I woke to see ice on the ground, I glanced around, searching for any of my friends or for any danger. The events caught up with me as I remembered the Big 5 and how we had all been separated to duel. I could feel the chill on my skin. I looked around again, it looked like I was in a virtual Arctic or the Antarctic. Judging by the penguins I'd say the latter. I looked around again, despite the army of penguins I couldn't see any other life.
"Aaaannd, I'm alone," I muttered to myself, "It's freezing," I said rubbing my arms. Could I risk using magic? It could mess with the cyber world. Not only endangering me, but everyone else. The best plan as far as I could see was to try and find the others, especially those who were not duellist. They were in the most danger. I began to walk forward, this was a virtual world. Maybe it was like a video game, if so I needed to find some kind of exit to another part of the world the Caribbean part maybe… the icy chill of the wind picked up again. As much as I was looking for an exit, a part of me knew that I wasn't finding one till after I had duelled one of them. Well, they were going to have a fight on their hands. I had too much to risk to be trapped here. The literal fate of the world depended on mine and Yami's escape.
Yami…
I hoped Yami would keep calm, and help Yugi not worry too much. I glanced around again, hugging my body. The waiting was driving me crazy, then again. That is probably what they want weaken me with the elements before duelling me. I reached the end of the ice to a deep water, I could see a small raft coming closer, and on the raft was a… penguin.
The penguin chirped at me to get in the little raft, knowing I didn't really have a choice I hopped in. Looks like I was about to duel one of the 5. I sailed across the water, penguins all around me.
"How much further?" I asked one, in a cyber world right surely it wasn't that crazy, I shook my head and waiting for the raft to stop. After a while they all jumped off, rocking it a little, a castle appearing in front of me. To get to the top I was going to have to climb over a thousand stairs. Seriously! I sighed, though it was unlikely I could find some of the others, I was especially worried about those who were not duellists like Tristan, Téa, Serenity and Mokuba.
"Hello? Guys, are any of you in here? Yugi? Yami? Mokuba? Téa? Tristan? Hello?"
I moved around the thousands of penguins moving closer inside. I had a feeling I wasn't going to look at penguins in the same light again.
"Your surrounded by my penguin army." A voice said, great it's one of those goons.
"I kinda already noticed that actually," I said sarcastically. "I'm looking for someone without feathers."
"There is no one here but us penguins, Mana."
"Wow, you know my name already, awesome," I grumbled.
"I know more than that Mana Muto, or is it Kaiba now?" I glared into the sea of penguins. "5ft5, size 6 sneaker. I've got all the numbers in my report. And I'd say your number is up because I am about to put the –"
"Freeze on you," I said the same time he did. He growled, but at least it amused me. Some of the penguins began to move and I could see Nightmare penguin… that'll be him then.
"Argh I'll never be able to look at penguins the same way again. They were my favourite flightless bird! It'll have to be an emu now."
"Very smart little girl. Lets see yes, so I know about you. Perhaps you don't know a lot about me –"
"Do I need to? You are a corrupt suit that used to work for Kaiba Corp trying to steal the body of a teenage girl. Kind of all I need to know."
He growled again.
"Collecting facts and figures is my job, and you'll be surprised what numbers will tell you about a person's life."
"Well, my life is none of your business. I know I don't have a choice in duelling you, but you are not going to win."
The earth below me began to shake and two large blocks of ice forced us both to rise into the air. Higher and higher, the cold, unforgiving water below us. The cards started to appear, so I picked out cards in my own deck.
"Before we –"
"Yeah, yeah I know I'm not stupid. In fact, watch your elders my soul is over 4000 years old buddy." Hopefully that would confuse him a little, two could play the psychology game, and this wasn't a harmless duel. All tricks were up for grabs. "I choose Dark Magician Girl as my deck master."
She appeared beside me, it was odd how much she looked like me, but never mind. "You have obviously picked Nightmare Penguin and trust me. I'm gunna have nightmares."
"Once you've been put on ice I am going to waddle into the real world." He said.
"Not likely bird breath," I muttered activating my duel disk. "Time to kick your feathered butt." I said drawing my hand. Nice Mirror force, I have Red archery girl here too. Reload, Pot of green and a few monsters. Not a bad hand at all. Another gust of iced wind blew around us, I pulled my shoulders up to my neck involuntarily. I couldn't focus on that right now, I took a deep breath, thinking of the beautiful deserts of Egypt, the warm sun on my skin.
"Ok, I play red archery girl in attack mode, plus one card face down. That's all for now flipper feet."
He chuckled.
"Now the fun begins,"
Yeah, I didn't think this was fun.
"Watch this, I'll start off by summoning my giant red snake. And he gets a little power boast –"
"Yeah, yeah special ability. Just get on with it already." I said.
"Patience, we accountants are a cautious bunch."
"Cowardly is more like it."
"Kid, I want the prize of your magical body, it has abilities no one else in the world processes."
"Greedy much. Should work in online banking, cause you know you're never seeing the real world again."
"You got spunk kid it's a shame that your mind is going to be trapped here. But your trap shouldn't be a problem once I activate my magic card. Cold wave."
Well crap. It's fine its early days.
"Now your red archery girl is a sitting duck. Attack mighty sea snake."
It destroyed her and some of my life points, but I barely noticed as an icey-burn began to rage around my feet and bare shins.
"I forgot to mention as each duellist life points decrease his or her body will become encased in a block of solid ice."
I was barely listening; it was so painful and of course it helped him cause I couldn't focus. Unlike him, who with his penguin body would barely feel it.
"So get ready for quite a chilling –"
"E-enough with the b-b-ba-bad pun-n-ns," I forced through my chattering teeth, as a cold breeze joined the party.
Yami POV
As Yugi and I wondered through the halls knowing eventually we would have to try one of these doors. We heard a sound that panicked us both.
"M-m-mak-ke your m-m-moov-v-ve,"
Mana.
"Mana! Where are you!" Yugi yelled whirling around looking for her. "Tell me!"
"This c-c-complicates t-things-s-s-s. I c-c-can't conc-c-cen-centrate," she breathed, her voice shallow. I had a feeling her opponent wherever she was couldn't hear that. I knew what Noah was doing. It was cruel. We are coming for you Mana, I promise.
"Mana needs us right now!" Yugi said to me desperately. "We have to find what part of this virtual world Noah sent her too."
"Noah is letting us hear her just to torture us, what a cruel trick." I said, looking at the doors again for clues.
"We have to break out of here and find her," Yugi said. I looked at him, the fear of losing his sister was clear in his eyes. He began to run towards one of the doors.
"Yugi wait!" I called, but I was too late. He was shot back, with a cry of pain. I ran to him, putting my transparent arms on his shoulders.
"Don't panic Yugi, that's just what Noah wants you to do."
"But what about Mana?"
"Look up at the doors," I said to him.
"Huh, oh there's a star. Of course, in duel monsters stars represent a cards strength."
"Right, so I'd say behind that door is a one star monster awaits us."
Yugi got up.
"And I bet of we can defeat it then you and I can get through that door way."
He activated his duel disc and drew a card. He played winged dragon guardian of the fortress, who easily destroyed the weaker monster.
"All right, we go in, but who knows where it leads." I said.
"Hopefully to Mana," he said as we ran through the door.
We are coming my love.
Mana POV
"What's the matter Mana, have you got cold feet?"
I ignored his jibe, I had to focus. Trying to ignore the increasing pain I drew my next card.
"I p-p-play a m-mon-monster in de-de-defence mode."
"Sounds like someone's got the case of the chills." He said. "You should really dress more appropriately for the weather dear." He chuckled.
Again, I ignored him.
"Let's see," he drew. "This could take some time, this card's good but there's always these…"
He started a new tactic, just waiting out as my body droped in temperature, making me less and less focused.
"I know what you are d-d-do-doing and it's not going to w-work. I have too m-m-much to live for, to get b-back for."
He chuckled again. "All right then my dear, I'll keep you guessing and play two cards face down."
Ok so he probably has something big planned as he didn't attack me. I had to figure out how to counter it and fast.
"Soon my brain will be inside of that pretty head of yours, and I'll finally be free."
"You're not flying the coop just yet. So ch-ch-chill out." I drew mystical space typhoon.
"I'll destroy one of your trap or spell cards with this, so say bye bye to th-that one."
"You took my bait, I'm surprised Mana, but I suppose you aren't as focused as you could be."
I glared at him.
"By destroying one, you fell victim to the other driving snow."
Well crap, at least I still had my offering to the doom.
"Cold enough for you, now you've got nothing to stop my attack. So giant sea snake is free to strike."
"Oh yeah, it'll t-take a l-lot m-m-m-mor-re than th-th-that to fr-freeze me out-t," I tried to warm my hands with my breath.
"Isn't the weather wonderful today? It's a pleasant negative 16 degrees."
I knew he was trying to goat me, but as he did Dark Magician Girl's hand took my shaky one.
"Mana, wait my deck master ability allows us to communicate mentally. I'm here to guide you."
I nodded then, I looked back at my hand.
"I activate a n-new ad-d-d-ddition that I thought w-would come in h-h-h-ha-handy. O-o-offering to the d-d-doomed. Looks like I've g-g-got this duel all wr-wr-wr-wrapped up." His snake was now mummified, before it disappeared. "Now I turn my face d-d-down card to attack m-m-mode."
Fire sorcerer appeared and first she warmed me up with the fire, melting the ice on my legs and feet.
"Much better, next I'll activate her special ab-bility by discarding two cards I burn through 800 of your life points."
I discarded two and there was a satisfying flame on his flippers. He flapped about a bit trying to put them out. The ice began to form around his legs but I knew he wouldn't care with his body.
"Your move you oversized orca snack."
"I summon flying penguin and thanks to my –"
"I know, I know already." I rolled my eyes, but I knew I'd be iced again soon.
"But that is just the beginning my dear as I also play penguin sword."
Well crap, I didn't have anything to protect my monster. He attacked any the ice rose back to just below my knee. Argh! I burned so much!
"Let the freezing continue," he said.
"You're sick," I scowled at him trying to stop my teeth from chattering.
"It will be over soon; your life points are down to nearly 50% and you have no more defence monsters to hide behind. Your out in the cold."
"D-don't count your eggs before they h-ha-hatch,"
Yami POV
Yugi and I ran into the next room, I noticed the coin we had dropped earlier. My stomach dropped we had been here before. We were just going in circles.
"D-don't count your eggs before they h-ha-hatch,"
Mana's voice again. I hated hearing her in distress.
"Were coming Mana," Yugi yelled. "We've gutta find our way out of here." Yugi looked at me, I could hear the panic and desperation in his voice.
"Yugi look at the floor," I said.
"That's the same coin I threw at the door. We were here before so that means we've just been running around in circles."
"I c-c-can't feel my t-t-toes." Her breathless voice haunted us again.
We are coming, Mana. We're coming.
Mana POV
I was shivering and chattering again as my life points were at 2200, jeez I had made such a rookie mistake. I had to try and ignore the physical stuff and focus on the game. I had already been too distracted.
"I c-c-can't feel my t-t-toes."
"Advantage number 204 of being a –"
"Sh-sh-shut-t up-p-p," I stammered, drawing another card, I could barely see it for the shaking. Dark Magician Girl helped keep it steady.
"Be strong Mana, you can do this. We have faced worse before."
I nod, and play my card in defence mode.
"I play a m-m-monster in de-de-defence mo-mode and end my turn-n."
He attacked, of course he did. I drew again. I needed a strategy it was the only way I was going to be able to get out of here.
"You can draw any pathetic cards you like, because it's only a matter of time before you're frozen here forever, or my name isn't Adrian Randolph Crump the third. A master of –"
"Enough already, g-g-god no wonder Kaiba f-f-f-fired y-you." His faced darkened, hey if he was going to play games with my body, then it was only fair I turned offensive too.
I saw the card I drew yes, Wingweaver she was a strong monster. She needed a sacrifice though, I looked at my other cards. Scapegoat should do it.
"All right here it comes I play s-s-scapeg-goat sacrificing two to summon W-w-wingweaver. N-now attack him! Light shock b-beam!"
When the attack was over his life points was at 1650. I could do this. Just a little longer…
Yami POV
We finally figured out how to get through and the last door brought us to an ice world. This had to be where Mana was duelling. We walked a little to see two figures duelling, through a thick wall of ice. The closest I would recognise for eternity.
"Mana!" Yugi cried, he tries to break through the thick ice shield. It's too strong for us to break. I focused on her. The ice was up to her knees and she was clearly shaking from the cold.
"Go through the ice and cheer for her. I'll find a way to break this wall." Yugi said to me, I looked at him. He wasn't asking. I nodded gliding through the wall to the other side. I could hear them.
Mana POV
"I play volt penguin in defence mode and play 2 cards face down." He said. Yeah like I was falling for that. "I also play attack magnet."
Well crap, that's not good. The pain got worse in my legs, I couldn't focus on the burning. I needed to focus on the game. I could see him attack me. I wasn't fully aware of what attack he used as I was trying to focus on not feeling cold, but then the burning sensation travelled to my waist. I squeaked as the cold pressed against me.
"Mana!"
I knew that voice, the warm feeling it gave me. I turned my body – or what I could – to see Yami transparent. I could see hands banging on the ice behind him.
"Yami!" I cried back in relief.
"You can do this Mana, believe in yourself." He said. I nodded, wrapping my arms around what little of me wasn't frozen. I checked my life points.
1450.
Ok, I could still do this. With my trembling hand I drew another card. My numb fingers almost dropped it. Dark pendant, that was no good to me right now. As least I still had two scapegoats left.
"I p-pl-play-y-y p-p-pot-t-t of g-gr-gre-greed." I stammered, taking two more cards. Ah these would help, but I still needed –"
"I'll go to the field," Dark Magician Girl said, doing so before I could stammer out the words to stop her.
"We have at least one more turn."
"You need a monster over 2500, you have the cards to make me – us that strong. He is just going to keep using that turbo penguin to directly attack you. It's time for a good offense." She said. Through my teeth chattering moving my whole face, my brain worked through what she had told me. She had a clearer mind then mine right now, and I had to trust what she was saying.
"You must have a pathetic hand to make that move. I play ocean of regeneration. Attack her again torpedo."
"No!" I heard Yami bellow as I felt the cold burning lift higher the only things, I could move was my arms and my head. I could feel my heart thumping rapidly trying to keep my body alive.
It was so cold how was I going to keep going?
"Ah I do love an iced mocha, but an iced Mana sounds good about now."
"R-r-r-r-reeeeal fu-fu-funny-y-y." I stammer, my lungs could barely move for the ice, pressing against me. I tried to take a deep breath and I drew a card. Thank Ra.
"I p-p-pl-play this m-m-monster to sacrifice to bring forth-th f-f-familiar p-possessed H-H-i-l-l-lta. N-n-now-w. I give my D-d-dark ma-ma-mag-g-magician g-g-irl 500 extra attack p-p-points-s-s. A-and I'm-m-m n-n-ot done th-there. I add-d-d 700 m-m-more a-a-ttack-k p-points. Attack his f-f-ort-t-r-ress and H-hilta attack his l-l-life p-p-point-t-ts-s-s d-d-directly!"
The ice around me melted, and as it did so I dropped to the floor, huddling in a ball to try and warm myself up.