Chapter 46
Mai sank to her knees, saying in a saddened voice "I can't believe it… My Amazoness Tiger is finished." She then placed her hand over her deck, signaling she was surrendering.
"I would rather not see my Amazoness Tiger destroyed. You two win this battle."
Nodding, Illidan said "It was an honor to duel you Mai, and you played a good game."
The judge then cleared his throat and said "The winners of this Tag Team duel, Illidan and Marie!"
Illidan and Marie then walked over to Mai and offered a hand each to her. Mai looked up and took them gladly. The two quickly helped her stand, and Illidan shook her hand, and Marie then gave her a hug, whispering good job in her ear.
The crowd then came out of the stands and onto the field and proceeded to celebrate the night away. Everyone but Bakura was there, who had disappeared during the middle of the tag duel.
Elsewhere in the tower, the usual celebration was on in Gozaburo's office.
"WHY WON'T HE LOSE! I MUST HAVE HIM DESTROYED!" screamed Gozaburo as he smashed his fist into the wall of his office.
Suddenly, there was a knock on his door, causing him to scream "COME IN!"
The door opened slowly to reveal Bakura. Seeing the destruction, Bakura said "I see you're redecorating. I guess I should come back later, when you're done."
Calming down, Gozaburo then waved for him to come on in. "Sit down Bakura." he commanded.
Bakura walked in and had a seat in what was a nice chair at one time.
Smiling at Bakura, Gozaburo calmly asked "Bakura, does the spirit of the Millennium Ring still want to destroy Illidan and Yami?"
Shocked at this question and yet slightly afraid, Bakura replied "The spirit of my Millennium Ring has been sealed away for some time now, so don't bother asking silly questions. Besides, I'd never endanger my friends by releasing him onto them."
Gozaburo then reached into a drawer of his desk and pulled out the Millennium Crown. With an evil smile, he slipped the crown on his head, asking "Have you ever seen this before Bakura?"
Bakura was slightly shaking with fear, knowing that the crown looked like a Millennium Item. He quickly stood to run, but suddenly deep inside of himself, the spirit of the Millennium Ring called out for him to release him.
"No!" screamed Bakura as he held his head in his hands. The spirit was trying quite hard to free himself, and it was taking it's toll on Bakura.
Chuckling evilly, Gozaburo said "Don't worry Bakura, I'll fix your problem right now."
The Millennium Crown then began glowing with a golden aura and Bakura felt the seal that Yami had placed fall to pieces. Now the spirit of the Millennium Ring was free, and nothing or nobody could help Bakura. He screamed in agony as the spirit then took possession of his body. Finally, he settled down, but there was an evil smile on Bakura's face now. No longer was this boy the sweet innocent Bakura, but he was now possessed by the spirit of the Millennium Ring. His body showed the changes. His face was now much more evil looking. His eyes were cold, and he wore an evil grin.
Taking a deep breath, the spirit then opened his eyes and turned towards Gozaburo, saying "Ah, much better. That fool Yami and Bakura tricked me sometime ago and sealed me into my own Millennium Ring. I had been trapped by the seal for only a few months, but it was more than enough time for me to grow impatient and angry with each. I thank you for your help, but now, if you don't mind, hand over your Millennium Item. I know that it is the Millennium Crown, and I want it."
Laughing, Gozaburo slapped his desk, saying "You haven't changed one bit. It was only 5000 years ago you wanted this same crown, but you failed as well to claim it. And you failed to acquire the other Millennium Items. And now you think I'll hand over my Millennium Crown with no struggle?"
Smirking, the spirit put his hand on his Millennium Ring, and replied "If you don't hand it over, I'll take it from you in a Shadow Game! How does that grab you?"
Still smiling evilly, Gozaburo said "It won't be happening. You don't deserve this crown. You don't even deserve a shot at this crown, but I'll make you a deal. Destroy Illidan …"
Curious at the mere mention of the name, the spirit said "What? Illidan is alive?"
Nodding, Gozaburo continued, saying "Yes, he is. He has been reincarnated and brought back as he was. He now possesses the Millennium Key once again from what I can tell."
Curious still, the spirit asked "And the others?"
"As you know, Yami is back. Marie has returned as well. You should still know all about Shadi still living. He never will kick the bucket. You know about Kaiba, but he doesn't possess any Millennium Items. I know you took Pegasus's Millennium Eye already. That means there are only four people that were from the past that are in the tournament."
Looking at Gozaburo, the spirit asked "And you?"
Lightly chuckling, Gozaburo replied "I'm not the Gozaburo of the past, if that's what you speak of. I have access to his memories somehow, but I am not that Gozaburo."
Smiling evilly, Bakura said "I see. Why should I help you when I can take what I want from you?"
Standing up, Gozaburo then stared at the spirit and said "Try it, if you dare. My powers far surpass yours. You could try and then be sent to the Shadow Realm easily. Remember, the Millennium Crown was much stronger than any one Millennium Item alone. It even surpasses the combined power of all seven, so try it if you dare to be so foolish."
Slightly growling, the spirit realized he couldn't defeat Gozaburo without the other Millennium Items. Even then, that would be a tough conquest for him to complete. Realizing he should back down for now, he slowly took a seat on a heap of what was once furniture.
Lightly laughing, Gozaburo said "Good boy. I knew you were always a sensible one, from what the crown tells me about the past. Now, I want you to destroy Illidan in a duel. Make it a Shadow Game for all I care, but do whatever you want, but make sure you destroy him. I want him destroyed, no matter what!"
Smiling evilly, the spirit said "You seem bent on killing him. What is it that matters so much that you want him destroyed?"
Gozaburo stared at the spirit and said "You remember how persistent Illidan was in ancient times. He is proving to be a pest the same way in this time. Every duelist that has faced him so far has lost. Even two Egyptian God Card holders failed to destroy him. That is why I want you to destroy him. I know you love to torture people by playing a Shadow Game, and you'll make sure that he suffers. Win and I'll give you the Millennium Key. Also, you will have a chance to get all seven Millennium Items. Six are here at the tower. The other, Shadi's Millennium Scales, are still with him, but easy to take."
Thinking about the terms, the spirit slightly smirked and said "I see. So, you want me to eliminate Illidan. What if the others interfere?"
Not even showing any signs of compassion, Gozaburo shrugged and said "Do as you want with anyone but Marie. Do not harm her. I want her left alone. If you do harm her, you will have me to deal with."
Staring at the spirit, Gozaburo gave a dead serious look about what he said. The spirit then burst out loud laughing, saying "Your past memories of your infatuation with her still exist I see. Fine, I'll leave her be, but she better not get in my way. I will send Illidan to the Shadow Realm for the pain he caused me five millennia ago, for it has been a long time coming for him."
Smiling, Gozaburo said "Good to hear. Now, don't go around advertising that you are free. I want you to continue to act like that sweet innocent fool."
Slightly growling, the spirit replied "Fine, I will, but don't expect me to act like that tomorrow during the duel. I'll crush Illidan and send his soul to the Shadow Realm. It's been five millennia since I have seen him, and yet that hasn't been long enough for me."
Lightly chuckling, Gozaburo said "I'm sure it hasn't been. Now, leave."
The spirit then stood up and stopped at the door. He looked back over his shoulder, saying "I wouldn't get too attached to that crown. I'll be taking it from you soon enough." Then he began to laugh evilly as he shut the door.
Laughing evilly, Gozaburo said "The fool has no idea how wrong he is."