Last time Hay Lin watched as Rock Lee powered up and fought Pai-Mey. Lee managed to severely damage Pai-Mey, but it wasn't enough. But with the combined efforts of Usopp, Tenten, Sanji, Kiba and Akamaru, Pai-Mey was finally defeated. Yet it wasn't over when Nerissa deiced to step in. Now it is up to Jaden, but what is he going to do? On with the show!
Chapter 12: The Challenge
"Leave Nerissa to me," said Jaden, "I know what I have to do." "You're crazy," said Hay Lin, "You can't face Nerissa alone, she'll swat you like a fly." "Not if I play my cards right," said Jaden, "So to speak."
"What is he doing?" asked Naruto as Jaden entered the battle area across from Nerissa. "I think he's trying to get the crystal back from Nerissa," said Cornelia, "Or at least that's what I believe he's doing."
"How's Will doing?" asked Sakura. "Last time I checked," said Caleb, "She's just starting to come out of whatever happened to her." "Well that's something," said Luffy. "But how much longer before she's fully back to normal?" asked Saske, "That's what I want to know." "I don't know how much longer she needs," said Cornelia, "All we can do is trust Jaden and hope for the best."
Jaden had stopped about ten paces away from Nerissa. "So," said Nerissa, "This is who Will sent to defend her, a brainless, card game obsessed idiot; how pathetic." "I'm not brainless," said Jaden, "And I'm no idiot. I just get confused sometimes. But I am nuts over Duel Monsters. Speaking of which, I've got a proposition for you, Nerissa."
"What sort of proposition do you have in mind that I'd be interested in?" asked Nerissa. "The two of us are going to play a game," said Jaden, "If I win, you have to give back to Will The Heart of Candracar." "And if I win this game," said Nerissa, "Assuming I decide to play it instead of blasting you into oblivion, what would I receive?"
"If you win," said Jaden, "You can have my Osiris Pendant," he held out the round object around his neck, "I figured that you might be interested in it. You can check out its power, and I mean look, but don't take."
Nerissa walked over to Jaden and examined the pendant. "Yes," said Nerissa after a long look at the pendant, "Yes, this object holds ancient and powerful magic. Wherever did you come about possessing it?" "It was in two pieces," said Jaden, "And I won both halves in two separate Duels. You can have the whole thing, if you defeat me in a Duel. I guess you already know who to play Duel Monsters?"
"I am familiar with the game and it's rules," said Nerissa, "Though I haven't had much time to play recently." "Oh for crying out loud!" exclaimed a handcuffed Pai-Mey from the sidelines, "Don't waste any more time on this dipstick! Just kill him and take the damn thing already!" "Shut up you!" yelled Shikamaru as he slapped Pai-Mey across the face.
"Oh she can kill me and take the pendant," said Jaden, "she wouldn't be able to use it." "He's right," said Nerissa, "If I were to kill this boy in cold blood, the magic of the pendant would be lost to me forever. There are only two ways I can have the Osiris Pendant and use it; if Jaden were to give it to me willingly, or if I were to win it in a Shadow Game."
"And since I'll never give it to you willingly," said Jaden, "You're just going to have to Duel me." "Don't waste any more time on this," said Pai-Mey, "Destroy The Temple, then you can have your stupid little game." "I said shut your mouth bitch!" exclaimed Shikamaru as he slapped Pai-Mey again.
"Let her talk," said Nerissa, "She needs to understand where I'm coming from here. You see Pai-Mey, I want that pendant, and I always get what I want; one way or another. Besides, you got to waste time with your ninja friends."
"That was a personal matter," said Pai-Mey, "Our agreement stated that I could destroy any ninja or pirate that stood in my way to destroying Candracar. There was nothing in the agreement that said you could waste time on a stupid children's game." "Well I'm altering our little bargain," said Nerissa, "So that I can spend time playing any game I desire. For your sake, pray that I don't alter the bargain again." "This deal is getting worse all the time," muttered Pai-Mey.
"So let me get this straight so there's no confusion," said Nerissa, "If I win this Shadow Game, you'll willingly give me your Osiris Pendant." "Yes," said Jaden, "And if I win, you'll give back to Will her crystal. Fair deal?" "Yes," said Nerissa, "A very fair deal." "Then get your game on!" exclaimed Jaden as he pulled out from his knapsack his Duel Disk, "'Cause we're Dueling!"
The end of chapter 12. Next time, it's Jaden vs. Nerissa in an all out Duel to the finish. Plus, Will finally comes out of her funk. See you next time!