Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh or its characters. I only own Sapphira Takaru, Marina Takaru, Toran Takaru and Zahara.

Blah = Mind link: Zahara to Sapphira

Blah = Mind link: Sapphira to Zahara

Blah = Talking

Chapter 9

The First Shadow Game

Sapphira's P.O.V.

I was walking down the street towards the Nile River with a smile on my face. The tournament for Duel Monsters would be starting up again in a couple of weeks and I couldn't wait. Zahara could sense my excitement and was happy for me. She knew how much I loved the game and couldn't help but smile at my happiness.

The tournament was just the Regional Competition, but it was going to be big. Some pretty big names were going to be there and I was excited. Last year, I went all the way up to National Level. However, I never went to the World Competition becuase I didn't believe that I was experienced enough to be able to compete on par with the duelists that would be in that tournament, despite Seto saying otherwise. This year though, I believe that I'm strong enough to be able to be at their level.

Just as I got to the river, I noticed a gang member coming towards me with a knife. However, I also noticed that he also had a dueling deck on him. He tried attacking me and I could sense his intentions. Zahara could as well as I dodged his attacks and fought back as she appeared besides me in spirit form.

Sapphira, let me handle him.

Are you going to challenge him to a Shadow Game?

Yes, I can tell that the only way that this creep will ever learn anything is by being exposed to what he fears most.

Alright, but I get to watch this one. I want for us to be able to do these Shadow Games equally. You can't have all the fun.

She seemed to smile at that.

I suppose not. Now, let's get started, shall we?

I gave a smirk at that.

I couldn't agree more, Zahara.

The Millennium Pendant began to glow with a golden light that went unnoticed by the thug nearing us. As I closed my eyes I could feel Zahara and I switching places. I appeared beside her in spirit form as I watched as she opened her eyes to show a bright green instead of my usual bright blue.

They were filled with a deep determination. One that seemed to sparkle with bright flames. One thing I knew for sure. This guy picked the wrong person to mess with. Once Zahara is done with him, I don't think that he'll be hurting anyone else for a long time.

Zahara's P.O.V.

I looked at the thug advancing on me with disgust. This guy picked the wrong person to mess with. It was time for a Shadow Game.

"How about an offer?" I asked the thug, who looked at me questioningly.

"What kind of offer?" He asked smirking, with thoughts that I could tell wouldn't be so pleasant for my host.

"I propose a game of Duel Monsters," I began, taking out the deck that I knew that was Sapphira's deck. "If you win, then you can do with me as you wish."

The man was smirking at that.

"If you lose though," I spoke evenly. "Then you will face a Penalty Game."

The man smirked at the possibilities. I made sure to have a dark edge in my tone to make either way seem interesting to him. That's the thing with guys like this. They love dangerous stakes, so if you give them the bait then they'll bite.

"Very well," The thug answered with a confident smirk on his face."Let's duel."

I nodded as I began the Shadow Game to create a place for us to duel, which the thug didn't seem to notice. He took out his deck and place it on the table on his side and I did the same with mine. We each drew five cards, and the game began.

Thug: 4000

Zahara:4000

The thug decided to go first.

"I summon out Feral Imp in attack and end my turn."

Feral Imp

Fiend

Attack: 1300

Defense: 1400

I drew my card and look at what the thug summoned. This guy really needs to get out a better card on the first turn. Everyone is obviously going to kill it if he keeps trying that. This guy obviously doesn't know how to play the game very well, if at all.

" I summon Luster Dragon in attack."

Luster Dragon

Dragon

Attack: 1900

Defense: 1600

I pointed towards Feral Imp.

"Luster Dragon attacks Feral Imp."

Luster Dragon destroyed the monster and the thug took life points for leaving it in attack mode.

"I place three cards face down and end my turn."

I put three cards in the magic and trap card zone before it became the thug's turn.

Thug: 3600

Zahara: 4000

The thug drew a card and started his turn.

"I summon out Armored Lizard."

Armored Lizard

Reptile

Attack: 1500

Defense: 1200

I equip Armored Lizard with Black Penadant and attack your Luster Dragon."

Armored Lizard

Reptile

Attack: 2000

Defense: 1200

He had a smirk on his face, like he thought he had this in the bag.

I gave a smirk at that.

"I activate my trap card, Negate Attack. Looks like you'll have to wait until next turn. Too bad."

He growled at that and ended his turn.

Thug: 3600

Zahara: 4000

I drew my card and gave a smirk as I decided to give him a taste of what this deck is really capable of. It was time for a fusion summon

"I activate Polymerization to fuse Meteor Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my hand to summon out Meteor B. Dragon."

Meteor B. Dragon

Fusion/Dragon

Attack: 3500

Defense: 2000

He looked scared at my monster and I wasn't done just yet.

"Then I equip my Meteor B. Dragon with Dragon treasure to boost his attack by 300 points."

Meteor B. Dragon

Attack: 3800

Defense: 2000

"Now my dragon attacks your Armored Dragon."

The dragon attacked and destroyed the monster and reduced his life points even more.

Thug: 1800

Zahara: 4000

The thug looked scared now as he knew what was going to happen next.

"Now I attack with my Luster Dragon to wipe out the rest of your life points. Game Over. I win."

Thug: 0000

Zahara: 4000

Winner Zahara

I smirked as I knew what to do next. I looked within his mind to see what he feared most. I smirked as I saw many posionous snakes. I knew just what I could do to him.

"It's time for you to accept your loss," I yelled out as I pointed my finger at him. The Millennium Pendant started glowing brightly in response.

Penalty Game!" I yelled out. "Viper Illusion!"

The thug started seeing many viper snakes trying to bite causing him to run away scared at everything. I smirked at seeing that he got what he deserved.

Then I gave control back to Sapphira and we both headed home for the day. Now that Sapphira knows how a Shadow Game works, she'll know the dangers of it and be able to recognize when one is being played. I only hope that she won't have to go through one herself. They can be dangerous, even for Millennium Item users. I just hope that she'll never have to go up against one. For her own safety and for those she loves dear to her.

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