A/N: We're in the final stretch now guys. I hope ya'll have enjoyed the trip and are as excited to find out what happens next!
Yugi's POV
"So this is what they did huh?" I ask. I should be more shocked. I should be upset. But I'm surprisingly not. My voice portrays exactly how hollow I feel standing here.
Maybe hollow isn't quite the right word. Contained anger, perhaps? I am angry. I'm furious. This was my home. My grandfathers life, my life and now Atem's life is here. This is the only place I've ever known to call home. My grandfather put so much of the last couple of decades of his life into this place. This is where we lived as a family. We laughed, we cried, we fought, we found love … this place is more than just where we live and where we work, it is our home, it is part of us…
And they trashed it. Sure it still stands but we'll need to replace the windows and the doors. We'll need to replace the counters… again… the walls need fixing…
"Damn man, this is rough." Tristan sighs beside me. Joey and Tristan came with me. There's no way they'd let me leave the mansion on my own. I can't say I disapprove… to be honest I am very grateful they're here with me. Standing here in amongst what remains of my home is harder than I than I thought it'd be and yet while I feel the weight of this loss, what scares me most is how much I don't feel connected to the emotion I should be feeling. Yeah I'm angry but it's more of a 'if I have to choose an emotion to describe what I'm feeling it must be this' kind of thing. If I'm completely honest I feel almost nothing. I should be pissed off. I should be devastated. I should be throwing things around screaming in frustration but my heart is surprisingly calm and my blood is pumping at a very normal rate. Perhaps it's delayed… or perhaps I'm on the edge of insanity … I have no idea.
"So, whats the plan Yug?" Joey asks me.
"Look around. Kaiba told the police and investigators what's up so we're allowed to touch and move things. They have all they need." I said, starting off upstairs. I'm not entirely looking forward to seeing how badly they rummaged through our personal stuff but I do need to check a few things.
"So we're looking for anything that might help right?" Tristan asks, moving around some glass with his shoe. The store is a complete mess. The new cabinets we ordered not long ago were shattered which is quite annoying. It took a good chunk of our insurance getting those replaced and I doubt we'll be able to replace everything else in here with whats left. Duel Monsters cards, board games, figurines and merchandise is sprawled everywhere, some of it's broken but at least the cards are still in their packs. Most of this can be salvaged. That does remind me though.
"Yeah. Just be careful with the glass." I say, briskly walking over to the safe. We keep it in the storage room, which is no surprise a mess as well. There's no glass to smash in here but they've taken down all the boxes of stock, taken everything out, even knocked over a few shelves… I sigh but continue on, annoyed that I'm gonna have to clean this up when this is all over. My set of store keys is enough for me to open the safe we hide in the wall. Thankfully it doesn't appear to be tampered with and with both the key and my password I am relieved that nothing was taken. Grandpa will happy to hear that. I won't disturb it though. He'll need it safe to help fix the store at least and it's safest here.
I find Joey still in the store starting to pick up the packs of Duel Monsters cards, shaking them free of glass too and piling them in a neat little stack. I feel a little guilty, after all this isn't his mess to clean up but I suppose it keeps him preoccupied.
"Everything cool?" He asks me.
"Yeah. Everything's intact. Gramps will be happy to hear nothing from the safe was taken. You?" I ask him, crouching down carefully to help him. I need to head up stairs soon but I can at least help with this stack.
"I can't believe how far they went. I mean all to look for your Millennium Puzzle? I'm glad gramps and Tea weren't here. They destroyed this place." He says. I can hear the anger in his voice and the fire that must be burning in his heart. I share his sentiment, I truly do. Maybe thats why I feel so muted. Sure this place is awful but I'm just relieved no one was hurt.
"Me too."
"Anyway, didn't you need to check on something else?" He asks me. I know he's not trying to shoo me away but he is right. I smile, giving him a curt nod and head upstairs. I'm sure he's fine down here. After all, he and Tristan are more my guards at the moment. I know what I'm looking for.
I don't know what I was hoping for for the main house. Maybe they'd leave it be? I knew that was unlikely. I saw the windows outside, they were broken too. It was stupid to think they would raid the shop and not upstairs. So when I got here I felt my heart deflate like a balloon and rip to pieces but somehow despite the pain I felt numb too. Was my brain failing to keep up? Refusing to allow the emotions to pass through? My heart felt it but my body didn't react. I could at least shed a tear, clench my fists, grit my teeth, shake a little… I don't know, something. But all I am is a mannequin in silenced pain.
Our family photos that hung on the wall and sat on the hall table were smashed and strewn about. The books were thrown around and some of them had missing pages. The TV was knocked over and undoubtedly broken, even torn from the wall. The couch stuffing was coming out as if it had been cut and torn open. The only thing that looked relatively untouched was the coffee table which was merely moved to grant access to the lounges. It looked like a hurricane was let off in here… But they wouldn't find what they were looking for. Atem had it with him all along. They tore up my home for nothing and now we're going to need to replace it all.
"Hey Yug. Kitchen's uhh… well it's seen better days but they didn't search it much." Tristan says from the small hall between us.
"Yeah?" I followed him and at first glance it looked like he was right. They barely touched it. All of the doors and draws were in tact albeit left open but they weren't as rough in here as they were out there. The kitchen window looks fine and the pantry is still stocked. I think I see a broken glass over there though.
"There's some broken plates, bowls and glasses but for the most part it looks like they didn't smash them on purpose. The draws were emptied and the cupboards look like stuff was moved around but whoever checked this room wasn't interested in destroying things." Tristan says. He sounded professional. He could be a detective with observations like that. Of course he'd laugh if I ever suggested that. Still… it is good at least thats less we have to replace.
"Well that's something at least. Did you find anything else?"
"Ah here." I wasn't expecting that. I look at him and he pulls out a book from his jacket. It's a wide one, white and leather bound … I know this book. This is important. Irreplaceable even. He found it.
I gently take it from him and search through it on the counter. He looks over my shoulder but as I flick through the pages relief washes over me like a tidal wave. This was one of the things I came here to check on. I never really cared so much about its contents myself, but I know for a fact my grandfather would be heartbroken if they had destroyed this. It's all here… every last one of them. If they searched through this they clearly didn't care to destroy it. Thank god.
"Are these… baby photos?" Tristan asks me and I quickly slam it shut. I knew he was looking but that was a fact I ignored until now. I didn't want to show him or anyone else these… but I guess he saw them…
"Y-yes. Gramps asked me to check if they were okay. They're… the only ones that exist…" I say bashfully. I should take it with me so he doesn't look… but it's too big to just lug around with me everywhere. I'll put it with the safe when I'm done upstairs. Gramps can collect it later.
"But you looked so cute!" He says, snatching it from me to look. I try to grab it but he's so tall I can't reach.
"Hey! Tristan, give it back!"
"Haha c'mon man! I heard you having sex, what could be more embarrasing for you?" He asks and I freeze immediately. He's the only one who heard us last night … but does he have to use it against me?
… he's right though. I'd rather him see those photos than tell everyone what my sex noises sound like.
"...Fine… but don't show Joey. In fact just go put it on the safe in the store room. I'm going upstairs." I say grumpily, leaving quickly so I can't hear his snickers and his coo's over how 'cute' I was.
The hall up stairs isn't much better than downstairs but then there's not much here to break either. The photos that did hang here were taken off and the occasional whole in the wall was made. Clearly they thought we could have hidden the Puzzle I wear everywhere inside the freaking wall… but they didn't break the frames at least.
My room is first. After all, if I was a crook looking for something my target owned, his own bedroom would be the first place to check followed by the rest of the house. I know my room is going to be a mess. Hell grandpa's as well but I also know what I am looking for is in my room… I just hope they didn't destroy it.
It's not a surprise to see my mattress is in torn up pieces. I can see the skeleton that is it's springs sticking out like little weapons. My desk was moved and the draw is busted. My book shelf was knocked over and my books, figurines and toys are all sprawled about and broken. My sky light seems to be the only thing not broken. Even my cupboard door is off it's hinges and my mirror has been shattered. I know the places they wouldn't find it… my wardrobe is where I'm anxious to look.
I find the dufflebag still inside and pull it down from it's shelf. I'm not surprised it's open but given it was put back and still heavy I thought maybe they didn't look. They did… of course… but as I lay out it's contents carefully on a space of floor I've cleared I count the pieces of gold, I check the delicate fabric and I sigh in absolute relief. It's okay. This clothing, this jewellery… this is the most valuable set of items in this house, worth more than everything we own combined… and they didn't destroy or steal it. Thank the heavens!
Atem told me he didn't care so much. He kept his rings passed down from his mother and father on his person and he has never put much stock in material goods. The fact my grandfather and myself are safe is whats most important to him but he doesn't realise just how valuable this stuff is. His royal attire and jewellery that belonged to a legitimate Pharaoh of ancient Egypt 5000 years ago would be priceless to the history community. Not that I've compared it to how much other Pharaoh's possessions are worth but you'd have to be an idiot to think this was worth nothing. Many times I've caught Gramps trying to steal a peek at it and to protect it from even him has been tricky. I'm so glad it's okay… and all here.
Right… should I put this with the safe too? If they come back and see a bunch of items on the safe they might think it valuable and take it… if I leave it in my wardrobe they might just skim over it like they must have last time. It's probably safer here where I found it. I can trust Grandpa enough to protect it when he comes by later to pick everything else up. Okay.
I hear a smash downstairs, followed by several grunts and then Joey yelling. My heart pounds rapidly for the first time since coming here. He might have just broken something but judging by what sounds like a commotion… I don't think so. Quickly I push the dufflebag back and race downstairs, jumping the last several.
"JOEY!" I scream, desperate. If they've come back… please just don't hurt them! It's me they want.
I reach the shop and the second that passes too much happened at once. I caught the glimpse of Joey being held to the floor, a gun to his head and his hands being knelt on behind his back. I caught the glimpse of Tristan being held against the remaining counter, the glass starting to crack under the weight. And before I can manage to process this I am shoved against the stairs by something dark and unseen. The stairs dig into my spine and the weight on me stops me from fighting back.
"YUG!" Tristan manages to scream before I hear the glass shatter.
I can't see what's happening. I can barely hear it. All I know is Tristan's scream for me and then glass. I don't know if he's okay, I don't know if he's hurt… oh my god! Oh my god! I never should have brought them here. This was stupid!
"This is the boy. He's got the puzzle." A muffled voice above me says. I feel him grab the chain of my puzzle and let it go before someone else grabs my arm. I feel something cold on my wrists snap closed but I still can't see anything. They must have cuffed me … damn it. Just don't kill my friends!
"Hey! BRING HIM BACK!" Joey screams at them.
"CAN IT BLONDIE OR I'LL SHOOT YA FUCKING BRAINS OUT!" Someone else shouts. No no no no no!
"JOEY! TRISTAN!" I shout. I can't see shit, but I stomp on whoever is behind me… on their foot I think. He yelps and briefly lets me go enough for me to lean forward. I need to get this bag off. I need to see them.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT!"
Thats the last thing I hear before something smacks me across the head… I feel my head buzzing, my legs grow weak. My mind is humming loudly and if I could see everything would be swirling… I know I've been captured… I just hope they leave them alive. Joey… Tristan… please…
Joey's POV
I didn't see what happened but I heard the smack and then the rustle of clothing and something heavy falling. Yugi is quiet but I can't even crane my neck to see him. Tristan is quiet… but again I can't even see him. This is bad. Really bad. It wasn't meant to go this way.
"Do we leave any witnesses?" The guy above me asks. I feel my heart clenching. Sweat is pouring from every part of me. I'm gonna die. Damn it we're gonna die. They're gonna kill us. Everything's gonna get fucked and we're gonna…
"Fuck it what can they do? They're fuckin kids. Leave em. We got the boy. Thats all Bakura cares about. They can't do shit to get him back. Not this time." Another man says from the counter. I hear something fall to the ground and I watch boots walk past me before the guy above me shoves me against the floor.
"Fucking dare to move and I'll kill you. I don't have orders to leave anyone alive. This is just courtesy." He says in my ear before he follows his friend out.
I wait for what feels like forever until I hear the slam of a car door and then the purr of an engine… they drive off and as the seconds tick I slowly start breathing…
I'm alive… they left me alive. Oh my god. I start crying but then I push myself up, scan the room and laugh out loud because I'm alone… they're gone.
"Jo-joey…?" Tristan!
Quickly I get up, ignoring the glass digging into my palms and come around the corner to see him sitting against the wall. Blood is streaming down his forehead and his cheek is swelling but otherwise he's fine. Damn… we're okay.
"Tristan buddy. You good?"
"Yeah, you?" He asks me. He lazily wipes the blood from his brow and I check him over. He seems fine. It's just a surface wound… good. That could have been worse.
"Yeah, a few cuts. Mostly shock."
He nods and I help him stand. There's a slight wobble from both of us but after we recover we run outside… only to see the street empty. No sign of cars… no one nearby to see us.
"So… they took the bait huh?" Tristan asks and I smirk, sliding out my phone to dial the only number in this city that matters right now.
"Yeah. Hook, line and sinker."
Atems POV
"How long have we got?" I ask impatiently. My heart is racing so much it's giving me a stomach ache. Thats not quite true. I've been so anxious for the last 4 hours I haven't been able to keep still. Pacing, staring at the map, memorizing the plan, talking to whoever I can is all I can do to keep my sanity. Every fiber in my being is telling me I never should have gone along with this plan. Never. But everyone else agreed despite it's risks and I couldn't offer a better solution. I won't deny it's a good, solid plan but … Yugi…
"They should be about 30 minutes away from the driveway. How long do you think it will take you to get to the mansion?" Mokuba asks. I look at Ishizu and Odion who look about as impatient as I do, give them a curt nod and turn back to Mokuba. Honestly I'm ready to go now but if we act too soon we could interfere with Yugi.
"About 10 minutes to be safe. Likely sooner but we can use the key to mask us until we're good to act." I say.
"Then you should probably get ready to go when you are. You don't need to make a scene for at least 30 minutes but you wanna make sure you locate Marik, right?"
I look at Kaiba, as if I need his approval and when he nods at me I look back to the others. Ishizu, Odion and I have been ready since we got the call 4 hours ago that Yugi was kidnapped. It's good it's about time we can move.
"Right. We'll go then. We won't need to maintain any radio silence. The Key masks sounds as well as sight so long as we're not shouting." I say, meeting up with Ishizu and Odion in the center of the room.
"Atem." Tea says suddenly. She's worried… they all are. I don't blame them. I am too. This is risky … but then no plan we come up with was ever going to be risk free. This is our best chance. We have to succeed.
"Be careful."
I smile back at her. Something about hers makes me feel stronger. I know she's scared, but that is why we need to do our best through our fear. For the sake of everyone we need to do our best today.
"We'll bring back Marik. Bakura won't know what hit him." I say strongly. Ryou, Tristan and Joey stand by her, each giving us a thumbs up and I return the gesture. We'll be back here… soon. We have to be.
I hold the Key to my heart and will it to find the mansion. Bakura is no doubt there and the Puzzle as well. I'm sure it will open a path directly to the mansion just like it did last time and with it's protection we can get into position. Ishizu and Odion follow me close behind and soon the familiar room we have named the HQ is swallowed by the strange white void between space.
We come out as we did last time, in the middle of a lush garden but completely hidden by the Key's powers. This is where we appeared the last time we came here, so finding Marik shouldn't be terribly difficult. Last time we found him in the kitchen… so there seems as good a place as any to check.
"Right… shall we?" Odion asks in his rather usual stoic voice.
"Yes. Last time he was in the kitchen." I say, beginning to lead the way.
"What makes you think he'll be there again? If I may ask." Ishizu asks me. I'm surprised she hasn't pieced this together. This was rather an important part of Yugi's plan. In fact thats the reason he went back to the house when he did and not sooner.
"It takes about 4 hours by car to get here from Domino. The timing is crucial to help us locate him faster. Assuming Bakura has him tending to basic slave duties, Marik should be tending to dinner preparation, which puts him near or in the kitchen. The easier it is for us to find him the easier it will be for us to time our strikes." I say simply and she gasps. Wow she hadn't pieced this together. True it was only skimmed over quickly but I didn't think it needed to be explained in depth.
"That is brilliant. Yugi thought of this when we made the plan this morning?"
"Yes… I'll admit even if I am impressed with the detail." I say fondly. Despite the dangerous nature of this plan I am very proud of him. He came up with this entire operation on the fly this morning from the moment Ryou spoke. Even I struggled thinking of a way to successfully infiltrate this base without confronting Bakura head on. It was still dangerous … and there's a million ways it can go wrong… but it's so intricate it might just work. If Ryou's profiling is correct… it has to be correct. There is no one who knows the way Bakura thinks better than Ryou. We have to trust him. Him and Yugi.
"Yugi is quite the tactician. He must have learned well from someone trained to think so intelligently." Odion says. He's behind me but I can hear the grin. I know he's talking about me and it honestly feels strange being flattered so. He isn't wrong… I mean I was trained to think strategically from a very young age… but I never taught Yugi to think like a general, I never let him in on war secrets and planning. The way he thinks is his own - I barely had anything to do with it.
We come to the back entrance and stop, waiting and checking to see if the coast is clear. There's guards of course by the door, holding guns and standing tall and alert. They won't see us, or hear us pass but it's best to stop talking now. There's no one nearby and I can see the kitchen entrance just inside.
"Do we distract them?" Ishizu asks.
"No. See the ear pieces. If they move they could alert the guard of suspicious activity. The last thing we want is to arouse concern. We need to be quiet, swift and careful. Single file past them, slip into the kitchen on the right and then we should be fine." I say. I look at them each, searching their eyes for doubt or anxiety. I share their unease, but we need to shelter it for now. They steel themselves, Odion faster than Ishizu and give eachother a confirming nod.
"I will go first. Ishizu will follow me after 3 seconds and Odion 3 seconds after her." I say and they nod.
I take a breathe and go.
We tested this earlier. At the rate of tip toeing it will take 10 seconds for someone in the Key's protection to become unprotected. In other words anyone in it's protection cannot be more than 6 meters away from it's bearer. Which means if we travel like this, 3 seconds apart, we should still have comfortable moving around space before the Key can no longer shield them. But our timing must be perfect. If I get too far from Odion or Ishizu they will be seen and caught immediately.
I hold my breath as I pass the guards, silently sliding by and as I pass the threshold I look back to see Ishizu beginning her path. Good, we're okay.
I reach the kitchen door and hug the wall, waiting for seconds to pass before Ishizu and Odion both reach me safely. Odion was who I was worried about. Ishizu's build is able to grant her light footing and slim chances of moving the air but Odion was a man of presence. He can be sneaky of course, but I was still a little nervous even they might sense his proximity. Still, we managed just fine. They haven't budged and we're inside.
We slip into the kitchen and continue hugging the wall. There were many people in here, all of them chefs or assistants preparing lavish meals for the night. I don't know if all of this food is meant for Bakura but I wouldn't be surprised if it was. He gets to live like the King he wanted to be and he has the power to do so now. I'm not surprised he's taking full advantage of the Yakuza's luxuries.
"Where are you Marik?" Ishizu asks beneath her breath.
We move around easily, sliding between people too focused on their duties to notice any disturbance in the air around them but this kitchen or the pantry isn't large. I can't see him anywhere. He shouldn't be hard to find.
"How long do we have?" I ask them.
"10 minutes until they arrive." Odion responds.
10 minutes… that means we have about 5 minutes to find him … Marik…
"He mustn't be here." Ishizu whispers impatiently.
"We need to find him but we can't split up."
I need to calm down. Think. What would I have Marik doing about this time if I were him?
"Oh there." Odion says suddenly. Following his gaze I see Marik, finally! He's just entered the kitchen looking as lifeless as he did yesterday.
"My brother!" Ishizu breathes, moving to make for him but I stop her before she can. She's confused but Odion sees why: Bakura. Marik isn't alone.
"That's Bakura?" She asks. We can't take Marik now and with approximately 8 minutes left … Yugi's going to need to improvise for a little bit. For now we need to wait for an opening and stay away from Bakura or he might sense the Key.
I drag Ishizu with me and let Odion follow. I doubt he'll go into the Pantry and from here we can watch.
"I'm expecting company and I'd be a terrible host if I didn't accommodate. So, prepare something fit for someone such as yourself and have it delivered to the dungeon. As for the rest of you, I want tonights feast to be fit for a Pharaoh. See it is done." He orders everyone before shoving Marik roughly into someone.
I can feel Ishizu tense up. I share her view. The way he treats the people under him is despicable but we can't let our emotions control us yet or the whole operation will fail. Yugi is depending on our success. Thankfully Bakura is stupid enough to leave his leverage alone in here. He underestimates my mastering of the Key and our cunning. He will regret that.
Marik shuffled through the working people within and slowly makes his way here. Bakura's turned to leave but that actually works in our favor. He hasn't sensed us and Marik is within our grasp. Carefully I take his arm as he gets close and gently guide him towards us. He doesn't fight us and now that he's in the protection of the Key, he can't be seen either. He has an order, so I know if we let him go he'll get right on that, but so long as we guide him he won't struggle.
Ishizu and Odion waste no time hugging him though he doesn't show any signs of recognising us or the action. Hopefully that will change soon.
"Now we can get out of here, right?" Ishizu asks.
"Not quite. That was only part 1 of our mission. There's still something else we need to do before we leave." I say. We should have 5 minutes now to move. We need to get outside.
"Lets go." I say, guiding Marik behind me as we carefully glide back out the way we came. I see Bakura has moved outside… which both works in my favor but makes leaving risky. Sneaking past the guards is already an uncomfortable task.
"What do we do? Sneaking out this way brings us too close to Bakura." Odion asks. He's right… there must be another way outside.
I watch him turn to the right, as if something has caught his attention. Slowly he looks back towards us and I hold my breath and tighten my hold on the Key. I don't know if he senses us… he might. Maybe thats why he's hanging around. If he feels a disturbance and thinks its coming from here he might suspect the presence of an item.
"Rodger that. Mr. Bakura. I -"
Suddenly Bakura smacks the guard addressing him so hard he almost loses his footing. Bakura is strongly built but he's still a head smaller than his guard but still. His guard nurses his cheek and the glare Bakura is giving him is enough to chill ice.
"You will address me with something more fitting, worm. Lord or even King will do nicely for soon I will be ruling not only this mansion and your organisation but the entire city, no… the entire world. You will not disrespect me so readily."
"Y-yes … my lord." His guard stutters. Bakura… so that's your plan then? Rule the world on high? Is that really your end goal? No… of course not. It would not be so simple as that. With his current power he could easily enough rule more than he is … there's something else he wants.
"My Pharaoh… Yugi." Odion whispers. Shit… 5 minutes has passed. He should be arriving any moment now and we're not in position.
"My Lord… the escort has arrived. The boy is here." The guard continues.
"Hmm. Good. And the state of the puzzle?" Bakura asks him.
"He has it."
The grin Bakura wears is sickening. I don't know what he plans to do with Yugi but I know how creative he can be. It makes my blood boil knowing the cruel areas his mind must be exploring but he will not get the chance. I'd like nothing more than to open his mind and destroy it here and now but with this many people still under his thrall and Marik in this state - I can do nothing but follow the plan.
"Good. Stay here." Bakura says before he leaves, undoubtedly towards the front gate.
Just as Yugi anticipated.
"Now's our chance." I say hurriedly. Ensuring a firm grip on Marik's wrist I lead the way out past the guards. The same as before. Me and Marik together, Ishizu and Odion 3 seconds behind. Cleared of the guards as easily before we swiftly make our way to the frost covered grass. This is a big enough space… good.
I open a portal before us and allow Ishizu to take her brother through it. Odion hangs back with me and she waits, holding her brother tightly to her chest.
"Stay here. Do not move. We'll be right back." I say quickly before sprinting off towards the guards. Odion goes his own way but he's mastered sneaking and blending in. What he needs to do won't require a lot of cover. The portal is now out of my protection but to anyone else it will look as if they're standing in a shimmering field. With the way the light is setting they should go mostly unnoticed and if not, that's where I come in. I grab the first rock I find and throw it into the kitchen, smashing glass and causing those inside to scream and panic. The guards move immediately, even some from places I never saw but most importantly I watch Bakura freeze and turn. He doubles back to investigate and I move to throw the first guard that passes me into the closest bush. He can't see me but he certainly felt it and the others saw.
"What the fuck is going on? Can't you buffoons do anything right?!" Bakura curses angrily, throwing a guard in front of him towards the field. I like seeing him flustered. It's not enough though. I find another rock and toss it as hard as I can into one of the second story windows, causing it to smash above them. They shield and move of course, completely confused as to what is going on. Bakura is my target though, and watching his mind go blank is like sport.
"Investigate you moron! Find me whoever is responsible!" Bakura orders and commands like an angry monarch… an angry monarch with absolutely no idea what is going on.
His guards pour into the mansion and I make my way towards it, doing well to stay out of their way. Once I'm sure there's no more coming from various places I close the door behind them and with the power of the Key, melt the lock. They won't be coming through this door any time soon and Bakura is none the wiser. Good.
Satisfied I return towards the portal and hide them again but we're not ready to go. Odion has already sought cover inside with them… so we're almost free to go.
"It's done." Odion smiles at me and I give him a curt nod before lowering the protection of the Key.
Bakura is still looking around towards the mansion as his guards are struggling with the door. By now he must be frustrated with their incompetence but too confused to do much else. He's about to be beyond furious in just a moment.
"Bakura!" I shout to him and he turns on his heel, his cape swirling behind him. It takes him less than a second to understand but it is far too late now.
"I must thank you. Thanks to your ignorance I haven't had this much fun since I was a Prince. I hope the fire doesn't give you too much trouble." I throw him a wink and step through the portal. It's now he sees Ishizu, Odion and Marik behind me and I watch the flame in his eyes spark. His fists balled and he's gritting his teeth so hard he's almost seething. But if he's mad now, wait til he sees the surprise Odion leaves him. I wish I could stick around for that. But we have to go. Now.
"Pharaoh… GET BACK HERE!" He screams, throwing out his hand to strike us. I close the portal just in time and now, we're safe…
"We're safe… we did it." Ishizu exclaims in relief. I share her sentiment and allow myself a second to sigh. Looking upon Marik's lifeless eyes though and knowing what Bakura will be dealing with back there … and knowing that Yugi is now on his own … we don't have time to celebrate.
"Lets go. We don't have time to dawdle." I say, hurriedly leading them back to base.
Bakura's POV
The light of my Ring passes straight through the portal but it didn't hit the Pharaoh or his companions. They faded too quickly and my attack missed. Damn him! I will take great pleasure in killing him. He thinks he can make a fool out of me! How dare he use the Key to mask his cowardly assault. Kidnapping Marik… I'd hoped to use him as leverage but it seems I got too careless. The Pharaoh has never been strong, always relying on those around him to fight his battles and do his bidding. I didn't anticipate a weak assault such as this. Hiding in the shadows, ducking from danger, creating diversions. These are all marks of a thief and a coward.
It doesn't matter. We have his little boyfriend now and his boyfriend was fool enough to bring me the puzzle. This is a far greater win than losing one mindless toy.
My guards are useless. As soon as I have secured the boy I will make them all more competent. Even brainless monkeys are more useful to me than these dolts.
The Pharaoh can revel in his minute victory but I have a much greater prize and I will take every ounce of pleasure making sure he hurts for this…
I stop in my tracks, feeling heat and hearing the familiar crackle of something burning. The sky is turning orange, but not with the sun setting on the ocean… Behind me, the frosted grass is burning. I don't understand how! It should be too wet to burn… how could this fire have started? I …
I hear the screaming. The screams as they burn and their blood is being spilled. I am devoured by the heat and I can't breathe anything but smoke. This shouldn't be possible! What is… how?!
I back away to the mansion, and thats when I notice the flames aren't big. They're not strong enough to do much damage… but the gaps in their path… the way it turns and stops for seemingly no reason. There's is rime and reason for this. Pharaoh didn't just leave this fire here in his wake… there was a method to his madness.
Hastily I go to the door and it is childsplay to melt the lock clean off. My guards are idiots though and fall straight through the door onto the pavement. I care not for their foolery. Jumping over them I race upstairs, turning corners and swinging over rails to reach the upstairs balcony. Bursting through the doors I see it instantly.
The flames he left … they spell something. I understand now. It wasn't the Pharaoh that started this fire but my attack. It went through the portal and hit the tree. That is where the pattern begins and continues along a line in the grass. It hasn't finished it's circuit yet but it is enough to make out a cartouche… a royal one. Inside the fire splits into a falcon, a reed… a stone… no.
When it is done… it spells his name… Atem… That bastard is mocking me! He assails my palace, takes my prisoner and leaves his name burning on my lawn, while making sure I know he did it… he will scream before the end of this!
He will… I have his pet… The Pharaoh will regret crossing me. With the blood of his partner I will make him drink his insanity.
Ryou's POV
I'm getting nervous. According to Mokuba Yugi should have arrived at the manor by now but it's been 20 minutes since the car stopped. Atem, Ishizu and Odion aren't back yet and we haven't heard from Yugi whether or not he's safe. We should have heard something by now.
The sun is setting. It's starting to get dark… by now it will already be darkening up there. If they don't make it back or if Yugi's escape has been hindered in some way what are we going to do?
I am so anxious. I should have gone with Atem… at least I'd know what's happening. I know what Bakura is like better than anyone. He is sadistic, cruel and merciless. If he captures them he will take great pleasure in torturing them and we'll be none the wiser down here. This is the sketchiest part of the plan… the weakest part. If anything goes wrong here we're doomed. If Yugi gets secured by them then Bakura will have the Puzzle and be able to hurt Atem and if Atem gets captured we won't have Marik and Yugi will be unable to strike. Everything is hinging on everyone's successes…
"Hey…" Tea's soft voice carries over to me. I feel my stomach turning at her approach. It was already feeling unwell from the anxiety and the continuous rapid beats of my heart but now she's here the butterflies are making everything worse. I love her … everything but I almost wish she kept ignoring me like she has been. I was an idiot to kiss her without her permission, an even bigger idiot to think she'd be okay with it. She loves Atem and I knew that its just… I didn't think I'd see her again and my bravery got the best of me. She's barely said anything directly to me since. Not that I blame her. If I'm honest I almost rather it that way. I rather her silently hate me than flat out reject me. But now she's standing beside me, looking at me with a sad, worried smile … I know she's worried about Atem, and Yugi as well but mostly him. This is going to be hard. I should just humor her a little bit and then go sit down. I don't feel so good.
"H-hi…" Idiot… stuttering now?
"Are you worried?" She asks me and I almost laugh. Of course I am. Who here isn't? Besides Kaiba that is. Even Joey and Tristan and found themselves being quiet over there doing gods knows what.
"Yeah. They should be back by now."
"They'll be okay. Atem is there and Yugi is crafty enough to look after himself. Everything will be fine. We have to believe or maybe they won't be." She says kindly. There's obvious concern there though. It makes it hard to agree with her when she's struggling just as much. I wonder why she came over here … but I'm not going to ask. For now, she's talking to me… that's good. Right?
"Yugi came up with this plan. I trust his instincts. Somehow things always work out for him."
"Is what you said back there true?" She asks me suddenly. I double back, trying to think about what it was I said… and when. I have absolutely no idea what she's referring to though. Did I say something?
"Uhh-"
"About Bakura. You told Yugi what he would likely do in various situations he threw at you and you told him what he was like. Is Bakura really likely to do the things you said he would?"
Oh that? Earlier, during Yugi's seemingly mad rambles to himself he asked me a lot of hypothetical questions about Bakura's personality. It was like he was trying to get a criminal profile on him and he wouldn't listen to anyone else speak except me. He seemed satisfied though and after that is when he outlined the plan he'd concocted for us. I think I was too stunned to really think anything of it but I think he was basing his plan off of Bakura's actions, based on my experience with him. I don't doubt my analysis of Bakura but it does mean if anything goes wrong then it means I've read him wrong. If Atem and the others are in danger it will be because of me… but I'm sure I depicted him accurately.
"Yeah… to the best of my ability I believe I relayed what he would do accurately. There's no one alive that knows him better. Maybe Atem but even then I've spent more time with Bakura than he has."
She nods, smiling brightly. Her shoulders relax and she looks so light hearted now. Is that what she hoped to hear?
"Then we have nothing to worry about. Yugi will have accounted for everything and they'll be fine. I'm sure Atem and the others have a reason for being late but in the end everything will work out." She says strongly. I wish I could believe that. Her optimism makes my heart yearn to agree with her. I can't shake off this concern... the question 'what if' still haunts me, but if I trust in myself and Yugi and trust in Atem… everything will be fine just as she says. It has to be.
"Hey!" Joey shouts suddenly, excited like a puppy seeing his master. We look over and see him bounding towards Atem! They're here! Finally!
"Sorry we're late. Marik moves a little slower than anticipated." He laughs weakly. I don't see Ishizu and her brothers but it's more likely she's taken him to a room to rest. Atem looks okay though. Unharmed and seemingly younger. That smirk is a proud one … and it should be. They made it back safely. Thank the gods.
"I told you." Tea said happily, throwing me a wink. I feel my cheeks burning from that alone and my heart almost explodes with happiness. I can't let myself get ahead… if I get my hopes up the harder it will be to accept the rejection… but… that wink… and she's hardly blasted me for that kiss… no stop it. She loves Atem. She wants Atem not you.
"You did. We should go see how he is." I say, forcing a smile as I pass her but her hand… her hand touches my wrist and I freeze on the spot. My heart is like glass… and I'm afraid this is it. I knew she didn't come over to talk about the plan or how it could go wrong. I knew she didn't come over to see how I was doing. She came over to let me down gently. She came over to tell me she loves Atem and to tell me my actions weren't okay. She came over to put me in my place … I am an idiot. I never should have kissed her. Stupid, stupid fool.
"By the way… the other day… um."
"I am so sorry. I never should have done that. I invaded your privacy, I took something from you that wasn't mine to take. I am so sorry, it will never happen again." I say rapidly, bowing to her just to avoid her accusing, distant eyes. She giggles though… and it hurts. I'm being serious. I don't want her to hate me.
"It's okay…" She says softly. Did she… is she not … what?
I chance looking up at her, expecting to see anything other than the kindness she's wearing. She looks so beautiful in this light… I mean she's stunning in any light but right now, with that smile and the way the sun is setting behind her… I could get lost in that warmth.
"I um… never said I minded. But… maybe we can start slower?"
"Slower?" I have no idea what is happening.
She takes my hand in hers and I feel like ice in comparison. I'm terrified. More terrified now than I am of Bakura. What is happening? I can't even begin to speculate.
"Like this? Maybe … this is okay, for now." She says, standing closer to me with my hand nestled in both of hers. Her fingers are so delicate and she's holding mine like it was precious to her… but that's not… I don't understand… what?
"Okay?" I can't even … my brain can't think… My heart doesn't know if it wants to beat or deflate… I don't know what's happening.
"Cool… then we can start slow… like this. Maybe, if it goes well I'll let you kiss me again."
WHAT?! I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE SHE JUST GAVE ME PERMISSION TO KISS HER AGAIN ONE DAY AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO THINK!
She giggles again… perhaps at whatever idiot expression I'm wearing. I feel so exposed. Did my clothes come of and I suddenly appear to be some of duel monsters card? I don't know! What the hell is happening?!
"Well… you could be a little happier. I mean, you could at least hold my hand back or maybe crack a smile at gaining a girlfriend." She laughs at me … but I am stuck on that last word. Girl friend… girlfriend… she just said girlfriend as if implying that she is MY girlfriend… that would make me her boyfriend… that would mean we're … we're dating….
WHAT?!
She laughs again, bumping into me and with her other hand she scruffs up my hair. It's enough to shake me from my stupor but not enough to say anything back to her. She must be okay with my stunned silence though because the smile she throws back at me as she heads towards our friends, my hand still firmly clutched by hers … tells me she's not joking this time. She's serious… I think I'm going out with Tea.
I don't know how… but THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!
Joey's POV
"So there's no word on Yugi yet?" Atem asks as finish telling him what's been going on over here. Not that there's been much. It's been boring as fuck here. But at least there wasn't nothing to report. Everything else seems to be going according to plan. No issues to report is still something to report… it means we're on target.
"Not yet. But there's still a good chance everything is fine. Its possible our guy is caught up with whatever mess you made." Mokuba says happily grinning behind us.
"Speaking of… what did you end up doing?" Tristan asks. I'm curious too. Yugi told him to make a distraction but we haven't heard from Yugi yet and Atem kept that part of the plan to himself. I figure he'd make it up as he goes like he normally does but I mean, how much of a diversion can he make?
"Oh just threw some rocks into the mansion, broke a few windows. The normal vandal stuff." He shrugs it off easily… but … really? Thats how he's going to distract Bakura? Throw a few rocks? Really? If he's that easily distracted why don't we just dance for his amusement while they steal the items out from under his ass?
He laughs at my clearly dumbfounded expression though… jerk must be hiding something.
"I might have had Odion write something in the lawn though."
"Oh? Some graffiti is gonna distract Bakura long enough for Yugi to find cover?" Tristan asks, clearly sharing my confusion. This is bad. I knew we shoulda went with him. Create a diversion, Yugi says. Who better than us? Really… Atem's a really smart guy but street smarts isn't his strong suit.
"And what pray tell did you have him write?" I ask, clearly unimpressed. If this is why we haven't heard from Yugi it's his fault. Just sayin.
"I had him draw my name in oil on the grass. My name in a royal cartouche upon his lawn should annoy him enough."
"In oil? Dude, it's night time. He's not going to see shit!" Tristan snaps at him. I have to agree. This was stupid.
"Oh he will. The light from the fire should help him read it clearly enough in any light."
Fire… what?!
"HUH?!"
He laughs again, heartily ignoring our confusion before he turns to leave. Ryou and Tea finally join us, seemingly unaware of what the hell just happened.
"What we miss?" Tea asks cluelessly.
"Oh you just missed the Pharaoh here grafittying Bakura's lawn with his name and setting it on fire." Tristan says casually.
"I never said I set it on fire. Bakura did that on his own." He says over his shoulder before he gives them a thumbs up. Not us … them. Why? What? What is going on… oh. Wait a minute…
Tea's holding Ryou's hand… and not to drag him behind her but she's actually holding it… and he's blushing like an idiot! Oh my god!
"Wait are you guys?!" I ask her loudly and she laughs.
"Yeah, got a problem, Joey?" She sticks her tongue out at me as Atem walks away, smug as fuck with his hands in his pockets.
Too many things just happened at once just now. This isn't fair!
"Hey guys!" Mokuba exclaims suddenly. We turn to him and wait but it doesn't take long for him to spin in his seat with a bright expression on his face. "Just got word our guy. Yugi's been released and is making his way into the property. His watch is showing his location and it's green, which means he's safe. We'll continue to monitor his status but until the next phase begins we're still on radio silence. Atem… it's all you now." He says. I look back to him and behind the serious expression he normally wears I can easily spot the relief he's shedding. Of course. Behind that laughter and that smug exterior he's as worried for Yugi as we are. It's good for all of us to know he's safe.
"Phase 2B now, right?" Tea asks. Atem nods once and heads off around the corner where Ishizu and Odion left with Marik. Phase 2B… Atem needs to be able to determine what happened to Marik before we can start phase 3. Until then, Yugi just needs to stay safe. We have him where we need him… he just needs to remain safe until we can move. Alright… come on guys. We can do this.