Quick Authors Note: Love you guys. oAo '' Inspiration struck me on a train, so I wrote this up on my BlackBerry. It was intense. I was totally in the zone. Right, quick note. I forgot. Here's a new chapter, rather lengthy - and introduces one of my favourite characters planned in this series: Charles Longstead. Enjoy c:
prolouge pt. 1
I never said I was perfect.
Wait, have I ever said that?
No, probably not. But at this point, you're probably thinking I have a pretty high opinion of myself. Well, guess again!
I don't.
However, I learned plenty of things during my travels across the globe (many of which are still to be conveyed) but I think the most important of those invaluable lessons is this:
Never underestimate the kinds of people that work airport security.
I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, aren't I? Let's backtrack a bit.
LIGHTS - Chapter Seven
"Flawed"
The day had finally arrived. In two hours, we were scheduled to leave from Damascus, Africa and arrive in Dubai, India. Regardless of the events that lead up to this day, I was in high spirits. After all, I had worked and pushed myself up until this point - why wouldn't I be excited? I firmly believed that, by the wrongdoing of the Pharaoh's ancient guardians, my family had been murdered out of spite. The Ishtar's had guarded and kept the tomb of the Pharaoh safe from the rest of the world - we had been the eternal guardians. I was still confused as to the Pharaoh's motives behind the execution of my most beloved sister, and my less beloved father... but the only thought that occupied my otherwise empty mind was revenge. I was going to Domino City in Japan to unearth the secrets behind the legendary Egyptian Gods, their link to my ancestral past and a way to acquire them all.
Wasn't that excitement enough for a thirteen year old boy?
Still, as we walked into the airport for the second time, I couldn't help but feel exhilarated. The outside world was still quite foreign to me, especially the concept of technology. I had only a vague concept of how an 'aeroplane' worked and how it would possibly get me across continents to my destination. All around us, computers beeped and hummed with activity - people filtered in and out through various gateways, carrying bags of all shapes and sizes. My eyes lit up for the first time in days as Odion and I walked slowly through the crowd, carrying only small bags with the essentials. He figured we could just pick up more clothing and food in Dubai. He knew so much more about the outside world, so I put my faith into him. The previous day, he had set out to acquire a "passport" for the both of us in order to board the plane. I had suggested using the powers of the rod in order to simply gain entrance, but he simply smiled. 'I just want one, normal experience with my little brother before we dive into this head-first. Keep the Millennium Item hidden in your luggage, I'll tear a hole in the bottom for an extra compartment.'
Little did we both know, this part of our journey would be far from normal.
We walked through various metal detectors and talked with many people at different booths; well, Odion mainly spoke as I stood silently behind. The people working the booths looked at us curiously, and I couldn't even begin to understand why. What was so abnormal about a young boy traveling with his older brother?
"Passports and tickets, please." This gate was far more official looking. I watched curiously as Odion pulled our paperwork and slid it into a hole made through the glass that separated the man from us. The man looked down at me, almost as if he was trying to see through me. I managed a weak smile, prompting no response from the man.
"What's your name, young boy?"
"Marik Ishtar." I replied coolly, pointing at the papers Odion had just handed him. "Says right there."
"Where are you going?" He spoke roughly.
"Dubai."
"And then where?"
"Domino City, Japan."
"And why is that exactly?"
I looked over to Odion. "My brother promised me he'd take me to see the Duel Monster tournaments. I've always wanted to see them." The admiration in my fake tone and the simplicity of my were convincing - he smiled a little. "Is that so..." He mumbled, looking back to the papers and stamping them lightly with a black piece of rubber. "Alright, you're free to go. Make your way to Gate AC."
As we took our papers and left, I watched him from the corner of my eye. It would have been so easy just to control him - then again, these people seemed easily controlled by convincing smiles and casual words. Humans really were simple creatures.
"Fools," I mumbled to Odion, who merely chuckled.
"Welcome aboard International Airlines! We're so happy to have you. Please make sure your luggage is safely placed in the overhead compartment and your seat belts remain on throughout the duration of our trip."
I had no idea that airplanes were giant, white birds.
After getting situated beside a very small window, I looked around at all the people who were boarding the 'plane' - or as I called it after seeing it - the "great white bird." Every time I said it, Odion seemed to smile. It was if my childish innocence was still endearing. He loved hearing me say silly things; still coming to grasp the outside world and all the wonders.
"Marik, were lifting off soon. Is your seat-belt on?" Odion was sitting beside me, still arranging himself comfortably. He was a little big for the seats, but they had accommodated us rather obligingly.
"Yeah, I think I got it on right." I mumbled, checking to see it was in. "So does this thing drive for a while?"
He chuckled again, "Drive? What do you mean?"
As I opened my mouth to speak, the bird jerked a little. We started moving very slowly down a large strip of pavement, circling around once before stopping at the end of an even longer strip.
I looked out the window at the control tower, thinking how slow of a ride it would be.
Then we sped forward. It was a very quick acceleration; one moment we were speeding down the runway, then the next...
"We're flying!" I exclaimed as the plane gently lifted off the ground and into the air. "D-do you see this, Odion? Are you looking outside? Look, there's the ground!" My faced was pressed up against the glass as I grabbed eagerly at the frame. It was incredible. "Odion, I told you it was a giant bird. We're flying just like other birds. Hey, Odion..." I finally looked over to him after hearing him break out into a fit of laughter. I hadn't heard him laugh like that... well, ever.
He was crying, too.
"Hey... you okay?" I mumbled, settling back in my seat and putting a hand on his arm. "Do you need anything?"
He wiped at his eyes, still laughing and reached out to take my hand. "I'm f-f-fine... fine, Marik!" Odion beamed, squeezing my hand lightly. "You enjoy the view, okay?" A smile formed on my own face, wiping away any previous concern. "Right!"
I had thought those were painful tears, and for a long time I was oblivious to their true meaning. He was so happy he was crying. I just didn't understand.
I wish I had.
After many long hours, we arrived in Dubai. The airport was far different from that of the one in Damascus; everything here was very much rushed and panicked. If I hadn't been holding onto Odion as we disembarked, I surely would have lost my way. As we walked through the exiting security station, we were stopped. Apparently, they paid a little more detail to bag checks here. An older gentleman with a long, grey beard and a tired expression made us stop. My brow furrowed almost immediately, I didn't like being held up. We had to go plan our next flight out. They were searching through my black bag as if they caught something on their 'scanner.' Suddenly, I bit my lip and looked up to Odion.
"The rod," I whispered. "They found the rod."
He said nothing, looking calmly ahead and answering the questions another guard was asking. The older looking gentleman walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You come with me." He had a thick, burly-sounding accent and seemed quite unimpressed with having to pull a thirteen year old aside. I flinched away from him, holding tightly onto Odion's sleeve.
"No."
Little did I know, that gave them cause to be suspicious. Odion pushed me gently away, smiling all the while. "Just go talk with them, tell them nothing about the powers." He spoke in our foreign Egyptian tongue, so that the others couldn't understand. I nodded nervously, turning slowly and following the older looking man (who, may I add, stunk something fierce) into a sectioned off room.
My thoughts raced as I stepped in to see a small, black table. On one end, there was an empty chair. On the table...
The Millennium Rod.
A lump formed in my throat as I looked to the other end of the table. There sat a gentleman who was very well dressed, and obviously American. He had shaggy, black hair and surprisingly bright blue eyes. He was wearing a suit and a bright gold badge on his right breast-pocket. There was an odd way about the way he smiled. It didn't seem real. Gesturing towards the seat I was nearest to, he broadened his fake grin. "Please, take a seat."
My eyes didn't leave the rod as I sat down, my stomach flipping over. If only I could reach over and grab it, I could easily take control of the situation...
I felt helpless.
As I sat down, he pushed a bowl of candy over in my direction. I barely noticed. I was fixated on the rod, I could feel the darkness inside me swelling with rage - how had I managed to lose it? Why did I let it fall into their hands?
'It's all your fault, boy! You should have been more careful, now look what you've done!'
"My name is Charles Longstead. And you must be Marik Ishtar!"
I nodded numbly.
"Now, Marik, you're not in any sort of trouble." He seemed eerily calm as he poured himself a glass of water and looked to me. I forced myself to look away from the rod and up to him. I barely knew what he was saying, at the time I had no idea how to speak English. I had only learned a few key phrases, if that. The man selling me the fake motorcycle sounded nothing like this person, though. He was refined.
"I just want to know what this is. It's considered a weapon, you know. It was hiding in the bottom of your bag."
'Lie.'
I blinked, looking over to the rod. The darkness knew as well as I that there was no way to get out of this clean. I felt the rod's power pulsing, it was so close, if only I could just reach out...
"...No English." I mumbled, rubbing a hand to my head and avoiding his gaze.
He let out a low sigh, pulling out some paperwork and flipping through. "That's right, you're from Egypt - correct?" He nodded his head, trying to get some response out of me. All I heard was Egypt, so I nodded as well.
"Are you Odion Ishtar's brother?"
I nodded again. My fear was beginning to bubble in my stomach as desperation began to outweigh reason. I placed a hand on the table, my fingers just twitching to grab at it. "Well, Marik, this is considered a weapon. Were going to have to take it from you."
'Don't let them take it. We need it. WE NEED IT.'
'Is that what he said?' I thought desperately, 'what do I do now?'
I struggled for the right words. Ishizu and I had read books together late at night while Father was sleeping. She brought things from the America's, so why couldn't I remember words? Think, think. Try. I had to try something. "...It's nothing." I finally mumbled, pulling the language from some far-off corner of my mind - unaware of how or why I was really able to respond. I didn't understand him. "...Father's. He's dead now, it's mine to protect." That was half-true, wasn't it? More importantly, why was I able to communicate - even if it was feeble?
"I'm sorry… but this is a Millennium Item, is it not?" Charles smirked wickedly, folding his arms along the table and leaning in towards me. "Did you know that, Marik?"
He chuckled faintly.
What. The. Hell.
How does he know!- wait, who is he- damnit, what do I do!-
And then, as my desperation peaked, my vision went hazy and then faded gently into black. My alter-ego wanted to have a little chat with this curious gentleman who knew so much. I sat back, watching helplessly for a moment before the darkness enveloped me further. If I knew one thing, it was this.
He was pissed.
I was pissed.
I rose Marik's slumped head slowly, a large grin adorning my face as I did. Marik had wasted enough time and gotten nowhere. As I smiled, Charles expression changed instantly; as if he knew who I was and why I was there. I took in a deep breath then, and in fluent English, slurred out the following line:
"Charles, is it… Let's talk."
