Chapter Two

It had been fairly calm in Domino City for some time, and as far as they knew, no one was trying to usurp the world again. The only major events had been the rise of two new companies that had come several months ago and had swiftly gained prestige. But though one dealt in virtual reality technology, they did not create it for use with Duel Monsters, and hence did not take business away from Kaiba Corp.

Seto could not care less about either of the newly arrived companies or their work. He was fully immersed in his own work, as usual. It, and Mokuba, were all that he cared about. Mokuba had made friends with the charge of one of the company's co-presidents, and as far as Seto knew, Mokuba was keeping out of trouble. And Seto felt that anything that allowed Mokuba a bit of a normal life was a good thing.

News of the strange building's collapse and the deaths had not reached Domino, either. It had taken place out on a small island, far from Domino, and the two survivors had seen to it themselves that the bodies of their loved ones had been removed. The red-haired man had said that it would be better to keep it secret for a while, just until their plans had gone forward enough. The other had objected, especially since his younger brother had enjoyed such a close friendship with Seto's brother through the past years, but he had at last been convinced to accept the idea.

So it was that on this early summer evening, Mokuba suddenly burst into the Turtle Game Shop, his eyes wide and filled with worry.

Joey, who was leaning against the counter, blinked and straightened up. "What's up, Mokuba?" he asked.

"Yeah," Tristan agreed. "You look spooked."

Mokuba shook his head. "I've been trying to get in touch with Marik, and I can't!" he exclaimed.

Yugi, who had been minding the counter, came around to the other side. "Wasn't he going on some trip with Ishizu and Rishid?" he remembered.

Mokuba nodded. "He said it was just something to do with Ishizu's latest research or something. I didn't think anything would go wrong! He didn't act worried or anything." He clenched a fist. "But I can't reach him on his cellphone, and I don't know where the hotel is that they were going to stay at."

Joey shrugged. "He's probably just someplace where there's no signal," he said. "Ya know, like out digging somewhere in a desert."

"That's what I thought, too." Mokuba looked up at him. "But he said at nighttime they'd go back to the hotel, or at least that they'd be there the first night, so I sent an email. And he never answered."

"How long's he been gone?" Joey wondered.

Mokuba glanced to the calender. "They left the day before yesterday," he said.

"And he didn't tell you where they were going?" Yugi was surprised if that was so; normally Marik would not keep something like that secret from Mokuba. Either he had not yet known himself where they were going, which seemed too strange—or Ishizu had not wanted anyone to know. And if that was the case, then they had probably been going to investigate something dangerous.

"No, he didn't." Mokuba looked down at the palm computer in his hand, refreshing the email webpage. "Still nothing."

Yugi looked over at Joey and Tristan. They seemed to have similar thoughts to Yugi's; Joey was frowning as he stood there and Tristan was crossing his arms, his expression also somber. Something was likely wrong, but worrying Mokuba would not be a good idea. Not that they would want to pretend that all was well, either.

"Maybe he just got really wrapped up in what they're doing," Joey suggested, "and didn't get the chance to say anything."

"Yeah," Tristan agreed with a nod. "Maybe they're making some big archaeological find and Ishizu wanted it secret, and it's taking a long time to see about it."

"Yeah. . . ." Mokuba nodded as well, though more slowly. "You guys are probably right, just . . ." He sighed, looking up to face them again.

"I feel really bad that Marik and I haven't spent as much time together lately," he said. "I know we've both been busy, but . . . I've been being with kids my own age a lot, and sometimes I've felt guilty thinking I didn't make enough time for Marik when I could have. I've wanted to, and sometimes when he's been free we've done things . . ."

"What more could you do?" Joey said. "I mean, you can't hang out with him all the time."

"Well, other times I've had to cancel stuff we were going to do," Mokuba said. "Not just when I was with the other kids, but sometimes when it was Kaiba Corp stuff. Something like that happened right before he left. And now I can't contact him and . . ." His shoulders slumped. "I'm just worried."

Yugi bit his lip. He wanted to tell Mokuba that everything would be okay and that Marik would probably reply to the email soon, but he did not know that he fully believed it. If they had been investigating something that could be a threat, or even if it had been a normal archaeological dig, there was always the chance that something could have gone wrong.

But he was saved from replying as the bell on the door jangled. "Hey guys," Téa greeted as she came in. Her dancing shoes were slung over her shoulder.

"Hey Téa," Joey answered.

She quickly took in everyone's glum expressions. "What's wrong?" she frowned.

Yugi sighed. "Marik's been away on that trip with Ishizu and Rishid, and Mokuba hasn't been able to get in touch with him," he said. Together he and the others filled in the details, while Téa listened.

She crossed her arms, her own eyes becoming concerned. It was not sounding good. Marik would not leave Mokuba hanging like that if he could help it. He had always been very thoughtful of his young friend.

"If you really think something might be wrong, Mokuba, maybe you should see if Kaiba will try to find out where they are," she said.

"Yeah . . ." Mokuba looked down at the small computer screen. "He's got so much work to do that I don't like to bother him when there probably really isn't anything wrong. I was trying to look into some stuff myself, but I haven't got anywhere."

Yugi gave him a kind look. "I'm sure Kaiba would be willing to see about it if he knows you're worried," he said. "And just in case there is something wrong, we should try everything we can think of to find them. After all, Marik did act like he'd be able to keep in touch with you, and so far he hasn't."

Mokuba looked up again. "You're right, Yugi," he said. Determination flashed in his blue-gray eyes. "I'm going to go talk to Seto right now."

"Good goin'!" Joey grinned, giving a thumbs-up sign.

"Let us know how it goes," Tristan put in.

"I will!" Mokuba smiled, turning to hurry out the door. "Thanks, everyone!" And with a wave he was gone, the bell jingling again as the door swung shut.

Téa looked after him as he ran up the street. "I hope everything really is okay," she said. Mokuba would be devastated if Marik was hurt, and of course she and the others would be upset too. Marik had become a good friend during their many misadventures, even though he still tended to keep to himself and was sometimes distant.

"It's probably fine," Joey shrugged, glancing to the open newspaper on the counter. "I mean, nobody's been trying to take over the world lately. The biggest news today is some business dinner that's coming up. All the big-wigs are comin' to town."

"Even people like Siegfried von Schroider?" Tristan wondered, idly looking to the article too.

"Yep," Joey said. "Kaiba's not gonna be happy about that. Not that I really want to see that pink-haired freak again either," he muttered, mostly to himself.

"It looks like those new business people will be coming too," Tristan commented. "It's talking about those guys from Fragmented Triangle and their spokesman saying they'll be there. They're 'looking forward to meeting other intelligent-minded business men and women.'"

Joey shook his head. "Seriously, is the name of that place for real?" he said. "What kind of a name is Fragmented Triangle?!"

"It's weird," Tristan agreed, shaking his head. "But those guys seem weird, too, so I guess it fits." He pointed to a picture in the paper. "That's the spokesman. He's the head of the board of directors or something."

Yugi and Téa came over to look as well, mostly out of curiosity. The man in the photograph had very pale skin, contrasting sharply with the stringy black hair that went past his shoulders. He bore a quiet smile that seemed more like a smirk as he spoke to the press.

"'Azazel Rakesh,'" Joey read the caption. He made a face. "That's a mouthful."

"No kidding." Tristan leaned back. "And I heard the company president doesn't come out much. Nobody even knew his name for a while."

"That's weird too," Téa said. "Does anyone know it now?"

"Dalton or something," Tristan shrugged. "I don't think he has a last name."

Joey straightened up, giving his friend a suspicious look. "So how come you know so much about these people anyway, Tristan?" he asked. "I didn't know you were into business and that kinda thing."

"I'm not," Tristan retorted. "I just thought it'd be a good idea to know more about them, since the last company that popped up out of nowhere tried to get the world swallowed up by a giant sea snake."

"Point taken," Joey mumbled.

Yugi nodded. "That is a good idea, Tristan," he said. "I know we looked into things a little bit when that other company showed up first, but I don't remember really finding anything out about Fragmented Triangle when they came along."

"That other company has a crazy name too," Joey said. "Come on—Jenova Corp? What's it even mean?" He threw his hands into the air. "The company president was using Jenova as his last name, and then he just stopped doing that. So both of those guys only have one name?"

"It is a weird coincidence," Yugi mused. "And I know some of the reporters are saying the companies are rivals."

"Well, if they're not trying to take over the world, I don't really care," Téa said.

"Yeah," Tristan agreed. "They can have their corporate dogfights or whatever, as long as they don't get everybody mixed up in them."

"And as long as they don't hurt anybody," Téa added. "Even each other."

With these remarks they seemed to be thinking of the fiasco at the Grand Prix. It still seemed appalling, the lengths von Schroider had been willing to go in order to damage Kaiba Corp and ruin Seto Kaiba. They had met von Schroider a time or so since then, and though his arrogant personality had not changed, it had been obvious that he cared about his brother and would not knowingly place him in any more awkward moral dilemmas. But he was still not one of Joey's favorite people, and Tristan and Téa were suspicious of him on varying levels.

"Oh wow!" Yugi suddenly exclaimed, startling everyone.

"What is it, Yug?" Joey demanded after jumping a mile.

"I forgot, I was supposed to go pick up some stuff for Grampa at the drug store!" Yugi said. "I was just about to go when Mokuba came in." He looked to the clock. "I think I can still make it, if I go right now."

"We'll come with you," Tristan offered. "It might go faster that way."

Yugi smiled. "Thanks, Tristan," he said, and then paused in realization. "Oh, but someone needs to watch the store, too . . ."

"I'll do it," Téa volunteered. "I just came from dance practice, so I'd be okay with just staying put for a while."

"That would be great, Téa," Yugi said in relief. "I feel terrible I forgot." He hurried to the door.

"Hey, after what Mokuba was sayin', who wouldn't forget?" Joey said as he and Tristan followed.

"We'll be back soon, Téa!" Tristan called back as they left.

"Okay," Téa answered with a wave.

As the door closed, she idly pulled the newspaper over to look at it herself. The business dinner was going to be the following night, according to the article. Not that it would be of any importance to them; they certainly would not be going. Even though it would be interesting to know what would happen with the people from the new companies.

A frown crossed her features as her gaze drifted back to the picture of Azazel Rakesh. Behind him, near the side of the building he was standing by, there was a weird silhouette. She brought the paper closer. She had to be seeing things; it was probably just a shadow cast by some camera equipment. But if she did not know better, she would say that it almost looked like a small person with a pointed hat.

She set the paper aside with a shake of her head. The last thing she wanted to do was to chase after imaginary elves. Not everything had to be something out of the ordinary. It had to be a trick of the light.

Her frown deepened. She was starting to sound like Kaiba. It must be because she had been around him so much on all the crazy mysteries that had involved them, but still, she was not sure that she liked it. She and Kaiba had clashed so many times, though they had also helped each other and had formed an odd sort of alliance. Maybe it was because of Mokuba, and maybe not, but it was nice to not have to feel like she and the others were practically at war with Kaiba all the time. Somewhere underneath his cold persona, there was a kind and good soul that all of them had glimpsed through the years.

She sighed, looking out at the oncoming twilight. She was thinking weird things tonight. It was not a bad thing to try to think of explanations other than the supernatural. She always had tried to be a logical person, after all. Maybe she was just afraid that if she sounded like Kaiba with his brand of logic, she would start sounding like him in other ways too.

Or maybe she was afraid of what it could mean if some of Kaiba's personality was leaving its impression on her.

She pulled the paper over to look again.

. . . It really did look like a small person with a pointed hat.

Yugi and the others were halfway to the pharmacy when Joey walked around a corner much too fast. "Hey watch it!" he exclaimed an instant later.

Tristan rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me he ran into Kaiba again," he said, while Yugi sighed and rubbed his forehead.

But as they rounded the corner as well, it was a much different sight that greeted them. Joey was standing and looking dazedly at a man wearing a brown business suit. The man was coolly bending down to pick up some scattered papers, his stringy raven hair falling in front of his pale face.

Yugi stared. "That's the man from the picture in the newspaper!" he exclaimed. "Azazel Rakesh!"

"It is!" Tristan realized. "Trust Joey to run into him." He looked to Joey, who was now crouching down to help gather the papers.

"The least you could do is say you're sorry," Joey frowned, handing several sheets of paper to the other. He also recognized the man from the picture, but that did not stop him from speaking his mind. Being polite had never been one of his strong points.

"You were the one not watching where you were going," was the calm response. Azazel reached to accept the documents, his right hand catching an unusual shine from the street lamp that was just turning on overhead. Joey could not help but stare at the appendage. It looked so stiff and unnatural, not like a real hand.

"And you could say thanks," he said, trying to shake off his astonishment at the sight. Why would a businessman have a prosthetic hand? The workload would be stressful, but not dangerous. Surely there would not be any paper cut serious enough to bring about this result.

"Thank you," Azazel consented as he straightened up. He leafed through the papers, making certain that they were in order before replacing them in the file folder.

Joey stood up as well. "So, you're the guy from that Fragmented Triangle place, aren't you?" he said. "Rakesh or something like that?"

"Azazel Rakesh," he agreed, his voice never betraying its smooth tones. His ice-blue gaze traveled from Joey to the other two, as if silently questioning their presence.

Yugi stepped forward. "Hi," he greeted with a friendly smile. "I'm Yugi Muto, and these are my friends Joey Wheeler and Tristan Taylor."

"Hello," Tristan said with a half-wave.

Azazel gave a calm nod of acknowledgment. "I see that my reputation precedes me," he commented, "but I'm not finding your names familiar." He moved to take a step past them.

"Not familiar?!" Joey cried in indignation. "Yugi's the Duel Monsters champion! And I should be right behind him."

Azazel quirked an eyebrow. "Duel Monsters?" he repeated. "That's why I wouldn't know you then. Unlike so many in this town, I haven't acquired an interest in your card game. Fragmented Triangle is in the general electronics business." He placed the folder under his arm. "Now if you will excuse me, I have somewhere I need to be." With that he walked past, crossing the street to the next block as he continued his journey.

Joey frowned after him. "Well, how do you like that guy?" he said.

"Not everyone's into Duel Monsters, Joey," Yugi said. He was not that bothered by not being recognized. It happened so much of the time that it was really a nice change. Anyway, he did not feel that he deserved the title of Duel Monsters champion. It was Atem who had been the King of Games.

"It's not that," Joey protested. "It's his whole attitude! The guy acted like a snob!"

Tristan shrugged. "The business world, I guess. It's not just Kaiba." He turned towards the direction of the drug store. "But he did say thanks. Come on, let's get going or we won't make it before closing time."

Yugi nodded. "I've really got to get that stuff for Grampa," he said, following Tristan's lead.

Joey trailed after them. "Okay, but listen to this!" he said as they walked. "The guy's right hand isn't real!"

Tristan blinked. "You mean it's a prosthetic?" he said.

"Yeah!" Joey nodded. "But come on, isn't that weird? Why would a businessman have a fake hand?"

"There could be a lot of reasons, Joey," Yugi said. "That doesn't make him suspicious."

Joey sighed. "Maybe not," he conceded, "but companies don't just pop up out of nowhere without a reason!"

"Now that is weird," Tristan admitted. "I can't explain that."

They walked for another block in relative silence. But then a sudden yelp from Joey nearly caused Tristan and Yugi to collide into each other. "Now what, man?!" Tristan cried, turning to look in exasperation.

Yugi also followed Tristan's gaze. Joey was frozen, pointing a shaking finger at something ambling down the street. And Yugi could only stare.

It looked like a plump little man walking sideways.

"G-gnome!" Joey choked out, continuing to point at it. As they observed, the whatever-it-was rounded a corner and vanished into the night.