Yes. Yes, I know, after months of disappearing behind packing and roleplaying on Jurio's Academy, instead of updating my W.I.T.C.H. and Harry Potter stories, I write a Yu-Gi-Oh! one. Two, actually, but the other isn't being released to the public yet. Yes, I know, anyone who put me on author alerts must be mad as hell. I'M SORRY!!!!
I just seriously couldn't resist. Now, I'm going to tell the truth. I didn't particularly like Yu-Gi-Oh! I thought it was boring how it's so predictable who wins and every duel lasts so long and the touchy-feeling-friendship moments with Yugi and Tea made me feel sickly. BUT, the guys are hot and, let's face it, that's the secret to animes right there. Even though the plot is cool too. So, without further ado, I present to you...Tarnished Psyches.
Introduction: Messed Up Plans
Kali
I like to be in control. Whatever I do, whatever happens, I like to plan it beforehand. I hate surprises. I hate when things don't go according to plan. I hate people who mess with my plans just to piss me off, no matter what their relation to me is. With a passion.
Prologue: Bitter Memories
Alister
I hate Kaiba. I've hated him since forever. He's ruined my life, torn my family apart…and took Mikey away from me. I still remember it after all these years, that fateful day everything in my life was dismantled. Time tries to ease the suffering but it doesn't erase the bitterness.
"Come on," I said to him, smiling as he clutched that beloved toy of his. "It's not safe in here anymore. Let's go." I dragged him to his feet and led him out, trying not to stare too much at the condition of the walls and the scattered pieces of rubble littering the floorboards. Mikey never complained, but sometimes, I couldn't help but feel guilty. He deserved better than that hellhole.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked as we raced across the alley.
"Would DynaDude hide?" I returned, never pausing to look back in case of what I'll find. I felt a lurch in my stomach and fear pounding in my veins. I increased my speed, praying no one was behind us.
"Alister, slow down!"
I turned to look at him. He was panting. No one dangerous seemed to be around, and I was tired as well. "Sorry, Mikey," I said. "Let's sit down and rest." With that, I plopped onto the pavement. It was a sweltering summer day and the ground was hot, but we'd been through worse so neither of us were bothered by it. I was just glad we were safe.
My mind was still on the danger. It gets tiring after a while. I needed to keep Mikey safe. He was all I had left.
"Where's mom?" he asked suddenly.
I froze. "She's gone," I answered, trying to keep my voice from trembling.
"I know," Mikey said. "Where'd she go?"
I stared down at him. He was so innocent. Even through this war, he had managed to love his life. It couldn't last forever of course. One day, someone will tell him what we're living in and he'll lose hope. I just didn't want to be that person.
Finally, after an eternity, I spoke up, brushing an angry tear away with the hem of my ragged sleeve and holding on tightly to the locket I kept around my neck for comfort. "She was captured," I said quietly.
"Oh," Mikey exclaimed, looking down at his feet, frowning slightly, and trying to comprehend.
"But I promise that won't happen to you," I finished firmly, gaining strength with each word. But, because God does have a sense of humor, and he was obviously feeling like laughing at my expense, that promise was broken almost as soon as it was made.
"And soon," I continued, oblivious to the catastrophe about to strike, "we'll find mom." He looked so down, so out of it that I unlatched the locket containing our mother's picture and put it around his neck. "But until then – " But until then, I want you to wear this.
That was what I wanted to say. I wanted to comfort him. I wanted him to be happy. But in that moment, I let my guard down and hate myself for it still.
A scream erupted, followed by several others. Loud bangs issued as the roaring of engines drowned out all the panicking citizens' shrieks. The smell of putrid fumes engulfed us all. We were mere commoners, no match for their advanced machinery. I heard people running and bellowing in the background, explosions getting closer.
"It's the tanks!" Mikey cried in terror.
"Quick," I yelled. "Follow me." I took him by the hand and we were on the run again.
Soon after, a tank shot at a nearby building and it collapsed in pieces. I sprawled in the dirt and gravel for cover as it exploded. I heard footsteps.
"Help!" Mikey! Where was he? I turned around frantically but I couldn't find him.
I scrambled to my feet. "Mikey!" I screamed. "Where are you, pal?
All I could see were two retreating tanks.
"They took him," I said in disbelief. I swiveled around, hoping for reassurance, someone to contradict me, Mikey standing there, laughing at my foolishness, anything to prove he was still with me. "They've got my brother!" All I had left and they still took him away from me. All that kept me going, day after day, and he's gone. I stared at the empty road, the dust calming down from the tank tracks.
Something on the ground caught my eye. It was his favorite toy, the one he always carried. I picked it up gingerly. All that's left of my brother is an action figure.
I vowed since that day to avenge myself and all the other lives that were destroyed. Now that Kaiba is long gone, I've been concentrating on his stepsons. I've changed. Sometimes I think Mikey would be disappointed in what I've become, but it doesn't matter because I don't even have proof that he's alive. All because of Gozaburo Kaiba.
Dartz said I could have my revenge. He said I could steal Seto Kaiba's soul. He said a lot of things and I'll be damned if I believe half of them. It's time to do things my way. With one simple phone call. It's easy, really. I just hired an assassin. He should be here by now.
The smoke cleared.
I'm still here.
But I'm all alone.
Okay...How was it? Please review! I have high hopes for this story and the first real chapter is already typed up. I just need to write the third one before I post it. Otherwise I'll get behind again and I really don't need that.