If you want to know what took so long, three words; death, sick, school. in other words LIFE! anyway here is the next chapter.
First thanks goes to my Beta Noel, who is amazing. next to Maddie for the more then one reviews which helped me keep going. and thank you to the rest of you who are still reading and reviewing. thank you for those who told me i had telant, i really needed to hear that. You guys are awesome!
Disclamers, Yugioh isn't mine nor is Charlotte. Airi is mine and she is also greatful you are reading.
ok enough talk, lets read!
Chapter 22
The Mutos were up early the next morning, an annoying habit of Yugi's. He always liked getting an early start on things, something which the rest of his family thought was annoying. This time however, Airi was up and ready when he was. Of course Grandpa was snoring like a dragon, and remained such when the younger Mutos left.
The two of them, three if anyone could see the Pharaoh's Spirit, walked along the road not heading anywhere in particular. It was still to early to duel, though there were other duelists around. There were a few who glanced over, whispering about the King of Games. Yugi did his best to ignore them as his ears grew pink. They eventually found their way to the town center, sitting on the rim of the fountain as they contemplated their next course of action.
"Yo, Yuge!" Joey called coming up to them as they sat. Yami looked like he was going to disappear so his friends some time together, but Airi gave him a look. Even if he wouldn't be far off she felt better when she could see him. Besides, his habit could get annoying, especially when he would come back suddenly and startle her.
"Hey Joey." Yugi stood up to great his friend. "I saw your duel yesterday against Espa Roba, you were great."
"You did, huh?" Joey looked a little embarrassed. "Well I didn't do so good."
"You must have done something right if you're still here." Mai had joined them.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Joey said.
"Well you got out of bed and you still have a duel-disk, so I guess you are here to duel." Mai said, checking her nails, ignoring Joey's glare. "Either that or your thick head doesn't have a losing censer and you doing it anyway."
"Oh, that's really funny Mai." Joey snapped. "For your information I have three locator cards." he held them up proudly.
"Oh, that is impressive." Mai said, holding up her four.
"What! How could you get more then me? It's only the second day of the tournament."
"Better pick up the pace."
"Hey, Joey, where's Charlotte?" Airi said. The raven haired girl almost never let the blonde out of her sight; something about his getting in trouble without her.
"She's no longer in the tournament, not official anyway." Joey said. "Don't know why, she was kicking butt okay. She just said she wasn't in this for the prize. She didn't even take the others rare cards. I told her she would have to be beaten to get out, so we dueled."
"So that's where the third card came from" Yugi said, grinning. "I'm impressed, Joey. Charlotte is a skilled duelist."
"Yeah well, I have to admit she had me on the run for a little while." Joey said, ego inflating.
"But where is she?" Airi said.
"She didn't answer her phone this morning. I guess she has other plans, or I wore her out with my skills in our duel." Joey shrugged.
"I'm surprised she didn't take it easy on you." Mai said, winking at Airi.
"Say what?" Joey demanded
"Well, you might have gotten against tough duelists at Duelist Kingdom, but professional duelists are a different story."
"I beat you, didn't I."
"That was only once."
"Ok, that's enough. It's too early to fight." Airi put herself between the two of them. "Unless you two love birds are going to duel I suggest you calm down."
Her comment resulted in severe blushing from the two, and thankfully the end of the discussion.
"So Airi, I heard you took out Serena Chamberlain on the first day. Pretty impressive." Mai said, turning her attention to her friend.
"I didn't take her out. I won, she lost. That's all." Airi said. "This is a Duel Monster's tournament, not an assassination convention."
"Could have fooled me, hun." Mai said looking grim. "Trust me, there a lot more meanies here than I ever thought possible." She suddenly smiled. "All the more fun to defeat. Speaking of which I better get moving. Don't want to miss out." With a wave she was gone.
"That Mai sure is something." Joey said, to no one in particular.
"Maybe someone should slap him." Yami said to Airi. "Sappy isn't a good look for him."
Airi's giggle was good enough to snap Joey out of it. He coughed and changed the subject. "So Yuge, ready to knock some more sense into those rare hunters?"
"Yep." Yugi said, not sounding to enthusiastic though as usual he tried not to show it. He didn't succeed. Airi wasn't so sure either, though hiding her uncertainties better. Mai's comment had reminded her this tournament was much more than just a game.
"Well I know you'll show them. You're the greatest duelist in the world." Joey punched Yugi in the shoulder, nearly knocking him into the fountain. Luckily Yami gripped his host's shoulder in time. Joey didn't seem to have noticed. "I'll be there at the finals when that Marik creep finally shows himself. We're going to kick some major keesters."
"Very inspiring, Joey. Sure knocks some spirit into us." Airi laughed, then said more seriously. "It's good to know we have you as a friend."
"Thanks for your support." Yugi said. "Me and Yami are going to need a lot of it."
"Hey, what are friends for?" Joey said. "Well I'll catch you guys later."
After the blond disappeared the Mutos and Yami decided it would be best if they kept moving. They were sure no matter where they went Marik would be able to find them. They hadn't gone far when Airi's shoe lace became untied. She knelt down, fingers quickly fixing the problem. Glancing up, she froze. On a bench a little ways away was a small, bald man dressed completely in black. His face had more piercings then a pin cushion. He was staring blankly at nothing, and his hands were pressed against some invisible barrier. Airi didn't know if it was just the man's scary appearance, but she took an instant disliking to him.
"Airi are you ok?" Yugi had doubled back when he saw she wasn't following him.
"Yeah, just got distracted." Airi didn't want to make a fuss; Everything around them looked suspicious these days.
"We should keep moving." Yami said. He didn't know what was bothering Airi, but he too could sense something was wrong.
They started down the road past some ongoing duels. They chatted about random topics, trying to think of something else besides the imposing threat of the end of the world. Without realizing it they were on the road beside the canal. The water flowed passed at a lazy speed, almost matching their pace.
"I'm surprised we haven't seen so much of Seto recently." Airi said. "With both of us in his tournament you'd think he'd have the decency to challenge us."
"Probably waiting for the finals when all the rarest cards are in one place." Yami said.
"Still, I'm sure he's anxious to face us." Yugi said, as they left the higher ground of the sidewalk and walked along the bank of the canal.
"No question about that." Airi said. "I'm sure that's the only reason I'm in it in the first place."
"It seems like I'll I have to look forward to dueling are Rare Hunters and Kaiba." Yugi said, not sounding very excited. "I'm sure it's for the best, but dueling is also supposed to be fun. I guess that will have to wait until later."
Airi suddenly stopped.
"Airi what is it?" Yami said, looking around for any danger.
"Yugi, do you want to have some fun with Seto?" Airi said a slight gleam of amusement in her eye.
"Kaiba? Fun?" Yugi wasn't even sure Kaiba had that word in his vocabulary.
"How many other Setos do I know? Let me put it this way. Seto wants to face both of us, and win." Her eyes were literally shining with mirth. "Look, he wants both of us in the finals, right?"
"Your point?" Yugi said, still lost.
"So if one of us happens to lose he can't put it on his personal accomplishment list." Airi pointed at her brother. "Yugi Muto, I challenge you to a duel."
Finally it click and Yugi grinned. "You got one, Sis. But don't think I'm going to go easy on you because you're my sister."
"That'll be the day." Airi laughed. "You've never been easy on me."
"Yami, can you please sit this one out?" Yugi said.
Yami backed up, also grinning. "A duel between siblings, the gods forbid."
Both Mutos walked in opposite directions, making a playing field. Airi took her deck out of its belt pouch and placed it in her duel-disk with a click.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Yami had come over to her side. "If you lose you can't be in the finals."
"You mean I don't have to hear Seto's "I'm better then you" speech he's prepared for me? Boy, I'm missing out on so much." Airi smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Yami, but I don't need a fancy honor. This tournament has proven to me I can compete without becoming the monster duelist I used to be. That is a prize good enough for me."
"I admire the decision." The spirit said. "Mostly I'm grateful. The threat from Marik has been strenuous on all of us, mostly Yugi."
Both glanced over to where Yugi was getting his deck ready.
"Yugi deserves one friendly opponent." Airi gave the spirit a sly look. "Remember, no helping."
Yami smiled, nodding as he backed up.
"Ready Airi?" Yugi called.
"Ready as you are." Airi said, her duel-disk unfolding.
"Lets duel!"
Seto Kaiba wasn't having a good morning. His tournament had been going on for a day now, and so far no one had played any of the other Egyptian God Cards. Obelisk was powerful, but the other god cards had to be even more. The idea of having all of them was all he would think about. That and taking back his title of the best duelist from that shrimp Yugi, and finally prove he was better than Airi. What was so great about their family that gave them all the benefits which rightfully belonged to him?
Kaiba had been walking around this city dueling weaklings, wanting to find that card and so far nothing. If there was one thing he hated more than being number two it was delays.
"Seto!"
He turned to see Mokuba running towards him.
"Mokuba what is it?" Seto said. "This better be important."
"I saw you were close so I decided to tell you personally." Mokuba panted, coming to a stop in front of his brother. "We got a report that Yugi is dueling."
"That's it?" Kaiba said.
"More than that. Airi is also dueling at the same time."
"This is fascinating trivia Mokuba, but what has it to do . . ." Kaiba's eyes widened then narrowed. "Who are they dueling?"
"Each other."
Kaiba's face cracked into an evil smile. "So they couldn't handle sharing the spotlight. Who is winning?"
Mokuba entered some figures into his portable locator devise. "It seems they are pretty much evenly matched, monster and point wise. The Life Points are low though, it should be over soon."
"So, we shall see which member of their family is the strongest." Kaiba started walking. "Considerate of them to find out before the finals; saves me the trouble. I would hate to waste my time on a weaker duelist in the finals." Inwardly he wasn't so pleased. I can guess who suggested the idea of dueling their sibling. Curse you Airi, you knew I wanted to face you. If she beats her brother then that means she has gotten stronger, but if he beats her then he still will have done something I haven't done. She's doing this just to spite me.
"I summon Mystical Elf." Airi said, the Elf appearing on the field. "I place two cards face down and end my turn. What do you make of that?" she called over the field to her brother.
"Interesting move." Yugi admitted. He had Kuriboh and Berfomet on the field. "But don't think I'm done by any means."
"It better be a good move. I say one more move each will decide it."
"Don't count your locator cards just yet, I'm far from done."
The duel was a fun challenge on both sides. Both Mutos were dueling their very best and thoroughly enjoying themselves. They both managed to wheedle away the other's life points down, making it more like a mirror match than anything else. The duel was different from any other duel Yugi or Airi had played so far in the tournament, mostly because neither was commenting on taking out someone out after they were finished with them.
Yami watched, respecting their wish not to interfere. It was good to see Yugi dueling for fun. Yami was afraid all this saving the world responsibility was getting to be too much for his host. It was good for Yugi to relax a little. Also he got to see Airi dueling like a pro, which was amazing. The way she stood confidently with her hair shining in the sun was truly a sight to behold. Yami jerked himself out of his revelry, directing his attention back to the duel.
"I think I have just the thing." Yugi drew, face lighting up when he saw his card. "I sacrifice Berfomet and Kuriboh to summon my Dark Magician Girl."
Yami was sure it was just a trick of the holograms, but the reaction of the monsters when seeing each other was odd. The elf actually smiled, not just a passive smirk, but a true smile. Dark Magician Girl, inclined her head in respect, also beamed. It was like they were old friend seeing each other after a long time of separation. The Mutos were too immersed into their duel to notice anything strange.
"I place one card face down and end my turn." Yugi said.
"Ok, so now the real fun starts." Airi drew. "I reveal my face down card - Sword and Shield." The Elf's large defense points became her attack points. "Next I reveal my second face down, Big Bang Shot, making my attack points higher than yours." The Elf's attack points went from tied to 2400 against the magician's 2000. "Mystical Elf, attack Dark Magician Girl."
"I thought you would do something like that, so that is why I played this." Yugi turned over his faced down. "I play Magical Cylinder, firing your attack right back at you!" The cylinder deflected the attack, sending it right back at her attacking monster. The Mystical Elf inclined her head towards Dark Magician Girl, like she was saying goodbye. Airi blinked, wondering if she had seen right. Would this stress stop getting to her? She didn't need her monster acting odd.
"Good job, Yugi." Airi said, holograms fading around them. "Now the best duelist in the family will go on."
"Best duelist?" Yugi said. "I just did my best, and so did you."
"That is what matters." Airi said, smiling as she pulled out the locator card and her Mystical Elf. "Congrats, Yugi. I couldn't have given her up to a more worthy opponent."
Yugi looked at the cards she held out. He slid the locator card out of her hand, but left the monster card. "She belongs with you."
"But you won. Its part of the rules." Airi said.
"I know, but I already had a chance to use her. During Duelist Kingdom she helped me out of some really tricky spots. She even helped me beat Kaiba's dark half. I'm counting that time, so I don't have to take her from you." Yugi gently pushed the card back towards his sister. "You need this card, sis. I'm honored you would give it up to me, but she's yours. I think you are going to need it, especially with all the crazy things going on."
"Please keep it Airi." Yami said, joining them. "We know what this card means to you, you need her."
Airi looked down at her card. If any opponent was going to take her Elf Yugi would be the most suited, but they were both right. She needed to have a complete deck if she ever had to face one of Marik's thugs.
"Thank you." She slipped the card back into her deck, then held out her hand again. "Still it was an excellent duel. You truly are the King of Games Yugi."
"I haven't made it to the finals yet." Yugi said, grinning as they shook hands.
"Yugi, I know you're going to be one of the finalists. I'm not exaggerating when I say you are one of the best to face Seto and win. You've done it before."
"She is right." Yami said.
"I have a good chance then." Yugi said. "With a strong deck, approved by a champion and a friend dueling with me, I'm sure to make it."
"Former champion." Airi corrected.
"You're my sister. You're always a champion." Yugi said, his voice putting down any possible protest.
"Alright, if you say so." Airi said.
Yami smiled, shaking his head at her comment. His smile made her heart feel like it was filled with warm air. He thinks I'm a champion too? she thought. She mentally shook herself. Calm down, he's your friend. He's just being supportive. Airi subdued any abnormal feelings before they could get too carried away, or worse have Yami figure out what she may have been feeling.
Said spirit suddenly stiffened, looking around sharply apparently sensing some kind of threat.
"What is it?" Yugi said.
"I sense a dark presence approaching." Yami said, eyes scanning the side walk above the canal.
The Mutos looked around, but couldn't see anything.
"Show yourself!" Yugi ordered.
A hair-raising laugh filled the air and a figure in black leaped down to face the group. Airi gasped, recognizing the pierced, black clad figure she had seen in earlier. This time however he had a gold eye on his forehead, and his eyes looked even blanker. She had seen that look before when Arkana was possessed.
"Marik." Yugi and Yami said together.
"We meet again little Yugi." The figure said, in the same voice that Arkana had, like a poor recording. "We meet again and we will settle this once and for all. Prepare to be defeated, and the power of the pharaoh will belong to me."
"Why don't you show yourself instead of hiding?" Yugi demanded.
"I will reveal myself when I wish it, Yugi Muto. But at present I chose to let my servant Strings defeat you. The quiet one will take you down."
The puzzle flashed and Yami stood there looking more intimidating then Airi had. "You will not succeed Marik. You will never have control of my power."
"You tell him Yami. He's not going to get your puzzle." Yugi said, appearing between the taller teens.
"He just did."
"Oh, ok then." Yugi said, a little embarrassed at Airi's statement. Yami couldn't help smiling slightly at his friend's enthusiasm.
"Don't be so sure, Yugi." controlled Strings said, drawing his cards. "I have the perfect combination which will be your undoing. We'll see how you stand against an Egyptian God."
"God Cards?" Airi was confused. She had never heard of cards like those unless . . . in a conversation she had had a while back Professor Hawkins had said something about cards so powerful Pegasus hadn't dared release them. This card, or cards, must be what he was talking about. Anything that was considered so powerful that even a creep like Pegasus wouldn't release it to the public must be bad. "Yami, Yugi, please be careful."
"Don't worry about us. We'll beat this creep." Yugi said fading to combine the two spirits together.
"We will be fine." Yami said, his certainty calming the last of her fears.
"You better get out of the way, host's sister." Marik said, voice jeering. "Don't want you to get blown away. Once I've finished your brother, who's to stop me from taking you out as well?"
"Marik, this fight is between us." Yami's voice was so low it was almost a growl.
"Then let you cards do the talking."
"Airi, please get to higher ground. It will be safer." It was not a suggestion. Airi could tell there was no point arguing.
"Good luck." A quick grip of his hand and she was off climbing to the rim of the canal. For the first time Airi realized how much the duels looked like actual battles. The look on Yami's face was enough to make any sensible person turn and run. It was hard to know what Strings himself was thinking, but Marik's voice was still has horrid as it always was.
The duel began.
Strings played Humanoid Slime in attack mode. Airi had always thought slime monsters were ugly, but this one was downright grotesque. He finished his turn by placing a card face down. It looked like he wanted 'Yugi' to attack his weak monster, so he could play the facedown he place besides it to end his turn. Yami must have thought so as well, only placing a face down and summoning Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts. The horned lion like beast leered at the slime looking like he wanted to take a chunk out of it.
Most duelists would have at least looked at the monster with respect, but the Marik controlled Strings didn't look the least bit fazed.
"You really think that will help you, Yugi?" Marik's voice mocked. "I summon Worm Drake to the field. Now I fuse it with Humanoid Slime to create Humanoid Worm Drake!"
"You've left yourself wide open to an attack." Yami said. "Fusion monsters cannot attack on the same turn they are summoned."
"Is that so?" Marik cackled. "I have to say you jump to conclusions, Yugi. I activate my face down card Quick Attack. Now I can attack you this turn." The hideous creature prepared to take a chunk out of Yugi's life points.
"Not so fast! I have a face down as well - De-Fusion." Yami smiled as the attacking monster was separated into its original monsters. Airi let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "I would have expected better dueling than this, Marik." Yami said. "You could have attacked me any way with two monsters, and would have had the upper hand."
Marik wasn't worried. In fact he laughed. "That was only a test, and I must say you are as good as Arkana's duel proved. Enjoy your success now, fool. Wait till you have to kneel before an Egyptian God."
"Don't get cocky you two." Airi said. She had learned to read voices and Marik's was dripping with confidence. No one but a complete fool acted like that without a reason. And considering all the planning and effort Marik had put into trying to steal the puzzle, unfortunately he did not seem like a fool.
Yami drew. He studied his cards before summoning Beta the Magnet Warrior. Airi could tell he was preparing for a sacrifice.
"Beta, take out Worm Drake!" Yami ordered. "Gazelle, attack Humanoid Slime!" Both monsters tore into Strings, taking a 1000 of his life points out with his monster. Airi cheered, resulting in a smug smile from Yami.
"Didn't I tell you I was testing your skills." the controlled voice was still annoyingly smug. "Now that you have cleared my field for me, I can put my plan into action."
Yami didn't let anything show, but Airi noticed his body tensed waiting for his opponent's move.
Marik's move, as it turned out, was summoning Revival Jam in defense mode. "You can attack if want, but I would save your moves. This monster is indestructible." Airi was sure they had to be some way to stop it, but Marik wasn't finished. "I now activate the magic card, Jam Breeding Machine. Now I can create a new monster every turn." In response a near formless like creature appeared from the machine. "They are called Slime Tokens, and they will be your undoing."
"Creating enough monsters to sacrifice." Airi said to herself, trying not to get too excited over this apparent lead. Yugi was a great duelist, and Yami was more skilled then anyone she knew. They could get out of this.
"I sacrifice Gazelle and Beta to summon Buster Blader." Yami said. The warrior, like a knight in shining armor come to save the day. "Attack Jam Breading Machine!"
"Yami, no!" Airi called, but it was too late.
The attack went through perfectly.
The only trouble was that Revival Jam came back.
"I told you it was indestructible." String said smugger now.
Yami gritted his teeth, angry as his hastiness.
"It's ok. There has to be a flaw." Airi said, giving the ugly machine a dirty look. "Don't let him get to you."
Strings drew, smiling as he placed a face down and ended his turn. Both the Muto's and Yami were suspicious of the card, sure it was more so called indestructible cards. In response to the new turn, another slime token appeared on the field.
Yami drew, glaring at his cards, and then at the opposite field. The tokens only had 500 points each, lower then Buster Blader. Yugi agreed going for the tokens was their best bet.
"Buster Blader, attack the first Slime Token!" Yami ordered.
"Sorry, no." Marik said, sounding almost giddy as his face down was revealed. "I activate the continuous trap card Jam Defender." Instead of going for the token Buster Blader sliced through Revival Jam, which came back as it had before. And because it was in defense no life points were taken from Strings.
Airi officially decided she hated all slime monsters.
Strings drew, another Slime Token appeared. "To make sure you don't interfere with my plans, I play Nightmare Steel Cage. Now you can't attack me for two whole turns."
A metal ring appeared on the ground around Yami. From it, metal shot up, weaving together to create a torture chambers like cage, tapping him inside.
"Yugi!" Airi screamed, stepping forward without thinking.
"Airi, don't move!" Yami's words stopped Airi cold. "We are alright. Please, stay where you are."
Airi swallowed, nodding as she stepped back. "It's just a game. It's just a game." she whispered to herself. Holograms couldn't actually hurt . . . right?
"One more turn Yugi, then you will meet the all-powerful Egyptian God." Strings cackled. "Soon the power of the Pharaoh will be mine."
Yami said nothing, his face a stern mask as he drew his card. "I make no play this turn."
Airi watch helplessly as Strings drew, the final Slime Token appearing along with the action. "Now I sacrifice them to summon your demise." Marik's voice was so gleeful he sounded near hysterics. "Behold, Slifer the Sky Dragon!"
Dark clouds swarmed over head, lightning flashing. Airi held up a hand to shield her eyes against a monstrous gust of wind. A slithering red body appeared, solidifying into the largest dragon Airi had ever seen. Its large eyes looked down on the little humans below, fully capable of eating the cage and Yugi in one bite with either one of its mouths. It body was long enough to wrap itself around the game shop three times. The size wasn't the most frightening thing; there was something about the monster which caused Airi's insides to contract, making the duel-disk at her side seem completely useless.
Airi had the terrifying impression Slifer's eyes was on her, or it seemed to be. Its teeth were clenched in a constant leer, like it was sizing her up as a possible meal. She doubted she would even count as an appetizer. Airi wished she could be certain this was just a image projected, but she knew it wasn't. The thing before her was definitely real, as no computer could come up with eyes like that. It made her already churned insides feel like cold noodles. The head moved slightly towards her. Airi stepped back, unable to break eye contact with the monster's staring eyes. The diadem seemed to get warm, ready, but for what? Airi had no idea. She realized the monster wasn't looking at her, but at the Diadem. What in the world was so great about the piece of jewelry?
"Marik, you fight is with me. Keep your monster focused on the duel." Yami's commanding voice was slightly laced with alarm.
"Worry about your own fate, Pharaoh's spirit." Strings said, voice sounded like he was laughing at Yami's helplessness.
Airi swallowed. She couldn't let her own fears distract Yami. Sometimes having a link was a nuisance. The conversation below made the dragon lose interest in Airi, and turn his attention to the caged person in front of him. Yami looked up at the monster, his teeth clenched as he tried to think of something. Airi could sense both his and Yugi's panic. This thing was powerful, and they had to figure out a way to defeat it before it destroyed them.
"Don't worry about me." she told them. "Just beat him, I know you can."
She hoped they would come up with something. She didn't have any idea herself. What was more frightening then the dragon its self was the fear of what failing meant. Having something that powerful carving up the world was something Airi wouldn't allow herself to imagine.
They couldn't afford to fail, but did they really have a chance of winning?
A/N: CLIFF HANGER! I know, it stinks, but at least you have more reason to keep reading right? i know bad reason, I'll get to the next part soon.
Please Keep reviewing or start reviewing. they keep reminding me people care about this story.
Love you all and hope you have a great weekend! thanks for reading.
