Okay, I'm assuming at least somebody missed the nice big title below the disclaimer. Hello, and thanks for reading the fourth chapter. I have run out of things to say.
Disclaimer: No, nobody is stupid enough to just hand over the rights to 2 very successful series, especially to a teenager.
Chapter 4: I Really Hate Shopping
Seto Kaiba needed about 2 weeks to make sure his employees wouldn't screw up and destroy Kaibacorp while he was gone, and Yugi wanted the three of them to 'stick together', so Yami and Bakura had to entertain themselves in the meantime.
*Convenient time skip*
Kaiba's plane had taken off yesterday, but since it takes awhile to get to the other side of the world (I think about 11 hours.) Yugi convinced Bakura to wait until today, so that they would arrive shortly after Kaiba slept off the jetlag. (11 hour flight, but the time change is 8 hours. Definitely jetlag.)
The doorbell rang, shaking Yugi out of a conversation with Yami. (Who questioned the safety of giant flying pieces of metal.) Yugi had explained to all his friends that he was leaving to a fancy new boarding school in London, and when they didn't believe that, Yugi told them the truth. Luckily, they understood about the secrecy thing. He opened the door and let Ryou inside.
"Are you all packed?" Yugi said, hefting a duffel bag over his shoulder.
"Yep, several outfits, my duel disk, my deck, and plenty of money."
"How long do you think it will take Kaiba to make our duel disks run on magic too?"
Ryou chuckled and replied "I give him a week and a half."
"Funny, I gave him a month. Figured finding the right charm would take longer."
"Are you kidding? All you have to do is talk to him to get him threatening to duel you. Do you honestly think that won't be the first thing he looks up?"
"Okay, we good?"
"Yep."
Yugi then called out "Bye Grandpa, we're leaving for London now!"
"Okay, bring back some wizard games!" Solomon called from the shop. (As though Yugi left for a year-long experience every day.)
The shadow realm is a horrible place, a place where even being there is impossible for some. Those who use it must completely control it, or else they are consumed by the shadows. It is also the ultimate punishment, as the shadow realm reaches into your mind, and becomes your own personal hell. The creatures feed on terror, anger, and grief. (Well, flesh too, but I don't feel like describing that) However, through this realm, all shadows are connected, and the strong can travel great distances in seconds by using it. The only living humans who know how to use it have paid horrible prices. The other users are already dead.
Yami and Bakura emerged in the alley across from the Leaky Cauldron, both partially exhausted from such prolonged shadow travel.
Bakura, used to the shadows, recovered his breath first. "Usually, I just shadow travel through walls and such."
"I'm too tired to ask how many things you've stolen using the shadows for help."
"I'll have you know that the only reason I NEED to use the shadows is because I'm not used to modern security yet."
"So the mortals HAVE beaten you!"
"I just need modern tools!"
"You've been caught before! The ring is proof of it!"
"YAMI!" Yugi had had to listen to the spirits' arguments for the last 2 weeks, and even Yugi has a limit about these things.
"He started it." (He so didn't)
"Enough! You're going to be LIVING with him! Get along!" Yugi demanded before taking over.
Judging from the look on Bakura's face, his hikari was reasoning with him too.
"Come on, let's go see how Kaiba's doing.
"Okay Yugi." Anyone watching this would assume the teens were absolutely crazy, as the hikaris took over.
"Oh wait, we should use the potions first!" Yugi said, knowing they weren't supposed to let wizards know they weren't first year age, and Yugi needed to know English.
"Alright, it does shrink clothes right?" Bakura asked, thinking of the many sets of clothes in his bag.
"Dumbledore said our clothes would shrink as long as we pack them."
"So that's why you didn't want my yami stuffing my bag in the shadow realm."
"Bottoms up!" Yugi said before drinking the 2 potions.
When Yugi opened his eyes, he saw a mini Ryou looking at him with a confused stare.
"What?"
"You only shrunk a few inches."
Yugi was pink with embarrassment. So what if he hadn't grown much in the last few years!
"Let's just go see Kaiba already!"
"Sure, sure." It felt weird, getting laughed at by a 11 year old Ryou.
When the duo walked into the Leaky Cauldron, they were expecting something a little more...depressing. The barkeep seemed to be telling a group of men a story, and people were constantly going in and out the back.
"This IS a pub right?" Yugi turned to Ryou, as though the white-haired teen/boy would know.
"Yugi, not all Brits are wizards. I have no idea what the wizards are like. Though they seem friendly enough."
They walked over to the barkeep, who took one look at them and said "Let me guess, more muggle borns?"
"That's right."
"Grr, why can't any of you kids act your age?" He did not appreciate the irony of what he just said.
"We just want to know which room our friend is staying in."
"The rich boy with attitude right?"
The 2 boys smiled at the accuracy. "Yep."
"Room 10."
"Thanks!"
Ryou, having longer legs, beat Yugi to room 10, opened the door, and asked "You ready Kaiba?"
Ryou did not get an answer. Ryou DID get hit in the face by a pillow.
Yugi sighed as he watched Ryou fall back into the hall. This wasn't good.
Bakura took over and immediately proceeded to start yelling at Kaiba. (Leo was nowhere to be seen. Probably had to go buy owl nuts.) Yep, not good.
After a few minutes of language that most certainly should NOT come from an 11 year-old, the three set out to shop.
Several seconds after stepping out into Diagon Alley, they lost Ryou. Or should I say, Bakura lost them. Compared to those 'banks' (What does part of a river have to do with money?), this alley was heaven. These wizards were fools, letting their coin purses hang loose, being in too much of a hurry to pay attention to the small boy they just 'bumped' into, and generally being easy targets. Bakura swiped five pouches (Wallets were made for bills, so all wizards use pouches or purses), dumped the contents into his own pouch, and discarded the evidence before anyone noticed. He then took a minute to sort out the coins. There appeared to be only three different coins used entirely. Obviously, the gold coins were worth the most, the silver the medium, and the bronze worth least. He just had to learn the names before trying to buy anything. Hanging back, he heard someone complain how many galleons he needed for a cauldron he wanted. Bakura figured he wouldn't be complaining if it wasn't expensive, so the gold coins were galleons. He also heard two boys talking about some new candy, and how all it took were a few knuts. So the bronze were knuts. Since if someone asked for a third type of coin, he'd know they were talking about the silver, that was all Bakura needed to hear. However, might be good to hear some wizard gossip. Bakura blended in with the crowd (HOW? He has WHITE HAIR!), grabbing pouches as he went.
Yugi could only stare at the place Ryou had been just moments before. "We have to look for him!"
Kaiba never stopped walking. "Forget him, you probably can't find him anyway."
"But, he's-"
"Capable of taking care of himself, now let's get to that bank."
After Yami assured Yugi that Bakura could take care of Ryou, Yugi went with only minor protest.
Yugi and Kaiba traded their money successfully, however much Yami said not to trust the things working there. "Goblin's can't be trusted! They're merciless bandits!"
"Do these look like the goblins from ancient Egypt?"
"No...but it could be a trick!"
Kaiba completely ignored Yugi when he said Yami was being a pain. Nope, no such thing as Yami. Ignore the crazy kid.
Bakura walked out of Knockturn alley the same time the others walked out of the bank.
"There are faster ways to get money."
Kaiba glared at Bakura. He really wanted to get away from these crazy people.
Yami took over and glared at Bakura. The combination of glares would have terrified anyone, if they had not been coming from two 11 year olds. Ryou, not wanting to get into a staring contest, took over.
"Can we please just finish the shopping?"
"Hang on, we should get a wand first, so we re-enter the alley without help." Kaiba hated it when he needed help.
Ryou then told them that he/Bakura had heard that Ollivander's was the best wand shop, but when they came to it, they couldn't believe it was really the best. It was a little old broken down shop. Yugi then reminded everyone that a wizard uses the same wand his entire life, so any one wand shop only makes about 40-50 sells a year.
The inside was even worse than the outside. Between the huge shelves and the dust everywhere, you would assume this some sort of storage, but then Ollivander appeared behind them. (He likes doing that, doesn't he?)
"Can I help you?"
At this, Yami and Bakura took over, whirled around, and prepared a shadow game for...an old man?
Kaiba, used to psychos by now, merely answered "Yes, we all need wands."
"Good, good, you first then. Step up and extend your wand arm."
Kaiba did so, but wasn't prepared for the tape measures to fly around themselves. Even though he often had his measurements taken for a new suit (Or really fancy trench coat) this use of magic surprised him.
"Ash, dragon heartstring, 9 inches."
Kaiba felt like a fool when he swished the wand through the air, and knocked over a shelf.
"Nope, but a similar core might work." (You didn't think Kaiba would have anything BUT a draconic core did you?) "Here, oak and dragon heartstring, 10 inches."
That wand knocked Yugi over.
"Another unusual!" Ollivander was getting excited again "I don't usually let the owner help, but any suggestions?" he remembered how long it took Leo.
Kaiba had nothing, but Yami did. (Yami took over when poor Yugi was hit with a blast of magic.) Bakura was still laughing too hard to help.
"Try some Egyptian wood." Kaiba then gave Yami a 'Stop saying I have anything to do with that stuff' glare. (You know the one)
"Those are rarer wands indeed!" He then went off, and came back with a large box. "I keep the oldest wands in boxes like this. Since there are three of you, I brought the whole box." He then opened it and took out a wand. "Here, nehet (Egyptian sycamore) and dragon heartstring, 8 inches.
This wand caused the shop to be pitch-black for a few seconds.
"Very close. Here, nehet and light dragon claw, 11 inches."
Kaiba felt a warm feeling shoot up his arm as he took the wand. *Swish* A dazzling light display shot through the store before burning out.
"Yes! Now the small one." Yugi stepped forward as Ryou snickered over the small comment.
Yugi got the tape measure treatment too.
"Suggestions?" Ollivander was obviously displeased that so many kids could actually guess what wand would work.
"A symbol of the pharaoh?" Yugi said, thinking of his other half.
"Try it. Nehet, feather from a young Egyptian phoenix, 9 inches." (Since Yugi is like a younger, sweeter version of Yami)
Ollivander was a little disappointed as Yugi's wand issued a small fire in the shape of a phoenix. He was hoping the child would guess wrong.
"Alright, next."
Ryou stepped up and got measured.
"You want to choose your wand too?"
Ryou had no idea how to describe himself and his yami, so "No."
And so they tried nearly every wand in the box, destroying absolutely everything in the process. Needless to say, Bakura found it fun. Ollivander found it fun too, as he now had chance to match one of his strangest wands.
"This is a very peculiar wand. Its core is a hair of a unicorn struck down by dark powers. Innocence tainted by wickedness. Nehet body, 10 inches."
"That sounds about right" Ryou thought as he felt the warmth spread through his body, and the fallen shelves righted themselves.
"Good, that will be 7 galleons per wand."
Ryou and Kaiba handed over the money without hesitation, but Yugi was hoping it would be a little cheaper.
And so the shopping spree continued, and eventually Yugi had to borrow money from Ryou. (Never from Kaiba. NEVER!) Ryou was more than willing because it wasn't his money anyway.
The pet store was the last stop, and Kaiba only went in to ask how he might get a dragon egg. The witch in charge then proceeded to lecture Kaiba on how wild and dangerous dragons are. Meanwhile, Yugi was looking at a Great Grey Owl, which is the largest of all owls. (You need a strong owl to send letters to Japan!), and Ryou was looking at an African Wildcat. (Which, ironically, was one of the first domesticated species.) They decided to get them, using the last of Ryou's money to get cages, food, and a cat collar. Then it came time to name them. Since the owl was a boy and a messenger, it was named Thoth. Since the cat was a girl and liked Yami almost as much as Ryou (To Bakura's dismay), it was named Bast.
When the three got back to the Leaky cauldron with their stuff, and walked up to room 10, Kaiba abruptly said "Get your own room!" and slammed the door, locking an outrage Yami and Bakura in the hall. This lead to the two of them banging on the door, and using more language that 11 year olds shouldn't even know. After several minutes of this, the door directly across the hall flung open, revealing a pissed Leo. "WILL YOU GITS SHUT UP! DO YOU HAVE ANY BLOODY IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE-*Leo's mouth drops open as he notices who he was yelling at* "...are you the king of games?"
Yami, who had just recovered at the mention of his title, replied "Yeeeees?" , a feeling of dread approaching.
Leo usually had some composure in public, it came with being rich, but he kind of lost it when confronted with the best duelist in the world. "I challenge you! Wait! We can't duel without the holograms! (Because no one wants to play a children's card game without super advanced holograms) We have to wait until I fix mine to run off magic! You ARE going to Hogwarts right? Why are you so small? Oh hey! The crazy person is here too!"
Yami was speechless in the face of such unexpected fan boy-ism, but Bakura realized he had just been insulted. "Hold up! Who said I was crazy?"
Leo had calmed down once he understood he wouldn't be challenging the king for some time, but just looked at Bakura in a strange way and said "One, Seto said. Two, you kind of acted like a total psychopath on national television. Three, you played in the semifinals after nearly bleeding to death. AFTER!"
Bakura, realizing he couldn't argue with the facts, hung on to the one thing that didn't make sense. "Seto? As in Seto Kaiba? How do you know Seto Kaiba?"
At this, Kaiba opened the door while saying "Did I just hear who I think I did?"
"Seto? You're going to MAGIC school!" Leo assumed Seto would rather destroy a magical school than attend one. (And he was right. Kaiba just didn't want his rival being out of dueling range so long.)
"*Sigh* Everyone come and sit down, looks like we have some talking to do." Just when Kaiba thought he was rid of the two crazies too.
After everyone was comfortable, Kaiba began. "Yugi, Ryou, this is Leonardo Brron Diomes, second son of Michelangelo Goldd Diomes, one of the most influential men in this country."
Yugi then spoke up. "So, how do you know him?"
"I've been expanding across the globe for some time now, and nearly every time I want to do something in the U.K., I have to have a meeting with Mr. Diomes. Through my efforts to get on his good side, Mokuba and I have been to his mansion many times, meeting Jack and Leo in the process."
This time Ryou spoke up. "So why did you tell him I was insane?"
"Because you have a split personality, one that thinks it can banish people to an imaginary world at will."
"You only say that because you didn't see what he did to Pegasus's security guards. Do you honestly think Honda could rescue Mokuba by himself?" Ryou could get mean when defending his sanity. (I have yet to find someone who doesn't get mad when you accuse them of being crazy. I prefer eccentric myself.)
Leo spoke up at this. "That reminds me, do you know what the hell you've done to Duel Monsters? Seto loses, he falls into a coma. Bandit Keith loses, he tries to kill somebody. Pegasus loses, he is brutally attacked and very nearly dies. THAT is why I couldn't be in Battle City. People thought there was an entire underground organization that is related to Duel Monsters. And then what happens? Seto exposes the bloody Rare Hunters! Also, several rare hunters are in comas now too! Then HALF the finalists fall into comas when THEY lose! You people are single handedly RUINING the game!" (I honestly wonder how nobody thought it was a little weird how serious everybody was over a CARD GAME! I play it. I'VE never sent somebody into a coma over a card game!)
Yugi and Ryou's looks go from dumbfounded to guilty as the rant went on. After all, they were WEARING two of the reasons the game wasn't just a game anymore. When the speech was over, Yugi just said "Will you forgive us if we promise not to get involved with a world-threatening villain again?"
"Yes, yes I would. Wait, the WORLD?"
Ryou just nodded and said "We have some explaining to do too. Also, I'd like you to not think Yugi and I are insane."
*One speech about pharaohs, millennium items, a thief king, and many kidnappings (First two seasons had what, 8? Mokuba is half of those BTW.) later.* Leo looked like he understood everything pretty well. "So THAT'S why you grow a foot taller before a duel! The weirdest part was that almost nobody noticed! They all thought you just looked more confident or something."
Ryou then asked "So you really don't think we're crazy now?"
"Do you honestly think I WANTED to believe the King of Games was crazy?"
"Umm, what about me?"
"You're only half-crazy."
"Gee, thanks..."
"I always knew you were crazy enough to fit in with them." Kaiba rolled his eyes.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I'm unnatural too."
At this, Yugi and Ryou both started paying close attention "How?" they asked in unison.
"Well, I can talk to animals. All of them."
Ryou then began searching the room for something, and came back with Bast in his arms. "Say something Bast."
"Umm, Ryou? She says to put her down."
"Oops, sorry Bast."
"She says she'll forgive you because you got her the collar she wanted."
"Oh yeah, Bast pointed to this one with her paw back in the store. That proves it!"
Kaiba just snorted at this. "And so you both slide further down towards complete and total insanity."
The other three were used to this kind of talk.
Leo thought to himself "This is going to be a better year than I thought!"
A/N: Sorry this chapter took a little longer, I had to go back to school shopping. (The horror!) Anyway, next chapter is the start of Hogwarts, which means the sorting! If anyone has an opinion as to what houses everybody should go to, feel free to tell me in a review! I always check for favorite alerts and reviews before starting another chapter. (Thanks to all you who have!)
I have decided to cancel my horrific facts. Scar YOUSELVES for life at . Also, watch Yu-Gi-Oh abridged, because it's funnier than me. *insert third shameless plug here*