Last time Nerissa refused to give up The Heart of Candracar, even after she lost the Duel to Jaden. It took the appearance of Atem, the former spirit of the Millennium Puzzle, to retrieve the crystal from Nerissa and return it to Will. She then showed Nerissa the mirror, forcing Nerissa to face the truth of her actions. Meanwhile Pai-Mey revealed the truth as to why Will was to be killed, not sacrificed. Just when it seemed the whole mess was over Pai-Mey got away. On with the show!
Chapter 16: A Second Chance
"You sure you think this is a good idea?" asked Irma. "I'm sure," said Will, "It's either that, or kill her again." Will and her friends stood along the wall of one of the many rooms of The Temple. On a large table in the middle of the room lay the unconscious from of Nerissa. Standing over her was The Oracle. He was holding a large purple crystal over her head, a bright purpled beam of light shining down on her face. "The process should take no more than an hour," said The Oracle, "I'll inform you when it is finished."
"If this works," said Will as she and her fellow Guardians left the room, "Then we'll never have to worry about Nerissa again." "And if it doesn't," said Cornelia as the entered the main room of The Temple, "Then we'll just kill her. Then she'll be back in the world of The God Hand, and they'll just send her back to mess with us again." "Then this whole fiasco is going to repeat itself," said Irma. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," said Taranee.
"Hey Will," said Naruto, "I think we've done all that we can right now," he indicated his fellow Shinobi, "So I think we're gonna head back home." "Same here," said Luffy, "There's still so much of The Grand Line to go through." "You might want to hang around for a bit longer," said Will, "I feel that you should see what's going to happen next."
Meanwhile Martin was hounding Jaden for information. "You've got to tell me," said Martin, "How did you convince Yugi Moto to let you have one of his Egyptian God cards?" "I'm curious about that myself," said Cornelia, "Just how did you come about possessing Slifer The Sky Dragon anyway?" "It's a funny story actually," said Jaden, "Just before I left school to visit Will in Heatherfield, I got this letter. There was no return address on it, and when I opened it, there it was, Slifer The Sky Dragon. That and a note with the words 'use it well,' that's all, that and a P.O. box address to mail it back to."
"I'll bet it was from Yugi," said Martin, "He's the only one who could lend one of the Egyptian God cards." "But how did Yugi know he'd need it?" asked Nigel, "That's what I want to know." "Well," said Jaden, "If I ever see Yugi again I'll ask him."
About an hour later Hay Lin returned from Heatherfield with her grandmother Yan Lin. Will informed Yan Lin on what she planned with Nerissa. Yan Lin was a little more than concerned about the plan, but agreed to do her part, just as The Oracle entered the room, announcing that he was finished with Nerissa.
Five minutes later The Oracle and Yan Lin stood over Nerissa, while Will and the others watched from a distance. "I hope this works," said Matt, "For all our sakes." "If she tries anything," said Naruto, "I'll take care of her before she does it." "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," said Will, "We're doing this to give Nerissa another chance at life."
Just then Nerissa began to come around. "Nerissa," said The Oracle, "Can you hear me?" "Yes," whispered Nerissa, "I hear you, Oracle, but why am I here in Candracar? I thought I was on planet Earth." "Don't try to open your eyes yet," said The Oracle, "You've been through a difficult period. What's the last thing you remember?"
"I was with Kadma, Halinor and Cassidy," said Nerissa "We were at the opening of Yan Lin's restaurant, The Silver Dragon." "I remember that day," said Yan Lin, "You looked so happy back then." "Yan Lin?" asked Nerissa, "Is that you?" "Yes," said Yan Lin, "Try to relax, you've been through a rough time." "You sound different," said Nerissa as she slowly opened her eyes, "What happened? And why is everything looking all blurry?"
"Your eyes need time to adjust," said The Oracle, "They haven't been used in a long time." "How long haven't I used my eyes?" asked Nerissa in a concerned tone. "This is going to be hard to accept," said Yan Lin, "But you've been in an enchanted sleep for 40 years, give or take a few weeks."
"That can be," said Nerissa, "The last thing I remember is all of us being in Heatherfield. We weren't on any mission that would have put me in an enchanted sleep." "I'm not surprised you're acting this way," said The Oracle, "The loss of memories is a side effect of the spell used on you."
"Well assuming this is really happening," said Nerissa, "And this isn't all just some nightmare from too many fried dumplings, what happened?" "About two days after The Silver Dragon opened," said Yan Lin, "We were called to stop a demon from invading and destroying the dreams of children. We had to fight this demon in our dreams. It was a long and exhausting battle; we won, but not without paying a terrible price: you never woke up, and Cassidy was killed."
"No way," said Nerissa, denial filled her voice, "Cassidy can't be dead, she can't!" "I'm sorry Nerissa," said Yan Lin, "But it's true." Just then Nerissa's eyes came into focus. "Oh my god!" she said as she finally saw Yan Lin clearly, "You are old! Then that means I'm old as well. Oh god! I'm in my sixties! And Cassidy is dead! Oh God!" Like a dam breaking from tremendous pressure, tears began to flow from Nerissa's eyes
"It's alright," said Yan Lin as she embraced Nerissa "You're awake now, that's all that matters now." Nerissa continued to cry for several minutes. "It's so strange," whispered Will, "To see Nerissa like this, I guess she's human with a soul after all."
"What about Kadma and Halinor?" asked Nerissa when she finished crying, "What happened to them?" "They're still alive," said Yan Lin, "I can take you to see them if you wish." "Can I see a mirror please?" asked Nerissa. Yan Lin handed her a small hand mirror, not the mirror, but a mirror. "It's a side effect of the spell you were under," said Yan Lin as Nerissa viewed her reflection, "Your body aged only one year for every two years that passed."
"I suppose it could be worse," said Nerissa, "But what am I going to do? Everything I know on Earth is gone. I had no family even before I was put to sleep. What's going to happen to me?" "You do have a family," said Yan Lin, "Myself, Kadma and Halinor. It would be no trouble to bring them here if you like."
"And you are more than welcome to stay in Candracar," said The Oracle, "The Temple can be your home for as long as you wish." "Thank you Oracle," said Nerissa, "I think I shall stay here, for a while. Forgive me if I sound rude, but I'm starving." "I'm not surprised," said Yan Lin, "Seeing that you haven't eaten anything for about 40 years. I'll make you a batch of your favorite fried dumplings."
Yan Lin then helped Nerissa to her feet, and as they were walking out of the room, Nerissa saw Will. "Oh, this is Wilma Vandom," said Yan Lin, "But we all call her Will. She's the new Keeper of The Heart of Candracar." "Is she now," said Nerissa as her eyes locked in on The Heart of Candracar. Irma, Taranee, Hay Lin, Cornelia, Caleb, Matt, Nigel and everyone else tensed. Saske and Sakura had their hands on the handles of their kuni knives. Naruto already had one out, his hand gripping the handle of his blade, ready to strike.
"I hope you're doing a better job than I did," said Nerissa to Will. Everyone relaxed at this statement. "I do what I can," said Will, "From what I heard you did a pretty good job yourself." "I had my moments," said Nerissa, "Take good care of that crystal," she pointed at The Heart of Candracar; "It helped me out of more than a few tight spots."
"That was some whammy The Oracle put on Nerissa," said Matt as Yan Lin helped Nerissa out of the room. "How long will the memory block last?" asked Cornelia. "As long as it has to," said The Oracle, "Until Nerissa learns to accept the truth of her actions, subconsciously that is. For now she sees with eyes unclouded by hate." "Are you absolutely sure it's a good idea to let her walk around freely?" asked Caleb, "After all that she did to us?" "Sometimes all that is needed to redeem oneself," said Will, "Is a second chance. It's time Nerissa had hers."
"Well spoken Wilma Vandom," said The Stranger, for he was standing right behind Will and the others. "Do you have to sneak up on us like that?" asked Irma, "You nearly scared ten years off my life!" "Forgive me Irma Lair," said Allen Shockley, "As I said earlier, this has been a challenge for you Will, a challenge you just completed. By willing to give up the crystal for someone you loved; by trusting your friends and family to help you; and by showing compassion to your enemy, you've proven yourself most worthy as Keeper of The Heart of Candracar, that and much more."
"A Shadow Game," said Jaden, "This whole thing has been one big Shadow Game." "Correct Jaden Yuki," said The Stranger, "Your cousin has been playing a Shadow Game; one she won fairly, and won well." "There's more to it," said Will, "I know there is, so don't try to hide it with riddles."
"I assumed you would as this of me," said Allen Shockley, "So there's no harm in informing you. It was foretold that you, Will, would be the next keeper of The Heart of Candracar." "He speaks the truth," said The Oracle, "The day you were born, Will, was a day of great celebration here at The Temple. I was then convinced that you were meant for the crystal. And today I was proved right."
"However," said The Stranger, "The story doesn't end there. The ones who call themselves The God Hand also knew of your destiny, and they sought to prevent it." "Of course," said Jaden, "That day, Will, that day I pulled you out of the way of that speeding car, I'll bet the demons were behind that."
"You are correct Jaden Yuki," said The Stranger, "The one driving that automobile was an acolyte of The God Hand. Had Will died then, it would have been many years before another potential for the crystal would be born. And yet, there's still more."
"I know what you're talking about," said Will, "About a month before my mom and I moved from Fadden Hills, we were shopping at the local mall. I remember because we were parked all the way at the back of the parking lot and we were in a hurry. As my mom and I were getting in the car, there was this explosion from the food court."
"I remember hearing about that on the news," said Taranee, "They said it was a faulty gas grill and a really bad timed spark." "I heard that over 50 people died in the explosion," said Cornelia, "It was terrible." "It would have been fifty-two if my mom and I hadn't been in a hurry," said Will, "So the demons were behind that as well.
"Exactly," said Allen Shockley, "Twice The God Hand tried to destroy you before you became a Guardian and twice they failed. It is my belief, and the belief of my comrades that you Guardians are very close to being ready to strike back at The God Hand. As for you, young Duelist," he looked at Jaden, "your challenge as 'the chosen Duelist' has just begun." "What do you mean by that?" asked Jaden. "You shall understand better when you return to Duel Academy," said Allen Shockley "Oh, and Will, it would be wise for you and your fellow Guardians to keep your eyes open for the Fullmetal Alchemist." With that, he vanished again.
"I really hate it when he does that," said Irma, "It gets on my nerves." "I know how to relax your nerves," said Martin, "My little Pop-Tart." "That does it!" exclaimed Irma, "Somebody get me an ice pick!" "He did it again," said Cornelia as Irma went in search of an ice pick, "The Stranger left us with another riddle; who is this Fullmetal Alchemist he wants us to find?" "I don't know," said Will, "But I'm sure we'll find out before too long."
"So what now?" asked Jaden as Irma chased Martin around The Temple with an ice pick she found. "Pai-Mey won't show herself for a while," said Saske, "My guess is that she'll lay low until she's sure she can operate without us coming to look for her." "And when that happens," said Luffy, "You can count on me and my crew to help stop her once and for all!" "Same here," said Naruto, "Next time that traitor is going down, believe it!"
After several rounds of goodbyes, Will opened two Folds; one for Luffy and his crew to return to The Grand Line, the other for Naruto and his fellow Shinobi to head back to Konohamaru. While the other ninjas went through the Fold home, Hay Lin and Rock Lee were having a last minute together before being separated by time and space. "I couldn't have opened the Sixth and Seventh Gates without you, Miss Hay Lin," said Rock Lee, "I'm both glad and proud of our relation. "You truly are a splendid ninja Rock Lee," said Hay Lin. They kissed, and Rock Lee went through the Fold, which closed up shortly after.
"That was a great Duel cousin," said Will to Jaden. "It was fun," said Jaden, "I only wish Nerissa understood that Dueling isn't just about winning and collecting cards, it's about having fun and meeting new friends." "Well I hope to see more of your Dueling prowess later on," said Cornelia, "I might just get more involved in the game myself."
"I still can't believe that you collect trading cards," said Irma gleefully, "What would the rest of school think?" "They would think I have a hobby," said Cornelia, "And what would the student body of The Sheffield Institute think if they knew about the incident with Andrew Hornby?" "Touché, miss Oh so Blond and Pretty," said Irma, "You keep your mouth shut about that, I'll keep mine shut." "Agreed," said Cornelia.
"I just realized something," said Will, "Taranee never told us about her guilty pleasure." "Might as well tell them," said Nigel, "They won't stop bugging us about it." "Well," said Taranee in a reluctant tone, "Nigel and I haven't done it yet, but let's just say that we both enjoy taking turns being tied up and blindfolded." There was a few seconds of silence before Will said, "alright, that seems normal to me."
As Will made another Fold, this one to take her and her friends back home, she asked Jaden, "What are you going to do with that card you got?" "You mean Slifer The Sky Dragon?" asked Jaden, "Well as soon as we're back home, I'm mailing it back to Yugi, assuming that's whom the return address goes to. I used the card well, and I have no urge to keep it."
"You're a better man than I am," said Martin as he rubbed his backside tenderly, "I would have succumbed to greed and kept it for myself." "She didn't really carve her name into your ass with an ice pick," said Eric as his gaze flickered on Irma for a second, "Did she?" "No," said Martin, "But she did give my rear end a good kicking, that's for sure. But I'm not giving up, she'll come around to me soon enough." "It's your funeral," said Matt.
The end of chapter 16. Next chapter, as school starts again for Will and her friends, we look in on the fate of Pai-Mey. See you next time!