Disclaimer: YuGiOh is own by the ingenious Kazuki Takahashi. I don't own it. Never have, never will...



Chapter 13 - The Break In



Early morning came in Domino City. The street bustle with unusual excitement and anticipation. Everyone was back at Domino Town square waiting for the second day of the competition to begin.

"Man it feels less crowded, unlike yesterday." Joey noted looking around. The good thing was, less crowds meant less competition.

"I guess they got eliminated. Only the ones that wins comes back." Tristen said.

"Yeah, but I didn't know that it was that competitive. I mean there is defiantly less people from yesterday."

The loud speaker gave a sudden booming announcement. "Welcome, all competitors! Congratulations in making it through the preliminary match. All of you have proven yourselves worthy of entering the main competition. Our tournaments will be held inside the dueling arenas. Spectators and all! Step in our registered desks to be randomly matched to your next opponent. May the best duelist win."

Tea stared at everyone heading inside. "Now the competitors duel in the arenas?"

"I guess they couldn't hold that many competitors in the arenas yesterday." Yugi reasoned.

"Makes sense." Tea agreed.

"Are you just going to stand there all day? Come on!" Joey called. He was already a foot away from the building.

"We should sedate Joey." Vari muttered in Tea's ear. "He's a little too excited." Tea laughed at her comment.

Their group stepped inside. There was a large circular desk on each side of the room. Each with 5 computers stationed. A large panel screen hung over each computer. Vari noticed the match up shown for the competitors who came. Tea tugged on her shirt, pointing at one of the stations where Joey and Yugi was already being matched up.

"Are you here to be pair up with an opponent as well?" the lady asked. She gave a sweet greeting smile. Vari nodded. "Alright then. I'll need your ID number. Then the computer will randomly select your next opponent and the arena you will be dueling in."

"Vari Mayoto, ID 556."

She vigorously typed so fast it was hard to keep up. When she finished she pointed at the panel screen above. "Your opponent will show on the monitor." Sure enough a picture of a man appeared on the screen. He looked around twenty years old. His face was unshaven and his short brownish hair was spiked up with massive amounts of hair gel. On the side the screen read the name "Pillar" Staring at the picture, Vari's face twisted with repugnance. "He looks like he just came out of a juvenile prison." she said in a low whisper to Tea. "Why do I get the creepy guys?"

"Don't worry Vari." Tea reassured her. "You can beat him."

"I hope so." said Vari. "Or I'll be sent packing home."

"Don't let anyone faze you out Vari." Joey coached.

Vari inhaled deep to let the flow of oxygen run through her body. "Well here goes. Good luck in your match you two." she said to Yugi and Joey.

"It'll be a piece of cake." Joey said. "Right Yugi?"

"Right!" Yugi smiled. "After the match we'll all meet up with each other later."

"Agreed. I'll see you guys later." Vari walked up to the elevator, waving at her friends a final good luck. Eagerly she waited for the elevator to take her up to the dueling arena. As she did, Vari noticed Kaiba at a distance, walking smoothly past her with two workers perhaps, next to him on either side. He didn't seem to notice anything around him. His face look set on one goal and nothing else. Vari hesitated in walking over to him. Going over to say 'hi' wasn't what she had in mind, but then she remembered her promise to Mokuba. Shrugging she hurried over before he walked out of sight.

"Hey." she greeted, not being able to think of a better thing to say.

Seto turned around. "Hey" he said emotionlessly as if he didn't care.

"Um... can I have a word with you?" she asked stepping in front of him so that he wouldn't get away. Seto's bodyguards gave her a slight glare, but she didn't notice.

"What is it?" Seto muttered impatiently.

Vari blinked. "Now what?" she thought to herself. "This was a stupid idea." Nothing came out of her mouth for a few seconds.

Seto pushed her gently aside. "I don't have time for this. If you'll excuse me I have a duel to win." he walked away leaving Vari behind.

"Well that went well." Vari grumbled.


********


"I saw her before." One of Seto's bodyguards said.

Seto looked at him curiously. His eyes indicated for him to go on.

He continued. "And I thought I saw Master Mokuba just yesterday with her on her doorstep. But I didn't think anything of it, since you kinda know her I thought..."

"You thought?"

"I thought you knew Master Mokuba was there at her house or something." he finished dumbly. Obviously he regretted going into the matter because Seto's eyes widen with anger.

"It seems your head is too big for your brain!" Seto snared at the dim witted fool. The bodyguard sweat drop. The other just walked, letting his co-worker get sacked.

"I apologize Master Kaiba." he said uneasily.

"Just shut up. I'll deal with this after my duel." Seto growled.

"Yes Master Kaiba."

"I can't believe it! My own brother!" Seto thought. "Mokuba, your slick but not that slick."


********


Vari stepped in the arena, feeling especially grumpy. Maybe beating her opponent will give her some satisfaction. She stepped up to her platform as it rose up to the duel arena. The announcer introduced her to the audience. "Vari Mayoto has stepped up to the platform."

Vari waved at the audience. "I didn't know there were this many people." she thought, suddenly feeling a little nervous. "What did they do, hand out free tickets?" The platform rose up to her side of the arena and she got to look at her opponent's face for the first time. He didn't look at all appealing.

"Well, well... It looks as if they've thrown a hot chick my way." He looked at Vari with a sadistic smile played across his lips.

Vari gave a look of pure disgust. "I think your peanut size of a brain has difficulty knowing the difference between a chicken and an actual person."

He grinned widely. "Feisty too...I like it." he said while fixing his greasy gelled hair.

"Men are pigs." She murmured to herself.

"Competitors place your decks onto the panel reader." the announcer instructed.

The two did as they were instructed with Vari glaring at him and him smiling like some psychotic at her.

"How about we go out on a date if I win?" it seemed like an idea was growing on him with potential. "And if you win we still go out on a date." he laughed inwardly.

Vari rolled her eyes at the pathetic man. "I wouldn't bet on it." She said coldly.

"Competitors ready." the announcer called. "Let the duel begin."

"Ladies first." he cracked open a slick smile.

LP Vari: 2000 LP Pillar: 2000

Vari drew her cards. Looking grimly at them, there were no monster cards in her hand. "I'll place two cards face down and end my turn." Vari smoothly sild the cards onto the magic/trap card field.

"That's all you got sweetie?" Pillar asked laughing out of his own amusement. Not many started a duel like that. "I'll put one card face down and bring out my monster Big Eye in attack mode." He grinned widely. "I attack your life points directly." His monster ran straight towards Vari so quick she didn't see it coming. Then with a giant leap it slashed at her with one swipe of it's hand. Even though it was holographic, the wind blew hard at her face. But she didn't flinch. Her face was calm. The one eye monster ran back to her opponent's side of the field. Her life points dropped down to 800. She had just lost 1200 life points in a single attack.

LP Vari: 800 LP Pillar: 2000

"I expected a better duel." Pillar said. "C'mon babe show me what you got."

Vari drew another card. This time it was a monster card. A quick strategy formed in her mind. "This duel s going to be over in one turn." she smiled. "I place this monster card Sonic Maid in attack mode with an attack power of 1200 on the field."

Pillar looked at her as if she played a dumb move. "You can't take my life points, we have the same attack power."

Vari was unfazed by his naive thinking. "He really is dim." she thought. "I never said I was finished." She flipped one of her face down cards. "I activate the magic card Change of Heart. It will take control of your monster for one turn. I told you I'm going to defeat you in one turn."

Pillar suddenly looked nervous a little.

"Big Eye, attack his life points directly!" His monster slashed his own owner with a sharp move. Pillar's eyes flashed. "I attack again with Sonic Maid!" Her monster swiftly shot a bright light of arrows with precise precision.

His life points dropped down to a striking 0. Everyone in the arena gasped.

LP Vari: 800 LP Pillar: 0

"And Vari Mayoto wins the match! Unbelievable folks! That must be a record breaking duel along side with Seto Kaiba's 5 minute record!"

The crowds cheered as Vari smirked slightly at Pillar. Surprisingly Pillar didn't seem all that upset.

"That was a good duel." he said as they both got off the platform. He stretched out his hand for a handshake. For a moment Vari thought he wouldn't be all bad.

"Thank you." she said and shook his hand.

"Now about our date..." he grin. Guess she was wrong.

Vari looked at him square in the eye. "I never agreed to that."

He tugged at her hand until she stumbled onto him. "C'mon you know you want to." he breathed, squeezing her in a tight hug. His mouth were breathing down her neck. Frantically Vari tried to push him away, but he held her in a tight lock.

"Let go of me!" she yelled, again trying to push him away, but he wouldn't let go. "I swear I'll break your arm!" His grip was too strong. She could barely pry herself free from him.

"I love a women whose plain hard to catch." he said.

"Your going to regret this!" she screamed.

"Like I said I like the feisty ones."

"Let go of her." a voice said from behind. It was deep and rough, a voice Vari recognized.

"Seto?"

"I said let go of her." he repeated this time even more menacingly.

"Mind your own business." Pillar growled.

Seto grabbed him so quick, Pillar didn't see it coming. He slammed him against the wall, while Vari finally got free from his grip. "Look, if you don't leave her alone. I'll blow your brains out. Got it?" Seto snared. He grabbed him again and threw him onto the floor. Pillar skidded a few feet.

Pillar stood up regaining his balance. "Forget this." he ran off, leaving Vari and Seto alone.

" I could have handled it myself." Vari protested.

"Sure you could have." Seto mumbled irritably. "But I thought I'd save you some time and mine."

Vari looked uncomfortably away. "Thanks." she muttered with gratitude, trying not to look directly at his face. She felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment because she was saved by Kaiba. "What are you doing here anyway?" she asked. "Your duel isn't even in this arena."

"Let's just cut to the chase shall we? I know what your trying to do. My fallacious little brother has leaded you to believe that I have a bit of problems. Let me assure you that is not the case."

Vari blinked "Oh really? It seems like the case to him. An no offense but I trust him more then I trust you for that matter. I don't know how he could have made that up."

"You know what your problem is? You don't know when to butt out." he snapped.

Vari's face grew red with anger. She her hands curled up into a fist in a tight manner. "Well don't expect me to butt in anymore." Vari shot back. "Your lack of compassion will be your downfall. Good luck to you in the tournament." she added coldly through gritted teeth and departed away without another word.

Seto groaned in a fit of aggravation. He never seemed to win.


********


Night swept over Domino City. A mysterious figure walked stealthily through the Domino Museum. He was careful not to trip any alarms and hid away from any security cameras with his black cloak blending into the darkened halls. His stealth proved him capable of being the best of all masterful cat burglars, but his skills were only useful for his master.

He reached the secured laboratory. Just by his rotten luck, two security guards were patrolling the grounds.

"Man I'm tired." he overheard the security guard shuffle with a yawn. "Just what are we suppose to guard anyway?"

"Some Egypt artifact. Professor Mayoto said it was mighty important and he was dead serious about it." the second security guard answered with a shrug. "He left specific instructions that no one is to enter without verification from him."

"You don't say?" the first security guard said scratching his head. "Well I'll be glad my shifts over. It's too boring." He heard a tap on the floor. "What was that?" his ears perked up like a sharp canine and swung his flashlight over towards the sound.

"What was what?" the second security guard asked.

"I swore I heard something."

The second security guard frowned. "Buddy are you hearing things?"

"But..."

"It's probably just your imagination."

"Maybe..." the second security guard said, but he didn't seem too convinced. Suddenly he saw a dark piece of cloth rush right past him. Then it disappeared. "What was that!" he cried out. Now he was sure he wasn't imagining things. "I defiantly saw something right there!" he pointed over towards the little corner from the doorway. "I think someone's in here."

"You sure?"

"Of course I'm sure! Why the hell would I lie?"

Clunk!

The two guards dropped down on the floor unconscious.

The masked figure appeared behind them, smirking lightly. "You should've listen to your friend."

Standing by the door, he checked to make sure no other guards came patrolling, then opened the door to step inside. It was dark. He switched the lights on and found 3 different boxed vaults, where they kept artifacts not shown in the museum locked and secure. He stood against the vault in front of him and took out the magnetic encrypt and locked it against the metal shell. Quickly connecting the cables on his small laptop to the magnetic encrypt, he started the program. "Now it's only a matter of minutes before the password is unlocked."


********


Ishizu Ishtar stared at the unfinished documents groggy and tired. She had volunteered to stay behind in the lab and finish the necessary paper work. Shiro had gone home early after protesting to stay and help. But she insisted that his wife should not be so suspicious and worried about him always coming home late. There was no need to arouse questions. He agreed and left hours ago. Now that Ishizu thought about it she looked at the clock on the wall. Surprisingly it was close to one. She decided to pack up for the night. Even she needed a good night's sleep.


Stepping out to the museum hall she made her way towards the entrance. "Let me check on the security post." she thought as one last final task, before turning in. She walked through the galleries and exhibits, noticing a flashlight shining just around the corner near the door to the vault.

She strolled over, expecting to see security guards. "I just wanted to check on the..." she gave a shocking gasp. Ishizu clasped her hands over her mouth, trying hard not to scream. Seeing two bodies on the floor. The flashlight was dropped on the ground still turned on. She knelt down and felt each of the guard's pulse. She gave a sigh of relief. Thankfully they were still alive, just knocked out.

If the guards were out cold, that meant an intruder was inside. "They're after the chest!" She quickly got up and fumbled with the door.


********


There was one last digit left to be decoded. Then the door will be unlocked. He waited impatiently as the screen searched for the last digit. He heard a rustling sound behind him. Turning around he noticed the doorknob being forcefully opened. A look of panic formed under his masked face. The door flew open. It was that witch Ishizu Ishtar.

"Get away from it!" Ishizu cried out.

The masked figure dropped his laptop down and quickly lunged at her, throwing her against the wall. The impact was so sudden. Her whole right side hit against the side vault. She dropped on the floor with a hard thud. Panting, she clutch her right side painfully before she got up and placed her hands over her necklace. It started to glow with enormous energy. A flash of light shone, blinding the whole room. For a while it seem like a huge globe of light beaming off a thousand suns.

"I will not let you steal this chest. It is my duty to protect it!" Ishizu proclaimed.

The light slowly disappeared, but the mysterious masked figure was gone. Behind her the screen flashed with the four digit code. The vault unlocked automatically. Inside the chest stood in the center, polished and undisturbed.

She sighed heavily, almost grieving. "Brother you will not win."





A/N: SORRY! For the lack of updates. I know it's been a while. I bet probably everyone has forgotten about me, but I'm back. I was seriously thinking of abandoning this story. BUT I decided to keep on going. Because I really hate seeing stories unfinished and I don't want to be one of those authors that does. Besides, there's a lot more to the story that I want to write. So if you think this story is going to be finish pretty soon...think again! I don't know if that's a good thing for you guys or a really annoying nuisance.


Anyway...you know what to do...Read and Review. Tell me what you think. I really do read everyone's comments and I appreciate them all. And if you want me to review your story then leave a review and I can check out your story in your author profile as well.

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