Title: Flight from Death
Author: Chausten
Rating: PG/K+ (subject to change)
Genre: General
Pairing(s): (Note that "Romance" is not in the genres.) HP: All canon is fair game; YGO: Revolutionshipping (Atemu/Anzu), Peachshipping (Yuugi/Anzu)
Spoilers: HP: SS/PS-GoF; YGO: Nothing major. Possible S0 spoilers, slight reference to GX ep. 85. Some references to TAS.
Timeline: HP: Fifth year (AU); YGO: Ten years post-series (AU)
Summary: In Harry's fifth year, Hogwarts hosts another strange Defense professor, while Voldemort puts his latest plan into action. Who could stop the man who controls the three Egyptian gods? Only one person. And he's dead.
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! is copyright Kazuki Takahashi and others holding ownership rights. Certain references (sly grin) are also property of LittleKuriboh, creator of Yu-Gi-Oh: The Abridged Series, the sole reason I began watching Yu-Gi-Oh! Harry Potter is copyright J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, Scholastic Books, and others holding ownership rights.
Author's Notes: My YGO 'verse has a lot of Western flavorings since I've seen more dubbed episodes, but I try to stay closer to the Japanese anime where possible. I don't know the Japanese system of honorifics well enough to write it, so don't call me on that, please.
The story kicks off with a reference to an episode of GX, #85, but I've tried not to make it a major spoiler. If you're confused, please say so in a review and I'll try to work in a better explanation.
I am much more well versed in HP canon, but this is not an all-or-nothing story; never fear, you won't be stuck with just one flavor. I could never abandon Harry & Co., but you will also have your share of YGO. ;) (BTW, if you see something YGO- (or HP-) related that is way off the mark, please let me know. Harry & Co. are in their fifth year, so obviously it's AU. Technically this would be GX timeline for YGO, but I did some minor tweaking with characters (not to mention the fact that none of them ever go to Hogwarts), so it's also AU. Just how AU? You'll find out!
Warnings before you read:
1) If you don't like Anzu, stop reading now.
2) If you are anti- Revolutionshipping or Peachshipping, stop reading now.
3) If you are looking for dueling, you have come to the wrong place.
4) If you are looking for a romance story, you have also come to the wrong place. There IS romance and definite romantic pairings, but the plot is not based solely around them.
Originally posted: 4/20/08
Edits: 9/10/08
FLIGHT FROM DEATH
by Chausten
Prologue
Anzu Mazaki stared out the window of the bright penthouse apartment and drew her knees up to her chest. It was a beautiful spring day; the windows had been pulled open to let in some fresh air, and normally she would have been outside, maybe in the park, maybe having a snack outside at one of her favorite little restaurants; but today she was lingering inside, waiting.
"…will not calm down!" came a voice from the other room. Anzu cringed. Yuugi was rarely this angry, and almost never raised his voice even when he was, so this was bad. "You lied to me, first of all; second of all, you've—what?"
Oh, God, now what? Anzu wondered if it would be possible to just creep out of the apartment without him noticing, but that was unlikely.
There was a long silence as Yuugi listened, then he said, "Pegasus, I swear, the next time I see you, you and I are going to have a talk. No, don't bother," he snapped. "I'll see you tomorrow. In my office." She heard the phone slam back into the cradle and took a deep breath, mentally counting to ten before she uncurled her legs and turned to face him. Time for some damage control.
"Hey," she said. "So…I take it that didn't go well." She mentally slapped herself at the look he shot her. "Gomen," she apologized hastily. "I just overheard some of your conversation, and I know you're upset about all this, but—"
He sighed and slumped into a nearby chair, scrubbing at his face with his hands. "It's not just that. Pegasus just got a call from some stranger. Apparently this card business has made much bigger news than either of us had anticipated. The man offered Pegasus an absolutely obscene amount of money, British pounds, cash, for the card, and said he would pay as much for the two others."
Anzu's eyes widened. "Then he didn't know?"
"Apparently not. Well, Pegasus refused, but I don't know whether or not he told the man that it was merely a copy card."
Anzu shook her head and looked down at the card still in Yuugi's hand. "What do you think he wanted with it? With them?"
Yuugi shrugged. "Probably to put them in little plastic cases and mount them on his shelves," he said, distaste in his voice. "I'm sorry," he added suddenly. "This really isn't the best start to a marriage, is it? I promised myself I wouldn't bring too much business home."
"This wasn't exactly your fault," she said, smiling at his concern. "It's a little reminiscent of the old days, anyway, don't you think?"
"Maybe a little too reminiscent," he muttered.
Anzu looked down at the golden figure of the Winged Dragon of Ra. She could almost swear she could still feel a dark, foreboding presence lurking just out of reach, and hear his voice in her mind.
"Remember my name…"
-X-
"Your name, sir?"
Emily was slightly taken aback by the cold look the man gave her, but she didn't back down. "Your name?" she repeated, more firmly this time.
"My name is Lucius Malfoy," the man said, obvious disdain in his voice. "I wish to see Mr. Mutou."
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No." His tone made it quite clear that he was a man rather used to being welcomed anywhere, anytime, appointment or no.
"Well then, how about…" Emily checked her schedule, "next Tuesday? Nine o'clock?"
Lucius Malfoy curled his lip. "No, I think I'll be seeing him now, if you don't mind."
"I'm sorry, sir, I can't just—"
The last thing Emily Carmichael remembered was a strange-looking stick the man pulled from his pocket, and a flash of bright green light.
-X-
"I take it you are Yuugi Mutou."
Pegasus stopped in his tracks and turned to see a man with long, pale blond hair standing in the reception room. He was dressed all in black, a rather odd choice for the spring, but what caught Pegasus's attention was his secretary slumped over her desk.
"Emily!" He started towards her, but the man gave a dark laugh and held up what looked like a long stick, pointing it at his chest.
"Don't bother. You'll need to be getting some new help, Mr. Mutou; I'm afraid this one has just…died from exhaustion."
"Who are you?" Pegasus demanded. "What do you want?"
"Ah, of course, I forgot to introduce myself." The man smirked. "I am Lucius Malfoy."
"Well, then, perhaps I should introduce myself as well," Pegasus said, "since you seem to have me confused with someone else." Also odd, he thought, considering that his business partner was one of the most famous men in the world. Well, he amended to himself, perhaps only in the gaming world. "I'm Pegasus Crawford."
Lucius's eyes narrowed. "In that case, where is Yuugi Mutou?"
"I have no idea," Pegasus said, although he was certain Yuugi must be on his way there. He didn't think that giving this stranger any more information about Yuugi was the best idea at the moment.
"Then when will he be here today?" Lucius pressed.
"I don't make a habit of keeping track of Mr. Mutou's personal schedule," Pegasus replied tartly. "If you're so eager to see him, why don't you make an appointment? Better yet, I'll make one for you." He reached for the phone on Emily's desk. "With the police."
Fire flashed in Lucius Malfoy's eyes. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Muggle." He raised the stick.
"All right, Pegasus, let's—What the—?" Yuugi walked in and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what was going on. "What's going on here?" he demanded, grabbing Lucius's arm. "Who are you?"
"Someone who belongs in jail," Pegasus said darkly, preparing to dial.
"That's enough from you! Avad—"
He was stopped abruptly by someone reaching out and deftly plucking the wand from his hand.
"Now, Pegasus, you were saying?" Yuugi said, stepping out of Lucius's reach.
"Filthy Muggle, you give that back to me!" He lunged for the wand, knocking them both over. In the ensuing struggle there were several loud bangs and a shower of sparks went off, and the two broke apart, panting. Dropping the phone, Pegasus ran over to help his friend up.
"Are you okay, Yuugi?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," Yuugi said a little shakily. Lucius had managed to reclaim the wand and was aiming it at them again, but he froze when he heard the name.
"Yuugi?" he repeated. "Then you are Yuugi Mutou?"
Yuugi looked from Lucius to Pegasus and back again. "Yes," he said slowly. He straightened slightly. "I take it I'm the one you've come to see, then."
"You are." Lucius glared at the room's third occupant. "I have not, however, come to see you. Avada Kedavra!"
Yuugi let out a cry at the flash of light, and when it faded realized he was standing alone. He looked around, confused, and then saw his associate lying on the ground.
"Pegasus!" He dropped to his knees. "What did you do to him?"
"If you can't tell, you're more of an idiot than they say you are," Lucius sneered. "Now get up before I do the same to you."
Slowly, glaring, Yuugi rose to his feet. "What do you want with me?"
"I understand that you are the reigning champion of a game called Duel Monsters, and have been for over ten years now."
"Yes."
"Ten years ago, at a tournament in Japan, three of the most powerful cards in this game of yours appeared. They have not been seen since."
The God Cards, Yuugi realized.
"If this is about the Egyptian God Cards, they're gone. Destroyed. They caused too many problems—like this. Apparently even when they're gone they cause problems," he said bitterly, more to himself.
Lucius ignored him and continued: "Just last week a copy of one of these cards appeared at a tournament at a school of dueling."
Yuugi's eyes widened. "You're the one who tried to buy it!"
"I hear very strange things about these cards, Mr. Mutou."
"What kinds of things?" Yuugi asked coldly.
"Such as the originals were said to possess the spirits of the gods themselves. That the holder would possess unlimited power." His eyes narrowed. "And that you possess all three."
"I did," Yuugi said. "But like I said, I destroyed them."
"Then where did such an exact copy come from? Rather suspicious, isn't it, that the most exact copy of these rare cards comes from your company?"
"I had no knowledge of the making of these cards," Yuugi said. "If I had, I would have put a stop to it at once. They're nothing but trouble. If you want my advice, you'll leave them in peace."
"Ah, so perhaps they aren't as 'destroyed' as all that?" Lucius guessed. "Perhaps you have, after all, stored them away somewhere?"
"Nowhere you nor I nor any other mortal creature shall ever find them," Yuugi said. "Now that you've learned all you came to learn, and killed two innocent people for it, I think we're through."
"I beg to differ. I have not learned all I came to learn. You say you have hidden the cards and no mortal shall ever find them; say I should know someone who is not mortal. Tell me then, where might I find these cards?"
Yuugi paled slightly. "Who do you know who's immortal?" How many people out there had gained immortality?
"That's none of your business," Lucius answered, obviously enjoying withholding the information. "Tell me where the cards are."
"Why should I?"
The smile disappeared, and a dark look replaced it. "Because if you do not, I can make you regret it…very much."
Yuugi's thoughts instantly skipped to Anzu…Jounouchi…Honda…which of his friends would they choose this time?
"All right," he said at last. "I keep the cards in my safe at the bank."
Lucius broke into another sinister smile. "There, you see? That wasn't so difficult. Take me there now and no one else need be hurt."
Nodding slowly, with a last glance at the two figures in the room, Yuugi led Lucius Malfoy back downstairs and out of the building. He glanced around and took a deep breath.
Whoever this man was, he had no idea who he was playing with. Yuugi had not won the title "Yuugiou" sitting behind a desk.
He tried not to remember that it had not been he, officially, who had won that title at all.
-X-
It had been Mad-Eye Moody who had informed him of the incident. When Dumbledore reached the bank, Ministry officials were already swarming the place performing Memory Charms on all the Muggles, questioning the few wizards and witches who had been present at the time. Two men had entered, one identified later as Lucius Malfoy, one a Muggle; they had gone towards the counter, and after that everything had erupted. The Muggle had made a dash for the door, but it was only then that Malfoy had tried to kill him. Whatever had brought them there together, Malfoy had obviously needed the Muggle for it. But why was he expendable after he'd tried running, and not before? Surely they had come to gain access to something in this bank; if that was so, he was much more useful alive than dead. They could easily penetrate the Muggle security here, but it was more a matter of time. If the Death Eaters were after something in the man's vault, it would have been just as easy to put him under the Imperius Curse, or at the very least torture the information out of him.
None of the wizards could identify the Muggle man who had escaped, and if any of the other Muggles had known, their memories of the incident were gone now.
Dumbledore stroked his long beard thoughtfully. One of the Ministry officials approached him.
"Professor Dumbledore. We have it all under control, sir. We still don't know what that nasty bugger was after, though. We're trying to find out who that man was now."
"Perhaps," Dumbledore said, "if you had questioned some of the Muggle witnesses first, instead of wiping their memories…"
"Ah. Yes, well, we just wanted to make sure they remembered as little as possible…if the Memory Charm was broken, you know…"
"Of course." Dumbledore gave a slight smile. "But now we may never know, will we? I will do my best in helping you, however."
"Excuse me," a small voice said. They both looked around to see a small boy standing there, clutching his backpack to his chest. "I'm sorry, sirs, but I couldn't help overhearing…you're looking for the man that scary guy was here with today?"
"Yes." The Ministry official looked surprised. "Do you remember them?" He was obviously worried he had missed someone.
"Yeah, I saw them walking in. I noticed because," he blushed, "he's really famous, you know." The two men exchanged a look. "Yeah, I—I know a lot about him."
"Who is he?" the Ministry worker asked, excitement seeping into his voice.
The boy broke into a smile. "He's the best duelist in the world," he said. "Yuugi Mutou."
-X-X-X-
So like I said, this is just a teaser/sample for now and is definitely subject to change as I write more. Please let me know what you think. I hope this has been a long enough preview for you to get some idea of my style and maybe where the plot might be going—but I won't tell! -C