Griffin Tale

Chapter 7

Big Mistake

Out in Domino City, things were working out brilliantly for Yugi. His picture had appeared on the front of every newspaper, every magazine and every poster. He had been awarded many trophys, certificates and medals. He had even been given the key to the city by the mayor.

But best of all – Yugi's dream had finally come true. He been given thousands of dollars for slaying the griffin, and he and his brother and sister were able to move out of their stuffy old apartment in that grubby old street. They had moved into a big, flash new penthouse. Complete with floor to ceiling lava lamp.

Yugi was now the most famous person in the whole country. Everyone just couldn't get enough of him. Things were rocking at Yugi's penthouse right now. Paparazzi snapped as one celebrity after another walked through the doors. Downstairs, screaming, swooning fans were kept behind barricades by a squad of police troops.

Yugi looked around his new home as their guests danced the night away to the blaring music.

Black leather couches and a carved coral coffee table were almost hidden by the hordes of well – dressed guests that walked around, carrying drinks and looking like they were somebodies. The latest in electronics – including a large flat – screen TV and video game player – were housed in giant cabinets decorated with mother – of – pearl.

In the corner, Bernie and Ernie stood at two turntables, doing hip – hop scratches.

Yami and Mai watched as Yugi took a microphone and stood in front of Bernie. Or was it Ernie? They're eyes shone with pride as everyone turned to look at him.

"Okay!" Yugi shouted into the microphone. "Let's get this party started right!" He turned to the dragon brothers, "Alright, kick it guys!"

Bernie and Ernie twirled their records with they're hands and tails. The crowd erupted in cheers.

Yami took his younger brother into his arms and gave him a crushing hug, "Yugi, I know you're probably tired of hearing of this, but, we're so proud of you. You've grown up so much."

Yugi smiled, "Thanks bro!" he returned the hug.

"You've done great, little bro!" Mai said, taking Yugi into her arms. "Dad would be so proud if he could see how far you've come." she kissed him gently on his cheek.

"Aww, Mai, not in front of the guys!" Yugi said, wiping the kiss off while blushing furiously.

Yami and Mai only laughed.

Just then Sykes walked up, "There he is. The king of the city, new sheriff in town, the big kahuna!" he gave Yugi a playful punch on the shoulder.

"Sykes!" Yugi chuckled, rubbing his shoulder.

"Pound that kid!" Sykes, held out his wing. "Pound it!"

Yugi exchanged high – fives with the bird man.

"Yugi!" Sykes chanted while dancing. "Rise the city! Rise the city, buddy!" Sykes twirled and swirled, swung and swayed. The bird man went crazy doing out of tune dances with the music. He looked absolutely ridiculous!

Yugi exchanged nervous glances with his older siblings. They slowly moved away from the dancing bird man. Being seen with him would be so embarrassing.

Just then the elevator doors opened and the others walked in. Yugi, Yami and Mai went up to greet them. Yugi and Yami exchanged high fives with the guys while Mai and the girls exchanged friendship hugs.

Yugi walked up to Mhairi, who was hiding something behind her back, and began to twirl her around, "Hey, Mhairi I'm glad you're here!"

Mhairi clutched her gift while making sure that Yugi didn't see it. "Wait, wait!" she laughed. "You'll break our gift!"

Yugi stopped, touched. "Aw, come on! You guys didn't need to get me anything."

"Sure we did, Yug!" Joey said, ruffling his little friend's spiky hair.

"Yeah, you're a hero now, Yugi." Tea said, giving him a hug.

"Aw, thanks guys." Yugi blushed. "What'd you get me?"

"Well, what does every bachelor pad need?" Mhairi teased. She took the gift out from behind her back. It was a purple lava lamp.

A wide smile spread across Yugi's lips, "A lava lamp! How did you know that I love lava lamps? I'm gonna put it right next to my other one."

Mhairi looked up. There, beside the couch, was a giant lava lamp. It was so tall that it almost touched the ceiling. Mhairi was embarrassed and she was pretty sure that the others were too. Their gift looked puny by comparison. But Yugi didn't seem to notice.

Yami walked up to his girlfriend who was none other than Mimi and led her away as Mai did with Kenai. The others followed, leaving Yugi and Mhairi alone.

"C'mon." he said, taking her by the hand. "I wanna show you the best thing about this place." Yugi guided Mhairi through the crowd to the floor – to – ceiling glass windows that led out to the terrace. He opened them and walked outside.

"This is the balcony." Yugi said, leaning on the banister. "How great is this view?"

Mhairi looked around. Yugi's apartment was at the top of the city, all right. Up here, the lights sparkled like little jewels. "Top of the city..." Mhairi gasped. "It's...it'...amazing."

She looked at him, her heart fluttered. He was just so handsome. His rather tanned skin shone in the moonlight and his dark hair turned silver. Looking into his eyes, those beautiful violet orbs sparkled like amethysts and they held a child – like innocence.

"I know." Yugi said, smiling. "It's beautiful."

"Like you." Mhairi said under her breath.

Yugi looked over at her, "Huh?"

"Like you're...uh...uh...new apartment." she covered quickly. "It's, wow. Awesome!" Mhairi drew in a breath then placed a gentle hand upon Yugi's. "What I'm trying to say is that...I'm proud of you, Yugi."

"Thanks." Yugi smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. He knew that Mhairi believed in him and that she always would. There was no doubt to say that he was very greatful. Then he remembered something that he had for her, "Hey, hey! You know what? Wait right here. Don't move. I'll be right back. Girl, you are gonna flip!"

Yugi darted away. Before Mhairi even had a change to draw a breath, he was back again. Behind his back he was hiding something.

"You know, Mhairi," he began as she sat upon the banister. "where I am right now, this whole new life I've got...all my dreams coming true...in a weird kinda way? Well, I never could've done it without you."

"Oh, of course you could." Mhairi said. She reached out a hand, gently stroking his long golden bangs.

Yugi smiled. He loved it when she did that. In a way, it reminded him of how his mother used to stroke his hair when he was a boy. Yugi pulled his hand out from behind his back. He was holding a small, ring – sized box.

"Oh, Yugi!" Mhairi gasped. "I can't believe it!" she thought. "He's gonna propose to me!"

"I know, I know." Yugi was saying. "I'm just so sorry it took so long."

"Oh, that's okay." Mhairi said happily.

Yugi fumbled with the box. He opened it. There, sitting inside, was a pink pearl.

"Oh." Mhairi said flatly, her hopes shattered. "My mother's pearl."

"With interest!" Yugi said brightly. He lifted the pearl. It was connected to a string of twenty other perfect pink pearls. "I don't forget anything, and I never forget who my friends are."

"Oh." Mhairi said. She sounded disappointed.

Yugi stared at her for a moment in surprise. What was wrong with her? Wasn't she happy that he had managed to get her mother's pearl back? "Mhairi -" he began.

Suddenly the slid doors opened. Both Yugi and Mhairi turned. There, standing in the doorway, was Rebecca. Looking as glamorous as ever.

"Hi!" said Rebecca. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"

Mhairi stared at Rebecca. She didn't like the looks of this girl. She seemed to be a little snobbish. Mhairi wasn't going to let this girl spoil her moment with Yugi, "Yes, we're talking-"

"No! Uh uh!" Yugi said at the same time. He walked up to her, "Rebecca! Wow, you're here!" Yugi couldn't believe his luck. The most glamorous girl in the entire city was in his apartment.

Mhairi, on the other hand, wasn't at all thrilled about this. She cleared her throat.

Yugi turned to her, "Uh, you gotta come best my meet friend, Mhairi. I mean, eat my best man, Mhairi..." Yugi blushed furiously. He felt so embarrassed.

"You're best friend?" Rebecca smiled slowly. "Oh, that's sweet. Well then, you won't mind if I steal him for a while, will you?"

Before Mhairi could answer, Rebecca turned and started to walk away. Yugi followed her.

Rebecca looked over her shoulder at Mhairi and shrugged slightly. It wasn't her fault that guys responded to her this way, the shrug seemed to say.

Mhairi watched Yugi follow Rebecca back inside. Her heart sank. Why couldn't Yugi see her the way he saw Rebecca? "So that's the kind of girl a somebody marries." she thought sadly.


"So." Rebecca said as she steered Yugi towards the bar. "Look who's a somebody after all."

"I mean, you know..." Yugi was tongue – tied.

The elevator doors opened. A boy darted out. "GRIFIIIIIIIINS!" he shrieked. "AT THE OURSKIRTS OF THE CITY! THEY'RE HEAD FEATHERS!"

The crowd panicked. Screams could be heard as people raced to the elevator. Others looked for places to hide.

The boy who had came in grabbed Yugi by the shirt. "Yugi, you're the Griffinslayer! Do something!"

For a moment, Yugi forgot who he was supposed to be. "What!" he yelled, surprised.

Another kid ran up to him, "Yeah, go out there and teach those griffins a lesson!"

"But I can't...I mean..." Yugi struggled.

Everyone stopped and stared at him.

Yugi looked around worriedly. There was no way he could get out of this one. If he went out to face the griffins then he'd be dinner, but if he told everyone the truth then he'd be toast. Either way, Yugi was the loser.

"I mean..." Yugi recovered in a flash. "I won't kill em' like I did with the other griffin. I'll just scare them off and make sure that they know that Yugi's in town!"

Everyone started to cheer.

"So, baby." Yugi went on, turning to Rebecca. "Just wait here and I'll gonna go ahead and take care of the griffins..."

"Go get 'em, tiger!" Sykes yelled from underneath a chair.

Yami, Mai and the others ran up to Yugi. None of them wanted him to go, but if it was his duty then they couldn't stop him.

Yami hugged his younger brother tightly, "Be careful, Yugi."

"Be safe." Mai said, hugging her brothers.

Each of his friends hugged him tightly. "Good luck, Yug." Joey said.

Mhairi surprised Yugi by kissing him gently on the cheek, "Come home safe and sound, Yugi."

Yugi blushed, touching his cheek, "I'll be fine, Mhairi." Trying to sound more confident than he felt.

He walked towards the elevator. "Those griffins will be in for a surprise!" he said, acting tough. "They'll be begging for mercy with these babies!" He flexed his arms. "They won't ever show they're ugly faces around here ever again!"

Yugi walked into the elevator. The crowd cheered. The doors closed. Yugi sank to the bottom of the car, sobbing. Now he was in for it! What was he going to do?