The Challenge of Life or Death

By MissLadyMinxx

Warning: This fic contains yaoi, vampires, werewolves, blood, gore, possibly lemons in the future and religious statements.

If you feel uncomfortable or easily offended in any way reading this story, please DO NOT READ!

Hello: 03

(Present Day) Domino, Japan 11:45 pm

75-year-old Sugoroku Mutou was working late tonight in the science lab. He just got back from an archeological dig in Transylvania after getting a call from one of his partners discovering a lost underground temple. Of course he didn't want to pass up this latest discovery. Even though he was working hard, he couldn't help but wonder about his grandson alone at home. But soon his concern subsided a little after he remembered that Jonouchi, one of his grandson best friends, would probably over the house for a visit. Sugoroku shuddered. The last time he was over, one of his priceless relics was almost destroyed by Jou getting carried away playing football in the living room. That boy was wild like a 6-year-old having a sugar rush.

Sugoroku drew his attention from writing notes in his journal to the artifact he found in the temple across from him. The artifact was in a protective covering to keep it from dissolving. He made sure to put on rubber gloves so he wouldn't damage the frail artifact. He studied the piece carefully with a magnifier. "These inscriptions…are in the form of some unknown region…no language I've known." Sugoroku said to himself as he scratched his chin. "This relic must date back more than a thousand years." He studied closely at the insignia that was carved at the bottom of the relic. "Wait…where have I seen this before?"

He walked over to the bookshelves lined up against the wall in the lab. Carefully, he ran his finger against the edge of the books to search for the one he was looking for. Sugoroku took the book he needed from the shelf and sat down at the worktable after putting on his glasses. After doing some searching that seemed endless through the thick book, he found the insignia he was looking for. It was an exact match to the one of the relic.

He began to read the passage from the book. "The fires of hell and the blood of Lucifer was used to form the red jewel. And its purpose of power is to bring forth the wrath of Armageddon which lies in the hands of whoever breaks the seal. All souls will be lost in the eternal darkness of the moon and evil will pierce through the gates of Heaven and only will the Apocalypse come forth and destroy mankind." Sugoroku carefully looked at the insignia in the book and on the relic.

"The end of the world…what kind of malevolence we uncovered?" He whispered. He then heard echoing footsteps approach in the quiet, secluded lab. He raised his head from the book to see a shadowed figure standing in the doorway.

"Mr. Sugoroku Mutou I presume?" The shadowed figured softly spoke in the open doorway.

"Yes…? How may I help you?" Sugoroku asked has he quickly closed the book as the figure walked inside. "I'm sorry, but how did you get past the guards? We're closed. As the shadows parted from the figure, he glanced at the young man that looked shockingly like his grandson. "Yugi…?"

"Not quite." Yami smirked at the elderly man.

"I-I'm sorry…you look…a lot like my grandson." Sugoroku says slowly, staring at the young man. "Do you need something, young man?"

Yami gave Sugoroku a chilling glare. "You have something that I want, old man."

Sugoroku stared into the chilling red eyes, making him feel unease. "W-whatever you want, I'm sure you won't find it here."

Yami came up to his desk and glanced down to see the relic with the insignia and his research papers. He smirked. "I beg to differ. Now…where is it?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." Sugoroku said has he secretly reached under the table. "Who are you?"

"I do not need to justify myself to a dead man." Yami sneered. His eyes scanned his movement; he could see Sugoroku's hand reaching under the table.

"Be gone from here!" Sugoroku shouted as he held out a small silver cross. Yami only chuckled. He grabbed the silver cross and didn't cry out in pain as it began to burn the flesh in the palm of his hand.

"Was this your pathetic attempt to stop me?" Yami laughed as he dropped the cross to the floor. Instantly, the 3rd degree burns began to heal until the tissues of his skin formed the dermis layer of the skin like it was never harmed. "So…you must know about me?"

"I know what you are. No human could possibly know what has just been discovered. Only evil seek its power."

"Then you must know that I will kill a feeble human who dares lie to me!" Yami snarled and destroyed the table with one impact of his fist. He grabbed Sugoroku by the neck and pushed him against the thin glass window that was behind him. "We're on the 18th floor. Either you can fly or your body is about to be splattered all over the pavement. Give me what I want or you die. Do we have an understanding?"

Sugoroku groaned through the tightening grip around his neck. "If I knew where it was, you're the last person I'd tell…I swear. I only found artifacts with the insignia on it, not the insignia itself. I don't know where it is. Check the whole lab if you want to, you won't find it here."

Yami was silent for a while. "Very well." He loosened the grip around his neck and Sugoroku gasps for air. "I see that coming here was a waste of my time…"

Sugoroku stood and glared at Yami. "Please…just leave..."

"However…" Yami grinned, baring his fangs. "You didn't hold your end of the bargain…"

Yami grabbed Sugoroku by the collar of his shirt. "Goodbye, Mr. Mutou." He solemnly said and threw him through the thin glass window. Sugoroku screamed as he began to free fall down the tall building and Yami stood there and watched as the old man finally fell onto the pavement with a loud 'THUMP'. He smirked and turned to leave for the door when he noticed a framed picture on the lab table littered with papers. He picked it up and looked at the young boy that Sugoroku mistook him for. He was right. They did almost look exactly alike. This must be that old man's grandson he thought to himself.

Yami destroyed the glass frame and stuffed the picture of the boy in his pocket. "I'll have to meet this…'Yugi' person." He said to himself and walked out of the lab.

Yugi Motou bound up from his bed, frightened as a newborn lamb. He looked to see raindrops falling upon his window, making soft 'tap' noises hitting the glass. His amethyst eyes scanned the area of his dark room. The walls were littered with random posters of duel monsters and his favorite rock bands. Across from him was his desk neatly lined with his schoolbooks and random manga. He was sort of a neat freak when it came to his desk. He sighed and ran his hand on his face to wipe the sweat. "It was just a nightmare." Yugi whispered tiredly. He looked at the digital clock on his nightstand next to him, the red lights blinking the time. "Maybe a walk in the park will help me feel better." He carefully moved the chibi Dark Magician printed blanket aside and left the bed. Yugi lightly shivered as his feet touched the cold, white carpet below him.

Yugi rummaged through his drawers in search of his black shirt. Clothes were flying left and right, trying to find it. After digging through all his drawers and searching under his bed, he finally found his black shirt with the words, 'Silver Noise' printed in white cursive. After putting on his blue jeans, his spike bracelets and dog collars, he made his way down the stairs.

"Grandpa?" Yugi called for his guardian through the dark house, but there was no answer. "I guess he's not home yet. He must be working late again." Yugi puts on his shoes at the door, grabs his black jacket and left the house for the park.

Yugi reached the park in a matter of minutes. Going to this big park was an instinct he had long forgotten. Back when he was a child, whenever he was lonely, he would go to the park to dwell on things. There he would be sitting on one of the swings, pondering to himself while looking up into the starry night sky. He thought about the nightmare he had tonight. He didn't know what it meant but he got a terrible feeling about something; something about his grandpa's wellbeing. It was hard to explain. After moments of walking through the darkness of the park, Yugi started home.

On the way home, Yugi stopped at the red traffic light. He shivered and bundled himself up with his arms as the cold wind of the night blew through his maroon and golden spiked hair. His hand searched through his pocket and pulled out his platinum cell phone. The blue lights on the top flashed 3:28. "Aaah!" He squealed. He forgot about his project! It was due in the morning! Not wanting to wait for the light to turn green, he quickly turned down the street to the nearest shortcut home…a long dark alley.

Yugi walked quickly through the alley, careful of trashcans and boxes blocking his path. He was already nervous coming through this alley, he just wanted to get home and fast. He quietly squealed when he heard a clanking noise behind him, sighing in relief when it was only a stray cat chasing rats through some garbage cans. When he turned to continue down the alley, he saw what seem to be glowing red eyes in the darkness a few yards ahead of him. Yugi stopped dead, his eyes fixed squarely on the bright glowing eyes. Suddenly, the air was filled with a loud echoing chuckle that sounded unearthly and dark and he felt a chill run down his spine. Slowly, the light of the moon began to chase away the shadows, revealing a young man who appeared to be 18, perhaps. He was casually sitting on a trashcan and was wearing a black leather outfit and a dark shirt. His hair was red, black and had blonde streaks and bangs, almost identical to Yugi's.

Yugi gasped as the figure looked his way, crimson eyes dancing in the moonlight. He smiled wickedly at him, sharp canines taunting Yugi, daring him to run. Yugi was lost in those eyes; those hard and captivating eyes staring into his soul. They seemed…mysterious yet showed signs of suffering and sadness. Yugi held back a scream as the young man approached him. He flinched as the boy reached him and brought his hand to cup Yugi's face. His lips parted to release a voice that was harsh yet quiet and deep. The word was simple, but frightening.

"Hello."

To Be Continued…