Chapter 47- To Hell!

Location: The Hall of Maat, Western Lands

Time: Dunno…

Yugi blinked. He had gone from a dark, semi-foreboding tomb to a giant, seemingly endless chamber. Before him were a line of people, waiting. All the way at the front of the line, a man was talking somewhat-shakily to a group of what looked like judges, a Duel Monster at his side. Seated in a golden throne before him was a tall man, dressed in a shroud of white linen with a crone upon his head. His skin was green and to his left sat, cross-legged, a man with the head of an ibis, calmly writing on a scroll while a woman sat, weighing a human heart against a golden feather.

"Er… I have not turned water from where it is to flow, I have not made another to feel sorrow, I have not harmed another man…"

The balance suddenly tipped to the side of the heart and the green-skinned man raised an arm, a crook clutched in his fist.

"Thou hath lied in the presence of the gods, and thou, having done the crime of Torture, are sentenced to the devourer."

A hole opened up under the feet of the man and his Ka and both plummeted into the jaws of a monstrous beast with the head of a crocodile, the body of a lioness, and the hind legs of a hippopotamus. As the damned man screamed the hole closed up. Yugi, disturbed, jumped when someone set a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Nessert, grinning at him.

"Ah, the judgment of the dead. I'm wanted for 28 out of 42 of the Great Crimes, but if I'm good, they'll forgive me. Its entertaining, no?"

Bakura appeared, walking from thin air towards them.

"Somehow, I don't think this is where we're supposed to be."

"You're right, B was just being stupid."

The greenskinned man looked up.

"Sau-Sekhmet-Hekau-yw-Thau-Neb, what brings you to the Hall of the Two Truths?"

Nessert scowled.

"Oh, I'm just here to pick up something."

"The Game-King Pharaoh Atem?"

Bakura quireked an eyebrow.

"How'd you know?"

The god laughed. "You brought his Reincarnation."

"Well, yeah. Yugi, Bakura, this is Oser. He's the lord of the dead."

"N-nice to meet you." Yugi stuttered, Bakura laughing. Oser tilted his head to the side.

"Thau-Pharaoh Ba-Khu-Ra, I've been expecting you."

The ibis-headed scribe stood up, handing a scroll to Oser.

"You are wanted for Falsehood, Robbery, Thievery, Murder, Stealing of Offerings, Lying, Sullenness, Stealing Food, Lying, Damaging a God's Image, Stealing Bread, Eavesdropping, Babbling, Misbehavior, Terrorizing, Being Hot-tempered, Unhearing of Truth, Making a Disturbance, Quarreling, Impatience, Wrongdoing, Plotting Against a Pharaoh, Being Loud-Mouthed, Making Distinctions for One's Self, Dishonest Wealth, and Blasphemy. If you do not behave yourself and be good, Ammit will have the displeasure of devouring your heart."

"…"

Nessert shook her head, grinning evilly. "Oh, but he has the protection of The Destroyer, he cannot be punished."

Oser laughed, bemused. "Ah, Great Protectoress of the King, Raging Eye of Re, I had forgotten your title. You are very lucky Pharaoh Memnon decreed you a goddess."

"I know, I know. Enough talk, I need access to the Fields of Peace."

"Fine. Min, open the Gates."

At the other side of the hall a tall, scantily clad man unlatched a huge pair of doors, allowing them to swing open. Nessert did a small, semi-mocking bow. "Thank you, oh King of the Dead. We shall cause no destruction. This time." As Oser shook his head, Nessert turned and, grabbing Yugi by the back of the collar, dragged him towards the gates. "Come on, little Pharaoh-thing, we've got to find your counterpart." And off they went.