AN/ I am so sorry about the delay in updating, but college is keeping me very busy.
Shayla leaned against the door to her room. Her nerves were still on edge from the final plunge that had lead to her escape from the virtual world. That feeling had yet to fade, before it had been replaced by the old concerns about Battle City, whether anyone else would be hurt, whether anything could be done to help Mai, whether she could use her scales to reverse some of the damage.
"Everything is so unsure now," she thought. She crossed her arms across the chest, as if trying to protect herself. "I don't know any more…if things will work out for the best. I feel…lost…alone. Mai… I don't like feeling alone. But I promised myself I would be brave, so that I can help my friends. I just wish I knew what I could do."
Absentmindedly, or maybe even instinctively, she slipped her right hand into her backpack to run her fingers over her Millennial Item. Shayla's sensitive fingertips felt their way over the cool, metal surface. But for some reason, it felt slightly warm than usual. It wasn't the same warmth from when she used them, but it was warmth nonetheless.
Safety…Security….
Shayla felt herself getting dizzy. It felt like she was falling backwards, though she knew it was impossible, because the wall was there…
xFlashbackx
"Where have you been, daughter?" asked a lady. Shayla was once more watching through eyes that weren't her own. She had never met this woman before, but for some reason, she trusted her instantly.
"Out mother," Shayla felt herself reply. Her head turned and looked at her feet, causing Shayla to lose sight of the woman.
"My…mother?" wondered Shayla. She sounded nothing like Shayla's mother in the present time, from the few times their paths had crossed. The next thought hit her so fast, so suddenly, and so honestly, she was surprised by it. "I'd rather have her as a mother than my real mother."
"You're behind in your work. Now set the table. Your father has been working hard with your oldest brothers all day, and they're going to want to eat," ordered the lady.
"Yes mother," she answered, glancing quizzically at her mother.
"Yes, Reuben and Manasseh are joining us tonight," her mother answered the look.
Shayla could feel herself getting excited. She didn't know why. She didn't even know a Reuben or a Manasseh. Then, she realized, that wasn't accurate. Somehow, she knew who they were. Reuben was her oldest brother, and Manasseh the second oldest. They had both already been married, so it had been a long time since she had last eaten dinner with them.
"What am I thinking?" wondered Shayla. "My brothers? I ate with them? No, this isn't me."
Shayla sat back and watched as herself went through her evening chores, helping her mother set the table and cook a meal. It all seemed so natural, even though Shayla had never done anything like it in her entire life.
She had just finished setting the last bowl on the table when the door opened. A middle-aged man was the first to enter. Somehow, Shayla instantly knew he was her father. Her older brothers, all eight of them, entered behind him. They all wore the same style of clothing, a dark outer robe with a lighter brown inner robe and sandals.
Reuben entered immediately behind her father. He was the tallest and most built up of the group. He was also the oldest. He had dark navy hair that was shaggy around his ears. His eyes were the same color, if not deeper, than his hair. Shayla somehow knew he was very kind-natured, and acted almost like a second father to her. In fact, he embraced her in a large hug the moment he saw her. Shayla was surprise, but it wasn't unpleasant.
Manasseh was behind him. He had sandy-colored hair that was shorter than his eldest brother. He was barely shorter than Reuben, but he was much thinner, so the difference seemed greater. He clearly took after their mother. He was quieter than Reuben, preferring to work hard by himself. He also was less affectionate, but that did not mean he did not care. He placed a hand on Shayla's shoulder as he passed her.
Shayla could tell the next two were twins, even though she had never "seen" any twins before. They're names were Josech and Dagan. Shayla had no idea how to tell them apart, but yet, she knew nonetheless. They had the same short black hair. They were as tall as Manasseh, but built like Reuben. Their dark eyes shown with the thoughts of mischief. They were the jokers of the family, and always ready to have fun. They winked at Shayla has they entered, and she knew they were plotting something.
Eleazar entered behind them, keeping his chocolate colored eyes on the twins. It was clear he suspected something too. His hair was the same color as Shayla's, which was several shades darker than Manasseh's sandy color, but straight. He wore it long, and could have tied it into a ponytail if he wanted too…if he knew what one was, given it was a different time period. He was the shortest of her brothers, and had Manasseh's thin build. He was quiet too, but that was because he was always watching things. He would have lots to talk about if asked, but never volunteered the information. Eleazar's observations always gave him great insight, and often made him seem like the smartest of her brothers. He, too, embraced Shayla as he walked by.
Seth was the next one to enter the house. He had black hair like the twins, but had Shayla's and Eleazar's eye color. He was the thinnest of her brothers, and often was in the back, in the shadows. He was not social at all, and kept to himself at all costs. He was still fiercely loyal, perhaps more than the rest. Even though Seth never said much, Shayla knew she liked to be with him, just to be with him. They were family after all. He barely glanced at Shayla, but that did not mean he did not care.
Mathias was her seventh brother. His hair was a unique forest green that was always a mess. He was the second shortest, but his build almost made up for that. He was the exact opposite of Seth. He loved to be with people and loved to be the center of attention. Shayla knew she often suspected Mathias of being trained by the twins, Josech and Dagan, to carry on the art of pranking. He still was always kind to Shayla, and sometimes even seemed to go out of his way to help her. He embraced her with a hug so immense she was nearly swept off of her feet.
The last to enter was Jareth. He was lanky and showing signs of not being done with his growth spurts. His hair was black and spiky. His eyes were deep navy to the point of looking black. Their true color only showed in direct sunlight. He was high strung and temperamental, and the family often was worried about him going off on an Egyptian and getting himself arrested. He was bold and rash, but Shayla liked that about him as much as it drove her nuts. She knew, despite his temper, he was dependable. Jareth looked like he wanted to say something to her, but could not get passed their other brothers, so he proceeded to the table.
Surrounded by them, Shayla felt much smaller than she thought she really was. But then, she also began to wonder if she wasn't actually smaller. In the present, Shayla had always been on the tall side. But now, in Egypt, she had guessed that she wasn't as tall. It didn't seem to make much logical sense. Then again, nothing had lately. Since she didn't feel any danger at all, she decided to ride it out. In fact, quite the opposite was true. She felt….safe here.
The family exchanged greetings and small discussions broke out about their day. They all gathered around the table as Shayla and her mother brought the food they had prepared to it. Everyone had their seat, with her father at the head of the table, the brothers down the sides in age order, and Shayla at the very end. It didn't bother her. They were family.
xEnd Flashbackx
Shayla snapped back to her senses, feeling a bit disoriented for a moment. She was slumped against the wall of the airship. The cooler air of the passage further helped pull her from the warm feeling of the Israelite kitchen. Already parts of the vision were fading. She couldn't remember as much about the family she had just seen as she knew a moment ago.
Shayla straightened herself up. All of her concerns about Battle City resurfaced. But this time, they weren't alone. The same feelings of safety, security, and love also circled around her, just like they had 5,000 years ago. Shayla pulled them around her like a blanket, trying to ward off the cold of fear. Her feet were already walking to a room she had spent more time in than her own.
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"W-what happened to her?" asked Kevin, looking down at Mai's unmoving form.
"Marik," replied Tristan, rather harshly.
"Marik?"
"Another one of the finalists, and a total nutcase," answered Duke.
"He doesn't care who he hurts, as long as he can get Yu-Gi's Millennial Puzzle," added Joe.
"And it's not fair," sniffed Serenity. "What did Mai ever do to him?"
Kevin put a hand on her shoulder, causing both Tristan and Duke's eyes to twitch. "I wish I had an answer. She's too good-looking to be suffering," he said to her. Now Joe's eyes were twitching as well.
"Cool it lover-boy!" snapped Joe.
"What did I do?"
"You know exactly what I mean!" shot Joe.
"All I said what that Mai was cute…and she is!" protested Kevin. "Oh! I see! You two are a couple!"
"W-w-w-w-what?!" stammered Joe as Téa and Lara repressed laughter. "That's not it, mouse!"
"M-m-mouse?!" exclaimed Kevin. "I am not a mouse, dog-boy!"
"Grrr!"
"Well, you do growl like one."
By now Tristan and Duke were both repressing laughter as well.
"I'm not going to let you get away with that comment," retorted Joe, reaching over to Kevin and giving him a noogie.
"Not the hair! Not the hair!" protested Kevin.
"There, now we're even," Joe said with a smile.
"Fine…fine," mumbled Kevin, his hands trying to restore his blond spikes. He decided it was best to change the subject. "How did this Marik manage to hurt Mai so badly anyways?
"Erm…um…" The group exchanged rather nervous looks, not sure how much to tell him.
"Does it have something to do with the Millennial Items?" asked Kevin.
It went completely quiet for a moment, while the group eyed him in surprise.
"You know about the Millennial Items?" Joe asked, at length.
"Well, like I said before, just a bit," replied Kevin, cautiously.
"How?"
"Remember? My dad was an archaeologist."
"What did he tell you about the Millennial Items?" asked Drake.
"Well, dad would talk about them a lot, but I didn't really listen. I mean, it was all these myths about magic and stuff. I didn't believe any of it until I met you guys," answered Kevin.
"It's all real," admitted Yu-Gi with a sigh. "Marik used the Millennial Rod to slowly seal Mai's mind in the Shadow Realm. We need to beat him, quick, to save her."
"He's not going to get away with this," added Joe, tersely. "We're going to save her!"
"Calm down Joe," said Duke. "Yelling isn't going to help anything." Joe went quiet, but an unmistakable fire did not fade from his eyes.
"Attention duelists," said a voice over the PA. "All finalists are to report to the Kaiba Corp. Duel Tower."
"Great! Time to kick Marik's butt!" exclaimed Joe, adjusting his duel disk on his forearm.
"We must be careful, Joe," cautioned Yu-Gi. "Marik can't be underestimated. He's hurt a lot of people already."
"I have my eyes on a different ego-maniac," replied Drake.
"Yeah right, Kaiba won't even let you duel," retorted Tristan.
"He had better!" exclaimed Drake. "I got six locator cards, and according to the Battle City rules, I am finalist too!"
"Calm down," said Kevin. "I'm sure your wife wouldn't want to see you get all worked up over Kaiba."
Drake was suddenly seized by a fit of coughing as his face matched his hair in color.
Lara blinked a few times in surprised, then started laughing. "We're not married, yet," she said, winking at Drake, who only seemed to turn redder. He had been doing rather well lately in controlling his blushing, but this time it had returned with reinforcements.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" apologized Kevin, looking a bit ashamed by his mistake. "Just…the way you two were acting… I thought you two were newlyweds or something."
Joe, Tristan, and Duke all started laughing, as well.
"Kev, that's a good one. I'm going to have to remember it," chortled Joe.
"You have to admit, he got you two good," added Duke. "We all know how you two act."
"I get the point," muttered Drake, trying to compose himself.
"Nothing to be ashamed about, I think it's romantic," cooed Téa.
"You guys need to get going," reminded Serenity. "The tournament is still going on…"
"…no thanks to rich-boy. Kaiba doesn't know when to take a break," interrupted Joe.
"But you guys still need to compete, to save Mai," continued Serenity. "You need to go."
"She's right," agreed Yu-Gi. "The fate of the world is at stake."
"The world?" asked Kevin.
"We'll fill you in on the way," groaned Tristan.
"Good luck!" called Serenity. "I'm going to stay with Mai."
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Ishizu knew who was at her door before she opened it. The gentle knock gave it away, but Ishizu also could tell, somehow instinctively, who it was before she even heard the knock.
"Hello, child," greeted Ishizu.
"Hi, Lady Ishizu," replied Shayla as she entered the eighth finalist's room.
"You seem tense about something," said Ishizu, looking Shayla over as she felt her way to one of the plush seats in the middle of the suite.
"I'm worried…about so much," answered Shayla. She crossed her arms protectively across her chest as soon as she set her backpack by her feet. She was still wearing the feeling that had lingered from the prior vision like a warm blanket. She wanted to hold onto it for as long as possible. The details of the vision were blurry now, but the feeling had yet to fade.
"As I…" agreed Ishizu, taking the seat opposite of her. Shayla was busy digging in her backpack, and pulled out her Millennial Item. She set them on the table in front of them.
Ishizu's eyes went wide and she gasped. "That energy pattern from the Millennial Scales! They have been used recently! I do not believe…!" Her eyes scanned her student more carefully, but she could not see the emotion she was looking for. "Can it be that Shayla has tapped into the scales' ability to summon the final judge, the Devourer, and is unaware of it? And who was it that Ammit was sent to judge? Her skills with her Millennial Item are growing, and she seems completely unaware of it! I feel there is something at work here that the future must reveal." Her hand absently brushed her neck.
"I don't think there's much time left," Shayla said, biting her lower lip. "I have to do something to try to reach Mai in the Shadow Realm. I don't want to lose my best friend." Her voice threatened to crack with the last sentence.
"It will not be easy, Shayla," said Ishizu. "The darkness within my brother has grown strong, the light is almost gone. It will not be easy to break his hold on his victims." Worry also laced her tone.
"I must try," answered Shayla. "I don't want to lose another friend." This time her voice did crack.
Ishizu's blue-grey eyes studied Shayla for a moment before she answered. "Her expression is so familiar. It is the same as the past; hope, determination, and concern all woven together."
Ishizu changed what she was planning on saying. Instead, she asked, "Is there something else you wish to tell me, child?"
Shayla went completely silent, unsure of how much to tell. She did know that she could not deny Ishizu's question. That would be a lie, and the scales had made it physically impossible for her to lie. "I…I am not sure. I've been having these…I guess they're dreams, but I sometimes I wonder if they're more than that…"
"Ishizu!" bellowed a voice from the door. Both girls jumped.
"Oh no…" Shayla exhaled under her breath.
"What are you doing here?" demanded Ishizu, glaring at the dark spirit which had engulfed her brother.
"Where is Odion?" demanded Yami Marik.
Ishizu stood up, glaring daggers at him. Shayla remained sitting, her hands tightly gripping the armrests.
"Why would I tell you?" she shot to Yami Marik.
"That fool is the only one capable of stopping me," answered Yami Marik. "Therefore he must be disposed of. I'm going to send him to the Shadow Realm." He laughed. Ishizu frowned, not letting up on her glare at all. "If you insist on defending him, you can share his fate!"
"You're not going to get away with this," hissed Ishizu.
"And you're going to stop me?" mocked Yami Marik. He raised the Millennial Rod to eye level.
Ishizu did not reply, save for continuing the hard look she was giving him.
"You're nothing!" laughed Yami Marik. "You gave away the one thing that could protect you from me! You no longer possess the Millennial Necklace, and without that, you're just another foolish mortal!" Ishizu's eyes went wide, and her hand flew to her neck, but the Millennial Necklace was gone. She had given it to Yu-Gi and Yami the prior day. "You can join your father in the Shadow Realm."
Yami Marik crossed the room, and stood in front of Ishizu. Her brought the Millennial Rod to the left side of her face. Beads of sweat instantly formed on her forehead. Her eyes wavered and focused on the golden item directly in front of her.
"Is this fear I see in your eyes? I think I like it!" laughed Yami Marik.
Shayla was on her feet that moment, standing beside Ishizu. "L-leave her alone!" countered Shayla, her right hand grabbing her scales off of the table. The Eye of Horus on her scales glittered momentarily.
Yami Marik turned and eyed her a moment, clearly not threatened. However, she was the bearer of a Millennial Item, and he was not willing to get into a clash of Millennial Items yet, no matter how weak she seemed.
"Attention all duelists, please report to the Kaiba Corp. Duel Tower so the semi-finals can commence," came a voice over the PA.
Yami Marik turned and headed for the door. "Fate has spared you for the moment, Ishizu. But I will return and finish our little talk later, so you had better give me the answer I seek." He flounced away.
Ishizu glared at his back as he left, her upper lip curled in a bit.
Shayla flopped back into her chair, shaking badly, her scales already sitting on the table again. "It's u-u-useless. I-I can't d-do it," she stammered. "I c-can't even k-keep a promise t-to myself. H-How c-can I k-keep a promise to m-my friend?"
"What do you mean, child?" asked Ishizu, kneeling beside her.
"I promised myself t-that I would stop being afraid," answered Shayla. "But it's useless. I'm still t-terrified about everything going on."
"That's not true Shayla, you were very brave just now."
"No I wasn't." She hung her head low. "I was scared out of my mind. If they hadn't announced the finals, I think I would have collapsed. I c-can't handle this. I'm not brave at all."
"Shayla, it's not like that at all," replied Ishizu, placing a hand on her upper arm. "Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is continuing despite fear. I know you were scared just now, but you acted bravely despite your fear. That makes you brave."
"I don't feel it…."
"You should. Trust yourself, because you have all you need within you."
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The duelists and cheerleaders filed off of the airship and stepped onto Kaiba Corp. Island. The island was a mess. The ground was so littered with rusted scrap metal it could pass for a dump. Contrasting that, in the middle was a large, shining, high-tech tower. It looked like a series of lightning bolts fused together.
"What is this freaky place?" asked Joe, scanning the piles of metal.
"This is Kaiba Corp. Island, the location of the very first Kaiba Corp. building," answered Seto Kaiba, in a tone loud enough it carried to everyone present. "When I took over Kaiba Corp., I tore the old building down and built Kaiba Corp. Duel Tower. This island represents the success of new over the old."
"That explains a lot…" muttered Drake.
"This place is a dump," said Joe, thinking along the same lines as Drake, but seriously lacking tack. "Oh well, I'm gonna kick total butt here. So you'd better watch out rich boy, cause I'm going to take you down."
"You're not in my league, Wheeler," retorted Kaiba. "The only reason you got in this tournament to begin with is because someone screwed up at registration. And the only reason you've last this long is because you can stand when no one else could. Don't delude yourself into thinking you're a competent duelist, because you are anything but."
"GRRRR! Get back here and say that to my face!" threatened Joe, Tristan and Duke instantly jumping forward to hold him back.
"He's not worth it," hissed Duke.
"Save it for the duel," added Tristan.
"Yeah! You hear that Kaiba, I'm gonna cream you in a duel!" shouted Joe. Seto Kaiba continued walking towards the duel tower completely unconcerned.
"Calm down, Joe," said Yami, who had taken over at the prospect of an upcoming duel.
"Right…" muttered Joe, half-heartedly.
"How pathetic," cackled a deep voice.
"Not him…" groaned Téa.
Yami Marik had exited the blimp, as well. He had mounted one of the piles of junk, and was now staring down at the group.
"Is that Marik?" asked Kevin.
"Yup," replied Tristan.
"I don't like him already," said Kevin.
"It won't be long now, pharaoh," taunted Yami Marik, glaring down at Yami. "Soon your Millennial Puzzle will be mine, and with it the whole world!"
"Marik, you will not win! I promise you that!" shouted Yami.
"You're going to regret hurting our friends!" added Joe, raising a fist.
Yami Marik laughed. "It won't be long pharaoh until you taste the flames of my Winged Dragon of Ra! But in the mean time, maybe I should introduce some more of your friends to the shadows." His eyes swept the group, a sadistic smirk plastered across his face.
"Marik! Leave my friends out of this! Your fight is with me!" shouted Yami Yu-Gi.
Yami Marik's next laugh was cut short.
"You're wrong Marik, I'm going to be your opponent in the finals, not Yu-Gi," shot Kaiba.
"Yeah right, I'm taking you down rich-boy!" snapped Joe. He then turned and glared up the trash heap at Yami Marik. "You're going down too, artichoke head, for what you did to Mai!"
"The shadows will be hungry for your flesh, mortal," replied Yami Marik, before he continued on to the duel tower.
"I wouldn't be making promises you can't deliver, Wheeler," snapped Kaiba. "You won't stand a chance in the next round."
"Take that back!" shouted Joe, once again trying to jump Kaiba, once again being restrained by Tristan and Duke. "You're mine!"
"He's mine, Joe, sorry," said Drake, adjusting the duel disk on his arm.
"What are you doing, Pegasus?" asked Kaiba, harshly.
"Competing," answered Drake. "I won six locator cards, therefore, according to your own rules, I'm a finalist too."
"Think again," retorted Kaiba. "You missed the preliminaries. You don't qualify for a place in the semi-finals."
"You can't change the rules as you go, Kaiba!" snapped Drake, embers dancing in his eyes.
"I don't waste my time with dragon-duelist wanna-bes," said Kaiba, turning his back on Drake and again walking into the duel tower.
"How dare he?!" exclaimed Drake, now being held back by Lara.
"You can't treat people like this, Kaiba," snapped Kevin. "What did we ever do to you?!"
"What? Has the mouse found his voice?" said Kaiba. "Don't make me laugh. You're worth even less of my time."
"What did you call me?!" demanded Kevin, who had to be restrained by Téa.
"Does he have a death wish or something?" asked Lara. "Kaiba's going to get pounded if he doesn't learn to hold his tongue."
"He'll be safe as long as we're here to hold everyone else back," said Duke.
"Sometimes I wonder why we do," said Tristan. "I think we should just let Joe pound him into the ground. Like Lara said, Kaiba's asking for it."
"You know if Joe tried to fight Kaiba he's be the one on the ground," said Duke.
"Good point," agreed Tristan.
"Hey! I heard that!" shouted Joe.
"Save your energy for the duel, Joe," said Yami, entering the duel tower also.
The inside the duel tower was nothing like the outside. It was all silver steel. The walls were smooth and virtually seamless. There was no furnishings or windows at all. The only things in the room were four doors, leading into darkness, and an escalator. Rollin, the official, and Mokuba were already standing in the middle of the empty room.
"What is this place?" asked Téa, looking around.
"Probably something for another one of Kaiba's ego trips," muttered Drake.
"Will each finalist choose a different door to enter?" announced Rollin, telling them what to do.
"Choose a door?" asked Joe, eyeing up the four doors, one in each corner of the tower.
"Apparently," said Yami.
Drake moved to enter one.
"Where do you think you're going, Pegasus?" snapped Kaiba.
Drake fanned his six locator cards. "Follow your own rules for once Kaiba. I'm a finalist and you know it! Though I guess you just don't want me to compete because you know you can't beat me!"
"You're not a finalist! Try to interfere, and you can swim home!" threatened Kaiba.
"Drake, please, he's not worth this stress," pleaded Lara, noticing her boyfriend's hands were curling into tight fists.
"I wouldn't mind have a chance to take that ego down," said Kevin.
"Well, here goes nothing," said Joe. "One potato, two potato, three potato, four…" He pointed to a door with each syllable.
"How did that fool ever make it that far?" wondered Kaiba, walking into one door.
"You're kidding me, right?" sweat-dropped Lara.
"Sadly no," groaned Tristan, as they continued to watch Joe pick his door.
"And potato says that one!" exclaimed Joe, pointing to the door behind Yami Marik. Yami Marik smirked and entered the same door. "Hey! I choose that one! I had dibs!"
"Just enter the door closest to you," said Yami, picking the door closest to himself.
"What about my potato song?" whined Joe as he entered the remaining door.
Each door led to a tiny room, no bigger than a large closet. A pod-like platform was in the back of each room. Each duelist stood on this platform. There was the sound of the whirling of machines as the duel tower came to life. The platforms jumped upward. They were really elevators, taking the duelists to the second level.
"Come on, this way!" said Mokuba, motioning everyone else to follow him up the escalator.
They all did, curious as to where their friends had been taken to.
The next level was as furnished as the first. The pods with the duelists were already in position. The pods had stopped about ten feet from the floor, each by a large lit sign reading the number 4000. Yami Marik was staring at everyone defiantly, his arms across his chest. Kaiba's arms were crossed too, though he was looking a bit bored and a bit impatient. Yami looked confident and yet curious. Joe looked completely baffled.
"What the?! What's going on here?" asked Joe, his eyes darting all over the place.
"Rollin will explain the rules," said Kaiba. "I've asked him to speak slowly and use one syllable words so you'll be able to understand."
"Hey!" growled Joe, though he couldn't do much, being stuck in the pod.
"This duel will be a four-way free for all," announced Rollin, loudly. "Each duelist is free to attack whomever he wants. This duel will have no effect on your place in the finals. I repeat, this duel will have no effect on your place in the finals. Instead, this duel will determine your opponent in the semi-finals. The first two duelists who's life points reach 0 will duel each other in the semi-finals."
"Hey! It's a duel to see who duels!" exclaimed Joe.
"Leave it to Kaiba to find some difficult way to determine the finals," muttered Drake. "He probably didn't want me to compete, because he knew Joe, Yu-Gi and I would triple team him."
"I'd make it a quadruple team," added Kevin.
"In order to determine who will go first in this duel, each duelist is to select a monster card from his deck," Rollin continued. "The monster with the highest attack points will go first, and the monster with the lowest will go last. However, the monster chosen cannot be used during the duel at all."
"So if they want to go first, they have to give up a powerful monster from their decks," said Duke, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Kaiba has the advantage then," grumbled Drake.
"What do you mean?" asked Téa.
"Well, he probably made that rule, about the person who gives up the strongest monster goes first," said Drake.
"Yeah, makes sense," agreed Kevin.
"What's your point?" asked Tristan.
"It means Kaiba could have slipped in a really powerful monster that he doesn't need, just to make sure he went first," explained Drake.
"That jerk!" snapped Kevin.
"Wait, we don't know if he did that or not guys. Let's not jump to conclusions," said Téa.
"You're as right as you are beautiful," said Kevin.
"Oh brother…" groaned Tristan, while Téa blinked blankly.
"It does seem like something he might try, though," agreed Lara, slipping closer to Drake.
"Have you all chosen your card?" asked Rollin. "Now, show the monster that you have chosen." The four finalists flipped their cards over for all to see. Rollin quickly scanned the cards. "The order will go as follows; Mr. Kaiba, Marik Ishtar, Yu-Gi Motou, and Joe Wheeler."
"Let's duel!" they all said at the same instant.
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Shayla had finally gotten a grip on herself and stopped shaking. Her and Ishizu were one of the few still on the blimp, which had gone so quiet it was almost eerie. Ishizu kept glancing out her window at the duel tower and biting her lip. Shayla could not see her concern, but she picked up on it nonetheless. Her fifth sense was in-tune to moods in people, magic, and even the weather. Many would call it a sixth sense, but in Shayla's case it was her fifth sense.
"What is it, Lady Ishizu?" asked Shayla.
"I fear the worst is yet to come," she answered, at great length. "I cannot see the future any more, but I can still sense that there is trouble ahead."
"I'm worried about the same thing," agreed Shayla. "I've felt it ever since this tournament began." Worry lines appeared on her forehead.
"Trust your heart to guide you through the storm," said Ishizu, also picking up on her concern.
"I don't feel strong right now at all…But I know I need to be. My best friend needs me."
However, it is true that the strength of your heart will determine how your scales will respond. You must find the strength inside that others see in you, then you'll be able to break the rod's power on Mai." Her tone wavered on the last sentence.
"What is it, Lady Ishizu?" asked Shayla.
Lady Ishizu turned away, focusing on the duel tower. "I only wish it was that easy to save my brother from the darkness that has engulfed him. But since Odion, who was the guardian of my brother's soul, was rendered unconscious in the duel, the darkness inside of my brother has grown powerful. …I only hope…but hope seems so fragile right now."
"I don't know much about families, at all," said Shayla. "But I think your brother needs you, right now."
Ishizu turned and looked at her, studying her for a moment. But the majority of Shayla's expression was hidden behind her sunglasses. "She cannot lie, being the bearer of the scales."
Shayla paused for a long moment, thinking about what she was going to offer. She knew the odds of a shadow game happening were high, but her promise to herself prompted her to speak. "Let's go to the duel, together."
"…It hurts to see my brother like this," Ishizu admitted.
"I can't say I'd know what that was like…" said Shayla, for a rare moment bringing attention she hated to her disability. "But, after being with everyone hear for so long, and after the virtual world, I now know it is important for us to stick closely to those we care about."
"How ironic the virtual world taught me about pulling together, when they completely forgot about me," Shayla realized a moment later. She had not been part of their support then, but she had been in a position to hear it all, and she was surprised what an impact that had made in her.
"Yes…you are right," admitted Ishizu. "She still has the simple, pure-hearted insight she possessed so long ago. I just wish she would trust herself more and let it shine."
"I'll go with you."
Ishizu took a deep breath and slowly let it go. "Yes. Come on. Let's go."
Shayla stood and followed in behind the sound of Ishizu's footsteps as they headed into the hallway. Ishizu was walking slowly, her brother first in her thoughts. Shayla had one hand on the wall, walking just as she had on the boat to the Duelist Kingdom, in what seemed like another lifetime ago.
On their way out, they happened to walk by the hospital wing. It was on the lowest level, next to storage, which made it close to the entrance/exit. Ishizu, being a finalist, had a suite on one of the upper levels.
"Ishizu, Shayla," called Serenity as they passed.
"What is it, Serenity?" asked Ishizu, stopping. She entered the room only a step.
"Where are you going? I thought everyone was in the duel tower," said Serenity.
"That's where we are going," answered Shayla.
"Wish my brother good luck for me, please," requested Serenity.
"We will," agreed Ishizu.
Shayla paused. "H-How's Mai?"
"She hasn't changed at all. She hasn't moved or said anything," replied Serenity, quietly.
Shayla's head lowered. "I'll be back after the duel. I'm going to try to help her."
"I hope you can snap her out of it," said Serenity. "My brother has been trying really hard too. He wants to duel Marik. He thinks beating Marik in a duel with save Mai." Ishizu's eyes wavered.
"None of us have given up yet," said Shayla, softly. Then, even softer, she said, "Don't give up on us Mai."
The last line had been so quiet that Ishizu barely heard it. She glanced over at her student, catching Shayla's posture and expression.
"She's lonely," Ishizu realized, almost like an epiphany.
"Serenity, thank you for staying with Mai," said Shayla.
"It's the least I can do. I really look up to her."
"So do I," admitted Shayla.
"We will be back shortly, Serenity," said Ishizu. "Good-bye."
"Bye, and be careful," said Serenity. "And don't forget to tell my brother!"
"We won't," said Shayla, following the sound of Ishizu's footsteps down the hall and out of the airship.
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The duel was progressing, and it was more intense than anyone had imagined. Each of the four duelists had his own priorities he was trying to push, while defend himself for everyone else's agenda. At the moment, Kaiba had two face down cards, Marik had one face down card and Lord Poison in attack mode, Yami Yu-Gi had a face down card and Big Shield Guardna in defense mode, and Joe had one face down card. Joe was also the only one who had lost life points. He was at 3300. His pod had risen higher in the duel tower, closer to a lit sign with the number 3000 on it.
"I need to make sure Marik and Wheeler are the first out of this duel," thought Kaiba. "I need to face Yu-Gi in the semi-finals and win Slifer the Sky Dragon with Obelisk the Tormentor. Marik's Winged Dragon of Ra is clearly the strongest god card, so I'll need both Slifer and Obelisk to win it. Then I'll reclaim my title as the world's best duelist and have the strongest deck in the world!"
"I don't care which of these fools I face in the semi-finals," thought Yami Marik. "Sooner or later I will duel the pharaoh, and then his Millennial Puzzle will be mine, along with infinite power! But in the mean time I'll have fun sending his friends slowly into the Shadow Realm."
"I should be the one to face Marik," thought Yami. "He's hurt too many people already, and I'm the one he's after. I need to duel him before anyone else gets hurt. Then the fate of the world can be peace again."
"As much as I want to kick Kaiba's sorry behind, I have other things to worry about," thought Joe. "I made a promise to Mai to save her! So I have to beat Marik in a duel to get her mind out of the Shadow Realm. So I need to duel Marik as soon as possible, because Mai is running out of time!"
"I sacrifice my Big Shield Guardna and summon Beast of Gilfer in attack mode!" announced Yami. His newest monster appeared in front of him. The Beast of Gilfer had 2200 attack points. "Now, Beast of Gilfer, attack Kaiba's life points directly!"
"Reveal trap card, Attack Guidance Armor!" announced Seto, turning over one of his cards. "This trap redirects your attack to somewhere else, and I chose Marik's Lord Poison!"
"Nice try," smirked Yami Marik. "Mirror Force redirects that attack to the pharaoh!" The attack blasted through his monster, but turned before it hit him, now targeting Yami.
"I activate Seven Tools of the Bandit!" declared Yami, flipping over his trap card. "Seven Tools of the Bandit allows me to negate any trap card, and I choose Mirror Force!"
The bouncing ball of raw energy turned once again, nailing Yami Marik directly. His life points dropped to 3300. The pod supporting Yami Marik jumped up several feet, even with Joe.
"How's the weather up here?" smirked Joe.
Yami's pod also moved too, his stopping once he was even with the 3000 mark. Seven Tools of the Bandit cost 1000 life points to play.
"Way to go, big brother!" cheered Mokuba.
"Now Yu-Gi is in last place," moaned Téa.
"I think he lost those life points on purpose, Téa," said Tristan.
"Makes sense…" said Téa.
"No it doesn't," muttered Kevin.
"That was completely insane," remarked Lara. "It was like watching a tennis match or something."
"I should be up there too," muttered Drake, incredibly bitterly.
"I can hardly keep track of it all," said Tristan. "Everyone is trying to duel someone else in the semi-finals."
"I just hope no one else gets hurt," said Téa.
"It's not that hard, Tristan," said Duke. "The person they don't attack is who they want to duel. Kaiba has been attacking Joe and Marik, so he wants to duel Yu-Gi. Marik attacked Kaiba, then Yu-Gi, so it looks like he's after Joe. Yu-Gi attacked Kaiba, so he probably wants to duel Marik."
"Poor Joe hasn't even been able to attack yet," said Téa.
"Just his luck, too," muttered Tristan.
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Ishizu and Shayla made it to the duel tower, but it had mostly locked down for the duel. The main entrance was sealed shut. Ishizu, not willing to give up then, circled the building. They managed to find an emergency elevator on the outside, behind the duel tower. They entered, and Ishizu pushed the up button. The elevator started, taking them straight to the top of the duel tower.
"Don't think about it. Don't think. Don't think. Don't think," Shayla said to herself.
"Are you okay, Shayla?" asked Ishizu. Shayla gave a half-hearted nod, but said nothing.
"I'm trying to be there for my friends, like I promised," thought Shayla. "But if this turns into a shadow game…I don't think I can handle much more of this."
"Marik…do not give up," thought Ishizu. "The darkness is so strong now…" She was not willing to say it, but she had almost given up on hope too.
"Shayla, thank you," said Ishizu.
"What do you mean?"
"You're right, I should be there for my brother."
"Y-you're welcome, but I should be thanking you, for spending so much time with me."
Ishizu nodded, not that Shayla picked up on the response. "With all of the others here, why does Shayla spend so much time with me? Something has changed about her since this morning. But what could have happened?"
The elevator came to a stop and the door opened, both girls stepping off. They were on the roof of the duel tower. Four doors, one in each corner, marked where four more internal elevators were. There was a duel platform shaped hole in the middle of the roof, clearly waiting for the platform to unfold for us. Voices from within the tower filter up from the hole. Ishizu walked over to it. Shayla started too, but stopped part of the way there. The wind whipped gentle through their clothing, and the voices sounded far below them. Her hands started to shake, her patched walking stick twitching on the metal surface ever so slightly.
"Tell me what is wrong," insisted Ishizu.
"I-I h-hate heights," stammered Shayla.
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Ishizu. Shayla didn't reply. "You do not have to stay if you do not want."
"I said I would, so I will stay," replied Shayla. "I'll just stay right here…I don't want to be close to the edge…"
Sound travels upward better, so they could hear the duel easily, while no one else could hear their conversation.
Currently, Kaiba had two face down cards as well as his Blade Knight in attack mode. Yami Marik had his Dark Geriod in attack mode. Yami still had his Beast of Gilfer, and Joe had no cards on the field at all. Marik was in last place with 1700 life points. Kaiba was down to 2200. Yami still had 3000, and Joe had 3200.
"Beast of Gilfer, attack Marik's Dark Geriod!" ordered Yami.
"Wait, Yu-Gi," called Joe.
"What is it?" asked Yami.
"You should be attacking me."
"Joe!"
"He's lost it," muttered Tristan.
"Give it up Wheeler, the only reason you've made it this far is because Yu-Gi has been protecting you this entire time. You don't have any dueling skills on your own, so you rely on luck and your friends to bail you out. You've been hiding in Yu-Gi's shadow this entire time," taunted Kaiba.
"Kaiba! That's enough!" snapped Yami. "Your taunts have gone too far this time!"
"No, he's right," said Joe.
"Yup, definitely lost it," agreed Kevin.
"Yu-Gi, you have to quit protecting me! I'm the easiest target here, so you should be attacking me! You have to start treating me like everyone else you do, or you're not being my friend!" shouted Joe.
"Fine. Beast of Gilfer, attack Joe's life points directly!" ordered Yami. His monster shot forward and up, slicing across Joe's chest. Joe's life point counter dropped to 800, and his pod shot up the tower.
"Thanks, Yu-Gi! It's the best thing you've ever do for me!" exclaimed Joe, bracing himself as the pod suddenly rose.
"Now Joe is in last place," whined Téa.
"Don't worry," said Kevin, taking her hand. "I'm sure he'll pull through."
"Hey Romeo, why don't you focus on the duel a bit?" asked Duke, very sarcastically. Kevin shrugged.
"Someone had better kick Kaiba's butt soon, before I do it for real," said Drake, sourly.
"I agree. Someone needs to take a weed whacker to his ego," said Tristan.
"Then they can use that weed whacker on Marik's hair," snickered Lara.
"My turn!" said Joe. "Perfect! I summon Axe Raider in attack mode! Now, Axe Raider, attack rich-boy's Blade Knight!" His warrior monster had 1700 attack points.
"What is he thinking?! Kaiba has two face down cards!" exclaimed Duke.
"I activate Ring of Destruction!" announced Kaiba. A collar appeared around Joe's monster's neck. In a bright flash of light, the Axe Raider was gone. "Ring of Destruction takes the destroyed monster's attack points from both of our life points. But I activate Ring of Defense, which shields my own life points."
Smoke began to cover the field from the combo. A moment later it cleared. But instead of Joe's pod rising to the 0 mark, it was Yami Marik's.
"What gives?!" demanded Yami Marik.
"Ha ha!" laughed Joe. "I activate Graverobber. This little guy slipped into your graveyard and grabbed a magic card, Spell of Pain. Sound familiar? Spell of Pain takes the life points I lost and gives them to you! So bye-bye! Have a nice ride!"
"Grow-up, Wheeler," shot Kaiba. Joe shrugged. "Blade Knight, attack his life points directly!" Kaiba's monster charged, slicing Joe across his chest.
"Yes! I'm dueling Marik!" cheered Joe as his pod rose to the 0 mark.
"The semi-finals will go as followed," announced Rollin. "First will be Marik Ishtar versus Joseph Wheeler. Then Mr. Kaiba will duel Yu-Gi Motou."
All four pods suddenly lurched up at an insane speed, taking the finalists to the top of the duel tower.
"Come on guys," said Mokuba, gesturing to an elevator. "We don't want to miss the next duel."
Up top the finalists stepped off of their pods and into the sunlight.
"So, sister, you decided to come out of hiding?" mocked Yami Marik. "Perhaps I should finish what we talked about?" An evil smirk slid across his face. Ishizu leveled a frosty glare at him.
"Ishizu! Shayla!" called Yami. "It is good to see you two here."
"Thank you, my pharaoh," replied Ishizu.
"Shayla has been here this whole time?!" thought Kaiba, in disbelief. "How much of what I said did she hear?!" He hadn't considered how harsh and cruel he had sounded, until the prospect of what Shayla thought about those words crossed his mind. "If she did hear everything, she'll never want to be with me. Then again, once I am crowned the world's best duelist and possess all the Egyptian god cards, Shayla is bound to be impressed."
A smaller voice chimed in the back of his head. "You still have to tell her first." He pushed that voice aside.
"No offense Ishizu, but I'm gonna kick your brother's butt," said Joe.
"Please do so," said Ishizu, maintaining her harsh look on her brother's dark side.
"Everyone is here already," said Duke as the last elevator arrived.
"Ishizu? Shayla? I didn't know you two were here," said Téa.
"Nice to see you two out and about," commented Lara.
There was the sudden sound of gears grinding and machinery running. The duel platform unfolded, covering the hole in the roof.
"This duel will commence instantly," announced Rollin. "Will the two finalists please take their places?"
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