Awe, algebra. One of the many classes that has little to no practical use in everyday life. Perhaps that's why Yugi skipped it. Maybe he snuck into a better class, like world history. I chuckle quietly to myself.

Earlier that morning, I did my usual routine of coffee and email. At the top of my inbox, labeled 'URGENT', was an email from my brother.

J –

I awaited your email yesterday, but it never came. I simply assumed you were into your research again. I also have an update. It's surprising to know that you are in Japan, for I, too, have business there. I have sent one of my men there to do some recon for me. You have no need to worry. He is under strict orders not to approach you.

– D

"That little shit!" I yell, slamming my fist on the table. "I am sick of him interfering!" I slam my laptop closed and shove it in my bag. "This new lackey of his will end up just like all the others!" I shove my books into my bag on top of my laptop. "No more, brother! No fucking more!" With that, I storm off to school.

The usual humdrum of the school day has distracted me from the infuriation that is my brother and calmed me down.

It's now lunchtime and I notice that Téa, Tristan, and Joey are missing too. Hopefully Bakura will be the next to disappear. I chuckle at the thought and finish eating.

At my next class, I groan in dismay. Bakura's still here, but the others are all still gone. I sit my desk by the window and what do my eyes see but Téa, Tristan, and Joey ditching school. The teacher hasn't arrived yet and the halls are still busy, so perhaps I can sneak off and follow them.

They head downtown and I follow in the crowd. I want to keep pace with them, but also remain hidden. Damn you, Japan! It's easier to hide in a messy, scattered crowd than a well-organized one. Your orderliness is being an inconvenience for me!

To my relief, I see that they have stopped by two people standing in a daze. Téa and them leave the two and continue on.

I approach, intending to pass the two and continue my pursuit. Closer, I notice the two are Rex and Weevil. "Typical," I grumble.

"The age of destruction is here," Weevil's nasally yet monotone voice mumbles.

"Yeah, yeah." I roll my eyes and walk past them.

"Soon your souls will be offered to the great beast," Rex mutters, a bead of drool drips from the corner of his mouth.

I stop. My pursuit can wait. This is more important. I grab them both by the shirt and pull them aside.

"This 'great beast'," I say to them, "what is it?"

They say nothing, only laugh. Even their laughter is monotonous.

I hang my head. This is getting me nowhere. I glance around, grateful that no one is paying us any mind. I pull out my Millennium Key and hold it to Rex's head to enter his mind room.

And nothing happens.

I try it on Weevil and get the same results.

"Dammit!" I shout, punching the wall inches from Weevils head. He doesn't flinch. Neither of them react to me at all. They simply stand there, both of them now drooling.

I hear a scream and spin around, thinking they thought I assaulted them. Instead of folks watching me, I see what the screams were really for: real monsters.

I've seen my share of mass chaos. I've even caused my share of it. But this- this is a mix of The Birds, King Kong, Gojira, Jurassic Park, and frickin' Lovecraft.

I run for my house, fluidly weaving through the mess of people, monsters, and everything, cursing under my breath the whole way.

I finally get home and yank out my laptop. Dammit! "Dammit! Dammit!" I curse as I video call my brother.

The screen flicks on. "Hello, Javlynne," my brother greets me.

I glare at him and return the greeting through gritted teeth, "Hello, Dartz."