V.E.: I am starting to get really annoyed at the fact that I have to drive my mom to help with errands to prepare for my second driver's test. She is worse than me when it comes to radio channel changing! And it is hot outside(granted I could have used air conditioning)! Word to the wise, the best thing to do in California in the summer is to stay inside!

Well I suppose this could be worse. Famine, War, Pestilence, Death….seriously why do I go to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse whenever I think that first sentence? Ah yes, I can think of worse. Middle School Confirmation, not fun.

You know, I'm starting to enjoy torturing Mahad. It's too bad that Thief King Bakura was defeated and I can't bring him back to life. I remember in a review some time ago asking when this was. I will reiterate what I said the first chapter, this is after Atem goes on to the afterlife and the regular Yugioh series ends. Although, I have had my own thoughts about altering the Doma/Orichalcous Arc, but I have so much going on already.

Disclaimer: If I owned this, I probably would have went on to the next generation kids instead of GX and 5DS. Maybe someday.

Mahad looked at his watch for the fifth time this hour, stifling a groan and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I cannot believe this."

What had started out as a rather okay flight descended into chaos quickly. He had been seated next to a rather large individual who snored quiet loudly and seat in back had a teenager with head phones kicking his seat. Along with that, there had been some turbulence so there had been a five hour delay at the stop before this one.

He had tried to pass the time by getting some reading time with that article Professor Hawkins had sent him. To be honest, he felt disappointed in it. The city was real, but he couldn't believe that Professor Hawkins was still using that Duel Monsters theory. Ancient Egypt was one thing, but Atlantis?

Hadn't he learned from what happened last time?

Again, Mahad had to dwell on his Professor's state of mind. No matter how much he admired Arthur Hawkins, he would never be able to accept that theory of his.

The day that happens is the day I get a girlfriend. Or the day Rebecca admits she's wrong. In other words, never.

To the hope that arriving in Japan would be easier, that didn't seem to be coming true any time soon. The customs line had been stopped because some guns had been found(later to revealed as children's toys). Adding that to Mahad's lack of sleep, was putting his limits to the test.

To add everything on to that, he had left a message that he had arrived at the airport three hours ago and Ethan had yet to send a chauffeur or call in to ask about him. Mahad had also tried Bianca's number, but it seemed as if she wasn't answering either.

And for the icing on the cake, it was thundering and the rain was coming down in torrents.

Mahad felt himself massage his temples.

"This day couldn't be going any better."

He had always carried a dislike of thunderstorms, unlike Kisara who had never been scared of the lighting and big sounds and actually found them comforting. They reminded him a little too much of his unusual dreams at times. And since those dreams often connected to him dying, he supposed it was only natural that he preferred dull sunny days over the unpredictable storms of nature.

However, his stance of mind couldn't change the weather as it seemed to be coming down harder now. He unconsciously reached into his pocket.

Maybe I should call again.

He was just about to do so when his phone sprang to life, causing Mahad to jump.

Well, that was weirdly convenient.

He checked the caller ID to find it wasn't Ethan or Bianca. It was Mika Tsukishiro, Kisara's aunt.

He sighed as he pressed the buttons and held it to his ear.

"Hello Mika. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

The older woman's voice carried over the phone.

"You seem stressed. What's wrong?"

"Rough flight."

He could almost see the dark haired woman who shared many of Kisara's facial features nodding in understanding.

"Been there before. So you're in Japan?"

Mahad nodded and went on.

"Yeah, I'm just waiting for either Ethan or Bianca Fox to get back to me and pick me up. Is Kisara there?"

"No and that's the reason I'm calling."

Mahad felt his concern rise sharply.

"What's wrong? Has she disappeared or something?"

"No nothing like that. She's listening to her stuff on the Internet at the moment."

Mahad sighed I relief, knowing very well that when Kisara had her headphones on, she was for all purposes dead to the world. Particularly, if she was listening to the Wicked soundtrack.

She really loves that play.

"Then why are you calling?"

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Mahad felt his face turn confused at the words.

"I thought you and Kisara coming here was your idea. And why would it be a bad idea?"

A sigh was heard before Mika spoke again.

"It was, but I've been wondering about it. I mean…."

Mahad's brain came to the answer, he was surprised he hadn't thought of it before.

"It's about Kaiba Corp, isn't it?"

"I heard from some of my business contacts that Kaiba Corp has connections to the Mizuno Group. Don't get me wrong, I was grateful that you managed to get us invitations to the hotel's opening exhibit."

Mahad felt his head shake in some disbelief.

"Why on earth they want a host of ancient artifacts as an exhibit in their hotel, I will never understand. At least when the city has a very decent museum."

"I just keep thinking about what would happen if Kisara would…"

Mahad was ready to cut her off then.

"Does Kisara know about any of this?"

"She hasn't said anything, but I think she does. You know how smart your cousin is."

Mahad had to smile at that, especially at her calling Kisara his cousin.

"I know. If you think it's too much, then I'd understand if you two didn't come to Japan. Disappointed, but I'd understand."

"No, no. We've already booked the plane tickets and I've already gotten the time off of work. I just worry if what would happen if 'you know who' showed up at that party."

Mahad felt a sarcastic answer coming on, something he would have probably given Kisara.

"Well, I think all of us would be afraid if Lord Voldemort showed up in our paths."

A tinge of irritation came through in Mika's voice. She had none of her niece's joking side, that came out on occasion.

"I am being serious Mahad."

"I'm well aware of the seriousness of this situation. Listen, maybe you could talk Kisara into going sightseeing instead of the party."

"I'll try, but you know she's going to realize what I'm doing."

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'll call back when I finally get settled in the hotel."

"Alright. Kisara told me when I called to tell you our details, to tell you to not let Ethan get you into too much trouble."

Mahad felt a smile twist at the sentiment.

"She' knows me and my habits so well. I'll talk to you later Mika."

"Nice to see you've gotten used to calling me by first name. Bye Mahad."

He turned off the phone and turned his attention back to the drop off/pick up place of the airport. Still, the rain didn't seem to be letting up and the lightning didn't seem to be letting up.

He felt a great sigh escape him as he glanced back at his phone.

Note to self: Next time I go shopping for a new phone, get a phone with internet AND those direction apps that could point me to the hotel. I sincerely wish I could call Rebecca or the Professor, they're the only ones I know who might have the slightest idea where everything is in this city.

He put his phone into his pocket in that depression, only to feel something papery. Pulling it out, he found that it was the exact folded scrap of paper Marik had lent him.

I never did find out how Marik knew someone here. Seriously, 'Dueling' isn't exactly limiting. Granted he could have been like Rebecca and participated in a tournament over here before.

He kept staring at the words in script Arabic 'Kame Game Shop' and sighed.

I must be out of my freaking mind.

Mahad raised his hand, trying to get the attention.

"TAXI! TAXI!"

I've gone temporarily insane. That's it, that must be the only reason I'm currently standing outside a game shop in Japan, staring like a creeper. Oh, and desperate.

Still there he was, standing in the pouring rain and thundering booms with nothing more than a small umbrella he had managed to pick up being sold at the airport(he was lucky enough to snag one, apparently having this much rainfall wasn't normal during this season).

He knew he should have just gone inside(the storm going on was enough reason to do so), but he felt melded in place as he examined the shop.

It certainly wasn't as big as some other shops he had seen on the drive here. Still, it seemed quite colorful and definitely gave off the appearance of a small toy/game store. But what caught Mahad's eyes most was the unusual triangle eye symbol on the side of the Kame Game Shop.

It's similarity to the eyes in his nightmares were a little too close for comfort.

It's nothing Mahad, just a coincidence. These things happen. Remember that time you found some of those symbols on some of Professor Hawkins' papers? Then again, that dealt with Ancient Egypt. Game Shop is a little bit of a jump though.

BOOM!

Mahad jumped at the near sounding boom and took a breath to steel himself.

It's a shop Mahad and you're in desperate need of directions. Just go in, ask politely, and get out.

With that resolution in his mind, he crossed over to the door and opened the door, with the clang of the bells signaling his entrance.

Taking in the surroundings off the quaint little shop, he slowly made his way inside. Glancing around at all the games on the shelves and the duel packs, he also felt himself relax at the sight of Duel Monster cards among them.

He took in an easy breath. Though never having enough time to really go into a game shop as a child, this place was surprisingly calming to him. Most of his childhood had been filled with studying and school and while he didn't regret doing that, he would sometimes wonder whether his childhood was really something he would wish on someone else.

He felt his head turn slightly as he came to the packs of the game his cousin had loved so much. It was strange how a game he had never played, would be something that would play a small role in his life. From Kisara to Professor Hawkins and Rebecca, he suddenly felt a little bit down that he hadn't been following the game more closely.

But that would fall under fun and Mahad had gotten used to 'work and study' instead of the 'partying and goofing off' fun that most people were used to, especially Ethan.

Mahad took another glance around the shop, searching for someone. The sign hadn't said they were closed, where was the shop owner?

As if to answer his question, an older man's voice answered from the back.

"Be with you in a moment…Whoa…WHOA!"

CLANG!

Cringing at the imagined crash, Mahad warily opened his eyes as he heard a groan.

"Oh..…my back!"

Before he could really process what he was doing, the brunette darted to the back. The site of an older short man in green overalls and orange bandanna covering the back of his head was before him, one his arms massaging his back. The ladder pushed off to the side.

"I knew I should have waited for those kids to get here and get Joey to reach for that."

Mahad crouched down.

"Are you alright sir?"

The man didn't turn to face Mahad even as he tried to get up, but kept stumbling.

"Oh no, don't worry about me. I'll be fine….see I'm doing pretty good."

Mahad didn't buy that for one minute as he helped the old man to his feet.

"Here."

Sure enough, the old man sighed and turned to the American with a small smile and his eyes closed.

"Why, thank you! It's not often someone give me a hand like that, unless it's my grandson or his friends."

The eyes opened to reveal royal purple eyes. His face was enough to startle Mahad, not that he was surprised to find someone old working in a shop, but rather the familiarity of that face to him even though he knew he never met this man before. Though try as he might, he couldn't place a name to the face. He tried to stop the deja vu feeling from showing on his face too much.

The old man blinked several times before he spoke, purple eyes focusing under gray bags and eyebrows with beard to match.

"I'm sorry, do I know you from somewhere? A duel monsters tournament, I think?"

Mahad felt himself widen and went to correct him.

"Oh no, I don't play that game at all, though I know people who do. And I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever met you."

The old man seemed to consider, his face observant of him.

"Strange, your face really does look familiar."

Mahad felt a little stuck until the elder sighed.

"Then again, my memory's been starting to go. My apologies, but you think we could take this conversation out into the open of the shop?"

Mahad nodded his head.

"Of course."

At that, the two came out from the back. The older man settled behind the counter as Mahad went the opposite side, face to face for the conversation.

"Ah well, this is an interesting visit. First time a person has come to my shop in a while not wanting anything to do with Duel Monsters."

Mahad felt inclined to add.

"The game has been quite popular and the people I know that play enjoy it very much."

The old man seemed to nod happily at that.

"That's good to hear, especially for someone like me. But anyway, what can I do for you?"

Mahad took out the scrap of paper as he talked.

"Well, I just arrived in Domino City today and I honestly know no one here. I can't get in touch with the people that were supposed to pick me up. A friend of mine told me that if I ever needed help to come here."

The shop owner took the paper and nodded.

"Well, this is the address alright. Though, I hardly know how to help you since you don't want any games."

Mahad sighed.

"I just need directions really. I'm tired, I've had a long flight, and I just want to get inside for a long time and away from the storm. Do you know about the new Mizuno Hotel?"

The old man's purple eyes went wide at that.

"The Mizuno Hotel? That fancy expensive hotel chain that's concentrated all over the world, though specifically in Asia?"

Mahad felt surprised at the old man's knowledge.

"Yes, though they're branching out more Western these days. I'm surprised you know that."

The man gave a secretive smile.

"Well, the hotel chain's been around for a long time. I remember staying at one when I was in Shanghai, many years ago. That was a lovely week…"

Mahad looked skeptically at the old man, trying to picture how this small and modest earnings looking man could have managed to afford the price of Mizuno hotels, however many years ago that was.

The man eventually came out of his thoughts.

"Well, to get there it's rather easy. It's just right across from the New Kaiba Dome."

Mahad repressed a growing twitch, hearing that name too many times today was making him annoyed.

"Really?"

The man just nodded, not seeming to notice the twitch, pointing in his direction for the instructions.

"Yes, just take the bus about a block or two from here and keep riding until you stop at the Dome. The hotel is pretty obvious from there."

Mahad nodded.

"Thanks for the help."

The old man still had more to say to that.

"By the way, who gave you this address, anyway?"

Just as Mahad was about to answer, the ringing of the bells announced some new guests to the shop. At least, Mahad could hear them talking as it seemed the rain had stopped pouring so heavily.

"I'm telling you Joey, that's not a good idea to do that in the shop!"

"Yeah, remember what happened last time!"

The last voice seemed determined to prove them wrong.

"Oh come on guys! I've just about got it. THERE….UH OH!"

The older man eyes' narrowed at what was hidden from Mahad's view.

"JOEY!"

"Huh?"

Mahad turned, but before he could process anything, a rather fast spinning orange something collided with his face and he knew only blackness once more.

V.E.: AND I've knocked Mahad out. AGAIN. Couldn't resist unfortunately.

I came across the Wicked soundtrack during this summer and I loved it! I've never seen the play, but I've read up on it. In my head cannon, I can see it becoming Kisara's favorite play, since I can see her relating to Elphaba.

Please people, REVIEW!