Crystal: Hi all. I'm back from that long absence. I've been moving to a new house.
Kris: Look at my aibou's Profile. She put info on Neko-chan/Sanura's Locket and my Item up for you to read.
Crystal: Looks like I have to change the hikari to yami and yami to hikari mind link symbols so they'll show up. Oh well that's the way things happen.
Kris: Crystal only own her OCs, Neko-chan, Sanura, and me.
"Blah" = speaking
[Blah] = thoughts
))Blah(( = yami to hikari
)Blah( = hikari to yami
Blah = Ancient Egyptian
Chapter Fourteen: Darkness Awakens
Jono peered into Ryou's room, spotting Crystal as she continued to rest, leaning from the chair she was sitting on to Ryou's bed. Crystal was holding Ryou's hand as she slept on, oblivious to Jono entering the room. There was a glimmer of gold, which caused Jono to freeze in place as his breath caught in his throat. Around Crystal's neck was a gold heart-shaped Locket with the same Eye as the Millennium Items. Jono slowly backed out of the room, afraid that Crystal might have a psycho Spirit lurking in her Item, like Ryou had Bakura. Once he was out of the room, Jono raced across the blimp to Yugi's suite, pounding on the door.
"Yuge, open up." Jono called in a panic, "This is really important."
"Jono, what's wrong?" Yugi asked, letting his friend inside.
"It's Crystal." Jono explained, "She's wearing a heart-shaped Locket."
"Jono, what's wrong about the that?" Yugi asked in confusion.
"It had that marking on it." Jono said, pointing to the Eye of Anubis on Yugi's Puzzle, "I'll bet you anything that Locket is why she's falling into trances. Think about it Yugi; you said there were seven of the Item, and you've only seen six."
"No, it can't be." Yugi said shaking his head, "The last one is a pair of Scales, not a Locket."
"I still say that the Locket is why she's falling into those trances." Jono insisted, "Come on. You have to see it."
"All right, let me grab my deck first though." Yugi replied.
When they arrived back at Ryou's room, Jono pointed out the Locket to Yugi, causing the shorter boy to gasp in utter shock. Jono wasn't seeing things as Yugi thought he might be, and to add to the shock, it was the same Locket that he had seen, while researching for their Ancient Egypt project. The moonlight reflected off of the Locket, making it seem to glow under its own power. Then Crystal started to stir slightly, awakening from her sleep, and then sat up and tucked the Locket back under her shirt.
"I'm going to leave now." Jono whispered, "You did fine against Ryou's Spirit, but I have to admit I don't want to deal with another one."
"Fine, but I'm going in." Yugi nodded, before knocking on the door.
"Oh, Yugi." Crystal said, turning to see her magenta-eyed friend, "Please, come in. I must have dozed off after you guys left."
"Are you okay, Crystal?" Yugi asked, "You seemed distressed, and we're worried about you, even Mokuba and Kaiba."
"Seto's worried?" Crystal asked in confusion.
"Yeah, that's why he said he was going to send some doctors down." Yugi explained, "They probably didn't do anything because you had fallen asleep."
As if on cue, the door to the room slid open and two older men walked inside, stating that Seto had sent them. Crystal recognized them as the doctors that usually came to the mansion if anyone was sick. The two doctors stated that they needed Crystal and Yugi to leave the room so that they could change Ryou's bandages again and give him a check-up. Crystal nodded numbly and slowly walked out of the room, bowing her head as she did so. She walked past the other rooms, heading to the dining room, where the Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon selector was.
[If only it had been someone else against Ryou.] Crystal thought, [Then maybe I would have lost him.]
"Hikari-san what are you doing here?" Isono asked, "The next duel isn't for another five minutes."
"I want to go up." Crystal said, "I need some air to clear my head. Seto said it would be okay."
"Of course, Hikari-san." Isono replied, opening the elevator and allowing her to enter, "You may go up now."
When they arrive at the dueling deck, Crystal stepped out of the elevator and into the biting cold wind. She stepped on to the dueling platform, stand where Bakura had been just before Osiris attacked him. Crystal stared at where Yami had been standing, imagining the choice he had to make, win the duel or spare Ryou. There was a sudden zephyr that sent Crystal's hair whipping about her tear-stained face as she relived the horrible experience within her mind.
[[It's not wise to dwell within the past, you know.]] Bakura's voice chuckled.
"This coming from a Spirit who has been watching me because of his own past." Crystal smirked, "You're not really one to be giving me that advice."
[[Well, then, do as I say, not as I do, Nura.]] Bakura smirked, appearing in spirit form before Crystal.
"Please, stop calling me by your name for her, Bakura-san." Crystal replied, "I am me, not Sanura."
[[Sorry, but I prefer Nura to Neko-chan.]] Bakura snickered, [[Besides, I'm sure you'll slip up one day and call me Kura.]]
"You're probably right." Crystal sighed in defeat, "After that dream, it wouldn't surprise me if I did, but…"
[[You wouldn't feel right using it.]] Bakura said, his tone softening slightly along with his face, [[Understandable, but I wouldn't mind.]]
"Crystal, what are you doing up there?" Jono's voice called, causing Crystal to look up and Bakura to fade.
"You have some explaining to do, Crystal." Seto's voice seethed, "I told you not to wander off on your own."
"Gomen, Seto-kun, demo-"
"No buts, Crystal." Seto said harshly, "You disobeyed me, and then lied to Isono. What if you had gotten hurt out here all alone?"
"Cut her some slack, Kaiba." Jono said, "Crystal came back here, because of what happened. She probably didn't realize what she was doing until she got up there."
"Jonouchi-san is right, Seto." Crystal said, staring at the older teen, "I couldn't help myself, but I really am truly sorry."
"Fine, just get off the dueling platform." Seto snorted, "Go and be with your friends."
Crystal nodded slightly and climbed off of the dueling platform, and stood between Anzu and Namu. Then Jono and Malik climbed on to the dueling platform and began their match, while the others watched intently. Crystal shuddered slightly when Malik played a card that caused a temple to rise behind him. A hand suddenly rested on her shoulder, causing her to look up at Namu in surprise as he asked what was wrong. Crystal shook her head unable to find words to describe the dread that had settled in the pit of her stomach. As Namu removed his hand from Crystal's shoulder, Bakura appeared between the two of them with a sour expression on his face.
[[Stay close to the Pharaoh. Don't ask why; just listen.]]
"Crystal, are you okay?" Anzu asked in concern.
"No, something's wrong." Crystal replied softly, "I can feel that something is terribly wrong in the center of my being."
"Crystal, is it happening again?" Yami asked, concern in his deep voice.
"No, but it might." Crystal replied, shaking her head slightly.
[[If you fall into a trance, both the Pharaoh and I will protect you.]]
Even though Crystal had never seen most of the cards the Malik was playing, she felt as if she had seen them somewhere before. Her mind was slowly becoming overwhelmed by how many Egyptian-themed monsters and traps that Malik was playing. It was like she had seen a duel very similar to this one, but it hung on the back of her mind threatening to disappear forever. Sudden Crystal didn't feel the biting of the cold wind anymore, only a dry heat radiated around her. Malik was still dueling against someone, but it wasn't Jono; it was Sanura, her past self, and both of them were smiling and laughing as the duel continued. Then, Crystal felt herself being ripped back out of the memory, pain raking her mind.
"I didn't know." Namu's panicky voice said, "I just thought she had space out."
"It's all right Namu." Anzu's voice answered, before calling, "She's okay you guys. Her eyes are opening back up."
"What happened?" Crystal asked as Anzu and Yami helped her to rise.
"Namu accidentally ripped you out of your trance." Yami said, "He didn't know what was happening."
"Ani-san, you can take your turn now." Shizuka called, "Crystal is okay, now."
"You sure she's okay?" Jono asked.
"Your sister said she's okay, so take your turn, Inu-baka." Seto growled, causing Jono to snort, before drawing his next card.
"I pass." Jono said after looking a his card, "Before you attack there is one thin I have to say."
"Yes?" Malik questioned narrowing his olive eyes.
"I only have a little impression of the man who controlled my mind, but you didn't fight with foul means. Maybe I'll lose at last, but this duel will be almost the best duel I've had so far." Jono explained, "You're a True Duelist. I don't know why you pretend to be Malik, but my instinct can tell you weren't that bastard. You're not Malik."
"I am the true Malik." Malik (Rishid) said, pulling out a Golden Rod, "Only I possess the Millennium Rod. Attack my Mystical Beast."
{{Rishid, stop. Use Ra.}} Malik (the real one) ordered, {{It is the only way to prove that you are me.}}
[But Master.] Rishid protested.
{{Serve your master, and do as I say.}}
"To prove to you that I am who I say." Malik said, "I summon the Winged Dragon of Ra."
As the huge beast appeared from the Ark in the temple behind Malik, Crystal felt an intense rush of fiery rage all around her. Yami's Puzzle was glowing brightly as Malik ordered the beast to attack Jono directly. The monster wasn't moving and a storm seemed to close down on them from all directions. Lightning struck the dueling arena, causing Shizuka and Yami to shout at Jono to get down. Suddenly, lightning struck Malik, causing the Rod in his hand to shatter, as Yami said that Jono had been right. Then Jono tried to make his way to the fallen duelist only to be struck down by a blast of lightning himself.
"No, Jono-kun!" Crystal cried, looking up at the sky, "No, Ra, please don't take another of my friends."
"Don't climb on the dueling platform." Isono's voice ordered sternly, "This duel is still in progress."
"Kaiba, stop this madness." Yami's voice ordered.
"They can't be fatally injured." Seto said coldly, "Give them five minutes to rise. First one to rise wins, but both are disqualified if neither of them rise."
"Seto-kun, you can't be serious." Crystal called to him, "You just can't be."
"Neko-chan, calm down." Seto ordered.
"How?" Crystal asked, tears freely flowing down her cheeks, "I've lost two friends to those God Cards."
"Crystal…" Yami murmured, before the sobbing girl falls to her knees.
"You can't be gone, Jono-kun." Crystal sobbed, "You were one of the best friends I ever had, even if you did tease me."
Flashback
"Hey, look at this." Jono called, pulling Crystal into Kame Game Shop by her thick braid, "I caught Crystal as she was walking down the street."
"Knock it off, Inu-baka." Crystal said in mock anger, swatting his hand away from her hair, "Even Seto and Mokuba know not to mess with my braid."
"Oh what's little Koneko-chan going to do to me?" Jono laughed.
"I'm not little and I'm not a koneko. I'm Ne. ko. Chan." Crystal said firmly, swatting at Jono as she said her nickname.
"Okay, okay you're Neko-chan." Jono said, "But I'm Jono-sama."
"You'll be Jono-sama when you can beat me at a duel." Crystal laughed.
"With the way she's dueling that could be a while." Ryou chuckled, causing everyone to laugh, before Jono and Crystal started to duel.
Flashback
"Way to go Jono!" Honda's voice cheered, snapping Crystal back out of her memories.
"Jono's okay." Crystal murmured, before looking at Rishid, "But what about him?"
A small groan of pain from behind her caused Crystal to turn and see Namu clutching his head in pain, while holding the same Rod that the man who was pretending to be Malik had held. Crystal tried to go to him, but Namu pushed her away, telling her not to come too near him in a pained voice. When Namu had touched her, Crystal felt a sudden pulse of pain and fear run through her mind. Then his face contorted as she heard the fake Malik call him the true Malik. Namu admits to being Malik and calls all around him fool before saying he'll claim Yugi's Puzzle and the Pharaoh's Power, his voice becoming more sinister as he spoke.
"No, stay away." Malik groaned as Crystal took a step toward him, "Get back. He will hurt you."
Suddenly Malik doubled-over completely, and Crystal felt something had happened and took a couple steps backwards. When he righted himself, Crystal could see instantly that something had taken over Malik's body. He had more hair, which was spikier and fuller than Malik's, and his eyes were a violent mixture of violet and lavender. Finally a golden Eye of Anubis shone brightly on his forehead as he smirked broadly, staring at all of them. Then his eyes seemed to focus in on her for a second, before he addressed everyone.
"At last I come out! That shadow is useless—if he's in my body, I can't come out." He said, motioning to the fallen duelist and then continued, "Compared to me, the other Malik is better, but he isn't cruel enough; that boy only causes trouble. The other Malik is afraid of the dark, but me—I love darkness very much."
"Because of that fool, Rishid, I know that only those with a connection to Millennium Items can control the God Cards." He continued, "Kaiba, you're one of them."
"That's nonsense." Seto sneered, "I control Obelisk because I am a master duelist."
"You can't escape your 5,000 year-old memories any more than your sister." Yami Malik chuckled, his eyes focusing on Crystal again.
"Malik, you keep away from her." Yami growled, coming between him and Crystal, "You will not come near this girl."
"You can't stop me from my goals, just like that fool Malik couldn't." Yami Malik sneered, "The battle for your power begins now. I plan win both things that I want now that I'm back."
"Isono, get Crystal out of here." Seto ordered coldly, "Take her to Bakura Ryou's room and do not let her leave or anyone to enter unless they have my code or I am present. Understood?"
"Hai, Kaiba-san." Isono said sharply, before grabbing Crystal's arm, "Hikari-san, we leave now."
Crystal didn't waste time arguing with her brother and quickly followed Isono into the elevator and back to Ryou's room, where she was locked inside. It was a while before Seto came to see her and make sure that she was okay, but Crystal was terrified and didn't say much when he spoke to her. She kept avoiding his eyes and wouldn't sit or stand still as he spoke to her, telling her that only he, the doctors, and Yugi knew the code to get into the room. However, Crystal wasn't convinced that she was safe and continued to tremble nervously.
"Come here, Neko-chan." Seto said gently, sitting down on the small couch and opening his arms, "Tell me what's wrong."
"I'm scared, ani-san. I've lost my best friend because of this tournament." Crystal whimpered, "Then I almost lost Jono-kun, and Namu-san turned out to be Malik, who is now being controlled by someone or something else. Then there's that man, who is unconscious because of what happened to him and Jono."
"You need to control yourself." Seto ordered gently, "Yugi has made it clear that he will protect you, just as I would, and I'm sure Ryou would do the same."
"I'm scared you'll be the next one I see get hurt." Crystal replied, tightening her grip, "I don't want to lose you like I lost Ryou, ani-san."
"You won't lose me, imouto." Seto soothed, stroking her brown hair, "I don't plan on leaving you or Mokuba alone. Do you understand me?"
"Hai, but I don't want to lose anyone else I care about." Crystal sniffled, relaxing in Seto's arms.
"Neko-chan, I promise to be careful." Seto said firmly, "Now, we are gathering to choose the next duelists. Do you want to stay here, or with me?"
"I want to stay here." Crystal replied, "I know I'm safe here."
"Of course, Crystal." Seto nodded, "Fuguta is outside your door, so you don't have to worry about anyone getting in."
"Okay." Crystal murmured, before Seto left her alone with her still unconscious friend.
Shortly after Seto left the room Crystal heard the door hiss open once more, and thinking it was either Seto or Yugi, Crystal turned around. Unfortunately, it wasn't either of them; it was Yami Malik, smirking broadly as the door shut behind him. Crystal gasped in fright and tried to back away, only to find that she was about a foot from the wall and couldn't get any further away. Crystal's panicked actions caused Yami Malik to chuckled deep in his chest as he slowly made his way toward her trembling form. Crystal, still trying to move away from the ancient spirit, soon found herself in a corner of the room, completely trapped.
"Now, now, my little Desert Kitten, you shouldn't run away." He chuckled, "I'm not going to hurt you."
"How did you get in here?" Crystal stuttered out, "Seto said-"
"The code was easy to figure out." Yami Malik snickered, "He probably didn't think I knew your middle name."
"What do you want from me?" Crystal whimpered, backing down in fear, "I don't even know who you are."
"I highly doubt that, reincarnation of Sanura." Yami Malik smirked, "I know you've been seeing her memories. Why do you think I snapped you back out of your trace during the last duel?"
"But-"
"I made him notice. Neither of us needed you to get any louder and have the Pharaoh hear your chant."
"Why then?"
"I couldn't have you last time because I was too late." Yami Malik said, grabbing Crystal's chin and forcing her to stare into his violet-lavender eyes, "I don't plan on letting that happen this time."
"Marik." Crystal breathed after her eyes flashed blank for a second, "You're Priest Mark."
"Yes, and you-"
"Number 5, Ishtar Malik, has been selected for the next round. Ishtar Malik and Kujaku Mai must report to the dueling arena immediately." Isono's voice said over the video display, stopping Marik in his tracks.
"I'll be back for you later, my Desert Kitten." Marik smirked, before turning and leaving, "I have to take care of the female duelist first."
"No, not Jono's friend." Crystal gasped, still trembling.
Crystal: Ani-san = Older Brother (family). Oni-san is generally for Older Brother not in family, but I figure since Seto, Crystal, and Mokuba are so close, I'll use the family terms instead. Arigato, Shinku-kun, for telling me the proper terms.
Kris (enters room): I'm going to rip him limb from limb!
Crystal: Kris calm down. Neko-chan's safe, and you know I won't let anything bad happen to her.
Kris: But aibou, what if he finds out how close she and Ryou are? He'll hurt Ryou or Neko-chan or maybe even both of them.
Crystal: Kris! Neko-chan will be safe. I swear it on my honor as a fanfiction authoress and a duelist.
Kris: Fine, but I close this time. Read, Review, and Ja ne for now.
Crystal (tiny voice): Someone help me, plz.