Crystal: Hi, I'm back with another chapter. It's getting trickery to write, especially with where it is in the series. Hopefully after I get out of the Virtual World section it will be easier.
Kris: Aibou had to change more of her typing key, because what she usually uses isn't showing up anymore.
Crystal: Oh, well. On with the chapter.
"Blah" - speaking
Blah - thoughts or emphasis
))Blah(( - yami to hikari
)Blah( - hikari to yami
Blah - Ancient Egyptian
Blah - Bakura to Crystal.
Chapter Sixteen: Divide and Conquer
Crystal awoke from her restless sleep when the blimp jerked; throwing her off of the bed that she had been sleeping in. Stumbling into a standing position, Crystal saw the door to the room sliding closed as either Mokuba or Seto left. Wanting to know what was going on; Crystal hurried as best she could to the control room of the blimp. The blimp suddenly started to dive down and Crystal found herself running down the hall, almost falling as she went. Then when she reached the door to the control room, the blimp jerked its hardest yet, causing Crystal to fly through the automatic door and land on the floor with a nasty thud.
"Crystal, are you okay?" Jono's voice asked above her, "You look like you've to Hell and back."
"Seto-kun, what's going on?" Crystal asked, Anzu and Shizuka helping her to her feet.
"Someone's hacked into the system, Neko-chan." Seto replied, concern flashing in his ocean eyes.
"Welcome, everyone." A young male voice greeted, as a boy that looked like a younger version of Seto with pale aqua hair appeared on the video screen before them.
"Who are you, boy?" Seto demanded, placing a hand on Mokuba's shoulders.
"As I said, welcome, everyone." The boy smirked.
"State your name." Seto growled, his stance becoming more protective.
"My name is Noa Kaiba, and I was born superior to you, Seto Kaiba." The boy replied with another smirk.
"How dare you joke with me like that?" Seto glowered.
"Now, won't you all be my guests?" The boy invited with a sickeningly sweet smile on his face.
Noa smiled smugly to himself, after switch the video screen to show his ship rising from the water. He was going to have so much fun reclaiming his birthright as CEO of Kaiba Corp., while destroying the one who had stolen it away. As the blimp lowered into the base, Noa amused himself by watching the goings-on of Seto and his friends in the control room. They were panicked, shouting for him to release them, especially the blond and brunette boys, Jonouchi Katsuya and Honda Hiroto. Otogi Ryuuji, the Dungeon Dice Monster creator seemed to be taking in everything as were Mutou Yugi, Seto, and Mokuba.
"Mazaki Anzu and Jonouchi Shizuka seem the most worried." Noa mused, "But this Hikari Crystal seems to not even be aware of anything."
"Kaiba, Crystal's gone into another trance." Anzu called suddenly, catching Noa's attention, "She just froze up and started chanting again."
"Ease her on to the floor slowly." Seto ordered, his tone becoming fearful, "She was in pain when Malik ripped her out of the trance last lime."
"It's Japanese this time." Anzu gasped, "Not that other language."
"What is she saying?" Yugi asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"The dragons three born of blue and white will protect the lover of Shadow, born of Light." Anzu relayed, "That's all she keeps saying."
"What does it mean, Yugi?" Mokuba asked tearfully, "What's going on with Neko-chan?"
"My dragons are to protect Crystal from something." Seto remarked, "At least that is what it sounds like to me."
"So, Seto still has a soft spot for this girl." Noa mused, his eyes glinting slightly.
Noa remembered researching about the girl and her family, finding that she had been close friends with both of the brothers before his father adopted them. She was a champion at Duel Monsters in Tokyo, specializing in a Light-Fairy deck that was on par with Seto's usual deck. He would have to tell the Big 5 that her body was off-limits, because he had something special planned for her. However, Noa had to make sure his father would allow him the liberties of using Hikari Crystal against Seto. Gozaburo had a strong dislike for the girl, claiming that she was the reason that the brothers were so strong-willed against him.
"Break her and the brothers at the same time." His father's voice ordered, "When we return, she will pay."
"Of course, Father." Noa nodded with a smirk, "Seto doesn't deserve her."
Meanwhile…
Tears were flowing freely from Crystal's eyes as she came out of her trance, the memory of Bakura fading into the Shadow Realm still fresh in her mind. Her hands found the Millennium Ring still around her neck, causing the trembling girl to grip it tightly and hold it to her chest. Rocking on her heels, Crystal whimpered softly as Noa came back on the screen, stating that everyone was to exit the ship. She was vaguely aware of Seto leaving the room, a few of the others following behind him, protesting that he shouldn't go alone. A few seconds later, Fuguta and Isono came back into the room, telling her she had to go with Seto and the others.
"That strange boy insists." Fuguta told her firmly, "He says he'll force you to come off the blimp."
"I can't." Crystal whimpered softly, "I promised Mokuba nothing would happen to me."
"What is going on in here?" Seto's voice demanded, "Where's Crystal?"
"Hikari-san refuses to move, Kaiba-san." Isono replied, "She's terrified and won't move."
"Neko-chan, you can't stay here." Seto's voice said above her, "I'm not losing you to that Egyptian madman."
At the reminder of Marik's presence on the ship Crystal immediately rose to her feet and followed Seto to the doorway. Noa chuckled smugly, thanking Crystal for gracing them with her presence, which caused her to cling to Seto's arm fearfully. Then the younger boy asked them all to come through the door that opened in front of them. Isono and Fuguta started to come down the blimps stairs after everyone, but Noa turned a couple of what appeared to be guns at them. The invitation was for duelists only, according to Noa, and the suits would not be allowed to follow them.
"Crystal, stay behind me." Seto said, when Noa mentioned that past associates were eager to meet Seto, "I want protection on all around you."
Crystal released Seto's arm and nodded meekly, before backing away and clutching at the Millennium Ring once more. Sensing Crystal's fear and insecurity, Jono released Shizuka for a moment and placed a hand on the trembling girl's shoulder. Crystal jumped at the unexpected contact, before a shuddering sigh of relief escaped from her. It was easy to see that something had happened during the night, and the fact that she had the Ring was proof enough the something that had happened concerned Ryou in some way. Her mind was overwhelmed by everything that was happening, and it was starting to take a toll on her mental health.
"Take slow, deep breaths Crystal." Jono ordered gently, "In through the nose, out through the mouth."
"Hello, Seto." A male voice sneered, "Remember us?"
"Big 5." Seto growled, remembering how they had tried to trap him in his virtual reality game.
"When you lost that game, you were imprisoned in that virtual world instead of Seto." Mokuba said.
"Yes, and we wandered the virtual realm until we met Noa." The leader of the group said, "We hated Seto, but Yugi and the rest of his friends as well, for helping him."
"I've beaten you once and I'll do it again." Seto stated firmly.
Then between each of its the five members, the former board of directors explained their plan. They were all going to play in a Duel Monsters tournament, stating that if any of them lost, they would be trapped in the virtual world forever, while the Big 5 took over their bodies. Shizuka clung to her brother as everyone else stared in disbelief and horror at the statement, except for Jono who claimed that he would win his duel no matter what. The leader of the Big 5 laughed at Jono, before stating that they would now pay a visit to the dueling area to see the rules of the tournament in action.
In an instant they were in the middle of a lush jungle, causing Crystal to look around in both fear and wonder. Her grip on the Millennium Ring loosened and it jingled slightly as she slowly walked away from the group in daze. A large dinosaur appeared before her and roared fiercely, snapping the brunette out of her daze and causing her to shriek in fear. Crystal knew dinosaurs didn't exist anymore, but the beast before her seemed too real for her mind to comprehend. Once the dinosaur struck at her, its claw passing right through her body, Crystal fell to her knees as her body continued to shake.
"Kaiba, how could you leave her alone like that?" Yugi shouted, "That could have been real."
"I've written better virtual program in my sleep." Seto replied sharply, "I knew she wasn't in any danger."
"You jerk." Jono seethed, "I ought to knock your block off. You are the biggest-"
"Jonouchi, it's okay." Crystal said, stopping the blond, "I was just off-guard; don't blame Seto-kun for my reaction."
"Crystal, you're trembling like a cat caught with its paw in the birdcage." Jono retorted in frustration, his voice becoming harsher, "You thought that dinosaur was real, and don't deny it."
"Inu-baka, lay off of her, or you'll have to deal with me." Seto spat, walking briskly to Crystal's side and helping her rise, "I don't care how you talk to your sister, but don't ever speak to mine in that manner."
Jon's face pale slightly as he nodded to the taller brunette, obviously taken back by Seto's comments. Crystal gripped at the Millennium Ring again, clutching it close to her chest as another hologram came forward, a holographic Seto. Then the Big 5 started speaking, explaining the new rules for the tournament, using what he called Deck Masters. Each duelist would pick a monster out of their deck to act as a special guardian, which has a special ability to help you in the duel. It can be brought to the field at anytime, but could not be taken off again, and if it was destroyed in battle the duelist that it belonged to would lose immediately.
"I'll still take you down." Seto growled, as the jungle melted away.
"You and your friends are trapped." The Big 5 laughed, "The only way to escape is by beating us."
"Seto will beat you and you'll be trapped here forever." Mokuba shouted, grey eyes flashing angrily, "I won't let you hurt my ane-san, either."
"We let you hurt any of our friends or family." Jono proclaimed, before place his hands on Shizuka's shoulders, "I'll protect you, imouto."
"If we all work together," Yugi stated, "we'll get through this and win."
"Right." Honda and Otogi nodded firmly.
"But no one said who is dueling." Anzu mused.
"All of you will." The Big 5 laughed, "The first five to lose will lose their bodies to us, while their minds are forced to wander for all eternity."
"We'll see about that you overdressed pigs." Jono shouted, stepping forward.
"Ani-san!" Shizuka shouted as a hole appeared below him a he fell out of sight.
"Oh, yes." One of the Big 5 snickered, "We plan to separate you before we start the duels."
Next a hole appeared under Anzu and she dropped out of sight, causing Crystal to break away from Seto, only to have the hole disappear before she could reach it. Shizuka was next, followed by Otogi and Honda as they raced to her side. Hearing Mokuba cry out Crystal turned just in time to see the two brothers disappear down another hole. Yugi started to run to Crystal, who was now frozen with shock, but he too fell down a hole that appeared beneath his feet. Crystal was alone with these five men who sought to take over Seto's company, fear racing through her mind as she wondered if she was going to be the first one they chose to duel.
"So, you are the infamous, Hikari Crystal that turned Seto against his adopted father and led to our downfall." The apparent leader of the group snickered.
"I'm the first to duel, aren't I?" Crystal asked, her grip tightening on the Millennium Ring so that her knuckles, "I have to duel one of you."
"You might be or you might not be, my dear." The second remarked.
"We just had to see what is so important about you." The third stated.
"You aren't the same spirited girl that we were told about." The fourth mused.
"Gentlemen, you won't acquire your new bodies by talking to Miss Hikari." Noa's voice came.
"Too true." The fifth man said, "Goodbye, Hikari Crystal. We shall see you again, I'm sure."
A hole appeared beneath Crystal's feet and a strangle cry of fear escaped her lips as she fell down a dark hole, speckled with streaks of rainbow light. Closing her eyes tightly, Crystal clutched the Millennium Ring close to her chest, bracing for impact, whenever it came. Crystal was terrified by what was happening, not only for herself but for her friends as well. It was bad enough that she had lost Ryou and Bakura because of Marik, and now she might lose her more of friends because of the Big 5. This was too much for her mind to handle, causing the sixteen-year-old to fall unconscious as she continued to drop.
When she awoke Crystal found herself in the last place she wanted to be, a desert that stretched on for miles. A knot formed in her stomach as memories of her visions came forward from the back of her mind. She didn't want to be alone in the middle of the desert, especially after everything that she had see happen in the past. Shaking her head to force the memories back, Crystal picked a direction and started walking as fast as she dared in the intense heat that was now beating down on her. Things seemed to have gone from bad to worse for the poor girl, losing her friends and being able to do anything to stop it from happening.
"I have to keep going." Crystal murmured to herself, feeling her strength waning, "I just have to find Seto-kun and Moku-chan."
The sand seemed to stretch on for miles in every direction, making Crystal feel as though she might never find her way. Then she spotted something very strange, a door standing in the middle of the rising dune before her. Crystal circled around the door, confused by its presence in the middle of the desert terrain. It seemed solid enough and the only way to know what it was doing in the middle of the desert was to open it. So she wouldn't lose her nerve, Crystal hurriedly opened the door and walked through it into the darkness. The door closed behind her and Crystal found herself standing alone in a stone hallway lit by torches.
"No, not here." Crystal whispered, her eyes wide with fear.
"What is it about this hallway that brings fear to your heart?" A voice asked from behind Crystal, causing her to turn.
Behind her stood a young man that looked exactly like Seto, except he had the same pale aqua hair as the boy, Noa. He wore a tradition school uniform, but it was white in color and appeared to be trimmed in what looked like silver. When he looked at Crystal she recognized his smirk-like smile as the one that belonged to Noa. Stepping back in fear, Crystal never took her eyes off of the strange young man as he continued to stare at her with smug superiority. He stepped closer, index finger and thumb resting at his chin as he examined the trembling brunette.
"You could pass as his blood sister." The young man remarked.
"I thought you were Mokuba's age." Crystal said, taking another step back.
"That was how old I was when I died." The young man, who Crystal knew for sure was Noa, replied, "I thought you might be willing to speak with me if I appeared to look more like Seto, but I see I was wrong."
"Now matter how much you looked like Seto, I wouldn't want to talk to you." Crystal said, anger overcoming her fear, "You aren't anything like him."
"You're right." Noa said with a smirk, "I'm better."
"You're worse." Crystal snapped, "Seto would never do anything like this."
"Are you so sure?" Noa asked, "You apparently haven't been told about how he and Yugi came about to be rivals."
"I know what happened." Crystal replied coldly, "Yugi told me, but Seto wasn't himself in those duels. Now, leave me alone."
"You never answered me." Noa said, "Why do you fear this place?"
"It is none of your concern." Crystal answered, fear lacing her words, "Where are my brothers?"
"Brothers, now are they?" Noa chuckled, "They are reliving a few select memories, just as you are. Farewell, Hikari Crystal."
With those final words, Noa vanished as quickly as he came, leaving Crystal alone in the hallway. Releasing a trembling sigh of relief, Crystal leaned against the hieroglyphic wall and slid to the ground. Noa had made her feel uncomfortable under his gaze, as though he would attack her if she were to let her guard down. Now that she was alone, Crystal felt safer, even though she was trapped within the halls that plagued her nightmares. Exhaustion started to seep into the sapphire-eyed girl, causing her to rest her weary head upon her drawn knees.
"Yes, sleep, Hikari Crystal." A male voice chuckled softy as a figure appeared and lifted her unconscious body, "So long as I have you in my possession, Seto will not be able to fight me."
Crystal: I know it's short, but this is the best place for me to leave it off at.
Kris: Please review. Remember constructive criticism is always welcome.