Crystal: Okay can someone please talk to Kris? He's placed a barrier around my bedroom and I can't get out. I'm hungry and I gotta go.
Kris*materializes from nowhere*: Hi aibou. *glomps me* Ooo typing the next chappie?
Crystal*wriggles out of Kris's grip*: Did I mention he's the only one that can get in and out?
Kris: What? Don't you feel safer in here?
Crystal: No, I'm hungry and need to go to the restroom.
Kris: Why didn't you say so? *snaps fingers* Now the barrier's around the whole house.
Crystal: *groans* Brb
Kris*goofy grin*: Crystal only owns her OCs.
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"Blah" = speaking
[Blah] = thoughts
//Blah// = yami to hikari
/Blah/ = hikari to yami
Chapter Four: Words That Shatter the Soul
"Why is it that you wear that Item about your neck?" The teal-eyed man asked in a thick Egyptian accent.
"I am taking this to its rightful owner." Crystal replied nervously, getting ready to pedal away, "Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving."
"I did not excuse you, girl." The Egyptian said, pulling out a set of golden scales, "Now, I am going to examine your soul."
"What's going on?" Crystal asked, her voice faltering slightly.
"Have you heard of the Testing of the Soul?" He asked, "It is when the soul of a person is weighed against the feather of Ma'at, Goddess of Truth."
"Yes, I know the ritual, but that only happens after you die." Crystal gulped.
"Not with my Millennium Scales." The Egyptian replied, setting the Scales on the concrete wharf.
They had the same Eye of Anubis that was on Yugi's Puzzle, which hung on Crystal's neck. Crystal put out the kickstand of her bicycle, knowing that this older teen would not let her leave without taking his test. Next, he took the small feather from his turban and placed it on one end of the Scales. The Scales were balanced, but Crystal knew enough about Egyptian rituals and legends to know that if she were proven to be evil, Ammit, the Soul Devourer, would be summoned. Crystal gulped nervously as the Egyptian stepped away from the Scales.
"The other end of the Scales will only weigh your lies and truths, not your entire soul." The Egyptian chuckled, "My name is Shadi, and I am to be your Judge. Does this make sense to you, girl?"
"I think so." Crystal said with a nod.
"Good." Shadi said coolly, "Who did you win the Puzzle from?"
"I never asked his name." She replied, glancing at the Scales, which remained balanced.
"What do you plan to do with the Puzzle?" Shadi asked.
"I told you already, I'm going to give it back to my friend." Crystal replied, starting to shake fearfully.
"Why are you so frightened, child?" Shadi asked firmly.
"All I want to do is give the Puzzle back to Yugi." Crystal begged, tears trying to escape her eyes, "I don't feel right with it hanging around my neck, and I just want to return it to him. Please, let me do that. I promise to return here and complete the test if you just let me return the Puzzle to him."
Suddenly, Crystal heard metal strike the concrete of the wharf, and she started to shake even more forcefully, closing her eyes tightly. Shadi, however, stared at the Scales in awe; somehow this girl had caused the feather's end of the Millennium Scales to tip and strike the ground. Then Shadi felt Yami's presence as the Ancient Pharaoh glared at him from behind the trembling girl. As Yami's translucent figure faded, Shadi picked up the Millennium Scales and told the girl to open her eyes. Now he had to explain what had happened to her.
"You passed my examination of your soul." Shadi said, "Go now. Return the Puzzle, but you need not return here."
"Arigato, Shadi-san." Crystal said with a bow.
Then she climbed on to her bicycle, pedaling towards the Kame Game Shop as quickly as possible. Shadi watched Crystal until she was out of sight; still shocked about the effect the girl had had on his Millennium Scales. Never in all his time as a Judge of Anubis had Shadi ever seen the feather's end touch the ground. Of course he had seen that end tip towards the ground on a few rare occasions, but this girl's words were so truthful that they flowed easily into the feather's side of the scale.
"Could she be the one Isis told me about?" Shadi wondered to himself.
***Flashback***
"So you seek to return the Hidden Item to its rightful owner." Isis said, "I cannot tell you who the owner is."
"Not even a single clue or hint?" Shadi asked.
"Truthfulness flows from this one as the Nile flows into the sea." Isis replied, "If you should test the one you seek, you should know without a doubt that they are the one."
"Thank you, my friend." Shadi said, before walking out of the room.
***Flashback***
When Crystal arrived at the Game Shop, she saw Yugi sitting behind the counter. He was rubbing what looked like a bruise on his face and looked very depressed. However his magenta eyes sparkled brightly when he saw his Puzzle around Crystal's neck. Yugi scurried around the counter and latched on to Crystal in a tight hug thanking her rapidly for returning it. Crystal just smiled gently and placed the Puzzle around Yugi's neck, feeling the unworthiness disappear as she did so.
"How did you get it back?" Yugi asked, "Did you have to fight him?"
"We dueled for it, each of us drawing one card." Crystal explained, "He drew a Dark Sage, and I drew a Wingweaver."
"You beat him by fifty attack points?" Yugi gasped, "How did you manage that?"
"Well, you might not know it by looking at me, but I am about a quarter Egyptian." Crystal explained, "I put my faith not only in my cards, but Ra as well."
"Want to stay for lunch, I can guarantee that Jono and Honda won't be around." Yugi offered.
"Thanks, but Seto, Mokuba, and I are going out for lunch." Crystal replied, "Speaking of that, I have to go. Ja ne Yugi."
"Ja mata, Crystal." Yugi called, as Crystal headed out the door.
//She had a run in with Shadi.//
/Let me guess. He wanted to know why she had the Puzzle./
//He tested her with the Scales, The poor thing was scared beyond anything I could comprehend.//
/She's Egyptian and knows the legends./
//How do you know she knows the legends?//
/Well, during history, when you were asleep-/
//I told you those so called facts are far from true.//
/Let me finish. Crystal was challenging the teacher on the beliefs and she won. I've never seen her get so heated./
//She just knows the facts more so than that teacher of yours.//
/Yami, what did the door to her soul room look like? I know you looked./
//I never saw her door. Her mind hides it well.//
Yugi nodded thoughtfully and went into the bathroom to wash off the bruise tattoo. It was a good thing Jono had gotten him the monster make-up kit. It had really helped him keep his secret about Yami from Crystal, even if it was just for a little bit longer. As Yugi washed his face, Yami recounted the entire encounter with Shadi to him. Yugi couldn't believe that Crystal felt unworthy to have the Puzzle around her neck, even though she had won it from Yami. He guessed that what Shadi had said to him about being the Chosen One was true.
When Yugi walked back down to the shop, Jono and Honda were waiting for him and had angry looks in their eyes. Honda explained that they had seen Crystal coming out of the Game Shop. Then Jono demanded why she had come over, especially since she knew that she wasn't welcome. Yugi explained that Crystal had come over to see if he had a certain card in stock. Jono and Honda nodded, and then Yugi asked why they had come by, seeing that they had Saturday detention.
"Well, it was cancelled on account of the teacher's wife was taken to the hospital." Jono explained.
"Mr. Sakaki is going to be a father soon." Honda smiled.
"Cool, hey why don't we head down to Anzu's work for lunch." Yugi said with a bright smile, "I still have some money left from my birthday."
"Yeah, food." Jono and Honda cheered.
When they arrived, Yugi was surprised to see Kaiba, Mokuba, and Crystal sitting in a booth together. Mokuba was talking animatedly, while Kaiba nodded in appropriate places. However, Yugi could tell that Kaiba was more interested in watching Crystal pick at her food. When Mokuba said something to her Crystal shook her head and slid her fries to him, before getting up and walking into the restroom. Somehow, Kaiba noticed their presence and walked over to them.
"Is there a problem, mutt?" Kaiba asked smugness clear in his voice.
"Yeah, how did a nice girl like Crystal end up with a jerk like you?" Jono asked.
"You'd have to ask Crystal about that. It's not my place to say. However, I would like to thank you for not trying to use her to get on my good side." Kaiba said with a slight smirk, "I've seen a few others try to do that, but Crystal catches on pretty quick. She's very good at judging other people by looking into their eyes."
"She must not have done a good job on you." Jono replied smartly, before his face suddenly fell, "Cause everyone knows how much of a sleaze ball you are."
"That's not true." A female voice choked out.
Crystal was standing behind Seto, and tears were threatening to spill from her eyes. She backed away and quickly walked out a side exit of the restaurant, before Jono could say another word. Jono was lucky that Seto's first concern was Crystal; otherwise the blond would have found himself on the ground unconscious. Mokuba was already heading out the door after Crystal, so Seto quickly followed his younger brother. All Yugi, Jono, and Honda could do was watch as the Kaiba brothers split off in search of Crystal.
"I wouldn't have said it if I had realized she was behind him." Jono mumbled, "I should have my mouth shut."
"I think we should try to find her." Yugi said, "I think we owe her an apology, at least you two do."
"Okay, let's go." Jono said, heading for the door, "I guess we have been a bit harsh on her."
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Kris: You made Kaiba and Jono get into a big fight, aibou.
Crystal: You know that something like that was going to happen sooner or later Kris.
Kris*pouts*: I know, but Neko-chan didn't need to hear that comment.
Crystal: Don't worry Kris. It'll work out. You'll see.
Kris*raises eyebrow*: You're just trying to get me to take down the barrier aren't you?
Crystal*nervously*: What makes you say that, Kris? *to reviewers in whisper* Please help me, anyone.
Kris*snickering*: I heard that, aibou.
Crystal*shouts*: Please, somebody. Talk to him.
Kris*places a hand on Crystal's head*: Sleep.
Crystal*glares and falls forward over laptop*: Zzzz Zzzz Zzzz
Kris*smiles*: Plz Review thanks. Don't worry about my aibou. I'll make sure nothing happens to her.