuugioh asked the twin goddesses, hoping it wasn't going to take up too much more searching.

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"We will give you answers two."

"But do not let this simplicity overcome you."

"For you see, what you must find -"

"Are their questions, so take your time."

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"A shadow is the answer first."

"And duck is part of the second, but not the worst."

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"Then, when you have accomplished that -"

"There is still one thing for you to bring back."

"Tell us a riddle we cannot answer, or else we shall -"

"Not give you the golden of the raven's hair."

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((They want riddles?))

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Yuugioh understood Laurel's confusion - he still wasn't so sure about the idea himself. But a deal was a deal, and he had already agreed to it.

"I think the last won't be much of a problem; the first two are the ones I'm concerned about. What riddles are answered by 'A shadow' and the word 'duck'?"

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"Stupid ones?" Luster ventured, then yelped as Lupine smacked him over the head.

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"You're the one that likes to goof off, you should know time-wasting riddles like these," Lupine said.

"Uh, okay…what follows ya around all day but doesn't come near ya at night? A shadow!"

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Lupine gave Luster a weird look.

"What? Its da best I can do on short notice! Just ya wait, I got a million of 'em!"

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Lupine and Yuugioh both sighed.

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Days later, they were still pondering over the quest.

Luster was still spouting random bad jokes answered by something involving a duck and others answered by 'a shadow'; Lupine looked like he was about to throttle the darker conscious if this kept up.

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Laurel and Yuugioh did their respective Creaturely and godly duties as they both considered what possible questions the two sister goddesses might be seeking. There appeared to be no solution to the problem and by now Yuugioh was feeling exhausted mentally.

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As he added some food into the Village Store, he mused about things out loud.

"I've never been that fond of weird brain teasers…"

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"You should try to keep your hopes up, Master Yuugioh," Lupine said as he floated nearby.

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"How? I just don't like things like these…Layweh adores these sorts of challenges. I wish she was here."

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"You mean you miss me? Ah, you sweet little man!"

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Yuugioh yelped as Layweh's voice interjected itself into the scene, and he whirled to see the bright blue goddess herself. She was almost in hysterics by this point.

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"Layweh if I've told you once I've told you a thousand times - don't call me that damned name!"

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"But you - hah hah hah - are such a sweet - heh heh - adorable - hah - little man," Layweh gasped out between her barks of laughter.

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"And - what the devil are you doing on this island anyway?"

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"Weirdest thing actually," Layweh said, "I finally figured out how to open a vortex on my own, and when I hopped inside I ended up here. I'm still a little winded so I was going to rest up before opening one back home."

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"What about Baboom?"

"Still back there - I'll be surprised if she even notices I'm gone," Layweh said offhandedly. "So, what's this about wanting to see me? I'll bet you miss the melodious sound of my voice."

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"…No…"

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"Admit it! You missed the melodious sound of my voice!"

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Layweh giggled as Yuugioh made a low growling noise of irritation in the back of his throat. She did listen attentively when he finally explained his quandary.

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"Hmm…a riddle ending that involves a 'duck'? And another ending in 'a shadow'? Ooh, those are good ones," Layweh said with a gleam in her eye.

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"Great, I'm ecstatic you love them, now will you help me or not?"

"Say please."

"Please."

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"Say pretty please."

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"…Pretty please."

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"Say -"

"Layweh!"

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"That's my name," she quipped, "Okay, fine. This is probably considered cheating but -"

And Layweh whispered into Yuugioh's ear. Once she had finished speaking, she flew off with a cry of 'see you later!' and vanished into a vortex that had suddenly appeared.

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Lupine observed a bemused look on Yuugioh's face as he pondered whatever Layweh had told him.