There was something strange about school at night. The only way Anzu could describe it was that it felt like there should be wind whistling through the hallways, but there was only the sharply defined absence of humming electricity instead. The stale air and the complete lack of any other human inside the building was unsettling, yet it made Anzu feel at peace. Giving every hour of every day to school, work, and dance made Anzu appreciate what few moments of silence and isolation that she found.
In fact, dance practice was why she was roaming the empty halls of her school in the dead of night (okay, it was more like 8 PM, but it sure felt like the dead of night with how eerie the building was at that hour). All the world may be a stage and its men and women merely players, but that didn't mean that Anzu Mazaki could practice wherever she wanted. With the walls of the apartment too thin to so much as ballet without annoying the neighbors and tutors too expensive for her mother to afford, Anzu wasn't left with many options other than to use the school as a venue after hours. And yes, there wasn't a demand for a dance club. Anzu checked.
She got permission, of course! Kinda. As far as the teachers are concerned, Anzu was doing a cursory sweep of the school to make sure that there weren't any thugs using the unattended building for illicit activities wait was that Jounouchi in the pool.
The splash as he dove into the water was what drew Anzu's attention. Peering out the window, Anzu gawked as the delinquent came up gasping for air, steeled himself, and once more submerged. Again. And again. And again.
Anzu was too stupefied by the spectacle to do anything but watch Jounouchi for a full minute. Then she remembered that, technically, she had a job to do. Bracing herself for whatever nonsense Jounouchi was indulging in, Anzu made her way down to the pool. The brisk night air mixed with the overpowering scent of chlorine was almost refreshing.
Almost. It certainly didn't make up for what Anzu was going to have to deal with, in her opinion.
She was on the verge of becoming legitimately concerned for Jounouchi's health right when the idiot breached the surface, something shiny and golden clutched in his hand. It looked kind of like... Anzu narrowed her eyes, suspicions growing by the second. "Hello, Jounouchi," she said, voice cool as ice.
"Ghk-" Jounouchi flailed in the water, almost sending himself plummeting under in his panic. "M-Mazaki! What're you doing here?"
"School business." Not a lie. Technically. Anzu folded her arms and Jounouchi flinched again. What was up with him? He normally had a little more backbone than this. "The more relevant question is why are you here?"
Jounouchi froze. "I- uh. Er. I'm taking a dip, of course! The air nice and bracing this time of night, yeah?"
Pinching the bridge of her nose, Anzu said, "Jounouchi, I do not have time for this. Try again. And please don't lie to me this time, or I will report you to the principal for trespassing."
"I..." His shoulders slumping, Jounouchi looked away from Anzu. The effect of his pathetic, kicked-puppy posture would've been more pronounced if most of his body wasn't underwater. "You know Yugi?"
The look Anzu shot him could've curdled milk.
"Right, uh. Stupid question. You were literally right there." He laughed weakly. "So, um. You also saw me and Honda messing with his weird box during lunch yesterday. Well, er. We- no, I- kinda took one of the pieces out of it and... tossed it... into the pool..."
Anzu gaped at Jounouchi, dumbstruck. Why would he even- wait, she could totally see him doing it for no reason. Never mind.
"I was angry, okay!" Jounouchi drew back in on himself. "Not at Yugi. At that damn Ushio. Stupid lousy bullying narc. I just. Needed to break, or, uh, throw something after he threatened me and Honda like that. But then he cornered us after school this afternoon, and..."
That's when Anzu noticed the bruise on his cheek. She hissed through her teeth. "Jounouchi..."
"Then the sick fu- bas- asshole brought Yugi over so he could 'get revenge' on us for the high crime of teasing him a little! But instead, Yugi protected us, saying that we were his friends. He actually put himself between us and Ushio's fists. I didn't even know he had it in him." Jounouchi growled, and Anzu could almost see his knuckles whitening with anger. "And after all that, Ushio beat him up and told Yugi to cough up a protection fee in return! I just... with what he did for us, I couldn't-" He sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Look. I figured the least I could do was to get his little trinket back to him, alright? So, if you'll excuse me," grunting with effort, Jounouchi pulled himself out of the pool and pocketed the puzzle fragment he'd been holding in his hand. "I've got an errand to run."
Jounouchi, still sopping wet, walked towards the exit with hands stuffed deep in his pockets. He tried to pop his collar back up, but it wilted under the weight of the water. Anzu followed after him, concern lining her face. "Hold up! I... if Yugi really got hurt today, then I need to make sure he's okay. We'll deliver the puzzle piece together." Beat. "Plus I've got to keep an eye on you so you don't lose it like the total dunce you are."
Jounouchi startled, scowling. "Hey! I'm no dunce! I found the thing all by myself, didn't I?"
"Right. What a genius you are for nearly drowning yourself looking in random places for the thing like you were bobbing for apples."
They sniped at each other all the way to Kame Game, their bickering keeping them warm through the chilly night.
When they reached Sugoroku's shop, Jounouchi froze, clenching the puzzle piece in his pocket. "I. Uh. Here!" He thrust the gleaming metal towards Anzu. "You take it to Yugi. I just remembered that I have a thing and-"
"Jounouchi."
"I look like a total thug and I'm super beat up right now and I don't want Yugi's gramps to think that I got into a fight with his kid-"
" Jounouchi. "
"And I- ugh, it would just feel weird looking Yugi in the eye so soon after he got in trouble with Ushio because of me, alright?"
Anzu huffed and reached for the puzzle piece. "Fine. If you're going to be such a wimp-"
"Who're you calling a wimp!" Jounouchi retracted his hand. "I'll give it to him myself!" Muttering under his breath, Jounouchi wrenched the door open and stomped into Kame Game.
Rolling her eyes, Anzu walked after him and waved at the old man napping at the counter. "Hello, Mr. Mutou!"
Sugoroku jolted out of his sleep. "Ah. Ah, Anzu! What brings you in-" As soon as his eyes alighted on Jounouchi, his eyebrows rocketed towards his somehow-intact hairline. "What in the blazes happened to you, boy? Anzu, are you consorting with thugs?"
"S'nothing. I just fell down some stairs." Jounouchi rubbed his neck and looking away. "We, uh. Got a thing for Yugi."
"Jounouchi found something of his at school." Anzu said, glancing up at the stairs that led to the Mutou household proper. If Yugi was hurt as badly as Jounouchi said, she might have to show that punk a thing or two herself. Somehow. Considering that she's way shorter and not nearly as muscly as Ushio, Anzu wasn't sure she could take him in a fight, but still.
Sugoroku perked up, eyes twinkling. "Oho! By all means, come in, come in!" He shuffled up the stairs, gesturing for Jounouchi and Anzu to follow. "Honestly, I'm quite worried about the poor boy. He came home quite banged up, you see, and he could really use some friends to..."
"GAH!" All three jumped at the squeak of distress that erupted from Yugi's room. "Where is it, where is it, where is it, c'monc'monc'mon..." Jonouchi and Anzu stared at one another for a moment before they nodded and sprinted up the stairs in perfect unison, barging into Yugi's room.
"Yugi, are you-"
"Hey, bud, you-"
Hair disheveled, Yugi looked up at his two friends from his position on the floor of his room. It looked like a whirlwind swept through it, tossing the entire room into disarray. "Anzu! And... Jounouchi? I- whatever, I need help I lost the final piece of the Millenium Puzzle and I got so close to completing it and I swear I had it just yesterday and-"
"Actually..." Anzu locked eyes with Jounouchi, jerking her head towards Yugi.
Shuffling forward, Jounouchi held out the puzzle piece towards Yugi. "I found it at school." Anzu glared at Jounouchi. "In the pool." Wow, her stare could probably melt steel beams. "That I threw it in."
Yugi took the piece from Jounouchi reverently, eyes sparkling with emotion. Wait, no, those were actual tears. "Jounouchi... you searched all of the pool just to get this back?"
The only reason why Anzu bit her tongue about Jounouchi being the one to put it there in the first place is because Yugi was obviously having an emotionally vulnerable moment and she didn't want to ruin it.
"Heh, yeah, that was pretty impressive, wasn't it?" Blushing, Jounouchi smiled wide and giggled like a schoolgirl. Anzu's eye twitched.
Yugi laughed with him, wiping a tear from his eye. Getting up, he walked over to his desk, where the almost-intact Millenium Puzzle waited. Something about his steps seemed to reverberate through the room, making Anzu's hair stand on end. Yugi reached towards the puzzle, poised to finally complete it... then stopped. "I guess my wish did come true after all, even without the puzzle," he whispered to himself. "Anzu. Do you want to make a wish?"
"Huh?"
"Well..." Yugi shuffled his feet, blushing. "I know you have a dream that you're working really hard for. Not like me or Jounouchi."
"Hey!"
Yugi ignored Jounouchi's protests. "You need a wish to be granted way more than either of us. So..." He presented Anzu with the puzzle.
"Yugi, I don't know what to say, I..." This felt wrong in a way that Anzu couldn't describe. Like it wasn't supposed to happen.
Jounouchi kicked the floor, grumbling "I was the one who found it in the first place, you know."
"Oh, shut it." Anzu rolled her eyes and took the Millenium Puzzle, whatever hesitation she had dispelled by Jounouchi's whining. "Alright. So it just goes right... here?"
The last piece clicked into place, and Anzu closed her eyes, wishing with all her might. I wish... I wish for the strength to achieve my dreams!
Everything was black for a moment, howling wind rushing through the room. Her head hurt. What... this didn't... this didn't feel right, what was...
"Anzu! Anzu, are you okay?"
Yugi's voice snapped Anzu (yes, that was her name) back to reality. He and Jounouchi were staring at her, eyes wide. Almost like they were scared of- wait, was her forehead glowing? Of course, of course it was.
Willing the Eye of Wdjat to disappear, Anzu attempted to laugh disarmingly. It didn't have the intended effect. "Ho ho. Rest assured, Yugi, I am perfectly well. If anything, I feel better than ever." There. That was a normal human thing to say. Probably.
"R-Right..." Yugi gulped as Anzu strung the Millenium Puzzle around her neck. Something was wrong, she realized. He was wounded, but it was more than that. Far more. She peered deeper, Seeing behind his eyes, and... oh, what injustice! What cruelty to inflict on one of her good, good friends.
Something had to be done. "Apologies, Yugi, but I'm afraid I must cut this short," she said, stiff, as she turned around and began to walk down the stairs. "It was a pleasure meeting you." Er. "Meeting with you, rather."
Jounouchi leaned, to the side, whispering theatrically in Yugi's ear. "You have any idea what's up with the broad?" Of course, Anzu could hear him.
"Don't call her that! And... I don't know. She's never acted like this before. I wonder..."
Anzu paused on her way down the stairs. "Actually, I do have one favor to ask." Yugi paused, a lead ball settling in his stomach at her words. "Can I use your phone?"
"Hello, Ushio."
When the voice echoed out from the darkness of the alleyway, it sounded—no, felt—like a tomb; ancient and pitch black, with a strange purring cadence that he could feel in his bones. But Tetsu Ushio was too preoccupied with getting his damn money to concern himself with petty things like fear.
If anything, he was pissed at this person's theatrics. First the phone call promising the cash Yugi owed him and directions to some dingy street in the city that hung up before he could get any answers. Then the ten minute wait while whoever this clown was took his sweet time arriving here. Now the B-movie horror acting? Ushio was done with this drama queen.
"I'm not going to play along with your stupid supervillain schtick. If you have the money, hand it over now, or else you'll be using it to pay for Yugi's hospital bill. With interest." Ushio punched his palm, grin widening. The perfect threat. He doubted that anyone could top a line as ice-cold as that.
"Ho ho. Of course." A paper bag flew out of the shadows. Ushio caught it, ripped it open, and nearly salivated at the sum inside. "But if you are interested in doubling your 'just' reward for defending Yugi so courageously... I have the perfect offer for you."
Ushio's head snapped towards where he thought he could hear the voice coming from. "You for real? What do I have to do?"
"It's a simple game, really. A test of courage. It shouldn't be any issue for someone as valorous as yourself." Ushio couldn't see it, but he could feel the voice's smile. It was like a razor.
"Heh... interesting. I'm down." It wasn't even a question. If there was another ¥200,000 on the line, there was no way Ushio could pass that opportunity up. Even if it came from a freaky voice from the shadows.
The voice's chuckle sent ice up Ushio's spine. "Excellent. There is one condition, though!" Heels clicking on pavement turned his attention to the young woman walking out of the darkness, holding her hand out. The bulky pendant around her neck seemed to bend the world around it, like it was black hole slowly drawing space into itself. Everything about her was sharp in a way that he couldn't quite describe. It set his teeth on edge. "You must accompany me down the alley during the test. Only once you arrive at the end with me at your side will you gain your reward. And if you break the rules, a Penalty Game awaits you!"
"Done." As soon as she was in range, Ushio grabbed her wrist and yanked her towards him. "I don't know what you're playing at, but I don't care about whatever little scheme you have up your sleeve. I will kill you if I don't get my money." She looked familiar—one of Yugi's friends, he thought—but something was off. It was almost as if she bled into the shadows. But that didn't concern him. He was getting that yen tonight, no matter what. Sure, he could probably shank her, or just bolt and grab the cash at the end of the alley, but where was the fun in that? His pride as a man was at stake!
She bowed gracefully, gesturing with her free hand towards the yawning darkness of the alleyway. "After you." Ushio didn't need her to tell him a second time. He strode into the shadows, chest puffed as he dragged Anzu (that was her name!) behind him.
When Ushio passed the threshold, the temperature dropped ten degrees. Even Anzu's hand was cold, as if he was holding a corpse. The darkness was so complete that we couldn't even see his breath fog in front of him. When they walked into the alleyway, the shadows seemed to swallow everything. Only the black remained.
Ushio stood there for a moment, frozen. It wasn't that he was scared. Not at all! It was just that, that... he was waiting for his vision to adjust! Yeah! But half a minute passed and everything was still pitch black.
"Tick tock." Anzu's whisper echoed through the claustrophobic alley. Her mockery lit a spark in Ushio's belly, and he gripped that warmth with all of his might. Growling, he stepped forward. Right foot. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot.
Soon he settled into a rhythm. It was easier to keep moving if he concentrated on moving one foot in front of the other than on the oppressive darkness and cold. But at the halfway point, he realized something that seemed to drive the temperature down even further: his footsteps weren't making a sound. There was only the steady clicking of Anzu's heels.
That's when the noises started.
They were subtle, at first. A metallic clang that was obviously a trash can falling down. (Obviously.) The whispering of the wind. (Right?) Yet the more Ushio concentrated on them, looked for abnormalities, the more distorted they began. Slithering. Skittering. Laughter. (Right? Right. He wasn't imagining things. He couldn't be!)
Then Ushio felt something brush against his leg, and he ran. Slipping free of Anzu's hand—when had she reversed the grip?—he sprinted down the alley, relief flooding him as he heard his shoes break through rotten wood and crunch soda cans. When he reached the end of the alley, the lights flickered on, and there was his money sitting atop a stack of cardboard boxes. He reached for it, and...
Ushio's knees buckled. His stomach flipped, turned, did the loop-de-loop, and a variety of other colorful synonyms for crippling nausea. Wheezing, he fell flat on his back. And there was that damnable clicking again. Step by step, Anzu stalked towards him, her grin splitting her face in two. Ornamenting her brow like a crown was a stylized, golden eye, blazing brighter than the sun.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Ushio."
Click .
"It appears that you've forgotten the rules of this Shadow Game."
Click .
"You objective wasn't to reach the end of the hallway and take the yen."
Click.
"It was to escort me there, like the brave knight you claim to be."
Click.
"But it seems that your cowardice outweighed your false 'valor.'"
Click.
"Did you really think that demons and monsters were plotting your demise in the shadows, Ushio? Ho ho, that's preposterous!"
Click.
"They were nothing but the delusions of your fear-addled mind..."
Click.
"And now you will be trapped within the illusion of both bravery and self-made terror."
Click! Jabbing her finger at Ushio, Anzu declared, "PENALTY GAME: Shining Armor!" The world twisted and warped into purple mist, and then... gravity righted itself, and Ushio was standing once more.
But he couldn't move. Every inch of him was encased in shining steel, blinding in its brilliant sheen. It wasn't blinding enough, though. Between the slits in his helmet, Ushio could see... shapes that were impossible for his brain to understand. Fangs and claws and horns sharp enough to tear through space itself. And so. Many. Eyes.
He screamed as the monsters descended upon him, ripping at the seams of his immovable armor. And the only "person" that heard him was the thing calling itself Anzu Mazaki, walking away feeling nothing but satisfaction.