Chapter 19: Shadow Duel: Part One

Reviewers:

RoseOfTempest: It's fine. You want Yami Marik; I was thinking the same thing. Hope you like it. Oh, and could you possibly e-mail me a list of cards you'd like to see Marik use, and any info you have about them? Thanks.

Hikaru and Tea were taking a trip to Cross Realm Mall. Hikaru's next match wasn't for a few hours, so the two girls had decided to update their wardrobes.

"So Tea, have you ever thought about getting a power item?" Hikaru asked while Tea was trying on a new outfit.

"Not really," Tea replied. "I've never been much of a fan of fighting. So what do you think?" She asked, stepping out of the dressing room. She was wearing a blue halter top and shorts.

"Nice," Hikaru said. "You know, not all power items are for fighting. Some can even help you with asking a certain boy if he likes you," Hikaru said, smiling as Tea's face turned beet red.

"Who says I like Yugi? I don't really!" Tea said quickly.

"I never said you liked Yugi, you just did. Anyway, come on. Let's pay for these outfits and go. I'm hungry."

The two girls left the clothing shop and got some smoothies at the food court.

"So any ideas who your next match is going to be against?" Tea asked.

"No, they don't announce the matches until a few minutes before so you can't prepare. So, I saw Yugi's duel against Kiaba. It was sure the closest I've seen."

"Yeah, if he hadn't drawn Mirror Force when he did Kiaba would have clobbered him," Teas replied.

"You're blushing," Hikaru said. Tea raised her hand to her check.

"No, no! It's just, hot in here. Yeah, hot in here."

"Maybe the room isn't the only thing you think is hot," Hikaru whispered, smirking. Tea's blush only got deeper. "So, you wanna catch a movie?"

"Sure, I guess," Tea said.

After sitting through a movie that Tea loved for its romance and Hikaru for its action, the two girls headed back to the arena. It was nearly time for Hikaru's next match. Hie and Kuwabara were giving out the results of the last round.

"Well fight fans; it's sure been an exciting day here at the battle dome. So, in case you were on the can-OW! Quit it Hie!" Kuwabara said, rubbing his head.

"Then don't berate our audience with your stupidity," the demon replied. A ripple of laughter swept through the crowd.

"As I was saying, in the last round the Steel Angels emerged with a narrow win over the Marionettes, and Mohoro and Minewa were able to score a victory over Hibari and Tsubame of the Akihabara Cyber Team. And of course, Yugi Moto emerged victorious once again over Seto Kiaba."

"Indeed. This round of the tournament has proved very interesting. We are now ready to post the match-ups for the third round. If everyone will turn to the main screen," Hie said. The eyes of everyone in the audience watched as the pairings appeared.

"Hey, there you are," Tea said. "It looks like you're going to be in a duel."

"Cool," Hikaru replied. "I've always wondered what it would be like. So, I'm going to be up against… Marik. That should be interesting."

"I certainly hope so," Marik said as he came up behind the girls, the Millennium symbol glowing brightly on his head. Hikaru's eyes darkened and her aura appeared.

"It will be enjoyable to fight someone evil for a change. I haven't had a chance to since I defeated Derek."

"I heard about that. I wish I had been there to witness it. I hope our Shadow Duel is an interesting one."

"Sh-shadow Duel," Tea said.

"Of course. You don't expect me to simply fight an old regular duel do you? You should know better Tea, especially after our last duel."

"You dueled Marik?" Hikaru asked.

"If you call a total creep-fest where every time you loose a monster you're electrocuted, then yes."

"You asked for the duel," Marik replied. "You should have known what you were in for."

"Besides Tea, I'm sure you got some valuable dueling experience out of it."

"Well, I guess. But that day I learned I wasn't cut out for Shadow Duels."

"Then I guess you're lucky that I'm dueling Marik," Hikaru said. "Come on Marik, it's time for our match. Cheer for me Tea."

A minute later Hikaru and Marik were on their sides of the dueling platform. Both of their duel disks were ready and they had drawn their first hands.

"Now, I believe it is time to truly begin this duel," Marik said, drawing his Millennium Rod. A black shadow swept across the dueling field, with tendrils of purple energy occasionally streaking through.

"Impressive. So what are conditions of the duel?" Hikaru asked.

"I'm glad you asked. Every monster we summon will be attached to our souls, and whenever one is destroyed its owner will feel all the pain their monster does. Also, whenever one of us looses life points, a portion of their bodies goes along with them."

"Hm, is that all? I was hoping for something that would actually scare me. Remember, I've seen every one of your duels in my world, so I know your strategies. Now let's get this match stated," Hikaru said. Marik smiled.

"Just remember, this duel is no television match. This time it's real."

"I know. Now if you don't mind I think I'll make the first move. I place one monster in defense mode and set two cards face down. Your move," Hikaru called over to Marik.

"Excellent," he said, looking at his hand. "I think I'll summon my Revival Jam in defense mode and set one card face down. You're move."

"Perfect. First I'll summon my Beautiful Headhuntress in attack mode. Now I switch my Celtic Guardian to attack mode. Next I think I'll activate this little card here. Sword of Deep Sated, and I'll equip it to my Guardian. Next I'll activate my second face down card, stop Defense." Marik's smile faded as his Revival Jam switched into attack mode.

"Now Celtic Guardian, attack his Revival Jam," Hikaru ordered. Her warrior drew his sword and cut Revival Jam in half. Marik winced in pain, then laughed as his monster reformed itself.

"You should know that my Revival Jam can't be destroyed by a simple attack."

"I know. I'm just taking a little bite out of your life points. Now Headhuntress, it's your turn. Destroy his Revival Jam again!" Hikaru's second monster swung her cleaver and ripped Revival Jam into pieces before it reformed. Marik's life points were now at 3500. Part of his left leg faded away. "Your move."

"You're good, but I'm better," Marik smirked. "I summon Machiura the Destructor in attack mode. Then I activate the magic card Pot of Greed. This lets me draw two more cards from my deck." Marik smiled again as he looked at his cards. "This is it. With these cards Hikaru won't stand a chance," he whispered to himself.

"Come on, make a move," Hikaru called out. "I'm getting bored."

"Oh I can assure you that things are about to get very interesting," Mark said.

In the stands Tea was sitting with Yugi and her other friends.

"Hikaru's got the lead," Joey said.

"Yep, but Marik's probably got something up his sleeve," Tristan replied. "You know that guy's always got a back-up plan for his back up plan."

"I think we're about to see Marik's plan," Yugi said. "Look at the way he's smiling."

"GO Hikaru! Clobber that guy!" Tea cheered. She just hoped Marik didn't use the same card he did in her duel with him. The next turn would likely decide that fate of the duel.

How was that? So who will win the duel? What cards should Marik use, and what is his secret strategy? Keep reading and find out in the next chapter. Well, see ya then, and don't forget to review!

ENTILZA