Tykers Center.
Reishi and shima were at the front of the center, Right in front the main building - the tykers building.
It was a crass building, Very much old-fashioned for it's time. It had brown bricks for it's foundation with a coat of silver at the top. It was very reminiscent of a building built in the 1980s. The center had been built as a recreational center for children but over time it began to host all sorts of events from science fair to art competitions.
Reishi: I guess we just have to wait for the shadowmancer to arrive…
Shima: Yeah…. *sigh*
Shima walked forward in boredom.
Shima: Man I can't believe I didn't notice how crappy this place looks the first time we were here.
Shima said.
She was specifically looking at a graffiti art of a uretha the ground.
Shima: *Tch* Makes me wanna throw up thinking I was even here.
Reishi: Don't be so stuck up shima. I'm Sure-
Reishi was cut off by shima shrieking.
Shima: ARGH!
Reishi: W-What! Are the shadowmancers here?
Shima: No! Look at this reishi!
Shima pointed to a poster on the wall of the tykers building. It displayed a boy holding a trophy with a model volcano in the background.
With huge words on the bottom reading "1st place winner for the Neo domino city school project festival!"
Shima: Fuck! I knew one of those stupid model volcanos would win! Baka!
Reishi: Um, Does it matter?
Shima: Of course. I made a whole Duel disk with an advanced holographic system and systems mechanics! And some dumb crap can win out in 1st place! Shit!
Reishi: Shima, In their defense the festival was about aesthetics not about technological prowess.
Shima: Still it's bullshit. Stupid tykers….
she grumbled.
Reishi: Why is this place is even called the tykers center in the first place?
Shima: I think it's named after a french martyr who died in the hundred years war…
Reishi: There was a girl named tykers…?
Shima: No, That was her last name…. I believe it was maggot of normandy?
Shima said…
Reishi: I dont think a person would be named maggot….
Shima: Or maybe marge…? Crap! I know I learned this in history class…..
Reishi: Uh… Was it marmalade?
Shima: No I think it was-
?: Margaret of Normandy! You Imbeciles!
A vast blanket of purple fog flew heavy over the center. It suffocated every building and every tree around the tykers center, swallowing every distant object and vanishing around every corner. It crept around reishi and shima, and its silent footsteps tiptoeing around each project left in the Center, The freezing fog wrapped around her like a blanket, the everyday familiar sights of the street lay mysterious, hiding, looming out at her in their whitened haze at the last minute like images from some half forgotten dream.
The purple mist swelled up in front of reishi and shima and made Two figures. Their true forms started to show after a couple revealing some dark individuals wearing cloaks. Unlike the shadowmancer before them they did not cover their face with their cloaks.
Reishi: There's two of them!
The shadowmancer to the left was huge, at least 6 feet tall with large shoulders. His face was rough and gaudy with a slash over his eyes. He had yellow hair and black eyes like a pleb. Behind him was something large but out of view to reishi or shima.
The shadowmancer that appeared next to him was a woman, In her mid 20s. She had Pale white skin and blonde hair with green eyes. Her face was not congruent with drooping eyes and a dopey nose. Other than that she could be described as "Beautiful" If you squint your eyes a little bit.
Woman: Bonjour.
The woman bowed. Her elegance shown with her snazzy accent precious face and breasts. She had an french accent meaning that she was not of the descent of the city.
Woman: We come on behalf of the Masked Queen.
Woman: I am shadowmancer Unit 385185, I go by the human Name of "Cheŕe". But Please just call me 385185. I have long since Abandoned my human name.
She scolded.
Reishi: (H-Human name..)
Cheŕe: My partner is Unit 4123. His name is not important.
Cheŕe: Now then, Enough with the pleasantries. We've Brought your "Friend".
The huge hunk of a man called 4123 moved to the side, revealing the huge object behind him. It was a what could be best described as a ginormous bird cage. With hattori laying down face first on the hard metal flooring. She was clearly unconscious and had was not even so much as twitching.
Reishi and shima: Hattori!
Seeing her friend in such a pitiful state made shima angry to a boiling point.
Shima: You bitch! You better not have Done anything to her since-
Cheŕe: Come down darling~ we stopped torturing her 3 days ago.
Reishi: H-How long have you guys had her?
The shadowmancer giggled.
Cheŕe: About a week. One of our agents while spying on you managed to find her spying on you too~ and we decided to give her a little of a advice on her spying techniques.
Cheŕe: And by that, I meant we kidnapped her and tortured her...
The shadowmancer began to laugh.
Reishi: You sickos….
Cheŕe: Don't be mad. She appeared to like the torture! ...Until we broke her ankle.
Shima: I swear I'll castrate the both of you-
Chere: oh? Je vous reconnais.
The shadowmancer said.
Shima: Nani?
Chere: Sorry it's just…. I think I recognize you…
Shima: Y-You do?
Cheŕe: …!
It then suddenly hit the shadowmancer.
Cheŕe: Oui! You're the girl who I beat last week!
She laughed.
Shima's eyes and realized that she recognized the shadowmancer from before… It wa the same one who had attacked her.
Shima: it's You!
Shima said trembling. Reishi confused, Asked:
Reishi: You two know each other?
Shima: Yes… She's the one who attacked me on the subway….
Chere laughed.
Cheŕe: Ah~ How wonderful it is to see you again! I still remember your desperate pleads for mercy after I defeated you!
Shima's face turned gray as she remembered how the shadowmancer had made her get her knees and beg for mercy…
Shima: T-Thats-
Reishi: Wait, Shima didn't you say you beat her?
Shima: S-Shut up! I was scared okay? I didn't want you to think I was weak….
Reishi:Shima….
It got silent as the winds of the night blew around them.
4123: Enough with the pointless chatter. Let's just uphold our part of the deal.
Cheŕe: Right.
*Roll*
They rolled Hattori's bird cage over to reishi. It was hideous and covered in blood, almost making reishi revolt.
Cheŕe: We are' Men of our words' So here is your lime-colored friend.
She joked.
Reishi: ….
Hattori's body looked even more gross up close. Her ankle was definitely broken and mangled and leg bruised with purple blotches on it. The only thing that was left in tact was her face. But that was probably only the case so they could recognize her.
She seemed to be alive but didn't seem to be conscious at all, She was like in a sleeping beauty state.
Cheŕe: We've upheld our part of the bargain. Now uphold yours mon ami. Duel me.
The shadowmancers eyes glared at reishi.
Reishi: A duel….
Cheŕe: If I lose, we'll leave you and your friend alone, For now…
Chere: - But If I win…. You come with us and your friend dies.
Reishi: Huh?
Shima: What?
Cheŕe: You didn't think we'd let you have her "willy-Nilly?", No? We placed a curse on her so if you lose or refuse to duel me,your friend will die.
Reishi: Dammit!
Reishi realized the stakes at play. And she realizer could no longer refuse to take her destiny.
Reishi: It looks I'll have to duel you dirty cowards...
She insulted as she took out her duel disk.
Reishi: Shima, Take Hattori to the hospital, I think she's on the verge of death.
Shima: Are you sure? I can stay here and-
Reishi: Shima! Just do it!
Shima: R-Right!
Shima hastily took hattori out of the enormous bird cage and lifted her onto her back. She ran with her out of the tykers center and in the direction of the hospital. Just before leaving however, She mumbled.
Shima: Good luck reishi…
-
Reishi Took out her deck and inserted into the duel disk. The shadowmancer did the same with hers, Only with a slight bit of arrogance attached to every gesture she made.
Cheŕe: Leave us.
She said to her colleague.
4123: …. Don't harm her too bad. I know how you like to get carried away.
He said before taking off in a cloud of purple smoke.
Cheŕe: I can't wait to how you fair in this competition of the minds, My dear~ The masked queen talks about your skill so much, It makes me want to shiver!
She boasted
Reishi: You'll see it front and center!
Reishi's determination filled her mind and soul as she prepared to duel. She wanted- No, Needed to avenge her friend. The shadowmancers had gone too far and now they were going to feel the full wrath of her hope.