DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fanfiction produced for entertainment purposes only. Yu-Gi-Oh! and all related characters are the creations of Kazuki Takahashi.
AUTHOR'S NOTE 1: Text in bold is being emphasised.
AUTHOR'S NOTE 2: This is part of my special Christmas update, a thank-you gift for everyone who's reading my stories. I've updated all five of my ongoing Yu-Gi-Oh! stories and posted a one-shot Christmas fic too. Merry Christmas everyone!
Chapter 13: A Summons from the Shadows
By Shadow's Mirror
Yami and Kaiba were on their feet even before the shimmering air took on the familiar darkness that indicated the use of Shadow Magic.
"Bakura! What do you think you're doing?" Yami scowled at his ancient rival. "You know how dangerous…" A soft laugh rippled through the air, causing Yami to break off what he had been about to say.
His gaze snapped to the darkening air and he stared at it for a moment, an odd look on his face. It almost looked like confusion, but of course that was impossible. There was no way the Mighty Pharaoh would ever be confused by a simple summoning.
"Fear not, my Pharaoh. I will be on my very best behaviour. I promise." There was a hint of amusement in the soft, husky voice, as if the speaker was trying not to laugh.
The darkness began to draw in on itself, slowly revealing the figure at its heart. When it faded completely, a young woman stood surveying the group with mischievously twinkling brown eyes.
Her ears were long and pointed and her blue-black hair fell to just below her shoulders, held off her face by a greeny-blue circlet with a green stone winking in the centre of her forehead. She was clothed in a short gold dress with a blue sash, as well as ankle-boots and elbow-length gloves that were so dark blue they appeared to be black. She also wore what appeared to be a feathered cloak, grey at her shoulders and black at the lower edge.
Everyone there knew her immediately. Just as they knew the 'cloak' was really her wings, neatly folded around her.
Bakura had summoned Dark Witch.
The friendly Shadow Monster looked around. "Greetings, everyone." She smiled as she turned and spotted Ryou and Bakura. "Greetings, my sweet masters."
Bakura winced at the description of himself as 'sweet'. A snicker came from the direction of Duke and Tristan, earning both boys an irritated glare from the hot-tempered yami before he turned his attention back to Dark Witch. "I have a question for you."
Dark Witch arched an eyebrow and smirked. "One of these days, you will summon me to battle and I will faint from the shock." She ignored Bakura's glare and smiled sweetly at Ryou instead, leaning over to ruffle his hair gently. "Hello, dear. How are you?"
Ryou gifted her with one of his brightest smiles. "I'm good, but I'll be better if you can solve a little mystery for us."
Dark Witch beamed at Ryou and perched herself on the arm of the couch beside him, ruffling his hair again as she settled down. "I will do my best."
She turned to smile serenely at Bakura, as if she had not been ignoring him for the past few moments. "I believe you have a question for me?"
Bakura scowled at her. "Yes. I want to know what the connection is between the special Duel Monster cards, the two sets of images Pegasus gave Kaiba for some of the cards in his duel disk system and whatever it was that altered Kaiba's memory of finding out about it." He spoke with deliberate casualness, but his eyes gleamed as he watched her reaction closely.
Dark Witch blinked at him, then turned to Ryou. "Translation?" She gestured towards Bakura, who was now glaring furiously at her. "I have no idea what he is talking about."
"This is a waste of time! How could a Shadow Monster possibly know about something that happened in our world?" Kaiba was practically growling as he locked gazes with Bakura. It was impossible to tell whose furious eyes were blazing the brightest.
Dark Witch frowned at Kaiba. "Oh, now that was uncalled for! As it happens, we know quite a lot about what goes on in this world. That does not, however, mean that I know every single little detail!" With that, Bakura found himself the recipient of a very annoyed look. It lasted only a moment before Dark Witch turned to smile very gently at Ryou. "Can you elaborate please, dear?"
By the time Ryou, with help from Yugi and interruptions from everyone else except Isis, had finished explaining the situation, Dark Witch was looking very serious. There was also the slightest hint of something bearing a striking resemblance to nervousness in her eyes.
"Thank you. I understand the situation now. Which means…" She turned and nodded at Bakura. "I can answer your question, Bakura."
"Well it's about time." Bakura scowled at her.
Dark Witch looked around, as though making sure that everyone was listening. It was unnecessary. Everyone's attention was focused intently on her. She cleared her throat and then began to explain what had happened to Kaiba, and why, as well as the connection between the holographic images in the duel disk system, the Duel Monster cards and the Monsters of the Shadow Realm.
And a little girl by the name of Morgan.