Ch. 5: The History of Dueling
I smile at the waiting people warmly as I step onto the field, amides applause and some cheering. Most of the cheering and yelling was coming from the younger duelists.
"Good luck Ms. Yumi-san!!"
"You can do it!!"
"Nice costume Ms. Yumiko-san!!"
My eye twitches slightly at the kids who are yelling at me and I say in an irritated voice, "How many times have I told them not to call me 'Miss and/or San'?!"
Yami laughs as he says, "Now now, be kind. They are your biggest fans after all."
"Sometimes I wish they weren't. Those kids are relentless. Do you want to know why I'm such a good runner?!" A popping vein appears on my forehead and Yami laughs again.
"Let me guess," he says in a mocking voice, "Your fans, right? You sure don't seem like the running type…" Yami looks at me, thoughtful.
"What're you staring at?! I'm not some kind of bug to be studied, you know." I glare at the darker half of Yugi and I feel my cheeks getting warm. 'Damn him.'
Yami smiles at me and says, "Oh don't worry. It will all be over shortly… you know what to say and you can do this."
Yami then sets his hands on my shoulders and says in a soft, gentle voice, "Look. I realize something horrible happened here in the past. I know it still hurts. I'm not dumb and I can sense where evil has been. So please, try to forget for a little while; if not for yourself, but for your friends. They're worried sick, and they don't know why you're so sad. Only Yugi and I seem to know. I believe that Seria knows, as well. So cheer up a little, hm?" Yami then taps me under the chin gently and I smile at him.
"All right. I'll try and forget, but I can't make any promises. I'll talk to all of you later, okay? I promise, on my father's love of the game of which I got from him…" I look down and avoid Yami's face as he nods.
He stands up straighter as he says, "All right. Let's do this!" I nod and we step into the spotlight.
Yes, my father was a duelist, a great one at that. He loved the game of Duel Monsters and he passed that love onto me. He was a bit infamous, but he was still great. He didn't go into any major contests, but he beat Pegasus on his first match against him, if that gives you any clue. Only Pegasus and I know of that little victory. It was the day before he was shot, too. Anyways, this is no time to be mourning my father. I have a performance to do, an educational one at that, one on my favorite subject, the history of duel monsters, or something like that…
I smile and wave once more, as does Yami. Yugi's grandpa then hands me the microphone and I speak into it, my voice clear and strong.
"Welcome, one and all, young and old. I'm going to be playing the part of one of the most ancient monsters, Dark Magician Girl! My real name is Yumiko. Though for now, I'm Dark Magician Girl." I smile and wink at the audience, causing some 10-year-old boys to faint. Yami and I both laugh and some people stare at the boys oddly.
Yami shakes his head and I hand him the microphone. "Hello everyone. If you haven't already guessed, I'm going to be playing the Pharaoh. These games were originally played to entertain people and be a demonstration of power. Though the roots of Duel Monsters goes deeper and originates in what we believe to be Atlantis, the dueling was mostly done in ancient Egypt. Now, we shall show you how monsters were summoned then and how attack points didn't really matter that much. Supposedly, in those times, you didn't really have to worry about summoning a monster, it just appeared when you needed it."
I then back out of the light and squat on the ground, waiting to be 'summoned'. Quite suddenly, I feel Yami's spirit calling out to me and I appear in the ring of light as if out of nowhere. Yami smiles at me and I feel a strong bond toward him, oddly enough. I then realize that this is because the spirit of the Dark Magician Girl is always with me and she responds to him as well as me. Yami then points ahead as he says in a strong, loud voice.
"Dark Magician Girl! Attack!" the rod I'm holding glows and I seem to become Dark Magician Girl as I strike the attack pose and a beam of power flows from my rod and totally destroys the target we'd set up previously.
Yami smiles at me and says softly, "Very well done. How'd you know I needed you?"
I smile at him and wink, "Well. Dark Magician Girl sensed we were on and she guided me in what to do. She's my favorite monster after all."
Yami smiles as we then look up at the shocked audience. Everyone there has their mouths hanging open and their eyes round as saucers, even the normally cold Kaiba. Kaiba quickly recovers and shuts his mouth as his eyes return to normal size.
Soon after, everyone else recovers and the audience starts to cheer madly for us. Yami and I smile as he takes my hand and we bow together. A rose is thrown at me, and without even thinking, I float up and catch it. I smile at the boy who gave it to me. The boy, in turn, blushes like mad and shuffles his feet, avoiding my eyes. I then grin evilly and float up to the stands to the boy. I land gracefully in front of him.
"Thank you for the rose. They're my favorite flower, you know." I say in a gentle voice and the boy blushes even harder.
"You-you're welcome. Ms. Yumi." He manages to stutter out and I then lean over and kiss him lightly on the cheek before winking as I jump off the bleachers and then fly back down to Yami, who shakes his head.
After the cheering subsides, Yugi's grandpa speaks into the microphone once again. "Wow. Thank you, Yumiko & Yami for your excellent performance. These two will be in the shop right over there, showing beginners the very basics. Please feel free to drop by anytime. Thank you all for coming and have a great night!"
Yugi's grandpa then shuts off the microphone and smiles at us. "I must say, that was absolutely amazing, Yumiko. I don't think that I gave you anything for the effects of that attack and the flying, did I?"
I smile and wink at Mr. Moto, "Now that, is my little secret, Gramps. C'mon, you said we'd be at the shop, so let's get going. I might as well get this over with. Say, has that boy recovered yet?" I look up in the now nearly empty bleachers, and see the boy, standing there, as if he can't move.
Yami shakes his head in mock despair. "Now now, Yumiko. I say, awful behavior. You can't just go up to random fans and kiss them. They'll think that you like them…"
I laugh as I punch Yami lightly in the arm and say, "But sir, it was too much fun. I couldn't resist. Besides, he did go to the trouble of getting me my favorite flower. I don't know how he found out, but he's good. So in my mind, he deserved what he got."
Before I can continue, though, Seria comes running up to me. "That was great! I enjoyed the whole thing!!" she says in a happy voice and Mokuba runs up and gives me a giant hug.
"Seria-chan's right! That was sooooooooooo cool!" Mokuba says and I laugh as I hug the small boy back. "You know, it's hard to believe that you're already in eight grade, you know…" I comment lightly to Mokuba.
((A/N: Okay, the following people are in tenth grade & sixteen years old: Seria, Yumiko, Yami, Yugi, Joey. The following are a year younger and a grade younger: Serenity, Bakura. Duke has graduated high school and is in college. He's also eighteen. Kaiba is eighteen as well and Seria is about to turn seventeen. I think that's all for now…))
Kaiba then bonks Seria on the head, who promptly blushes a little. I smile to myself, for I'm the only one that knows that she loves Kaiba… Oooooh, I wonder what the coldest guy on the planet has to say about that. Oh well, I was noticing something about Kaiba. He was always somewhat less cold, almost gentler, when he was around Seria. I believe, even know, that Seria was slowly, even more rapidly by the day, melting Seto Kaiba's ice heart.
"We need to go. I have a big meeting and I need you to come along. We need to get into a computer system, and you're the best we have." says Kaiba, speaking to Seria.
Seria nods and gives me one last hug, "Don't give up on him. Remember that." I whisper quickly to Seria, so that only she hears.
Seria gives me a smile and then walks away. "C'mon Mokuba. Your brother has a big meeting. We don't want to make him late, do we?" Mokuba smiles at me once more, before hurrying after Seria and Kaiba.
Tea then turns to me and says, "Well. We better get going. After all, you have fans waiting, Ms. Yumiko-san." Tea grins wickedly at me and I give her a glare that could kill. "Yikes!" Tea then hides behind the newly grown Yugi. Man, he must have hit his growth spurt! He was a few inches taller than Tea now, Yugi, that is. Yugi looks at her, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"What, are you afraid of her? That's a shocker." Yugi grins at the girl behind him.
"Oh shut up you. If you'd seen that look too, you'd be scared too. She was ready to kill me!"
All of us laugh as I say, "Why Tea! Now why would I do such a thing to one of my best friends?!"
We all then start to walk toward the shop, still laughing. Tea stays behind me, close to Yugi. As soon as we get into the shop, I'm practically attacked by fans. "Ahhhh! Somebody help!" I yell as I jump onto a table, trying to get away from the vicious fans.
Meanwhile, everyone else is laughing their heads off at my predicament. Yami then solves the problem by saying in a commanding tone:
"Now look! You've scared Ms. Yumiko. Why don't we all form a line and she'll sign a few autographs & give you some tips for dueling. Sound fair?" The fans then immediately form a line and I get down off the table.
I then spend the next few hours walking around the store, signing random autographs and giving tips in a duel.
Finally, the last kids leave and Yugi's grandpa turns to me, wearing a satisfied grin. "Well, that went well. Don't you think?" he says cheerfully and I glare at him half-heartedly, too worn out to move from the big, squishy armchair I was sitting in.
Yugi's grandpa then continues, "Well. I'll be downstairs, sorting the new orders that came in. Have fun, kids." He then walks down the stairs and disappears from view. Everyone smiles at him and as soon as he's gone, they all look at me, worried looks appearing across all of their faces. I sigh, because I know what's coming, no use avoiding it…
"Look, the secret I hold is too sad. It would only hurt people to know… besides; you guys shouldn't be worrying about me. I'm perfectly fine."
Yami sighs, as he speaks up, his deep voice a little stern, yet strangely gentle. "Look. We know you're not okay. So please, tell them what happened. I know how much it hurts, but it will help to heal it if you share with others. Trust me." as Yami says this, he walks over to me and tilts my head up to look in his eyes. "You can trust us." He states simply.
I then close my eyes as I sigh. "All right," I reply, my voice soft, "I'll tell you. It all started when I was five…"
I then tell them what happened that tragic night, including the murder of my parents.
((See Ch. 4's flashback. That's what she's telling them.))
By the time I'm done, tears are filling my eyes and everyone looks at me, understanding in their eyes as the listen, mesmerized by what happened and shocked at the same time. Once I'm finished, I close my eyes as the tears fall freely this time, never seeming to end. Everyone then walks over and envelopes me into a hug group hug. After about five minutes, they break away and look at me. I've stopped crying and I look at everyone.
Tea then speaks out, "We're so sorry Yumiko. I had no idea…none of us did. That's too horrible for words. I understand now why you're in pain. Just remember this, though; you've always got us. Never ever, forget that."
"Yeah, we'll be there for you, no matter what." Adds Joey.
"You're one of our best friends and you've listened to more #### from us than you deserve." Comments Tristen.
I smile at my friends, this time, it's a true, genuine smile. "Thanks guys, I really mean that… I don't know what I would have done without Yugi though, and his grandfather. They saved me from going to a life that I would never love. This is the first time in years that I've smiled unless I'm dueling…" I then yawn hugely. "So sleepy…" I murmur before finally giving over to the exhaustion. Within a minute, I'm sound asleep.
Yami sighs as he says, "You know, she really does more than she should. Oh well. I guess that we'd better get home. I'll take her home. See you guys tomorrow."
Yugi then says, "By the way, feel free to spend the night anytime you guys want. Got her Yami?"
Yami grunts as he lifts the unconscious me on his back. I continue to sleep and Tea smiles. "I'll see you guys later. I have to get home anyways. Hey, you guys want to go to the pool Saturday?" ((Sorry I didn't mention this, in the story it's currently Thursday and Tea will be taking Seria & Yumiko shopping for swimsuits, against their will of course… hehe…))
Yugi nods and Joey says, "Hey! That sounds like a great idea. I'll talk to you guys more tomorrow. Serenity's out too and I gotta take her home to sleep."
Tristen smiles as he says, "I guess I'll walk you home, Joey. Mind if I crash at your place for a day of two?"
Joey sighs and says, "Sure. Let's just get going though." Joey then picks up Serenity and he & Tristen walk out the door.
Yugi's grandfather then comes up from the basement, and smiles at the two boys. "Go on home. Kami knows you need it. I'll lock up, okay? You two get to bed and I'll be home shortly. Now go on."
Yami and Yugi smile at him gratefully as they walk out of the store and I'm carried on Yami's back. A few minutes later, Yugi opens the door and holds it open for Yami who walks in and sets me down gently on the couch. I mutter something, still sleeping.
"You think we should take her up to her room?" Yugi asks in a soft voice.
"I guess we better. I don't think that she can sleep in this costume though…" Yami says with a frown.
Yugi then grins, an idea forming. "Hey, we could get one of our female monsters to help, and I think that I know the perfect girl for the job." Yugi then draws a card out of his deck.
"I summon Dark Magician Girl!" ((DMG for short)) he says and DMG appears, smiling a little bit. "You needed me?" she asks in a soft voice.
Yugi smiles at her and says, "We were wondering if you could help our friend change for bed. We don't really know what she wears and she's a girl after all…"
Yugi blushes as he asks DMG. She smiles at him understandingly, keeping her amusement in check. Yami smiles and chuckles a bit to himself.
"I can do that for you. Could you please show me her room?" DMG asks softly and Yami walks up the stairs, with DMG following, holding me. She then nods at Yugi and shuts the door. A few minutes later, she opens the door. I'm now in my pajamas: a black spaghetti strap tank-top, soft, baggy flannel pajama sleep pants, with an inch or two of my stomach showing.
Yugi smiles in gratitude. "Thanks a lot, really. We couldn't have done it without you."
DMG smiles at him and says, "Tell the prince to take good care of her, for this is the sister that fate speaks of. She doesn't know that yet, though. Please don't tell the prince yet she needs time. Very soon, she shall be drawn into the puzzle and the prince will have found a room with a picture of a girl he doesn't quite recognize by then. As soon as she gets her memory back, so will he. Beware of fate, though, my friends."
((Sorry, I had to use that idea. I got it from the story Ancient Magic. I hope you don't mind that I used your idea, except with Dark Magician Girl…))
I then sigh, as I snuggle into my bed. Yami then walks over to Yugi and says, "Hey. I guess she's finally sleeping. Wow, how'd you manage not to wake her?" Yami asks, a hint of curiousness in his tone.
DMG just smiles at him and says, "Good night, prince. Watch over this girl, she's more valuable to you than you know right now. Just watch, something will happen. You'll see, you just have to be patient…" she then fades away and the card appears in Yugi's hand. Yugi then puts the card with his deck and looks over at the peacefully sleeping me.
I then start to shiver and shake violently, I'm having the nightmare again. The strange dream with me and the Yami look alike. Yami frowns as a concerned look crosses his face and he sits down on the edge of the bed. He then puts a cool hand on my forehead and I moan softly as the nightmare continues.
(A/N: This story is now from Yugi's point of view, temporally, at least.)
I sigh and say, my voice containing worry, "Um, Yami?"
Yami looks up at me, "Yes Yugi? What's wrong?"
I sigh as I say, "Hey. You have to find an odd chamber. Can we go into your mind for a little bit? It's really important…" my voice is small and I seem to be hiding more than what I say.
Yami looks at me and says, "Why. I just found the oddest chamber today. Would you like a look at it real quick?"
I nod and the puzzle glows as we both disappear in a flash of light and reappear in the multi-chambered room. Yami then starts to walk down a hallway and soon he stops in front of a door. I open it cautiously and walk inside. The room itself seems normal enough, a bed, some books, and a skateboard. The odd part is that it's all black and red. I stare at the bed and it suddenly hits me then. 'This was the chamber DMG spoke of! Unbelievable, never thought that I'd see it so soon.'
I then jump a little as a small, floating, glowing ball of spirit comes down. The ball then turns into a person. It was just as I thought; it was Yumiko. "Hello, Yugi, Yami. Glad to see you've finally found me. At least, the other half of me. Looks like DMG is going to see me early. Yami, meanwhile, stares at Yumiko. "Hello, prince, or should I say, brother." Yami stares at the Yumiko spirit in awe and then says, "I'm sorry. I'm not sure what you're talking about…"
Yumiko then walks over and she reaches out a hand. She then touches Yami's forehead and the mark on his forehead glows brightly, almost blinding me. Yami's eyes widen as he gets all his past life memories and a few minutes later, he smiles at Yumiko and says,
"Ahh, my sister. My dear Yumi-chan. How nice it is to see you. When will your other half get her memory back?"
At this, Yumiko frowns a little bit as she says, "Soon, dear brother, soon. Just be patient. You'll know when the time is right. You just have to touch her forehead… that's all. In about three days' time, you shall know. Just trust your heart, dearest brother, and until then, I wish you well. Don't worry; you'll see me again. I just need time to start adjusting to my other self. Is she nearby, in the normal world? If so, please bring her here real quick."
Yami then nods as he temporally disappears and a few minutes later, appears still holding a still sleeping Yumiko.
The other half of her spirit smiles as she says, "Just set her on the bed. This will only take a minute and remember, three days. You must wait… your heart will guide you. Until we meet again!"
Yami and I then watch in amazement as the other half of Yumiko just floats into her and disappears. Yumiko glows for a second, then returns to normal.
(A/N: Okay, now I'm switching back to Yumiko's point of view, just to let you know…)
Yugi stares at Yumiko and then speaks, "Guess DMG was right… I just hope you can wait until then. You can, can't you?" Yugi looks over at Yami questioningly.
Yami smiles gently at Yugi and says, "I can wait, don't worry about me. We better get her out of here…" Yami then picks me up and they appear in the normal world, in Yumiko's bedroom.
Yami sets me gently on the bed and he says, "C'mon, we better get to bed… good night, my dear sister…" Yami then leans over and kisses me gently on the head. He then pulls the covers up over me and leaves the room himself. Yugi looks over at me one last time, before leaving as well and closing the door. Both boys get ready for bed and their thoughts are:
Yami – 'I hope I can wait… what did she mean about beware of the past?'
Yugi – 'I hope Yami can wait and I hope that Yumiko is okay…'
And so ends this strange night.
A/N: Yes, this is the end of the chapter. Yes, I know, it's a bit long… oh well. The next chapter is going to be a funny one though, so enjoy and please review! (.)
