Crystal: Hey we're almost at the finals.
Kris: This is definitely an interesting twist you're adding to Battle City.
Crystal: I thought you'd like it. ^_^
Kris: Oh yeah thanks for the reviews.
Crystal: Yeah thanks for the support and feedback.
Kris: Crystal only owns her OC's.
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"Blah" = speaking
[Blah] = thoughts
//Blah// = yami to hikari
/Blah/ = hikari to yami
+Blah+ = Ancient Egyptian
Kajiki = Mako
Isono = Roland (Green-Haired Official)
Fuguta = Brown-Haired Suit Official
Chapter Twelve: More Mysteries Revealed
It was late the next morning when Crystal finally roused herself from her bed. She had been so drained by everything that had happened the day and evening before that she had slept deeply and for a long time. Crystal hurried into her bathroom, taking a quick shower and then blow-drying her hair. Next she raced down to the kitchen and grabbed an apple and a couple of pieces of toast to eat. After eating, Crystal brushed her teeth and braided her now fully dry hair, tucking a few stubborn locks behind her ears.
Then Crystal headed back to her room to grab what she needed for the day, quickly inspecting the outfit she had chosen. She was wearing a light blue t-shirt with the silver kanji symbol for Light on it, along with white capris, her silver dueling belt that her deck box was attached to along with her dark blue cell phone, and finally a pair of light blue and white tennis shoes. Crystal put about twenty dollars, in small bills and change, in her pocket (I don't know how much yen that is.) along with her ID. Then she called up Anzu to see what the plans were for the day.
"How about you meet us at the aquarium, Crystal? We're heading there now." Anzu said, "Hey Jono give that back."
"Just a sec, Anzu. I hafta tell Crystal something." Jono's voice said, "I just beat Insector Haga, Crystal. Isn't that great?"
"That's great Jono." Crystal replied with a giggle, "However I think you need to give Anzu back her phone, before she pummels you with her purse."
"Ow!" Jono's voice shouted, after Crystal heard a loud thwack, "That hurt."
"Well that's what you deserve, phone-snatcher." Anzu's voice replied, "We'll wait for you outside of the aquarium."
"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can." Crystal replied, before hanging up.
Crystal clipped her phone back on her belt and grabbed her blue windbreaker, before heading downstairs. Calling a quick good-bye to Kita, Crystal hurried out the door and straight for downtown Domino, where Battle City was being held. Crystal raced down the streets, dodging both duelists and spectators as she went. Crystal could have sworn she saw one of Seto's choppers flying overhead at one point, but shrugged it off and continued to the aquarium. When she arrived, Crystal saw Jono waving at her with a huge grin on his face as he flashed his four locator cards.
"All you need are two more." Crystal exclaimed with glee, "I'm so proud of you, Jono-kun."
"Since when do you add -kun to Jono's name?" Honda asked with a smirk.
"Since you and him both became really good friends Honda-kun." Crystal laughed, seeing the shocked look on Honda's face.
"Konichi wa, Mutou-san." She greeted with a bow.
"Crystal, call me, Gramps." Mr. Mutou laughed, "There's no need to be so formal. You and Anzu both can both stop being so formal when addressing me."
"But Mutou-san, My mother always taught me to keep my elders in high respect." Crystal replied, "I can't help myself."
"Such a sweet young lady." Mr. Mutou smiled, before turning to Jono and Honda, "Why can't the two of you learn something from her?"
"Ah, come Mr. Mutou. There's nothing that Crystal could teach us." Honda laughed, "Except maybe duel, but she's not all that great."
"I beat Seto last night." Crystal said coolly, focusing her sapphire eyes on the brunette, "Jono watched me do it too. I was down to 200 Life Points, but I still managed to bring him all the way down from 4000 in a single turn."
"I don't believe it." Honda snorted, "It's too good to be true."
"Then ask Kaiba, Mokuba, Ryou, Otogi, or Yugi." Jono said firmly, "They were all there, too."
"Okay, okay." Anzu said, "Let's stop fighting and see why Kajiki is here."
"Who's that?" Crystal asked.
"A friend from Duelist Kingdom." Jono replied, "We accidentally swiped some of his fish, and Yuge dueled him."
"He loves the ocean and dreams to sail and find his father, who was lost at sea, one day." Anzu explained, "That still doesn't explain why he's at the aquarium though."
"Well, let's go then, instead of talking." Honda said, causing all to nod.
"Wow." Crystal gasped as a killer whale exploded from beneath the surface of the tank, "It's so beautiful."
Kajiki appeared in the tank, causing the others to ask him what was going on and why he was there. It turned out that the whale's trainer was sick, and Kajiki was filling in for her, helping out his ocean friend. The next thing Crystal knew Jono and Kajiki were dueling to see who would make it to the finals. She and the others went to sit down during the duel, but while the others were so enthralled by the duel, Crystal found her mind elsewhere. Crystal felt the familiar tingling, almost burning, sensation in her chest that came just before her trances.
[Not here. Not now.] Crystal thought desperately, before darkness washed over her.
She found herself face to face with three gigantic monsters, all of three of their fiery glares centering on her. Then the Locket appeared through Crystal's clothing, basking everything in a soft white light. Suddenly the humanoid blue one with blood-red eyes moved in front of her, along with the golden-eyed, red serpentine dragon. The golden eagle-like dragon focused its ruby eyes on Crystal, who was now trembling with fear. The Golden Dragon started to speak, and even though it wasn't in Japanese, Crystal understood every word that was spoken.
+Stand down, Tormentor, Saint Beast.+ The Golden Dragon growled, +Neither of you will be able to protect her for much longer.+
+Even though our cardholders may not always agree, they will fight to defend this girl from your cardholder, Ra.+ The Saint Beast growled, +Obelisk and I will also protect her from you as well, Winged Dragon.+
+Osiris, why are you helping the enemy?+ Ra, the Winged Dragon, demanded.
+I am in the hands of a Chosen One.+ The Saint Beast, Osiris, replied, +This One much worthier than the puppet I was once with.+
+Be gone, Winged Dragon.+ Obelisk, the Tormentor shouted, +Your presence is not welcome any longer.+
"What's going on?" I asked, "I don't understand."
+Now, you must leave, Desert Kitten.+ Obelisk said, +You will understand when the time is right.+
"When did she go into that trance?" Jono's voice asked above Crystal as she slowly came back from her trance.
"Just as your duel started." Anzu's replied, "You sound as if she's done this before."
"She did once when I was around, at the beginning of the school year." Jono replied, "That's why I shouted at you not to wake her."
"You actually remember that Jono-kun?" Crystal asked softly, finally able to open her eyes, "You remember what Ryou and Yugi said?"
"Of course I did, Crystal." Jono replied, "Seeing you like that while I was dueling scared me. Even worse than when Kaiba's Ultimate Dragon was staring you down."
"Is your friend alright?" Kajiki asked, coming up to us.
"Yes, I am now." Crystal answered, "Who won your duel?"
"Your friend, Jonouchi, won." Kajiki smiled, "He is a strong duelist, as well as a great friend."
After saying good-bye to Kajiki, Jono asked to borrow Anzu's cell phone so that he could call Shizuka at the hospital. Anzu handed over her cell phone to Jono, while Crystal called to check in with Kita back at the Manor. When Crystal turned around, she gasped in horror, seeing Ryou, beaten and with a bloody bandage around his arm, being supported by a tan young man with lavender eyes and blond hair. As the boy explained he had found Ryou and tried to take care of his wound, Crystal hurried to her friend's side.
"Neko-chan?" Ryou asked weakly.
"Ryou, please, tell me what happened." Crystal whispered, "Did he do this to you?"
"No, not him." Ryou replied shaking his head slightly, "But I don't know who."
"Ryou should go to a hospital, fast." Mr. Mutou said, "I'll take him."
"I'll find a taxi." Jono said, before turning to the road.
"Crystal, are you okay?" Anzu asked, placing a gentle hand on Crystal's trembling shoulder.
"Why did this have to happen to you, Ryou?" Crystal whimpered.
"Just not my day, I guess." Ryou said weakly, before Mr. Mutou, with Jono's help, loaded him into a taxi.
"I'll take good care of Ryou for you Crystal." Mr. Mutou promised, "I'll call you once I find anything."
"I'm coming with you, Mutou-san." Crystal said, shaking her head, "I want to be there for Ryou, like he's always there for me. Jono, Anzu, if you see Seto or Mokuba tell them I'm at Domino Hospital with Ryou. I'll have my cell phone on."
"We will Crystal." Anzu said with a nod, "We'll talk to you later."
"Thank you for finding Ryou." Crystal said to the lavender-eyed, blonde young man, "If you hadn't found him, I might have lost my best friend."
"You're welcome. It was no problem." He replied in a kind voice, as Crystal slid into the taxi, "I was only doing as any other would do."
"Ja ne, Neko-chan/Crystal, Mr. Mutou." Jono and Anzu called, as the taxi started to drive away.
"Are you going to be alright, Crystal?" Mr. Mutou asked as the taxi came closer to the hospital.
"I will be once I know who did this to Ryou." Crystal replied softly.
"Sorry, that I can't remember." Ryou murmured weakly, "It happened so fast."
"It's okay, Ryou." Crystal replied, as a tear trickled down her cheek, "It's not your fault that you can't remember."
When the taxi arrived at the hospital, Crystal and Mr. Mutou helped Ryou limp into the emergency room. After a nurse caught sight of Ryou, he was placed on a gurney and wheeled him away, while Crystal and Mr. Mutou were told to go to the waiting room. Sugoroku Mutou watched, as Crystal seemed to go through her own personal agony over the situation. Yugi had mentioned several times that Crystal and Ryou had a special closeness with each other. Now he was seeing the grief and worry caused by having such a close bond with another person.
"Sir, you and the young lady may see him now." A nurse said, "Excuse me. Mutou-san, did you hear me?"
"Yes, I did, ma'am." Mr. Mutou nodded, before walking over to Crystal, "Crystal, the nurse says that we can see Ryou."
"Okay." Crystal said with a slight sniffle.
Crystal and Mr. Mutou followed the nurse back to Ryou's room, where he was sleeping in a bed, with an IV in his left arm. He was breathing normally and his bandage had been changed as well as a few more bandages added to cover some of his scrapes. Crystal pulled a chair to the side of the bed and sat down, watching Ryou as he slept on in peace. A few of his bangs rested out of place, on his forehead; so Crystal gently brushed them aside, causing him to open his eyes a little before sighing softly. Mr. Mutou chuckled slightly when he noticed the small smile on Ryou's face once the boy realized who had touched him so gently.
"I'm going to get something to eat." Sugoroku said quietly after about an hour, "Would you like something, Crystal?"
"An apple and water will be fine thank you." Crystal answered, not turning away from Ryou.
"Ryou will wake up soon, Crystal." He said, "You'll see. He'll be better before you know it."
Crystal nodded slightly, but still didn't really believe what the older man had said to her. With a soft sigh, Crystal curled up in the small chair and fell asleep, wondering who could have done something so cruel to Ryou, had it not been Bakura. For the first time in a long time, Crystal's sleep was not plagued by nightmares or visions as she rested. When she awoke later, Mr. Mutou was gently shaking Ryou, who was crying out in his sleep.
"It was just a nightmare." Ryou said, casting a quick gaze to Crystal.
"Jono and Yugi called." Mr. Mutou explained to both teens, "They made it to the finals."
"That's wonderful, Mutou-san." Crystal exclaimed, not noticing that it was now Bakura in control.
"I'm not surprised." Bakura remarked, "Did they say where they were?"
"I'm not surprised that Yugi made it, but Jonouchi too!" Mr. Mutou said starry-eyed, ignoring Bakura's question, "It must have been my training."
"If you'll excuse me, I have work to do." Bakura said, trying to stand.
"Ryou don't try to get up." Mr. Mutou said, "The doctors still need to get your results, and you're not strong enough."
"Oh, but I'm strong enough to do this." Bakura chuckled, as a golden light flashed from his chest, knocking Mr. Mutou unconscious, "Now, as for you, Nura. You're coming with me."
"But Bakura-san." Crystal stuttered, "I can't leave Mr. Mutou here like this."
"You can and will, girl." Bakura replied seizing her arm, "I don't have time for games. Now come with me before I lose my temper."
After giving Mr. Mutou one last, apologetic glance, Crystal followed Bakura out of the room. Bakura quickly led a confused Crystal out of the hospital, dodging nurses and doctors as they went. As soon as they were out of the hospital, Bakura continued to drag Crystal along behind him, until he spotted a duelist. After ordering Crystal to stay put, Bakura took off after the guy to snatch his Duel Disk and locator cards. When he came back, Bakura had the duel disk on his left arm and was smirking broadly. As they headed deeper into Battle City, Crystal called to check-in with Kita so that Seto would not worry.
"Why didn't you say you were with Ryou?" Bakura asked.
"Because last Kita knew, Ryou was still unconscious, not roaming around Battle City." Crystal replied softly.
"If you're still worried about the old man, don't be." Bakura said firmly. "Malik seemed to be more interested in you than him anyway."
"Who's that?" Crystal asked in confusion.
"All you need to know is that he is going to give me some more Items like the Ring." Bakura replied sharply, "Now come along; I need to find five more locator cards."
Now to Malik…
"We've found the girl, Master Malik." Rishid said bowing low, "She is with the white-haired boy."
"Yes, I know where she is." Malik said with a nod, "Don't worry about her. Bakura will bring her to the finals. Have the Hunters pull back."
"Of course, Master Malik." Rishid said with a bow.
[Everything is working perfectly.] Malik thought to himself, [Bakura is so worried about the girl's safety that he'll keep her close, and end up delivering her into my grasp again.]
"Master, forgive me, but why are you so intent on seeking out this one girl." Rishid asked, "You've become very interested in her since you saw her at the warehouse with Little Yugi."
"She has ties to the Kaiba's, and has an Ancient Magic hovering around her." Malik explained, "She is part Egyptian, and seems strangely familiar to me."
"Perhaps she has connections to the Ancient Past as you and the Pharaoh's vessel." Rishid suggested, "She may be connected to Sanura, the High Priest's younger sister. I'm sure you noticed the physical similarities."
"Ah, your theory of Kaiba being the High Priest's reincarnation; Isis found a tablet stating that the death of the High Priest's sister was his reason for vengeance on the Pharaoh." Malik chuckled, "Please, do go on."
"The girl's middle name is Sanura, same as the first name of the High Priest's sister." Rishid said, "That may explain the Ancient Magic aura as well as the familiarity you feel from her."
"But why would I feel familiar towards her?" Malik asked, "I am only connected to that past by my families' legacy of being Tomb Keepers."
"I do not know, Master Malik." Rishid said with another bow, [How I wish I could tell you about the evil spirit that has made his home within your soul. For I know it is he who truly knows the girl and wishes to possess her.]
"Come, Rishid." Malik said, breaking Rishid's thought, "It is time to head to the finals."
Back to Crystal and Bakura…
"Come on, Nura." Bakura said, gently kicking Crystal's leg with his foot, "I've got my locator cards. You can rest later."
"Hai, Bakura-san." Crystal replied, opening her eyes and rising from the bench.
"You are a very curious girl." Bakura said as they neared the finals' stadium.
"How so, Bakura-san?" Crystal asked in confusion.
"The fact that you aren't bothered by me calling you Nura." Bakura answered, "That is what I called Sanura quite often."
"Does it hurt?" Crystal asked, concern evident in her voice, "Your arm; it's bleeding again."
"I'll be fine." Bakura answered shortly, "Now, act naturally when we enter and leave the talking to me."
"Hai, Bakura-san." Crystal replied, nodding slightly.
"Ryou? Crystal?" Yugi's shocked voice asked as they entered the room, "What are you doing here?"
"Entering the finals." Bakura replied, masking his presence as Ryou's, to hide from Yami, "Don't worry, Yugi. It's not as bad as it looks."
"Seto-kun, Moku-chan." Crystal called, running to the Kaiba brothers.
"What are you doing here, Neko-chan?" Seto asked, as Crystal hugged him.
"I wanted to watch you in the finals." Crystal replied, "Ryou was nice enough to escort me here to watch."
"I'll kick brainwashing ass for what you did to me." Jono's voice rang out, causing Crystal to turn around.
There was a tall man in a violet robe coming closer to the group. His face had a tattoo run down from his left eye, which enhanced his exotic, Egyptian look. His olive eyes seemed to focus on everyone for a second when he stopped. Crystal felt Mokuba cling to her side, shaking in fear as the strange man's eyes rested on the two of them. Seto stood in front of Crystal and demanded the man's name in a cold voice.
"I am Malik." The man replied coldly.
"I ought to disqualify you for what you did to Mokuba, but I want your God Card." Seto said coldly.
"Seto, what's going on?" Crystal asked in a hushed voice.
"I'll explain later, Crystal." Seto replied, "But don't go anywhere near him."
"Hai." Crystal nodded, before Isono, one of the officials, stepped forward and announced that the real tournament arena would be arriving soon.
Crystal gasped in awe along with the others when she realized that the finals were being held on the blimp. Mokuba, who was now less afraid, told everyone to board the blimp. First Malik, followed by the boy who had helped Ryou, boarded, then Yugi, Mai, Jono, and Bakura entered, but Isono and the other official, Fuguta, told Anzu, Shizuka, Honda, and Otogi that only those with Tournament ID could board the blimp. Seeing the crushed look on Shizuka's face, Crystal protested that she was allowed without ID.
"Those are Kaiba-san rules, Hikari-san." Fuguta replied.
"Seto, please." Crystal said, turning to the older brunette, "If not for them, then for me."
"Whatever." Seto shrugged, before turning to Isono and Fuguta, "You didn't see anything."
"Arigato, Seto-kun." Crystal said, hugging Seto before running on to the blimp.
"And so it begins." Seto mumbled, watching Crystal disappear inside along with Mokuba, "Take off immediately."
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Kris: So it's his yami that is interested in Neko-chan. I'll protect her. *pulls out sword*
Crystal: Kris, put that sword away. Where did you get that thing anyway?
Kris*puts away sword and pouts*: Fine. I got it from my secret place.
Crystal: I swear Kris. You're worse than Seto or Bakura when it comes to Neko-chan.
Kris: But I do it because I care.
Crystal: I know, but you need to calm down.
Kris: Leave a review for my aibou. I bet she'll like to read some of those.
Crystal: Oh yeah. If you want read a second version of this chapter, e-mail me and I'll send it to you. ^_^
Kris*glomps me*: Ask and you shall receive.