Author's Note: My God, I haven't put these in a long time, ne? Well, anyway, since the English version of Yu-Gi-Oh! annoys me, this and future Yu-Gi-Oh! references will refer to their Japanese counterparts. For instance, the Paradox Brothers are now the Maze brothers, Ma and Ze. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ginga GIRI GIRI! The Universe is in Danger! By SSJ Heero -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - OPENING SONG: SHUFFLE - 'Koerarenai' 'IRA IRA suru' HAADORU wo kowashitatte nanni mo kotae wa denai shi Ayatsurare teru no ka? on the field, daremo ga Obiezu ni, go away, demo... Mienai -ashita- no michi Erabu koto wa dekinai kamo shirenai Me wo tojite kokoro de kiru, just like cards, kitto Kiseki wo hiki ate you ---- Recap ---- [Chibi characters of the five appear in the foreground as scenes from the last episode play in the background. Though, you can't see 'cause this is text. =P] SSJ: Last time! ON GINGA GIRI GIRI! Amiko: A short chapter for once! Praise be to God! Cindy: It was actually FUNNY, too! DDT: So, in any case, we find a destroyed town, and then somehow end up on the Besaid Isles. Amiko: After picking up Tenpi. Tenpi: KWEH! TM: And then, we faced off against the FF villains. SSJ: Painful fights ensued. I feel bad for Kuja. (SSJ, TM, DDT, and Tenpi shudder from the thought.) Cindy: So... On with the show. ---- Chapter 24: The Ritual in Darkness ---- :: Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry :: [Not all was peaceful in the mystical school of Hogwart's. For one, the Triwizard tournament was approaching. For two, the boy named Harry Potter, who saved Hogwarts twice already, and changed time once, was looking for a girlfriend. Thirdly, was that Wolverine was duking it out with Sabertooth over in the backyard. Everyone steered clear from the mutant battle, as they usually did. Enter Harry and company, Ron and Hermione, who walked through the halls of Hogwart's, with many other students pressing around.] Harry: We muggles amuse ourselves with these things called "video games". Hermione: Yes, they range from handheld, to consoles, to even on computers. Ron: ...Video games? Handheld? Console? Computer?! WHAT ARE THESE THINGS?! (Harry and Hermione sighed.) Harry: If only he'd know the joys of Metroid. Hermione: I feel sorry for him. (The three continued onwards to their dormitories. Wolverine and Sabertooth stopped fighting, for now it was tea time. Wolverine spoke in a gruff voice.) Wolverine: Here're some crumpets. Sabertooth: Thanks. (Several minutes later, they were killing each other again.) *** :: The Crew :: [Now, the boat on which the Crew rode approached the harbor of the mainland. The scent of the sea filled the Crew with calm exhilaration. Well, except for TM, who was seasick again from the boat ride. He was vomiting again from the side of the boat, into the clear, foaming waters below. SSJ looked down on his friend (literally, not figuratively), and shook his head.] SSJ: You should stop vomiting so much, TM... TM: Well... Not all of us... (He then let out a long trail of vomit into the sea. The others were growing disgusted. TM wiped off his mouth and continued.) TM: Well, not all of us are used to the sea. SSJ: Apparently so. (And currently, Tenpi was running along side the ship, for it was a Sea chocobo, after all. Amiko and Cindy leaned over the edge of the ship and cheered for Tenpi.) Amiko: Go, Tenpi! Cindy: You're a fast little chocobo! (As those two were cheering for Tenpi and SSJ was looking down on TM, DDT was busy with dinner. He stood with the captain at compartment for the anchor.) DDT: All these barnacles, dead fish, and rotting algae for me to eat?! YES! (The captain shook his head as DDT piled up all the carcasses onto a plate. Rikku and DDT's golden chocobo were sweatdropping from afar.) *** :: Meanwhile... On Malik's Ship :: [The Yu-Gi-Oh villains were having a fine time enjoying the sea and making their way to Hogwart's. Ma and Ze were busy reading Robert Frost in order to come up with rhymes. In fact, they ran out of rhymes, since they talked like that all the time.] Ma: I say, our rhymes are as sweet as an orange! Ze: I agree brother! For our rhymes... ...Uh... ...Nothing rhymes with orange. Ma: No, it doesn't! (And while the Maze brothers were struggling to fix their rhymes, Malik and Bakura were busy beefing up their decks for their oncoming battle.) Malik: Hmm... I'll need life point gaining cards for my combo. Then, Ra the Sun Dragon will be unstoppable. Bakura: And I need card drawing and magic negation. Only then will my Ouija Board - Death Message work. (At this point, Bakura looks at the screen and sticks up the middle finger.) Bakura: English Yu-Gi-Oh! players, don't you dare complain about the card names, either. *** :: Back to the Crew! :: [The boat reached harbor, slowly drawing into the docks. Within fifteen minutes, the Crew were off the boat and in the port city of Cerulean City. DDT, of course, dragged his chocobo along, and partially felt at home. All around, people were masquerading through the city, showing off their prized Pokemon. The author won't list names, because the list is currently 350, and the author only knows the original 151.] SSJ: ...All these little animals make me want to eat a dog. (Amiko just looked at SSJ, eyes narrow.) Amiko: You'd eat dogs because they annoy the Hell out of you. (And then, Yuzuriha called from her bishie-ball.) Yuzuriha: But not Inuki! SSJ: Of course. (Just then, as if Fate was testing SSJ, a small Poochyena, a dog like Pokemon, trotted up to SSJ's leg, and waited. It then let out a river of urine onto SSJ's boot.) SSJ: ... (SSJ, keeping silent, and with eyes twitching, punted the dog with a powerful kick. The pokemon, with a yelp, went flying away and into the sky. Amiko and Cindy gasped, but then stopped. It was SSJ, after all. The city seemed to stop, and everyone looked at SSJ.) SSJ: ...Damn bitch. (There were boos, hisses, and randomly thrown bricks from the Pokemon trainers. To rid himself of the cursed water, SSJ dipped his boot into the water, careful not to let any splash onto himself. He then, along with the others, dashed away from the trainers, and out of town. TM stayed behind to fetch directions to the magical school.) SSJ: Damn dogs piss me off. DDT: So, where to now, leader? (SSJ looked at DDT.) SSJ: Since when was I leader? DDT: Well, you are the one who can use plot holes- (SSJ interrupted at that point, making DDT glare.) SSJ: That's right! I did! DDT: -and you're Dark self is the person we're chasing. You're the reason we went and found Hiko, and the reason Amiko, Cindy, and yourself fought the Fourth Tyrant. Not only that, but you were the only one who knew of Zemus, the apparently most powerful of the FF villains. Cindy: Don't forget about that one town where you met me... SSJ: Meria. (Cindy nodded.) Cindy: Uh huh. You were taken by the dictator, who called you the leader. You single-handedly get rid of Kerberos, and ditch us constantly. SSJ: Hm... I guess you are right. (There was a silence. In classic fashion, a tumbleweed tumbled past. TM then entered the scene, directions to the magical school in hand.) Amiko: Okay, shall we go to Hogwart's NOW?! Tenpi: KWEH! TM: Okay, Hogwart's is over in... That direction... (TM pointed North-East, and clearly saw the towers and black walls of the school of witchcraft and wizardry. It was clearly seen, for it was only fifty meters ahead. TM stayed silent for a minute, pointing at the school.) TM: DAMN IT! (TM kicked the ground, and then sighed. He then turned back to the Crew.) TM: I'd say enough time has been wasted. Cindy: I agree. I do not want another 8000 word monstrosity... (Cindy then glared at SSJ. SSJ sweatdropped.) SSJ: ...I tried to make it shorter! Cindy: Yeah... Whatever. *** :: The Doors of Hogwarts :: [The Crew stood in front of Hogwart's massive double doors. The doors, they knew, would lead into the main hall, and from there the dining hall. They saw the various towers, each filled with dormitories. With a loud clang, TM rapped on the wall with the sheathe of Hiko's sword. The Crew waited a while before the familiar janitor, Argus Filch, answers the door.] Filch: What is this?! (Filch then looked at the Crew, seeing the five kids, Tenpi, and Mokona.) Filch: Now, what do we have here? SSJ: We need to get in. (Filch snorted at that comment.) Filch: Get in! Why, if I let random kids into Hogwart's all the time, we'd be in trouble! (And just then, three familiar kids walked up behind the janitor. All were clad in wizard robes. One was a boy with a lightning-shaped scar. One had red hair and a cheap, worn robe. The last was a girl with bushy hair. They were clearly Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger.) Ron: Filch! What's happening? (Filch turned and glared at the three students.) Filch: That's MISTER Filch, Weasley! Get yourselves to class! (It was then that the three clearly saw the Crew through the open doors.) Harry: ...MY GOD! IT'S THEM! (The Crew's eyes narrowed, and they all spoke with the same dumbfounded voice.) Crew: Huh?! Hermione: It's the Outlaws! This is incredible! (Each of the Crew looked at each other. They shrugged and looked at Filch, who reluctantly let them through. DDT looked about for the direction of the nearest Chocobo Forest and pointed in the general direction. Devimon led DDT's chocobo away, followed by Mokona and Tenpi. Amiko could only sigh as she saw her little chocobo leave her for a while. Filch then stuck his head out the crack in the doors, looking this way and that. He then shut the doors with a loud boom.) *** :: Gryffindor Common Room :: [Five hours after arriving, the Crew found themselves in the common room of Gryffindor. Within the common room of Gryffindor tower, there was a ruckus about. Everyone temporarily forgot about the Triwizard Tournament and was huddled around the Five that just arrived. They were prodding them with questions, one after another.] Random Student: What's it like living against the law?! Ginny Weasley: Have you succeeded in finding Rantmon?! Colin Creevey: What happened at Osseke?! How did you escape?! (Silent, the Five waited patiently for everyone the shut up, sweatdropping.) Cindy: I didn't know we were famous... Amiko: Nor did I! (DDT stood in place, eyes twitching with annoyance. Then, he finally burst, and yelled.) DDT: SHUT UP, EVERYONE! (Quickly, everyone stopped talking. Everyone turned towards DDT, who looked around the room.) DDT: We're not here on a friendly visit. We've got business- (DDT then looks at TM, who was busy hitting on Parvati Patil and Padma Patil.) TM: So, yeah! I took out seven villains at once, each stronger than the next! Not even Sephiroth or Kefka could defeat me! (DDT fumes.) DDT: TM! Don't you remember why we are wandering?! (TM looks back from the girls, and sighs. SSJ then spoke, sitting down in a cushioned chair.) SSJ: Living against the law is not very easy. We have to rely on theft in order to live, and we are constantly in battle. And about the second question, we've currently abandoned Rantmon and are chasing a different goal. So, no. And thirdly... (It was at that point that the bell for dinner sounded. Everyone flooded out of the room, murmuring about their guests. A small crew crowded around the Five, consisting of Harry, Ron, Hermione, the Patil twins, and plenty others. Harry strolled up to Amiko and began conversation.) Harry: How about I show you around school? (Amiko smiles.) Amiko: That'd be fun. *** :: One Hour Later :: [The Crew sat at the Gryffindor table, with all the students watching the Five eat. SSJ was swallowing a large portion of chicken, while TM was busying himself with pasta. Cindy and Amiko both made healthy servings of chicken, fruits, vegetables, and grains. DDT, as usual, was busy burning his food to a crisp before eating it. As the Five ate, Albus Dumbledore stood, and gave a loud, resounding clearing of his voice. Everyone stopped their tasks and looks up at Dumbledore, and at the small Goblet of Fire he put onto a small table at the head of the room.] Dumbledore: Well, it appears that our young guests have been enjoying themselves. (The Five nodded at the seemingly far off wizard as he continued.) Dumbledore: Well, you have come in time to witness the drawing of the names for the Triwizard Tournament. This is a spectacle to see, I assure you. (With a flash of light, the Goblet spat out a piece of paper. Dumbledore caught it in his hand, and opened it to read.) Dumbledore: Viktor Krum. (With cheers from Durmstrang's students, as well as Hermione, Krum bowed and followed McGonagall into the backroom. The Goblet of Fire spat out another name at that point.) Dumbledore: Fleur Delacour. (As the champion of Beauxbatons stood, cheers from every male, save SSJ and DDT thanks to Amiko's Death Glare™, sounded throughout the hall. The Patil twins weren't quite happy with TM, cheering for the Veela girl. She was led into the backroom, and then the third name was shot out.) Dumbledore: Hm. As expected, it is Cedric Diggory. (With cheers from everywhere, including Cho Chang, to Harry's disappointment, Cedric was led into the backroom.) Dumbledore: Well! I guess those were the three! I think this shall be a very exciting... (When Dumbledore looked down, he saw the flame of the Goblet was blue again. It then spat out the fourth name. Everyone was silent. Slowly, he opened up the folded paper, and all the staff watched in surprise.) Dumbledore: ...Harry Potter... (Everyone was silent. No one moved or stirred. Everything would have followed the fourth Harry Potter book, if not for the FIFTH name being shot out. Dumbledore, worrying, took that one as well.) Dumbledore: ...This can't be right! (Dumbledore turned and looked back to his fellow Hogwart's faculty. They deliberated for a while, before SSJ stood and finally asked.) SSJ: Who is it?! (Amiko dragged him back down to sit at the table. Dumbledore turned and looked back at SSJ. He gulped, ignoring SSJ's rudeness.) Dumbledore: ...It said "Amiko". *** [There was a silence. No one spoke, but everyone looked at SSJ, who rose to his feet and subsequently knocked over several plates of food. His eyes were wide, and so were Amiko's.] SSJ: But that's... Amiko: ...Impossible! (A silence clasped onto the room and did not dare let go. Silently, Harry Potter, followed by Amiko, stood and looked about the room. They then looked at each other, and silently, the two left the room into the backroom. TM, DDT, and Cindy looked up at SSJ, who was rubbing his chin thoughtfully.) SSJ: Who the Hell could have fixed up the Goblet of Fire with Amiko's name...? (Simultaneously, the other Four came to the same realization. In cool anime-split screen action, they all yelled at once.) The Four: A minion of Rantmon! (Not much more was spoken afterward. A long silence held the room. No one dared to speak, until finally, Dumbledore did.) Dumbledore: You are all dismissed. *** :: Gryffindor Common Room :: [Away from the crowd, SSJ sat in front of the fireplace, casting a dark shadow upon the center of the room. He sat in deep thought about the riddles, wondering who could have fixed the Goblet. TM and Cindy sat nearby in chairs, and DDT leaned by the hearth.] DDT: So, what shall we do? SSJ: This is the work of the false Moody, Crouch. It has to be. TM: I don't think there is anyone else. Cindy: He's under Rantmon's council. (The Four nod.) SSJ: We'll see sooner or later. *** [Hours passed, and everyone headed to their rooms. SSJ was left alone in the room, for TM and DDT made their way to Potter's room. Cindy found her way to Hermione's. SSJ fell to his back and lay, facing the ceiling. He sighed, and thought aloud.] SSJ: If it is as simple as Rantmon's doing, why am I so worried? ...And how long does it take for them all to get their wands weighed?! (It was then that SSJ heard a rapping on the window. He jumped up, looked at its direction, and sprinted to the window. He opened the lock and shoved open the window, but saw no one there.) SSJ: What the... (SSJ jumped onto the windowsill and poked his head out the window into the cold night sky. A cold chill blew in his face as he looked about. At that point, the doors to the common room opened, right when SSJ stepped out and onto the roof. Amiko and Harry stepped into the common room, quietly chatting, and found the window open.) Amiko: ...Did someone leave that open? Harry: It's cold, don't you agree? (Amiko shivered.) Amiko: Yeah. (Harry walked up to the window and nearly closed it, if not for SSJ crossing the threshold and entering the room again. Harry nearly fell over from fright, but Amiko caught the wizard. Then, loud enough to wake up half the school, she yelled at SSJ.) Amiko: DON'T SCARE HARRY! SSJ: I DID NOT! *** :: Three Days Later... :: [Three days passed over Hogwarts without event. Well, except for the Triwizard tournament quickly moving along. The first day, the five chosen ones had to deal with a dragon in order to get to the egg. Amiko solved the problem by having Cloud cast Stop on the dragon, and waltzing to claim the egg. She passed through the second task quickly enough. Touching the water transformed her into her Nightcrawler form, much to Nightcrawler's glee over in the Xavier Institute. With that, she teleported into the depths of the sea, rescued her Vincent from the water. Now, time was fast approaching for the last event, but that would not take place for another six days. And while Amiko was busy with the tournament, the other Four were busy searching for clues of Dark. Hermione grown quickly to be SSJ's friend. They sat together at the tables in the Hall, and constantly talked about various Muggle things. Once again, SSJ, TM, DDT, and Cindy found themselves in the common room of Gryffindor, pondering about a secret they may have missed. Hermione and Ron were there to help.] Cindy: We have checked Whomping Willow, the Chamber of Secrets, under Fluffy's trapdoor, and in every tower! DDT: We've looked everywhere! There is simply no place where Dark can hide. (SSJ sighed.) SSJ: I think so as well... (There was a silence as everyone thought hard about the situation. Suddenly, a realization dawned on TM.) TM: Hey, why haven't we checked Crouch's lab? (After a long silence, Ron spoke.) Ron: If "Moody"'s really a part in the plot, what would we look for? Hermione: I don't really think it's a great idea to go into his lab... *** [Not long after, they found themselves in Crouch's laboratory. Vials and flasks lined the shelves, as did books on Dark Arts. All around, there were desks and tables. The six kids sauntered to the backroom, searching about the room in wonder. They reached the room, and found a bed, his desk, and a large box.] SSJ: There's got to be something here... (TM walked up to the desk, and sifted through the papers as the others searched through the room.) TM: Boggarts... Rules on playing Go... Dementors... Savings account of Bill Gates... Voldemort... (Ron and Hermione choked at the sound of the name. SSJ began searching through Crouch's luggage.) TM: Hey, who is this Black Mistress? (Everyone dropped what they were doing and turned to face TM, who was clutching a sheet of paper.) TM: This Black Mistress is where Crouch's allegiance lies. ...What's this?! (Everyone shuddered, worried about what he could have found.) TM: This... Can't... Be... (TM pulled out a Yu-Gi-Oh! deck.) TM: It's the amazing Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon! (Everyone facefaulted.) Cindy: He's into Yu-Gi-Oh?! (DDT looks at Cindy.) DDT: Who? TM or Moody? Cindy: Both. I never knew either were into it. (SSJ sighed, and continued searching through Moody's box. He came to the third lock, and opened it to reveal a slew of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.) SSJ: ...I think Crouch has been paid too much. Hermione: Anything useful? (SSJ began looking through the cards and making a deck exactly like his own.) SSJ: Nope. (Hermione sighed.) *** [After an uneventful hour, absolutely nothing was found in Crouch's room, save for the real Moody himself, to the surprise of Ron and Hermione. SSJ was done searching through the box, and had a 46 card deck of Yu-Gi-Oh. TM was also done sifting through the papers and stuffed his pockets full of gold coins while he was at it. Everyone faced Moody as SSJ spoke.] SSJ: I don't think you should show yourself just yet, Moody. TM: Not until we find out why Amiko is wanted. Cindy: Yeah... And whoever is the Black Mistress... (Moody nodded.) Moody: I think so, too. (DDT bowed to Moody.) DDT: While it will be uncomfortable, would you mind staying in the box for a few more days? (Moody sighed, and nodded.) Hermione: Thank you, Mr. Moody. (Hermione nudged Ron with her elbow, and he bowed as well.) Ron: Thanks! *** [SSJ and company slowly returned to the Gryffindor common room, saying nothing to each other. SSJ was in deep thought; TM was looking through Moody's Yu-Gi-Oh deck; Cindy and Hermione were wondering who the Black Mistress; DDT and Ron simply followed in silence. Hermione walked beside SSJ and kept in step with him.] Hermione: Any idea who this Black Mistress could be? SSJ: ...Not at all. Cindy: I've seen a lot since I've come to this world, but nothing about a Black Mistress. I bet she's another of Rantmon's lackeys. (At that point, their path led to the main hall of Hogwarts, where their party met with Amiko and Harry. Amiko and Harry had just finished their training for the third task and were tired to the point of sleep.) Amiko: Found anything on Dark? (Cindy sighed.) Cindy: Nothing at all. (Amiko then looked at TM, who was still checking through Moody's deck.) Amiko: Where'd you get that deck?! (TM looked up and at Amiko.) TM: Moody had it. (Amiko sweatdropped.) Amiko: You're kidding. Hermione: Sadly, he is not. SSJ made a deck as well. (SSJ kept silent as he was still in deep thought. Amiko walked up to SSJ.) Amiko: SSJ?! ...Are you there? ...WATCH OUT! YOU'RE GONNA FALL INTO- (With a splash, SSJ fell into the lake of Hogwarts. The Crew had passed through the halls and were outdoors, obviously. Amiko slapped her forehead when Kero stepped out, pissed as a dragon.) SSJ: I hate this curse. Amiko: You should watch where you are going. (Hermione was silent. TM, DDT, and Cindy could not resist laughing.) *** :: The Third Task :: [The day of the Third Task arrived, and all over Hogwart's, people were excited and full of wonder and fear. Every nook and cranny of the magic school was sifted through, and still no sign of Dark was found. Amiko, Harry, Cedric, Fleur, and Viktor were all prepared and waiting for the last task to start.] Harry: Excited, Amiko? Amiko: I guess so... (Another conversation began as the stadium began filling up with people. All around, students of Hogwarts filled the seats and cheered excitedly for their favorite champion. Not long after, SSJ, in his human form again, and company arrived and sat close to the maze. In fact, they were all but fifteen feet from the competitors.) Cindy: Good luck, Amiko! (Amiko turned to Cindy and smiled. DDT, TM, Hermione, Ron, and SSJ followed Cindy.) DDT: Hope you do well. TM: I'm sure you read the book more than I! Hermione: This won't be a problem for you! Ron: Yeah! Especially if Harry is there to help! SSJ: ...Do good. (Everyone looked at SSJ.) Cindy: Is that all?! TM: You can come up with something better than that! SSJ: It doesn't matter. Dark isn't here, and we'll leave after this. (Everyone sighed, and SSJ said no more. With a loud boom, the last task began, and the competitors rushed into the maze of darkness.) *** :: The Villains :: [The all-but-forgotten villains of the episode sat in the graveyard of Voldemort's cauldron. Malik had a stopwatch in hand. When the time arrived, he shut its cover.] Malik: It's time. (Bakura and the Maze brothers couldn't help grinning at their ingenious plan. Malik turned to the house of Tom Riddle nearby, specifically to a tree. In the twisting branches, a dark figure sat. It looked like a girl with long, pale brown hair. Her green eyes were dark as the night, and her skin was white as snow. She turned to face Malik as well, with her complex robe billowing in the wind. It had straps, and was worn over a simple black shirt and shorts of the same shade. Boots rounded off the look, giving her a dark, magical feel. Malik bowed, followed by the other Yu-Gi-Oh villains.) Malik: We'll be off, Black Mistress. Black: So be it. I expect you back quickly. The Ritual needs to begin soon. (Malik couldn't help but evilly smile with his Millennium Cane held tightly in his fist.) *** :: Hogwart's :: [With great speed, Amiko and Harry ran through the maze of terror. The crowd cheered as their competitor overcame a challenge and hissed at opponents who hindered their progress. Not much longer, many dark shadows ran across Hogwart's fields, heading towards the Quidditch Stadium. These were the shadows of Malik, Bakura, and the Maze brothers, who arrived via a hidden portkey.] Malik: Bakura! You know what to do! Bakura: Yes! (Quickly, Bakura separated from the group of villains and jumped into the crowd of spectators. Malik and the Maze brothers were fast, and quickly slipped through the faculty of Hogwarts and entered the maze of terror as Bakura reached the crew. He cast a shadow over them dark enough to catch their attention. They all turned and looked at the new figure in surprise.) Bakura: Nice to meet you all. TM: Bakura?! DDT: What the?! Cindy: Eh?! (Before anyone else could speak, Bakura grabbed Cindy by the arm and lifted her to her feet. He clasped on hand over her mouth and leapt into the maze, dragging his captive along. He was too fast and too sudden for anyone to react, save for screaming afterwards.) SSJ: CINDY! Hermione: What the Heck just happened?! (Without saying another word, SSJ leapt after Bakura, to the surprise of the nearby spectators. TM followed after SSJ.) TM: SSJ! Wait! Ron: Bloody 'Ell! What's going on?! DDT: Wait for me! (DDT would have jumped into the maze then, if not for another voice calling him.) Voice: Stop right there! (DDT turned and looked up at the direction of the voice. Clearly, he saw Draco Malfoy, and behind him, the clear figure of his malevolent father. Lucius gave an evil grin, as did Draco Malfoy. DDT's eyes widened in surprise. Draco spoke to Hermione and Ron, with Crabbe and Goyle at his side.) Draco: The Black Mistress tells us to hold you off. We won't just hold you off, we'll kill you! Lucius: We won't disappoint her, nor will we disappoint Lord Voldemort! *** [In the maze, Amiko heard the rustles of leaves as if the hedges were shaking. She, as well as Harry beside her, saw the distinct figures of Bakura and Cindy fly overhead and deep into the center of the maze. They were not far, Amiko knew. They stopped when they saw SSJ and TM as well flying overhead.] Amiko: What's going on?! Harry: Why were they there?! (Amiko and Harry ran ahead, and saw SSJ and TM stopped by the sphinx. SSJ was clearly agitated and more impatient than usual. TM was similarly hasty.) TM: Get out of our way! (The sphinx merely pranced around their path, showing its fangs.) Sphinx: Hasty people, you are. You'll have to answer my riddle- SSJ: Spider. Now let us through, asshole! (Reluctant and angry, the sphinx moved aside, wondering how SSJ knew the answer so quickly. SSJ then turned back and saw Amiko. Saying nothing, he turned back to his path and sprinted ahead, followed by TM.) Amiko: WAIT! What's going on?! Harry: Come on! Let's go! (Amiko and Harry chased after the faster SSJ, eventually reaching the center and stopping. SSJ and TM stood still as well. Around the center, Fleur, Viktor, and Cedric stood as well. Amiko and Harry did not know why everyone was frozen. They looked at the center and saw why. Around the Goblet were Ma and Ze, with their dueling systems in hand. They surrounded the Goblet of Fire, and subsequently, Bakura, Cindy, and Malik. Bakura and Malik were conversing as they arrived. Cindy saw everyone, so she broke free from Bakura's grip and tried to run towards her friends.) Cindy: Amiko! SSJ! TM! (With speed, Bakura caught Cindy and pulled her back. He and Malik quickly finished the conversation.) Malik: Let's go! To the Black Mistress! Bakura: Yes! She shall be very pleased! (TM rushed forward, breaking through Ma and Ze's defense and grabbed the Goblet at the same time as Malik and Bakura. Within a second, they were gone, leaving only the competitors of the Triwizard tournament and SSJ with the Maze brothers.) Ma: In order to pass, you must win. Ze: But the chances of that are very thin. (Ma prepared his own Duel Disk system, the ones used in Battle City. Its lights flashed, and the blade came together to form the space for the cards.) Ma: The duel shall be a two-on-two. (Ze did the same with his own Duel Disk.) Ze: And we shall gain victory, through and through. (Ma threw one Duel Disk at a seething SSJ, who caught it in his left hand. Ma continued as SSJ prepared his Duel Disk.) Ma: YOU CAN NOT WIN, NO MATTER HOW YOU HARD YOU TRY! (Ze threw another Duel Disk at Amiko, who catches it in both hands. She puts it on as well and prepared it.) Ze: DON'T BOTHER TO, FOR YOU ALL WILL JUST SIMPLY DIE! (SSJ took out his premade deck and slammed it into the slot of the Duel Disk. Amiko, similarly, pulled her own out of nowhere, and slammed it into her own slot. SSJ grinned as he looked at Amiko from the corners of his eyes.) SSJ: You brought it with you? (Amiko grins back at SSJ.) Amiko: Oh well, who cares. (Amiko and SSJ then faced Ma and Ze. They spoke at once.) Amiko and SSJ: It's time to duel! Ma and Ze: And we shall prove that you two are fools! (They all drew five cards, and began their duel in darkness. Blackness crept around them, fought only by the many torches. All around were the grass and hedges. The wind blew a cold note, causing everyone but Ma and Ze to shiver.) ---- To Be Continued ---- - ENDING SONG: ANO HI NO GOGO - Tooi tooi mukashi ni mo koko ni ita youna ki ga suru Yuuhi ga irotta houkago no kyoushitsu Kiri sugita maegami o yubisashi warau minna to Sukoshi zutsu toki wa nagareru Maegami boku no mabuta ni Fureru koro mo kitto kawara nu Yuuyake ga minna o tsutsunde Boku ga boku de aru tameni to Nanika o samishi tsuzuketa Taai mo nai kono jikan ga Kotae dato shitta, kore kara mo zutto... ---- Preview ---- [Japanese Yu-Gi-Oh! Preview music plays in background. The five appear as chibi style, and random scenes from the next episode play, though you can't see because this is text. =P] SSJ: NEXT TIME! ON GINGA GIRI GIRI! Amiko: The Duel in Darkness begins! Cindy: I am to be used for the Black Mistress' plans! TM: What is the Black Mistress? Where did she come from? Is she hot? DDT: All these questions and more answered in the next episode! (Amiko mutters.) Amiko: ...Which will be a lot funnier than this. (SSJ sighs.) SSJ: ...Anyway... All: Next! On GINGA GIRI GIRI! "The Power of Teamwork"! ----