"Do you mind if we get food, Mana, I'm starving," Joey grinned at my ruffling his hair. I smiled.
"Sure, I could use a bite to eat."
"All right, you wanna go to Burger World or would you be uncomfortable there?"
"I'll be fine, I have my staff, that guys locked up and I was promised free food there for the rest of my life. Come on."
I kept my staff in my hand, and watched the door as Joey ordered our food. The manager kept coming over and asking how I was. He told me that if I needed the loo, if I wanted a female staff member would walk with me.
"Jeez, they're waitin' on ya hand and foot." Joey stuffed some fries in his face. I rolled my eyes at him, but bit into my burger.
"They are worried, there has been a dip in sales since it happened. Having me in here shows even the hostage girl feels safe here."
"Well, I'd rather ya always came here with me Mana,"
"Don't be silly, it was a fluke one in a million thing."
"I know, but it messes with you, you know. And, I get free food too."
I laughed throwing some fries at him, I knew he was trying to make me feel better.
We said our goodbyes to the staff and walked outside.
"Hey, Mana why don't you go home and practice some spells. Yah know that these creeps are gunna be in the final. That'll be where they start really going for it."
"But Joey –"
"I'll be fine," he waved me off. I'll be better long term if you learn more magic. I'll not duel any weirdos I promise."
"Fine, but call me if you need anything," I said, he grinned, giving me a thumbs up.
I waved until his figure disappeared, the putting my headphones in my ears I started walking. As I walked across the park, smiling at the trees, and children playing. I thought about going to sit by the fountain to think. Then I saw Weevil, urgh! I hoped we all managed to stay clear of him in this competition, he was such a creep. Keeping my head down I made my way across the park and down the next street. Just a few more corner's then I would be home. I imagine the game shop would be doing quite well with this tournament so close. I hoped Grandpa could handle it, he had Dad there I suppose. I was going to miss him when he left, but it would be safer for him not to be around us right now. By the time he comes home next time, the tournament should be over, and we can relax for a little while.
I walked through the door to see a couple people looking at cards and three people in the line to be served. Grandpa saw me, smiled, and nodded his head to go into the house.
'You sure?' I mouthed at him.
He nodded again as he handed the teenager their change, I touched his shoulder as I went passed.
"Let me know if you need me alright, I'll be in my room studying."
"I'll be fine, Mana go on. Next customer please," he turned back to the small line, I went through the door. I made a beeline to the coffee maker when I saw Dad had already made some, reading the paper.
"Your back early." He smiled.
"Wanted to get some studying done, even with that scholarship we still have to get in,"
He chuckled.
"I suppose that is true, you all did fanatically in that competition, and I'm sure they boys will do just as well in this one." He took a sip of his coffee as I poured myself a cup.
"How are you and Yugi?" he asked, as I poured in some milk.
"He's been great really supportive of everything lately." I focused more on the sugar than I needed too.
"Like?"
"I'm getting memories… from before." I kept it vague, I turned to gauge his reaction, he looked sad. His face almost deflated.
"Are they good, or do you not want to talk?" he said getting up and giving me a hug.
"Some good, some bad, I dunno it's really weird. I am not going anywhere," I told him.
"If you ever remembered we would take you to them. You know, whether it be just to meet, or to move in. we love you, but if you wanted to –"
"Dad, I am not going anywhere, I promise." I hugged him. "Even if I found my birth family, you guys are my family. I would never leave you."
He squeezed me, then kissed my crown.
"Even when I am away, you can still talk to me ok," he smiled.
"I know, Dad. I –"
I surge of energy rushed through me, I gasped and held on to the bench. I could run a marathon, or fly or –
"Mana, are you alright?" Big hands held my arms, and my body was steered towards the chair.
"Oh caffeine buzz, I'm fine," I assured him, marvelling at how strong I felt. I could take on Marik right now. But what was causing this?
"I'm going to go and study, I am fine honest," I give him a hug and almost flew up the stairs my body felt like it was charged with electricity. What was causing this?
I took out my spell book and tried to find anything to do with a surge of power.
Knock knock
I jumped, looking around. When did it get dark?
"Yugi?"
"Yeah,"
"Come in," I said, he pulled the curtain back and sat beside me on the floor, the Pharaoh leaning beside me.
"You all right?" Yugi said in concern. "You seem very… focused." He looked down at the paper all around me.
"Did you go to the shadow realm today? And play Dark Magician Girl?"
Both of their eyes widened.
"H-how?"
"I felt a surge of energy, really strong. It must be because she's my soul monster, it says if a monster you have a connection with. I kind of made her, I think? Something like that." I look back down at the pages.
"Yeah there were two Dark Magician's in the graveyard, so you were pretty powerful," Yugi smiled.
"He also talked about the power of the Pharaoh and how it is obtained, you need the three god cards and the puzzle," Yami said sitting on my bed.
"But the puzzle has to be earned by defeating its owner," I gasped, looking between Yugi and Yami.
"We have a difficult time ahead of us," Yami looked out the window, I put my hand on his translucent arm, I wasn't sure if he could feel it, but he did look.
"We can face it together, like we always do," I smiled. He smiled back.
"There is no way he is taking you or your power," Yugi grinned.
"Hmm," he smiled, looking at us both. "You should both get some rest, we have a big day tomorrow."
"Yeah, night Mana." Yugi waved before going back behind the curtain. I got into my pyjamas and curled up into bed. Dreading what tomorrow would bring.
"Mana,"
I turned to see the Pharaoh walking towards me looking at Mahad's monsters.
"Hey, my Pharaoh,"
"What are you doing here?"
"Mahad needs me," I said. "I can feel it,"
"I felt the same," he said. "Let us go to him." we ran to his horse, I held onto him as we galloped across the plains.
Dune after, dune I could feel my stomach sink. I hope Mahad was still ok. Where was he?
"We'll find him, we just need a sign."
A bolt of lightning shot across the spell caster training ground.
"What is he doing there?" I watched where the lightning had struck.
"One way to find out," the Pharaoh whipped the reins and we galloped towards the training ground.
Several palace guards lay unconscious. Over a dozen ghouls in cloaks meet us near the entrance.
"Over here!" The Pharaoh roared, raising his sword high, slashing the ghouls. We dismounted, and made our way to the unconscious guards Mahad had brought with him.
"Where's Mahad?" the Pharaoh said.
"He's battling with Alfreda, my Pharaoh," he grunted.
"We must send word to the others," he said. I glanced up and saw…
"Anzu," I called, whistling to bring the bird to me. I attached a message and she flew away. The ghouls returned, the Pharaoh's face grew dark he remounted his horse.
"I will deal with these thugs." He charged towards them. I took out my staff.
We fought them until the place started to rumble the ghouls and our guards began to back away from the entrance. I ran towards the cave. Mahad. I had to save Mahad.
"Mahad! Can you hear me!"
"Watch out!" I heard the Pharaoh's voice as an arm wrap around me, making me air-born. The cave collapsed, and a large tablet fell from above blocking the cave's entrance. Struggling from the Pharaoh's grip, I rushed to the tablet. I had to know. My stomach grew tighter and tighter.
"Mana, come back!" Pharaoh yelled. I heard him jump from the horse. I saw the illusion magician, and yet not Illusion Magician. Mahad seemed to be fused to him... I fell to my knee's clutching the tablet as I sobbed.
I burst into tears.
"Hey, shh," I heard the Pharaoh soothe, wrapping me tightly in his arms. I sobbed into the crook in his neck.
"H-he went alone. We t-tried to h-help." I sobbed. "We were t-too late." I clutched him to me, my fingers wrapped tightly in his pyjamas.
"Mana you're going to have to explain," he said soothingly I could fell his chest and neck vibrate from his speech it was almost as soothing as his voice.
"Mahad," I croaked at him. "He went to fight Bakura alone. He lost." I said fully breaking down again as I remembered the tablet. "He l-lost the shadow g-game. He went alone."
The Pharaoh pulled me closer to him left hand stroking my hair gently the other holding me to him.
"Shh," he murmured rubbing my back. We stayed there for a while my sobs quietened. He kissed my forehead, rubbing my back soothingly. I could feel the water on his shirt.
"That was awful," I croaked.
"Shh, Mahad is safe within the Dark Magician," he comforted. "Within our card,"
I moved away from him, filing through his deck till I found him. I touched the figure within.
"Mahad," I whisper, feeling my eyes burn again. Yami seem to realise this, and wrapped me back in his arms. Mahad cradled between us.
"He is not burdened with the shadow realm, he fused with his monster. That means he will be where they lie."
"You're right," my voiced cracked, I could feel my sore eyes grow heavy again. I rested my head on his shoulder. I took a deep breath.
"Thank you, sorry I didn't mean to wake Yugi."
"It's okay," I heard Yugi's voice on my right. I could feel Yami say something to him, but darkness took me before I could understand the words…
"That slacker should have been here ten minutes ago," Mai put her hands on her hips. "I got duels to win."
"Here's Joey now," Yugi said. "Long time no see," they high fived.
"Hey still in the tournament Wheeler?"
"Hey, I'm already the proud owner of two locator cards."
"You're telling me you didn't duel anyone else yesterday. Joey." I sighed.
"Then I guess I'm twice as good," Mai showed us her four cards.
"What! You got four locator cards!"
"Awesome job, Mai. I got three of them so far."
"Aww man I got the least. How am I ever gunna make it to the battle city final."
"Don't worry Joey you still got plenty of time. I know you can do it."
"Well none of us are gunna get to the finals standing around here." Mai said.
"See you guys in the finals," I waved as we walked away.
We started to head towards the city centre, knowing there would be enough space for the holograms there.
"Joey Wheeler," called a kid. We both turned around. "I knew I recognised you. Think I can have an autograph."
Aww how cute. "I can't believe your just walking down the street like a regular guy."
"Yup, it's me so who should I make it out too?"
"Let's see make it out to my sister, Jessica she'll love it, this will totally blow her mind, she's got a big crush on you."
Oh no big head Joey mode.
"Let's see, to my adoring fan Jessica."
"That duel disc is totally cool."
"Oh yeah, I do make this thing look pretty cool," Joey said. "Don't I?"
"Hey Joey, do you think it would be ok if I tried it on? Just for a sec I promise I'll be careful with it."
"Ok, I guess it can't do any harm." Joeys took it off, and handed the boy his disc.
"Wow, thanks. This is so cool!" Joey turned around.
"Being a duellist is hard work, you don't just put on a duel –"
"Joey!" I yelled bolting after the kid, who had took off down the street.
Get back here you little rat!" Joey yelled.
Suddenly Tristan jumped in front of him and grabbed him.
"Tristan?"
"What was he doing with your duel disc."
"Posing as a fan," I said raising an eye at the boy.
"I'm sorry I didn't know how else to become a duellist. See I finally built a deck that I could duel with when this guy took all of my cards."
"So you stole someone else's," Tristan
"I know it was wrong. I just wanted to be in the Battle City Tournament that's all."
"The most important thing about being a duellist is playing with honour, there'd be no satisfaction in cheating your way in," Grandpa told him.
"You're right. I'm sorry."
"So who's the punk that stole your deck?" Joey asked him.
"I dunno, he had bug glasses, and a head like a blue beetle."
"Weevil,"
"I guess Weevil's still up to his old tricks eh Joey," Tristan put his hands on his hips.
"All right, now I'm angry," Joey growled. "Where is he? I'm gunna teach that little bug a thing or two."
"Right," Tristan said scowling.
"I saw him yesterday near the fountain. Is he still around there?" I asked the kid, he nodded.
"Then what are we waitin' for?" Joey began to power walk towards the park. We followed him. As we got the centre of the park, we looked around the fountain, there were a few duels, but I couldn't see Weevil.
"Where is that little punk?"
"Looking for someone?" Weevil said.
"I thought I smelt a dung beetle," Joey said.
"That's my greeting after all this time?" he laughed.
"You stole that little kids cards didn't you!" Joey pointed at him.
"I don't remember stealing any cards."
"Well maybe this'll help you remember." Tristan said crunching his knuckles.
"We'll settle this with a duel."
"We'll duel for two locator cards." Weevil agreed. Hmm, I was suspicious what game was Weevil playing?
"Duel!" They called together, as their disc turned on.
Weevil was such a lousy cheat, bribing that kid to put that card in Joey's deck. It was looking bad for Joey when the insect barrier and the virus card came into play, when Weevil played his Great Moth, I had comfort in the thought Joey and I could duel so he could remain in the tournament. But Joey managed to prove himself once again, using the very card that Weevil had slipped into his deck to defeat the Great Moth. Even when the Insect Queen was played, Joey kept his cool and used grave robber to use the aerosol card to kill the Insect Queen. It was downhill for Weevil from there.
We all cheered for Joey, as Weevil fell to his knees.
"All right Weevil, cough um up, your Insect Queen and your locator cards."
"Have mercy,"
"Oh shut up." I snatched the cards off him and he fainted. He actually fainted! A passer-by came to help him, I was thankful I didn't want to look after this slime ball.
"Well done, for beating two of the biggest cheats in the game Joey; but don't let it get to your head, you still have a long way to go."
"Yeah, I best find another duel, maybe this time one a little less stressful –"
"Well, well. What do we have here?" I heard a horribly familiar voice.
"Kaiba," Téa frowned as we all turned to face him, I saw Mokuba and smiled, he smiled back at me.
"Why is a complete amateur like you wearing one of my duel discs, Wheeler?"
"Amateur! I'm going to the top!"
"He just beat two cheats that made their way through your system, Kaiba," I scowled at him.
"Whatever wannabe, come on Mokuba let's go."
"Seto," Mokuba glared at him, before he looked at me apologetically, I smiled at him.
"Let's go Mokuba," he growled. "We have wasted enough time." Another copter came from behind the sky scraper, throwing a ladder down to the Kaiba brothers, they climbed up, Kaiba making sure Mokuba was secure as the flew off.
"Does anyone else feel like we are being watched?" Téa put her arms around herself.
"Yeah," Tristan looked around scowling.
"Joey, challenge someone, then attention will be on us," I said taking out my pen sized staff.
"Relax, we got your witchy stuff,"
"Sorcery, and they have millennium items."
"Oh yeah," he scratched his head. "Come on, let's find someone else to duel."
Keeping close to each other, we wondered for another opponent for Joey.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter. See you guys soon :D xx