Yugioh! The Ancient Prophecy... [PG-16]

[Wave_Sine]

"AAAAAAARGH!" Escher impacted the rear wall of the Maze room they were currently in with a loud metallic 'thud'. "Impressive. Very impressive! But you've failed to seal the deal! The combined Attack values of your monsters is only 5000! That's 200 [i]less[/i] than my current Life Points! With no way to Special Summon during the Battle Phase, I have 1 turn left! And that's [i]all I need[/i]." Escher had blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, and was breathing hard, but had a look of utter insanity on his face.

LP: 200 (hopefully)

[lugia61617]

After Escher's outburst, novody said a thing. That was, until Kai smirked, followed by a giggle, finally by an all-out laugh. "You think you still have a turn left? I'm afraid not! Tell me, have you ever heard of a bluff? It's where you set cards and try to trick your opponent into thinking they are Traps for when they attack or something similar. Unfortunately, and here's a fact; I drew no traps on my first hand, at all for that matter. And of course that means my remaining face-down is a spell card. One way or another you're going to lose, especially as in my second main phase I will now activate my face-down bluff card; Ookazi! This inflicts 800 damage, and I'm afraid that means it's the end for you!" Kai's laugh grew more and more demented as the giagantic flames spread across the entire maze, but mostly heading in the direction of Escher.

[Wave_Sine]

Escher screamed in pain as the flames scorched his skin, but the screams faded into laughter as the Maze began to crumble around them. "It was a fun test, and we are all impressed at how much you won! Was not expecting a Direct Damage card in a Swarm focused deck." Escher then stepped to the side, dodging a large piece of the ceiling. "You haven't escaped, you know. You [i]CAN'T[/i] escape. Even though my power that is keeping us here is fading, you will [i]never[/i] not be interesting. At least, you won't be as boring as when I found you." Escher reached into his pocket and threw the pendant back to the stranger. "Here! You [i]dropped[/i] this! We wouldn't want you [i]losing[/i] it, now would we?" Escher stepped through a hole that had opened in the crumbling structure and disappeared. Meanwhile, in the original location of the duel, a large amount of unidentifiable wreckage cascaded out of nowhere.

Escher stepped into the temple, his clothes still smoldering, with some cube wreckage behind him. "Ow. Ow. Ow. My cube. He WRECKED my cube! Er, sorry, Master Amathoz. I trust that I am not late, at least not overmuch." He patted out the still-smoking parts of his outfit then bowed graciously.

[Kazekage dragon]

[size="3"][b]Amathoz[/b][/size] was gravely annoyed with Escher as he saw him enter the temple covered in smoke, it was obvious that he had a quarrel with someone. This fact made Amathoz even more furious considering only people of the prophecy were capable of this degree of damage. "I see you have been busy," said Amathoz very infuriated, "and you did not even manage to defeat whomever you were engaging; so sad" Amathoz rose and approached Escher. [i]Another with a little bit of his soul unattached I see, this is getting repetitive.[/i] He thought as he thrusted his hand in Escher's chest, the same thing he had done to Seth, and then pulled it back. "Fixing your soul isn't painless as you can see," said Amathoz as he looked down on the man who apparently felt excruciating pain from his soul being moved around, "therefore don't try that again, next time I shall not be so forgiving." Amathoz looked at Escher and raised his head. "Fortunately," said Amathoz, "you are just in time, there is a young boy that is in hiding under orders of the pharaoh, I want you to locate but not engage this boy. Use him to give this to the pharaoh." He held out a small bracelet bearing a scarab. "This belonged to the pharaoh's mother," said Amathoz as he looked at it carefully, "this is to make him come to me so I can finish him off when the time comes." He could see the man was still in pain and looked strangely at him. "Speak," stated Amathoz in a frightening tone, "what is your concern?"

[lugia61617]

While the falling debris was creating a large amount of thick smoke, Kai fled the scene - he did not want to stick around to find out what would happen after something as strange as that. As he ran, he took the pendant and placed it around his neck once more. "The old me couldn't bear my birth...but now...I think it's time to proceed with my plans of action...I think I should start by finding whoever was behind that mysterious guy!" When he reached a safe area, he stopped to catch his breath. After a little consideration, he realised he had no idea on how to start; he knew not the name of the stranger, nor where he'd disappeared to. "It's a pity...And annoying that I couldn't destroy him. I need something to take my mind off that loss." He pondered for a minute. "Ah, I know...new threads." He walked in the direction of his apartment downtown.

When he arrived, he immediately headed for the wooden wardrobe. He slid across every single outfit until he came across one which fit his new mind perfectly. Witihin ten minutes he was in a new set of clothes; his jeans had been replaced with leather trousers, which had a long red stripe on the outside of each leg. He'd also donned a long black coat, which spread out towards the back like a cloak. He spent a few minutes by the mirror, too, changing his hair and spiking it up, causing it to look even more like Shadow The Hedgehog than it did before. Gazing at his new appearance, Kai smiled and then walked towards his computer, to begin researching. After accessing the internet, he began to do various searches for anything relating to his mysterious opponent.

[Wave_Sine]

"AAAAAAARGH!" The pain Escher experienced was excruciating. "I-I-I am s-s-sor-r-ry, my lord." Escher looked at the bracelet that was handed to him, and cocked his head. "My lord, what is the identity of this 'boy'?" Escher asked, wincing,as the pain form the 'soul mend' compounded with the pain from his burns and unstable dimensional travel slowly subsided. "You mentioned he was in hiding. Is my target an acquaintance of young Master Yuzaki?" Through the haze of pain, Escher vaguely remembered a young boy sprinting away from the school where he assumed he had found Yuzaki.

[Kazekage dragon]

"The boy," said Amathoz slowly observing that his servant was a little confused at the moment, "is named Track, he is not hard to find considering his hair is of a strange red color." Amathoz then pulled Escher up by grabbing him by the shoulders. Two Cobras emerged from both of Amathoz's hands and wrapped around the burns on Escher, slowly the burns faded away. "You are very fortunate that I am merciful at times," said Amathoz as the snakes retracted back into his flesh, "I have cured bothe your spiritual and physical wounds but do not expect it a second time; should you fail, I will personally see to it that your soul is devoured in the Duat by creatures you could not even imagine." Amathoz released Escher and his eyes focused on Escher's face, all three red eyes seemed to be burning and staring deep inside Escher's soul. "Go," said Amathoz intently, "find him, give him the message... And this time, do not disappoint." Amathoz walked slowly to his throne and looked back at Escher. "We would not want to," said Amathoz in the weird sarcastic tone of his while twirling a mini snake-like creature on his fingers, "lose such an interesting servant; you may leave." Followed by that eerie laugh of his that seemed to contain no true emotion behind it. Amathoz then closed his eyes to try and connect with Yuzaki/Tutankhamen once more, however this time he was unsuccessful. [i]Strange[/i], he thought,[i] it is similar to my last attempt, only now it is constant, has the pharaoh found a way to protect himself from me yet again? No matter, my servants will track him down and break him, if they fail... They die, simple.[/i] A small servant boy approached Amathoz. "Master, lord, I am very hungry. My family has nothing to eat we serve you, but we will not live much longer." Amathoz looked at the small man. "Not live longer?" he said with a very dark tone in his voice which closely resembled that of the orb, "Of course not! With that attitude!" He struck the servant down and called upon his monsters to feed on the servant. "You there," said Amathoz to another servant, "this is very entertaining, bring me the rest of his family." The servant could do nothing more than bow and search the rest of that servant's family. From the temple screams could be heard that would terrify any who was close enough to hear them.

[lugia61617]

After such a long amount of time spent waiting for a response, Harlingdale was banging his head against the device repeatedly. "Damn! You! Why! Won't! You! Answer?!" After 'answer' had passed his lips, he was finally given a response;
'[i]I'm dreadfully sorry for making you wait, sir. Please state your business with our school.[/i]'
"My name is Christopher Harlingdale and I am required to speak with---" He wasn't able to finish his sentence before the gates opened. He could hear ecstatic screams from the female receptionists over the intercom. He sighed, looking slightly embarrassed. "Oh, my...It seems my reputation really does capture the hearts of receptionists...and the money of everyone else." He walked into the school building, and reached the office.
"So, sir, what were you saying your business is here?"
"I heard you're single...wanna meet up after work?" asked another staff member, quite clearly someone desperate for a partner. Harlingdale blushed and tried to push her away. "No, no, no! I want to ask if someone named 'Suzume' attends this school?" The receptionists' moods didn't change much, and they continued to flirt slightly while proceeding witht their work;
"Aw, I'm afraid we're not allowed to tell strangers~" Harlingdale sighed and took out another envelope of money. The woman changed her mind immediately, as did the other when Harlindale gave her the same amount as well. "Ah, well, yes...um...let me check...Aha! Here we go. Yes, we do indeed have a miss Suzume Hayashi, is this who you're looking for, Mr. Harlingdale?" Christopher nodded.
"Yes, I have some...important business with her. I'd like a meeting with her...privately." The receptionist nodded enthusiastically and mentioned the school hall, which was not going to be used or remotely accessable by any unauthorised persons. "Fine, that will do. I need the space, anyway. Please have her come to the school hall, then." He turned and walked towards the hall, which had been pointed to him by the receptionist. Just as he entered, the call went through across the school via an intercom;
"[i]Miiss Suzume Hayashi, please report to the School Hall, we have a visitor who wishes to speak with you, I repeat; Miss Suzume Hayashi to the School Hall, please.[/i]"

[Ranma124]

Drew saw that seth or mr Harlingdale as he was called walked into the school. He heard the screams of excitment from the receptionists in the office. Drew shook his head and was about to walk away until he had an idea. He ran into the school office and stood next to mr Harlingdale. He spoke to the receptionist. " I'm with mr Harlingdale. I'm his personal assistant. Whilst your calling this Suzume could you please call a boy named Lucas."

[lugia61617]

Christopher's ears pricked as he heard the words "personal assistant", and he turned to see Drew standing at the office. Without hesitation, he walked up to Drew and dragged him into the hall by the ear. Once inside, He scoweled at Drew. "What the heck are you doing following me in here and calling yourself my personal assistant?!" His face had goen red with anger, and his lucious hai was falling out of place. "You may have come here under orders, but it can get extremely suspicious if two people just waltz into the school and ask for students to see them at the same time, especially when those students happen to have connections to the Pharaoh!"

[Ranma124]

Drew looked at Harlingdale as he started losing his temper. Drew watched him and laughed. Drew waited until he had finished before he started speaking. " Listen its all going to be fine. All we need to do is pretend that I'm your assistant and it will all be alright. My mission is to go after lucas. Anyway we say that they won a prize to get to duel us."
Track noded his head as the duel spirit told him everything. " Got it. I'm gonna make sure Yuzaki knows." Track ran off to the room. Which said Kinjo office. He went in and sat on the main seat behind the next. He stayed there and waited for Yuzaki.

[Time Psyduck]

"Huh?" Suzume muttered. "Who wants to see me in the middle of a class?" She stood up, and started to explain to the the teacher, who waved her out of the class before she'd even finished. She walked down the hallway, Ruby Carbuncle bouncing along beside her, trying to work out what she could have done to have gotten the attention of, well, anyone. Still stumped, she entered the hall. "OK, I'm here, whoever you are. What do you want?"

Dark Valkyria arrived just as Don was leaving. "I have located an opportunity for us to contact Yuzaki Kinjo. I have spoken with a child who has been in contact with him, and have informed the child that you will be leaving details to contact you with the receptionist at Yuzaki Kinjo's offices. I have informed him you will leave a business card with the phrase "The Tomb is Open" written on it."
Don looked at the duel spirit for a moment. "Lassie," he said slowly, "yer a genius. Ye've got them ta do most o' tha work fer us. Well done. Noo, let's see what cards I've got that still go through te a working number." He began to look through a wide array of business cards, checking the numbers on each of them.
"Ah, this 'un 'll do." he finally declared, picking up a pen. "The Tomb is Open," he muttered, writing on the back of the card, before pocketing it. "Right then, lassie," he said, "let's get this card dropped off. Lead tha way."
With that, both turned and left the room.

[lugia61617]

Harlingdale looked up as Suzume called and quickly let go of Drew. "(fine, but one wrong move and it could mean trouble!)" He muttered out of Suzume's earshot. He looked at the newcomer and pointed her in the direction of a table on the Hall's balcony area. "Ah, quite rude, aren't you? Though I must admit, we did fail to arrive at the best of times. Please sit down." He beckoned Suzume towards the table and chair, smiling politely. "I trust you know who I am?" As she was young, it wouldn't surprise him if she didn't, considering he has not been politically active as of late.

[Time Psyduck]

Suzume walked up to the table where the man who had called for her was sitting, but remained standing, meaning she was looking down at him. "You look like some old politician from a very long time ago," she answered, "Lloyd something, I think. Not that you can be him, since if he isn't dead he'd be an old man by now. Maybe you're related, or it could be a coincidence." She continued to stare. "This had better be important," she continued, "I don't appreciate being dragged out of class, and if this is something stupid I'm going straight back there right now, so stop playing around, tell me who you are if you think it somehow matters, and then tell me what this is about."

[lugia61617]

Chris tried to lighten the mood by laughing slightly. "Ah, Lloyd Harlingdale was father." He seemed to hesitate before saying 'father', however it was barely noticeable. "And I am indeed sorry regarding having you taken out of lesson, however I'm afraid my line of business requires urgency. My name is Christopher Harlingdale, and I am here to deliver an heirloom from one of your ancestors, which was recently discovered in the city hall's Wills & Testimony department - we'd misplaced the items and the will a good 40 years ago. The will stated that the youngest female member of her bloodline would receive [i]this[/i]..." He took the pendant from his pocket out and placed it on the table in front of Suzume. "Of course, since we lost it about 80 years ago, it would originally have gone to your mother or grandmother or something, but now it's applicable to you alone. Please, take it." He gave a conforting smile. Anyone who knew the truth about Chris would be astounded that he could make up stuff on the go so easily.

[Time Psyduck]

Suzume slowly picked up the pendant and looked at it. It was a nice pendant, if old, but something seemed odd. She put it back down. "How is a found inheritance urgent? Wouldn't you normally send a letter rather than pull the person out of a class?" She picked the pendant up again. "Well, I guess since I'm already here I may as well get this sorted. Where's the will, and what paperwork do I have to sort out?" She was about to sit down, but then paused. "Exactly how long ago did you say this went missing?" she added, holding up the pendant. [i]He definitely said 40 the first time and 80 the second time. If he had the will, he should have a better idea of when it was.[/i]

[Kazekage dragon]

[size="3"][b]Yuzaki[/b][/size] was very concerned that both of his friends were being called inexplicably and felt something bad was about to happen so he decided to investigate what he could. He went up to the teacher and asked if he could go to the bathroom and at first the teacher did not want to let him leave. "I said," said Yuzaki as he felt his eyes change like last time, "let me go." His eyes changed back but the deed was done, the teacher allowed him to leave the classroom, fortunately hallpasses were not needed since last time the school tried that method they failed. Yuzaki walked slowly to the school hall where both of his friends were called. He kept hidden so the people could not see him but noticed that the man talking to Suzume was the same one he had seen before in his duel against Track. [i]They got in[/i], thought Yuzaki, [i]now they are after Suzume and Lucas.[/i] Dux appeared next to Yuzaki and looked at the men. "I don't like those guys," whispered Dux, "they are different." "You think?!" whispered back Yuzaki sarcastically at the obviousness of Dux's statement. Ruby saw Yuzaki and it tilted it's head curiously. He brought his finger to his mouth gesturing at Ruby to stay quiet. Then Yuzaki looked at a masked man that was apparently working with the other as well. Yuzaki was called into the office by the secretary and was questioned of his presence there but the one who kept questioning was Yuzaki himself. "Why did you guys let in these strangers," said Yuzaki while the women of the room shifted and told him about his money and power, "To hell his money and power! I already got both as well; hell, I got more money than Obama and certainly much more than that Christopher guy! Don't you get that this guy is evil?!" Yuzaki never liked to bring up the fact that he was one of the richest guys on Earth but sometimes people forced him to play that card. "Whatever," he said, "I'm going to talk to those guys." Yuzaki continued down the hallway until he was stopped by a man in robes. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that pharaoh," said the man, "very nice to see you once more, remember me? I am Amathoz." Yuzaki stumbled back, Amathoz! The man he had been warned about, but so soon? "Don't worry my lord," said Amathoz in a sort of mocking tone, "I am only an astral projection, not the real me." He raised his hand and two snakes emerged from it and he struck Yuzaki. Both the snakes were strangling him and then he was thrown against the wall. Before he was struck again he put on his duel disk and activated it, the spinning blades cut one of the snakes and before the other could strike a bird appeared blocking the attack, Shield Wing. "I see you can make those monsters real," said Amathoz very amused, "I do not think that will protect you from me though." The same snake like monster that killed one of Amathoz's followers materialized behind Yuzaki and started pulling him like it did the last person it killed. "No," said Yuzaki remembering his friends who were in potential trouble, "no!" His eyes shifted again and his necklace started glowing, the monster released it's grip and slowly dissolved into nothing but sand and then he turned to Amathoz. "Those eyes," remarked Amathoz as Yuzaki approached him, "I'm sorry my lord but our meeting has come to an end. Don't die until you reach me." He laughed the strange laugh as he disappeared into a black mist which was most likely the astral projection disappearing. Yuzaki rushed to where his friends were but stayed at the doorway, listening.

[OOC: First duel to actually resemble those of the past, no official Duat Challenge though.]

[Wave_Sine]

Escher walked out of the temple and towards Yuzaki's school. The pain had mostly gone and he was thinking more clearly. "If I go back to where I saw that boy running, I should be able to remember which direction. It was roughly...south of the school, wasn't it? I guess that will be my first attempt." He walked past the school, the turned in the direction he thought the red-haired boy had ran. After several blocks, Escher was back into the skyscraper area, and the first one he came across was marked as 'YK Co.' "That couldn't be... unless..." He started walking towards the tower and a demented smirk formed on his face. "Our Master Yuzaki is far too trusting of strangers. Having him hide in the company headquarters? Perhaps not the best of plans..."

[lugia61617]

When Suzume pointed out his inconsistencies, Chris' face turned chalk white. "I...I..." He was completely speechless. '[i]No! It can't be...I was sure I'd come up with a perfect story!! How could I have accidentally made such an inconsistency?![/i]' He looked at Drew and nodded in the direction of the door, signalling for him to block it. "Make yourself useful, Drew!" He quietly ordered. He looked at Suzume, slightly irritated. "It's urgent because it wastes time, space and money clogging up storage space in the town hall, And as for paperwork, it should be in..." He tried feigning confidence as he reached into a small bag he kept in his pocket, and then feigning surprise when he felt around finding nothing. "Wha-what?! Don't tell me..." He then proceeded to be dramatic, screaming almost too well, "I LEFT IT AT MY DESK!?!!" He banged his head on the desk to try and add effect. "Oh, no..." Then he lit up and looked at Suzume. "Ah, but..." He took out a spare bit of paper from one of his other pockets and handed it to her. "If you just write your name, address, and contact details, then I can easily bring the paperwork to finish everything tomorrow, and I'll let you take this now. How does that sound?" Seeing Suzume was not completely convinced, he decided he'd have to go all out. He fell to his knees in front of her and started begging.

"Please just do this for me! If I don't complete this job, the boss is gonna fire me for certain! I've goofed up likethis too much - once even forgetting to give the heirloom to someone! Please help me! I have a wife and two children at home and I'm the bread-maker! My 14-year old's got no talent and my wife's only working part-time in the local brewery,. and o0f course she became an alcoholic and..." He started to cry, though he was not truly crying - he'd never genuinely cried in his 10,000-year life.

[Time Psyduck]

[i]It wastes money storing it, but not having a man come out to a school to deliver this thing personally?[/i] Suzume wondered, but the thought was driven right out of her mind when the man, apparently in despair at having messed up his job, and not for the first time, actively began to beg her to take it. Suzume had sympathy for someone who's livelihood might have been on the line, but the fact that he was this desperate for her to take the pendant was beginning to make her suspicious. The whole thing just made no sense, and she needed time to think, and maybe check up a few things. She pushed the pendant back over to Chris.

"I wasn't in this morning," she told him, despite the obvious fact she was stood in front of him, "I felt ill, and only arrived at lunchtime. Go and get the paperwork, and come back this afternoon. I'm sure the funds will stretch for you to keep hold of that for a few more hours. Will that keep your boss happy?"


Don walked into the YK Co. offices and up to the reception, Dark Valkyria hovering alongside. "Excuse me lass," he said to the receptionist, "but can ah jus check this is Yuzaki Kinjo's company?" Upon it being confirmed, he continued, pulling out a business card with the name "William McDonald" printed on it. "Could yeh keep hold o' this fer 'im? There's a young lad inside tha' knows Ah'm droppin' this off, so 'e'll be expectin' it most likely. Thanks a bunch lass." With that, he turned back and headed out of the building before pausing to look around this part of the city. It seemed to be a business district, meaning lots of well off marks.

[Kazekage dragon]

Yuzaki could hear the man begging fromwhere he was standing and then he noticed the masked man approached the door. [i]Great[/i], he thought,[i] I didn't get knocked against the wall for nothing.[/i] Yuzaki doubled around the hall and used the back entrance that twelve graders used when they were traditionally welcomed by the eleventh graders at the start of the school year. [i]Sucker[/i]. Thought Yuzaki laughing at himself as he saw the man look out the door and then block it. Yuzaki caught Suzume's eye and he just told her to stay quiet. He then proceeded to throw a little disk under the table that Suzume and the man called Chris were sitting at. The disk immediately changed it's color to that of the floor so it could be unrecognized and Yuzaki hid behind a curtain that covered the back entrance. "Now then," said Yuzaki placing a hearing aid on his ear, "let's shear what they are talking about." He started inventing the duel disk but he had already made a lot of gadgets for personal use. The military had contacted him numerous times in order to get him to work for them but he rejected them every time. [i]He may be rich[/i] thought Yuzaki, [i]but I'm richer and at least I earn my money, not steal it. What are you up to Christopher?[/i] He listened in carefully at what Christopher was saying and was amused by how Suzume cleverly rejected the pendant but still maintained him sort of calmed down. "That's why I love her," whispered Yuzaki to himself and Dux appeared. "Do you know the severity of this situation?" said Dux, "you can't think of something as trivial as love right now. "Dux," said Yuzaki low enough not to be heard, "it's an expression, and if anything you're worse than me with Militum." If birdmen could blush, Dux was certainly red as a mystic tomato now. "You said you wouldn't tell her..." "I won't Dux calm down," said Yuzaki patting Dux on the back as best he could considering he was a spirit. "Okay back to the spying, Suzume just told this guy off," whispered Yuzaki to himself, "now what'll happen?"

[lugia61617]

This was quite clearly NOT what Christopher wanted to hear. He got up and rose to full height, and looked down on Suzume, his false tears gone and his feint sorrow now replaced with anger. He shoved Drew towards the door to make him block it before Suzume could try to leave, and then he activated his duel disk. "Well, well...It's a pity you wouldn't just take it, miss Hayashi. It truly is. Now I have no choice...I don't care if it's against Amathoz's orders; I'm going to eliminate you as he'd originally planned! DUAT CHALLENGE!!" As he said these words, the area surrounding them became dark, and the shadows seemed to move. A slight breeze which could send chills down anyone's spine began to blow around them. "Well, my dear, I hope you have your cards on hand. Because if not, this challenge will be extremely short." He said, smiling a sickly smile. "And once I defeat you, I will see to it that you are devoured and the Pharaoh's heart and soul will be crushed!" He began to laugh maniacally, the shadows surrounding him growing.

Meanwhile, Kai, having found just what he was looking for; a link between the cards used and the owner, 'Escher Sleator'. Even though it wasn't much to go on, at least he knew the name of his opponent, and that would aid him a lot. As he left his apartment, he thought he'd seen Escher by the neighbouring YK building. Convinced that such a person wouldn't show themselves so soon, he dismissed it and walked away, not realising he had in fact seen Escher.

[Time Psyduck]

Suzume wasn't expecting such a sudden shift in this man's attitude. He'd gone from pitiful to menacing in about a second, and it took her a moment to adjust. "My cards?" she muttered, reaching into her pocket and taking out her deck, "I guess it's these he's talking about, but why on Earth would I need these? And why did it go dark? Yuzaki!" she called, "You know about this stuff. What's going on? What's a 'Duat Challenge?'" She forced down the panic before it showed in her voice. "So," she continued, "obviously you're not trying to give me an inheritance, so why did you want me to have that pendant so much?"

[Kazekage dragon]

Yuzaki jumped from the stand and rushed to Suzume passing right by Chris who, if not for the fact that Yuzaki dodged by rolling on the floor, would have caught him. "Alright," said Yusaki holding up his fist which still had his duel disk from when he fought Amathoz, "Who are you, the real you?!" He stepped in front of Suzume who was holding out her deck and looking at it strangely. "Suzume," whispered Yuzaki, "a Duat Challenge is like a shadow game/duel; the loser relinquishes his or her soul to the victor. This is very dangerous, I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you because of this, because of me." He looked at the man infuriated, for a minute he could be compared to Amathoz himself! Then, his eyes shifted again and his necklace caused a bubble of light to shield Suzume and Yuzaki. [i]This is exactly what I didn't want to happen![/i] Thought Yuzaki to himself as he concentrated. "Suzume," said Yuzaki, "do you want to take this guy on? I can easily step in." Yuzaki was probably the strangest looking person there, he spoke normally but his eyes were still sun yellow and moon whitish blue with the outline of Horus's eye, or a falcon's eye. "If not take my duel disk, I know you don't usually bring the one I gave you; or at least I haven't seen it."

[Time Psyduck]

Suzume looked at her friend. Certainly, he was better at this game than her, and he seemed to cope with all this shadow duel stuff very well. It would be easy enough to just let him deal with it-
"Give me the duel disk," she told Yuzaki, "Mine's in the classroom, but I get the feeling this guy wouldn't give me a minute to go and get it. I'll be fine," she reassured him, although she wasn't so sure herself. "It's sweet of you to offer, but I can't have you fighting my battles for me. Besides, I learnt this game from the best, so I should be fine." Behind her, the faint image of a white tiger briefly appeared, unnoticed by Suzume.