Loki's Eyes
Once we regrouped at the front, we gave a final debriefing to Pegasus, describing how many people we defeated, and the fate of Nigel Garza and Kuhates.
"Most impressive," said Pegasus as he pulled out his promotional card. "Personally, my money was on Yugi-boy for the win. As a reward for your splendid performance: Shizuka Wheeler, this is for you."
She took the card and examined it a little. "Unity," she said, reading the title aloud.
I gazed at the card. "Well, look at that. Our friends are immortalized." On the card's picture were Yugi, Téa, Joey and Tristan with their hands in a circle.
"…I want you to have this," she said, holding the card out for me.
I was quite startled. "Huh? Shizuka?"
"It's nothing, really," she said, looking away. "It's just…an offering from student to teacher, that's all. Please, take it."
"Is that why she wanted the card? She wanted to give it to me, just as I wanted to give it to her? Maybe she loves me too! …Maybe I'm reading too much into it." I bowed politely and said, "I'm grateful."
Lynch grinned. "Do I hear wedding bells? I hope it's a cheap dowry, because Loki's absolutely broke."
"Shut up!" I snapped. "How is it that I'm more mature than you, old man?"
"You'd better not call me 'old man' again, squirt."
"You'd better not call me 'squirt' again, stupid bastard!"
I won't bore you with the details, because this went on for quite some time. Once the rest of the duelists were paid, Nigel Garza was taken into custody by the EDL. He'll probably be taken into psychiatric care to help with his mad scientist syndrome, or whatever the hell it is; I'm not a medical man. All of the families of the missing duelists were informed that they were returning home soon. A little concerned about Bakura, as well as that Shayne Driver kid, I gave their descriptions to some of the agents.
Bakura was found asleep outside the temple, with the Millennium Ring mysteriously missing. He had absolutely no idea what he was going in Romania. Driver, however, was nowhere to be found. I decided that it wasn't an issue I needed to concern myself with, but something lurked in the back of my head. There was something about Driver that seemed somewhat familiar. Somehow, I doubted it would be our last meeting.
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Shizuka's Eyes
There we were, about an hour later, our plane flying home over the Chinese countryside. Both Téa and Yugi were asleep, but Loki was wide awake. "Do you ever sleep?" I asked.
"Occasionally," he answered. "I've learned to control my heart rate, so I don't require as much rest as others do. It was something I learned to do to cope with my blood-hacking. Once time, I played a prank on a babysitter; I made my heart beat so slowly, she thought I was dead."
I giggled a little. "Loki, you're so evil!"
"I suppose I am to some extent." He indicated Yugi, who was asleep on a cot. As he pulled the loose blanket over Yugi he said, "Perhaps that's the best way. Let Yugi and the Pharaoh play the part of the heroes; such a heavy task is a real burden for me."
I sat back in my chair and said, "Loki-Sensei? …I don't think I thanked you properly for saving me."
"You don't need to." He pulled out the Unity spell card. "As duelists, we're bound together by our many relationships: student/teacher, rivals, and most importantly, friends. And the one feeling they all give me is that I want what's best for you."
I remained silent for a moment as I let his words sink in. "…When we get back to Azamawa, let's work on my deck."
"Gladly. But we're going to Domino first; there's something I've been meaning to do…"
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Loki's Eyes
Once we landed, we met Joey and Tristan in Clock Tower Square. We told them everything that happened. "Whew!" exclaimed Joey. "You guys clearly had an adventure and a half."
"Yeah!" agreed Tristan. "Loki, you saved the world!"
"I guess I did," I answered. "And it was very exhausting. It was fun for a time, but I think from now on, I'm going to leave saving the world to Yugi if I can. He has more experience in that department anyway."
"Gee, thanks a lot," Yugi said dryly.
"And anyway, to celebrate your return to the side of good, I think I have a new villain lined up for you."
He raised his eyebrow. "A villain? Who's that?"
"…Me." I tossed my coat off and said, "Playing the bad guy is fun, so let's play a game. I want you to come at me with all your power, or I will destroy the world!"
Yugi smiled and activated his Duel Disk. "Alright, Loki! I guess it's time to end your evil ways!"
"This Yugi is much too weak. Show me…the other Yugi!"
Yugi smirked just before he switched with the Pharaoh. "Alright, Loki. I'll indulge you." And with that, our game began.
The End…or not.
Loki and Shizuka have many more adventures in store for them before they hang up their Duel Disks for good.