Chao- When Chao writes a chapter ahead of time, Chao keeps it with a temporary title so Chao can remember which document was what before it becomes an actual chapter. Sometimes Chao likes the title so much that it ends up becoming official. Like this one!

"Talking."

"Thinking."

/Yami and Yugi's mind link./

Chapter 10: Daddy Rescue Part 1

"Stay here." Izumi ordered in a serious tone after placing his son on one of the firm furniture within the empty lobby.

"But… Dad…" the teen with tri-color hair protested as he tiredly tried to get back on his heavy feet.

"Don't worry." the man assured as he knelt down and placed his hands gently on Yugi's shoulder. "I'll get your puzzle back. But for now, I need you stay here and away from Zuri."

"Dad." Yugi whispered, remembering how much his father had always cared about him.

Izumi pulled his son closer to him and wrapped his arms around his child's shoulders as he said quietly, "I'm sorry, Yugi. I'll make this up to you somehow."

Earlier Izumi had noticed his son continued to follow him even though he had been ordered not to. The father had picked up his son and carried him back into the ominous building. He did not want to see his boy receive any more harm from the outside.

Yugi managed to stand up from his seat only to be knocked back down by his own weight.

Izumi marched back up the stairs and down the corridor. He was set to face the madness of Zuri. Even if it meant losing his job, he was furious something horrible had happened to his child. He clinched his fists tightly. "I'm sorry, Yugi. If I had known what Zuri was up to, I would have never brought you along. I know we both wanted to spend some time together after so many years apart, but you didn't deserve what came down upon you."

Like any father, he was determined to set things straight.

He narrowed his eyes reaching the door where Zuri and his henchmen were located. In one swift motion, Izumi slammed the door wide open. He was pleased to see his theory was correct.

"Zuri!" Izumi called out with anger.

From his transparent state, Yami gasped, surprised to see his partner's parent returned. Even though he had wished his light to be safe, a part of him was relieved to see someone came back for him. He looked around in hope for his other half. Not seeing the small boy with tri-color hair, he became crestfallen. He could only pray for the safety of both the Moto family members.

"Ah, Izumi." the man with shoulder length hair replied as he turned around. "Where is young Yugi Moto?"

"You're dealing with me now!"

"Perhaps… But this matter is more between me and the King of Games."

"And why is that?"

"I need to duel him first."

"D-duel? At a time like this!"

"Calm yourself, Izumi. But, yes, a round of Duel Monsters is necessary."

"For what reason?"

"This." Zuri held in the air with one arms straight out a gold upside down pyramid with a silver chain. The ancient item wobbled a bit with sparkling sunlight bouncing off.

"Yugi's puzzle." Izumi gasped. He stepped forward, "You're going to challenge my son to a card game over a puzzle?"

"You clearly don't know anything about the game, this item, or your son." Zuri shook his head.

"What do you mean by that!?" Izumi growled loudly. Even though he didn't remember every single detail about his kid, Izumi had constantly tried his best to show interest.

"I was supposed to duel your son in order to win this item." the man explained. "That's how the trade works."

"I guess that's what Yugi was about to tell me on the way over here." Yugi's father assumed. He quickly retorted, "Well, he's in no mood for a game!"

"But he'll need to face me if he wishes to be cured and have his puzzle returned."

"Cured? What do you mean by that!?"

"Haven't you at all noticed your son appearing fatigued?"

"Well…"

"To ensure my victory, I had to calculate the odds into my favor. I understand those who had tried to face the King of Games had troubled in doing so before."

Izumi narrowed his eyes even more understanding what happened to his offspring. He had trusted his boss and was ecstatic to have been granted the privilege to have his child accompany him. Having once truly believing Zuri was interested in the help Yugi had offered, Izumi growled once more in a low tone, "You monster."

"What was that?" the man with greed questioned.

"I won't let you get my son!" the parent declared with no fear. "You monster!"

"Oh, is that how this will be?"

"Damn straight!"

"And to think I thought you liked having a job."

"Damn it, Zuri! Can't you think of anything other than your stupid greed!?"

"Is saving the company, your job, and everyone else's job greedy!?"

Izumi fell silent. Even though the intention was good, the actions were not. He understood Zuri will not stop until he receives his match, and Yugi will persist to go after his Puzzle one way or another. Izumi, however, refused to stand by any longer.

Yami was drawn to the argument between the two men. He developed a better understanding about what the vicious craving man had planned. His eyes had widened hearing his theory was correct; Zuri had done research about the Items. Glancing over to him with pure rage, he tightened his fists. He wished he could have done something to prevent his partner from being drugged.

"Fine, Zuri, you shall have your match." Izumi finally agreed.

The one in charge and the spirit of the Puzzle turned surprised. The former pharaoh glanced over to see what Yugi's father had in mind. He hoped the man would not betray his son in order to keep his job. Both he and Zuri were stunned to hear, "But on one condition!"

"Which is?"

"You will need to duel me first."

"And I suppose you know how to play?"

"I've been learning."

"And as for a deck?"

"As I said, you'll need to duel me first." Izumi pulled out a stack of cards, the very same ones that belonged to his son and added, "Because I am the one who holds my son, the King of Games', deck."

Yami's eyes expanded. He had forgotten his partner's parent held the deck after they all left from the motel. He had wondered how his light would fight when he was truly in no condition to do so. He doubt Zuri would allow his other half to wear the Puzzle and have him take control.

He glanced back over to Izumi, who persisted in a series tone unlike Yami had seen, "If I win, then you'll duel my son fair and square."

"What, you're not about to just take this Puzzle and run off?" Zuri taunted.

Yami had the same thought. Even though the parent of Yugi may not have been strong, he appeared fast.

"What good with that do any of us." Izumi spat coldly. "You'll only be after the Puzzle once more."

"Indeed." Zuri grinned wickedly when a malicious idea came to mind. He then nodded, "Then it's a deal."

The spirit could only watch as the ancient artifact was set back down on the table. He eyed all the men who left the room in search for a better place to duel. He hoped the cards would guide Yugi's father to victory. He closed his eyes and prayed with all his heart his light was all right.

Izumi followed Zuri and the men in suits to the large room he originally thought was the place with the company's meeting. He clinched his fists. He couldn't believe how foolish he had been earlier. He had wished he had known everything, so he could have prevented all this mess. He shook his head. Now was not the time for regrets; now was the time for playing a card game to help save his son.

Zuri casually strolled to where the box with the Duel Disks was held. When he reached for one, he tossed the white device over to Izumi, who caught it with one hand easily. The man who was overtaken by his goals then placed one on his own wrist. Before activating the machine, he opened the window and jumped down.

"Hey!" Izumi called out. He was surprised about what took place. He raced over and glanced down to see his boss and the men in shades all waiting at the bottom.

"Are you thinking of backing out now?" Zuri questioned in a mocking tone. "You had always shown so much initiative at work."

The man in the blue shirt grunted with displeasure. He didn't have time to race down the stairs and out of the building; he needed every second to play and hopefully win the match. Fortunately for him, he was never afraid of heights. He always had to climb trees and other high places to escape the wrath of his angry ex-wife whenever he would visit, if he was lucky.

In one swift movement, Izumi jumped down and gracefully landed.

Walking over, he couldn't help but notice how much his boss had changed. Even though Zuri was in charge, he had always been cool and easy going. Now he appeared much different than before. As Izumi prepared his deck, his eyes widen when he saw darkness coming out from nowhere.

"What's going on!?" Izumi yelled when he observed he was in a completely different area than before.

"I think you'll find this round of Duel Monsters to be quite interesting." Zuri answered with an evil chuckle. "Let us now begin!"

Izumi glanced at his deck. He was aware how much heart his son had placed in. He was very grateful he had called days beforehand to learn how to play a round of Duel Monsters before his trip began. Reaching for his first five cards, his hands shook when he felt something odd. Normally when picking up a cardboard with an image there isn't a strange beat within. He was feeling something out of the ordinary, but he couldn't help but have it feel familiar, almost as a positive emotion.

After drawing his fist five cards, Izumi studied what he had. He listened carefully when he had been given instructions how to play, and he had even asked around for any ideas if any of his co-workers had played. Whenever he had chatted about the strange card game, he noticed how many eyes lit up with joy. He gained a better knowledge why his son enjoyed playing the game. He was very glad his child was able to find something that brought him joy and friends.

"I'll go first." Zuri heavily insisted.

Izumi allowed for his boss to initiate the game. He wanted to see what monsters the evil man would bring out.

After drawing his first card, Zuri announced, "I'll play one card face down. And next, I summon Darkfire Soldier #1 in attack mode!"

A tall, muscular man with long wavy blonde hair wielding a sword came out onto the field (1700/1150).

Yugi's father grew amazed with what he had seen. Standing in front of him was a hologram of a monster from the famous trading card game. His body trembled with awe.

"It's your move." Zuri stated.

His opponent glanced down at his hand. He remembered he needed to draw a card before declaring a move. After he drew one, he became astonished with what he was holding. If he were to place any one of his son's card, then that small slip of paper with an image would be brought into reality.

Taking a deep breath, Izumi finally decided, "I'll play Feral Imp (1400/1300) in defense mode!"

A green creature with pink claws and a giant horn appeared on Izumi's side of the field. The man grew surprised about what critter had popped up. After looking at the numbers held between the two monsters, Izumi was glad he had placed his choice in a position that would not lose him any life points.

"So you do have some knowledge about this game." Zuri complimented. "Too bad it will only get you so far."

"What do you mean?" Izumi questioned.

"It's my move!" the other man declared. He drew one card then looked at his hand. His arrogant smirk sent a chill down his opponent's spine. Zuri pushed a button on his Duel Disk as he declared, "I activate my magic card, Stop Defense! This will allow one monster on my opponent's side of the field to be switched to an attacked position!"

"Oh no!" Yugi's father gasped as his Feral Imp switched from kneeling to standing up.

"Now I'll have my Darkfire Soldier attack!" Zuri announced with greedy joy.

The human-like creature stormed across with his sword. With one powerful blow, the green imp was slashed and destroyed. Izumi's life points came down from 4000 to 3700.

A strong shock barged into Izumi's heart. He clutched his chest as he screamed out with agony. Unaccustomed to the pain, he fell to one knee. His body trembled with fear and pain. He didn't understand what had happened. He didn't know a mere hologram could cause so much damage to a person.

"Perhaps or perhaps not you realized this is no ordinary game." Zuri explained as his most likely former employee started to stand after the affliction wore off.

As Izumi straightened himself out, he questioned once more, "What do you mean?"

"This is why I must duel young Yugi Moto." Zuri answered. "But for now, let us continue our own match. It is now your turn."

Izumi shook off his dizziness; he wouldn't allow any more harm to come to his son. He needed to do all he could. He may not completely understand everything around him, but he had always supported his boy whenever he could. He drew one card and studied his hand. He did have a few monster cards that could beat what was placed on the field, but he remembered the rule about having to sacrifice a monster first. He decided to play it safe until he could figure out more of what he could do.

"I play Kuriboh (300/200) in defense mode." he stated.

A little brown fuzz ball with yellow orbs, purple irises, and green limbs bounced out.

Izumi couldn't help but smile. "Hey, that furry guy is pretty adorable…"

"I'll place down one card," Zuri made his move. "And then I'll switch my Darkfire Soldier to defense mode."

The buff man submitted himself from standing to kneeling.

Izumi was unclear why his former boss had done such a move. Even though an attack could have been made, he remembered that sometimes it is best to play out a strategy as oppose to attacking monsters blindly.

"My move!" he said with his serious attitude returned to him. He studied his cards once more. His eyes were caught by a pretty blonde girl with laughing emerald eyes. He examined her status with great attention. He wasn't sure why, but he felt a powerful pull from that particular card. He then remembered he was playing with his son's deck. Yugi was obviously called King of Games for a reason. He decided to take the chance and have an upper hand.

"I sacrifice Kuriboh and play Dark Magician Girl in his place!" Izumi declared with confidence.

A fun loving wizard donned with the colors pink and sky blue while wielding a cute staff came out to play (2000/1700).

Zuri became surprised. He knew he was playing against Yugi Mutou's deck, but he didn't expect Izumi to be able to play such a powerful monster so quickly.

Izumi debated about what move to do next. He wanted to take down his former boss, so he could save his son. But he also had to be careful to not allow his distressful emotions block himself from brainstorming ideas to win the match. He had also hoped he could be seen as more than just a clumsy father in eyes of his son.

"Don't worry, Yugi. I'll win your Puzzle back, your friend."

Xxx

A sudden shock entered a young adult's heart.

He cried out in pain.

His wail bounced off the walls of the empty lobby.

After sitting and inhaling heavily for a bit, Yugi finally gained strength to stand up. Unfortunately for him, he recognized the horrible sensation that had stampeded him. He needed to find his other self fast.

When he gained enough stamina, he started to walk. His body was growing tired, but he couldn't sit down. He needed to save his friend and his father. He wasn't sure what his dad was capable of, but he strongly believed he needed to face Zuri.

As he finally arrived to the staircase, he gazed at it with immense intimidation. Every step he took would lead him closer to his other half, but every stride would be agonizing. He needed to locate his companion. He remembered all the training he had endured while preparing for the dreaded event with his friends.

Now Yugi needed to complete a similar journey for Izumi and Yami.

He took a deep breath and began to climb up.

To be continued…

Chao- Looks like Izumi is dueling while Yugi is off in search of his puzzle… Man, Chao is SO tired…. stupid heat wave…. giving Chao heat exhaustion…

Yami- Good, then maybe you'll stop writing these dumb stories.

Chao- Wait, so you DON'T want Chao to have Yugi be cured and his fictional father save you and reunite you with your lighter half?

Yami- Umm…

Chao- Sigh, you people are SO hard to please.