Phew, finally! After a little bit of tinkering around, I managed to conjure up chapter two!
Well, hope you enjoy it!
Burger World on a Sunday afternoon was loud, busy, and awfully crowded.
With more than a little struggle, Yugi-tachi managed to squeeze their way past the hassled-looking waiters and waitress, arriving at a thankfully-vacant table in the corner. Once sitting, Jounouchi immediately snatched up the nearest menu and stuck his head into it.
"Mm, look at this, guys! They've got the Super Special Combo on today, half price! C'mon Anzu, you did promise-"
"Jounouchi!" The high-pitched shrill of Anzu's voice snapped Yugi out of his reverie, and he stared. Once again, Anzu was blushing furiously and glaring at Jounouchi with so much loathing that Yugi was surprised he hadn't run away screaming for mercy.
Anzu was a pretty scary girl when she needed to be.
"How many times do I need to tell you," she growled angrily, "I am not paying for the food. Just because I work here... honestly..."
"Aw man... but I could've sworn you mentioned it earlier." Jounouchi muttered under his breath, sinking into his seat. Honda just rolled his eyes and jabbed him in the side. "Ow! Honda, what the hell was that for?"
"For having a one-track mind, dude," Honda answered coolly, picking up another menu. "Just order some food, and if you don't have enough to cover it, I'll help you out."
The argument settled, the gang finally managed to order their desired meals. Ten minutes later, everyone was digging into the food, content for the moment.
After a few bites of her small burger, Anzu broke the silence.
"Hey guys, I'm just going to go check the rota for next week... make sure I'm not working. Be right back." With a scrape of the chair on the vinyl floor, Anzu was gone in a flash, the kitchen doors swinging shut behind her. Yugi saw his golden chance as clear as day.
Also putting his own burger down, Yugi voiced, "Hey, guys... why was Anzu so mad?"
Jounouchi and Honda suddenly froze, and turned to stare at each other slowly, as if considering telling their spiky-haired friend. Finally, after a tense silence, Honda answered, "Because technically, she did offer to buy the food."
"Oh." Yugi blinked, startled. "So, um... why did she keep denying it?"
"Well..." Honda shifted uncomfortably, and Jounouchi averted his gaze to the flood. "She only mentioned buying lunch for you. To... well... cheer you up."
I see... Yugi thought shyly. Anzu was just trying to be nice. But then why-? And finally, the pieces slotted in place. Yugi suddenly developed a red blush on his cheeks, similar to the one Anzu had been sporting earlier. Does Anzu... did she only offer to buy me lunch because-
"Hey Yug, you're phone's ringing." Quipped Jounouchi gently.
"Huh?" Yugi eased himself out of his thoughts before his mind could be convinced of a startling realisation. Swiftly pulling his new phone from his pocket (Grandpa's idea – so he could "keep an eye on Yugi"), he noticed that it was indeed ringing.
Well, that was stupid. Couldn't he even answer his own phone without getting sidetracked?
With a single flip, Yugi placed the phone next to his ear and answered, "Mutou Yugi."
"Yugi. We've been trying to call you for a while now... I take it you're not at the game shop?"
Yugi frowned. "No..." he replied slowly. "Rishid, is that you?"
"Yes," Came Rishid's deep voice in confirmation. "Yugi, we have a slight problem-"
There was a clatter, and then Marik's voice replaced Rishid's. "Yugi, get over to Egypt now!"
"Marik?!" Yugi gasped. Jounouchi began choking on his burger and Honda started thumping the blond on his back. There was no way Marik would ever call Yugi.
Unless something terrible had happened, that is.
"Yes, Yugi, it's Marik – but there's no time! I – well, Ishizu and me – believe someone's infiltrated the resting place of the Millennium Items!"
"WHAT?!" Yugi yelped, jumping up from his seat. More than a few people turned to stare at him curiously, but that was the least of his worries. "Someone got back inside after it collapsed?"
"We don't really understand it either... but that's not the worst of it!"
Oh no... Yugi dreaded to hear the next few words. "What else is happening, Marik?"
There was a silence; it seemed as if Marik was hesitating. That can't be good, he thought, unconsciously gripping the phone tighter. "Marik? Please tell me."
"Yugi..." Marik's voice sounded strained – anxious, even. That was rather unlike the tombkeeper.
"Yugi, we think... we think someone's trying to revive the Pharaoh."
Yugi let out a silent gasp. "Revive the Pharaoh?" He whispered fearfully. Sure, it wasn't exactly a bad thing – Yugi desperately wanted his darkness back – but he just knew there was going to be a catch to it all. Especially if it involved the Millennium Items.
"Yes... and we also believe..."
The next seven words made Yugi freeze: the whole world had shattered in those few precious seconds that it took to say them.
"... that they're going to steal his soul."
Across the table, Jounouchi heard Marik's yelp from the other end of the phone as Yugi swiftly cut off the call. Striding towards the doors, Yugi turned and looked over at his shoulder, trembling.
"Jounouchi, Honda... Anzu," he added as the brunette returned to the table. "Marik's passed on some news... someone wants the Pharaoh's soul." And then Yugi was gone, racing off down the street.
The rest of Yugi-tachi was right behind him, ready to jump on the next plane to Egypt at a moment's notice to save their friend.
-Soon, it shall be done...
Chuckles once again filled the dark chamber. The cloaked figure now stood directly in front of the now open doors to the afterlife, arms raised at his sides. The bright light from within only highlighted his height, his facial features hidden by the hood.
...I'll take your power, Pharaoh. And then...
The room was suddenly bathed in light as previously unnoticed torches on the wall sprung to life, their flames burning brightly. The seven Millennium Items still rested peacefully in their slots on the Millennium stone, but there was a delicate hum in the air, as if someone was tapping into their power supply.
...And then, dear Pharaoh...
The light from within the doors to the afterlife grew brighter and brighter, and the chuckles escalated.
...I'll take this pitiful excuse for a world.
A form slowly began to appear in the searing white; a petit form with crazily spiked hair, and then with a sudden flash the figure was propelled forward into the chamber.-
Ishizu's head snapped up to face Marik's. She finally realised that he had drawn her away from the vision with his worried calls.
I do not blame him she thought tiredly as her breath came out in pants. It must have been frightening, to see your sibling sitting comatose.
"Ishizu?" Marik asked quietly. Though his face was carefully blank, and his mouth a thing, stern line, it wasn't enough to fool his sister. Marik's eyes showed her that he clearly knew more had happened since the dream.
"Marik," she answered in the same volume, looking deeply into his eyes. "We've run out of time."
"No..." Ishizu heard his breath hitch, and she turned away, closing her eyes.
"Yes, brother. The intruder has snatched the Pharaoh's soul." It broke her heart to know that she couldn't do a thing: everything depended on Yugi and his friends.
But would they even get here on time?
"No." Marik's determined voice broke through her worries. Ishizu glanced sharply at him. "No, Ishizu. I refuse to believe it.
"But-"
"The Pharaoh's strong," Marik continued confidently. "He'll hold on until Yugi gets here. And we sent Rishid down to see if he could buy us some time, remember? So don't worry... everything's going to be fine. I know it."
Ishizu sighed softly. Marik, she thought, despair seeping into her heart. I hope you're right...
Well well well, things are just getting worse, aren't they? Look out for chapter 3, coming soon!