Guardians

Note: Wow, already it's time for chapter 15! Thanks so much for all of your support, reviewers! Here we go, and don't you forget to review!

Disclaimer: We all know by now that I don't own Yu-gi-oh. I also don't own any of the below used songs.

Chapter Fifteen: Meeting of the Monsters

"Wake up, Karmina. It is time."

"Five more minutes," she grumbled, rolling over and putting the pillow over her head.

"Fine, if you want me to call Kaiba in here."

She jumped up and then shot Wingweaver a dirty look before realizing that she hadn't exactly brought a wardrobe with her.

"What am I supposed to wear?"

Wingweaver smiled and handed her a dress that looked almost exactly like her own, except that it was blue instead of yellow. "This is all I have to give you. The other monsters may donate as well, but there isn't exactly much diversity here. We generally wear different sets of the same outfit everyday. This is my special occasion dress. You look better in blue."

"But this is… a dress."

"Brilliant observation. This is all we have. It's that or the same outfit from yesterday, which smells horrible."

Grudgingly she pulled the dress on and tied the various sashes and bobbles. When she was done, Wingweaver smiled and adjusted a few things.

"This is all you're missing," she said, pulling out a strange weapon. "Our world is not safe. This belongs to Magician of Faith, and I believe it will serve you well. She has enchanted it to work for you as well as it does for her, channeling your energy into magic. It will keep you safe when I cannot."

She took it and realized that it was much heavier than it looked. "Wow," she said.

"Follow me. The others wish to speak with the two of you. We will be getting Kaiba on the way."

Karmina tried to keep her expression normal, but she was really getting scared by all this. What did the monsters expect from them?

Wingweaver knocked on the door across the hall and Blue Eyes, wearing his usual dragon-smirk, opened it.

"He is less than happy with his attire."

"Tell him that this is urgent and he'd best- Oh my… was that all you could find?"

Kaiba, very unhappy looking, had just stepped out into the hallway wearing an oversized outfit that Karmina recognized as belonging to Celtic Guardian. She muffled her laughter.

This is humiliating. I should just lock myself in my room.

"Don't. It looks f-fine."

Noticing Karmina for the first time, he couldn't help but stare. He'd never seen the modest girl in a dress, let alone one that made her look this stunning.

She's beautiful.

Karmina blushed and looked away, embarrassed.

"Come on, you two. We've got a meeting to attend."

The two of them followed their guardians, both of them looking anywhere but at each other. The guardians had a deep and interesting conversation, involving a lot of laughter and blushing.

"We're here. Get ready."

Karmina straightened up and smoothed her dress self-consciously, taking many deep breaths. Seto Kaiba just stood there looking completely emotionless as usual.

Oh gosh… this is gonna be horrible… I'm so nervous… so many of them… oh darn it.

Just relax, Seto, this is just like any other meeting. Yell and look angry a lot and you'll be fine.

That's an interesting way to handle it.

Hey, it works, doesn't it?

I guess. Wait… are we talking using thoughts?

I think so.

Cool, and yet somehow very unsettling.

Ditto.

Wingweaver nudged Karmina forward and Blue Eyes did the same to Kaiba. They entered a room full of monsters, and only some of them were being calm.

"Hello fellow monsters. These are the humans that entered our world on their own. You may all ask up to three questions of each, but no more. We don't want to overwhelm our guests."

A few of them grumbled and then Dark Magician stood up. "If I may, then could I hear their story as to how they got here?"

"That is up to them. Karmina? Kaiba? What do you say?"

I say that I'm scared to death and want to go home. "I-"

"That is a very reasonable request and we would be glad to comply," Kaiba interrupted.

Sorry Karmina, but you should let me handle this; I'm used to it.

I'd like some input too, if you don't mind. They might get suspicious if you do all the talking.

Okay.

"What happened was this: Karmina's guardian went missing and she started to get worried. After confiding her fears to me, we decided that it would be best to search for Wingweaver. Our search led us to the place where she first met her, and we were pulled into the vortex of the lake there, which appears to be a portal to your world."

You really know what you're doing.

I've had a lot of practice.

"Yeah… we h-had no idea what was going on. That is, until W-Wingweaver explained it to us."

"Thank you. The situation is much clearer to me now." He smiled at Karmina.

He sat back down and a fairy of some sort stood. "If you had no idea you were coming here, how is it that you found our world? It's supposed to be hidden."

"Like I said, we were pulled into the portal. After substantial falling, this is where we ended up."

"Wingweaver s-saw us, and then b-brought us before you the f-first time."

Not bad, but try not to stutter. It makes you sound nervous or guilty.

Sorry, Seto. I am trying.

Why does she call me by my first name? No one does that. Focus, Seto, not the time for that. Oh, Karmina… you weren't supposed to hear that.

I could guess.

"Alright. I guess that makes sense. I'm done, Wingweaver."

"Anyone else?" Blue Eyes said sarcastically as about five more jumped up.

"We're really going to listen to some prophecy and let humans join this fight? What if they're dangerous?"

Oh, that wasn't rude at all. "If I m-may… we mean you n-no harm. We'd b-be glad to help y-you if it's p-possible."

Will you please stop stuttering? It's very annoying.

I'm sorry, Seto. Oh no, I used his first name again and- he heard that. Sorry Seto. Drat it!

Oh please don't stop. I mean, it's okay… you can't help it. C'mon Seto, control yourself now.

Oh my… this is getting to be a hassle.

Tell me about it.

"I still don't trust the humans. They look strange."

How rude… I ought to-

Don't lose your head.

You should know by now, I never say what's on my mind.

Maybe you should more often.

"You know, I think that they just might do," said Element Valkyrie.

"I'm afraid I must second that opinion," Dark Magician stated, giving Karmina a strange look.

I'm a little freaked out now.

I think he likes you, Karmina.

Was that… a joke from the great Seto Kaiba?

Just don't tell anyone. They'll think I'm getting soft.

That's a bad thing?

I don't know anymore… Wait. Of course it is!

Karmina couldn't hold back a little giggle, greeted by strange looks from the monsters.

"This one's a little unstable," Gearfried stated.

"I think she's great," Dark Magician defended.

"SILENCE!"

At the roar of the Blue Eyes, all fell silent. Wingweaver smiled and addressed all of the monsters.

"Any who oppose the following of the prophecy speak now, or forever hold your peace."

A few of them looked ready to oppose, but thought better of it.

"Then it is settled. They will stay."

End note: Maybe it's a tad cliffie-ish, but I think you'll recover. Review!