Crawford's Angels
Disclaimer: Nope I still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, or Charlie's Angels. Although right about now it would be nice to have some of that green running in.
Author's notes: Okay, thank you so much for the reviews. I've never gotten so many on a story. ^_^ *Extra happy.* By the way, I slightly changed Jou and Yuugi's meeting in the first part of Chapter 7, so now it reads that Jou teases Yuugi about his question of him having a girlfriend. I'm hoping I'm keeping with their personalities, even though I've had to alter them a bit to tell this story. I should also note that I'm not too good at the card duels yet, so I'm kinda winging it in a way. Card enthusiasts, you have been warned.
One more thing, as Uncle from Jackie Chan would say, I'm just letting you know that when the host or Hikari "Lights" talk with minds, it's with the italics while the Yami's talk with bold, and when it's italics and bold together they're thinking as one person. Granted the Yami side is more in control at the time. This is a just incase because later it's going to get tricky figuring out who's talking to whom.
Okay, On with the Show!
Chapter 7: Duel of Kings, part 2
Yuugi stared down Haga. The insect duelist's lips curled into a cruel smirk. "So you think you will beat me? Me, the great Insector Haga! Ha, that's a joke! I'd like to what a sniveling child like you can do against me!"
"Just wait and see, Haga," Yuugi replied as the duel began.
Haga laughed in his annoying way, "Hyooooooooooo." And he set a Flying Kamakin #2 in attack.
* * *
"Impressive," thought Seto watching as in his first turn Yuugi had whittled Haga down from 4000 to 3500, and then bringing him down to 2850. Yuugi was smiling, a smile that Seto was very familiar with –the type a fox gets just before it devours an unsuspecting chicken. Haga looked less sure of himself. He set a monster in defense and then three cards in his magic and trap zone. To Seto's surprise Yuugi passed on his next turn, and Haga drew a card then set a monster in defense. Yuugi took his turn, set one monster, when Haga flipped up his trap card –DNA Surgery –instructed that all of Yuugi's monsters were now insect types, and on his next turn Haga played the Magic card Insect barrier. Yuugi glared at him as Haga laughed.
"Hoyooooooooo! Let's see you get out of this!" Then he set another monster in defense.
* * *
Above all this the boy known as Bakura was watching with binoculars. He was up in the catwalks over the arena's stage where the lights hung; near him was a guard whose head lolled to one side. He grinned at the battle below.
Humm –a pity that they're just holograms.
Why did you kill him? You didn't have to-you just had to knock him out!
Keep quiet you! I've had enough of your whining.
I'm sick of you attacking innocent people!
Shut the hell up! Bakura looked back down at the crowds and a sly smile crept over his lips as he spotted something of interest to him. Ahhh –what's this? I spy with my little eye something that starts with a G. Heh, and it seems she's gotten a new toy to play with too.
The voice inside seemed to go quiet for a moment then it burst out, sounding slightly worried and unsure, Y-you're lying!
No, I'm not –at least not this time. Bakura glanced down again and let out a smirk, and speaking of lying –or should I say laid –heh, I wonder how much she's gotten out of him? He looks rather cold. Too much of a pretty boy, I wouldn't think her to go for that type; but then again she was with you, wasn't she. Whoops –no she wasn't, that was me.
You Bastard! How dare you even imply that about her! You evil, vile, sick…
Yes, Yes. And so much more; you even once told me I put the evil in devil. Such language from a proper young man. Bakura caught a glimpse of something, Hummm…
What now?!
I can see down her top…they seem to have grown a bit since I last saw them…she still has very nice…
That's it, you perverted piece of filth. I'm taking over!
The hell you are! This is getting good. This kid –Yuugi –he's got something up his sleeve. Aw shit! That twit in the yellow glasses –ratty punk –just pulled out a big ugly bug from his deck. And it's very strong too. Well if he's able to pull himself out of this damn mess, I'll be impressed.
Let me out! Let me out right now! Or I swear, I'll let our partner have his way with you the next time he's drunk and feeling friendly.
Bakura frowned and sneered out loud, "As you wish, Host, but I must tell you –it's a long drop…"
A sudden glow from under his coat lit up the rafters for just a second and Bakura's eyes went wide as he looked over into the oblivion. He wrapped his legs tightly around the railing where he was sitting, and gripped it hard with his left hand. While inside his Hitori just laughed at him.
Heheheh and I know heights tend to make you very nervous.
"You slime!" Bakura uttered.
Yes I know.
"Where is she?"
Look around, I'm sure you'll spot her –got the best legs in the house.
Bakura picked up the binoculars that rested around his neck, and scanned the crowd until his eyes landed upon the one person he thought he would never see again in his life. A sad look came into his brown eyes as he lowed the spyglasses, and said softly, "Green Sleeves."
* * *
"Make your move, Mutou –or does my Insect Queen terrify you that much?!" chuckled Haga. Yuugi looked up into the maw of the gapping Insect Queen. Spit drooled over her sharp fangs, and Yuugi thought.
Gee, this thing would freak out anybody if it was real!
True Aibou, but we will still win.
Right!
"I draw," Yuugi said. Haga had weakened his Life points to 2210, but that was okay –he had this duel in the bag. Yuugi glanced at his card and smiled. Perfect.
He looked up at Haga and said sweetly, "Tell me something Insector –are you at all familiar with the ladies?"
Haga raised an eyebrow, "What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
"Nothing, just making polite conversation," Yuugi said to Haga still smiling, as he put the card in his hand. "But you do know what they say about insect collectors and bugs don't you?"
Haga stared at him mystified as Yuugi set two cards and kept on smiling as he ended his turn. Yuugi smiled in a way that sent a chill down Haga's spine.
"They say that female bugs are the only females that will go around them," Yuugi said as his violet eyes lit up in a way that showed a dark edge to him. "Although in your case, I'd say that the big bugs are used because you lack in other departments," –he held up his pinky to Haga, laughed adding –"I'm betting she's the only 'Queen' that will give you any action from either sex."
Haga gawked at him, and Yuugi laughed at the insect duelist's look of shock thinking, Now, let's see if you loose your cool Haga, and take my bait…
"Why you…" Haga uttered a curse word that would have turned most people's faces red. "Prepare to feel pain for your insolence! I'll teach you to disrespect me!
He attacked with his Insect Queen and Yuugi grinned. Wonderful, he couldn't have done it better.
"Activate trap! Mirror Force!"
The Insect Queen exploded off the field.
"No!" sobbed Haga as his mighty bug vanished in tiny pieces. "My beautiful Queen, what have you done to my Insect Queen!"
"Beauty Queen in what? The Miss Homely pageant?" Yuugi taunted him. "I guess she would win first, but you probably could give her a run for her money…though I'm sure you look even worse in drag then you do now." Haga screamed in anger as Yuugi grinned, "And now, I activate my Swords of Revealing Light!"
"What? What goods that going to do you Mutou," Haga laughed. "I still have my Insect Barrier up and you can't attack me."
"Heh, that's what you think, Haga." Yuugi shot back, "I've been leading you into a trap –and now I can spring it."
"Huh?" Haga's eyes went wide as Yuugi activated the magic card Harpies Feather Duster, which cleared the field of all magic and trap cards that Haga had laid. Including DNA Surgery, and Insect Barrier.
"And now I sacrifice my two face down cards to summon my Dark Magician," Yuugi stated and he smiled a rather devilish grin. "And I'm equipping him with Sword of Dark Destination and the Book of Secret Arts. Which makes his attack 3200, higher then your remaining life points and seeing that you have nothing left on the field to defend you, you worm, Dark Magician, attack his life points directly with Dark Magic Attack!"
Haga let out a scream as his life points dropped to zero.
* * *
Liz felt her jaw hit the floor, "Holy Crap!"
"Huh," was all Seto said. He's good –too good. Humm, maybe it's time someone take him down a peg or two.
"All you can say is 'huh,'" Spencer said to him with surprise. Seto shrugged.
"Don't be to thrilled yet, Spencer; let's see how he fairs during the rest of the tournament.
However Seto soon had to eat his words. Every match Yuugi dueled in he dominated his opponents. Seto found himself shaking his head –what was with this kid. It was almost like he enjoyed tormenting the competition. He shuddered –Yuugi was going to be a hard opponent –but Seto Never was one to back away from a challenge. Every time they mentioned Yuugi's name he clenched his fist and gritted his teeth as the announcer kept saying things like, "Has the world at his feet." "Likely to take the title in the World Championship." "A younger version of Seto Kaiba." "Kaiba who? Yuugi's the hot new name."
I can't believe the nerve of those bastards, he thought –he'd only been out of the circuit a year or so, and already they were talking like he was a has-been. Spencer noticed Seto's face; she saw the tension build up to the point of explosion. She just hoped her boss was sure of what he was doing. He'd been wrong once before and it had cost all of them. She didn't want to go through such pain again.
* * *
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present our winner –the boy who everyone will someday know as the King of Games –Yuggi Mutou!" The Announcer shouted and the crowd went wild. Above Bakura watched all the action and he gripped the railing and shook his head. His Hitori was very entertained by all of this.
Oooo. He's good.
Yes I see that.
You think we can get him to work for us?
I hope so; I hate to think of the alterative.
Not me. Something seems very –familiar, about that kid. I just can't put my finger on what yet.
A noise from his cell phone made Bakura jump; he changed again, and picked up the line with a "What."
A cruel voice chuckled intently on the receiver, "Well, did you get the job done?"
"I thought I told you I didn't want to hear from you until this mission was over." Bakura barked harshly to the caller. The caller laughed and it made Bakura wince. There were many lines in the game he played, some he refused to cross due to his own morals –which were few and far between –or his host's own opposition to his actions would pause him. The brat had learned he could keep him some what in check, which put a crimp in his style. However, his partner seemed to have no morals, no qualms at all to his actions, and –beyond that –he was just utterly sick. His partner crossed the lines all the time –and Bakura had no real love for him at all. But he had to work with him because no one else would –they were just too scared to.
"Now is that any way to talk to me?" the caller added and Bakura sneered and gritted his teeth.
"Believe me, I'm being polite. If I were to talk to you the way I really wanted to you would be six feet under, and I would be dancing on your grave. Now, what the hell do you want?!"
"Just to warn you that he's changed his mind," the caller said coldly. "He wants him dead now. Says he might be dangerous to us."
"He's a damn punk, nothing more," Bakura spat, "and until I hear it from him, I'm not changing the plan."
The caller laughed adding, "You sound so sexy when you talk like that. Must drive the females wild."
"And you would know about that though wouldn't you, being the type of man that you are," spat Bakura and hung up on the caller. He knew that the psycho would be pissed off and that could be bad for him. But he didn't care. He had a job to do…Bakura paused as he started across the catwalk. Below he saw a group of teenage boys all huddled together in a corner. They all were wearing identical navy blue uniforms, and seemed very pissed off; a large one with pointed black hair that looked like he could bench press a small car –seemed to be the ring leader of this troop –and they were all talking in low voices. The two words he caught were, "Yuugi" and "Dead".
Hummm…maybe I won't have to get my hands dirty after all.
* * *
Yuugi let out a deep sigh. It was over now. He'd won the tournament and was sitting in the darkened arena. His Hitori sat next to him looking quite pleased.
An excellent job today Aibou; but did you really have to tell that one duelist his breath stank like raw sewage?
No, but I've seen him hassling the girls at school, and he deserved it.
A word to the wise, Aibou. Don't go picking fights you cannot resolve.
I know, but I can't fight them like other boys. I hate fighting, but if I having you around has taught me anything, it's that I have to stand up to people –and this is the only place I know I can do that.
I see. Just the same –beware what you say and to whom you say it too.
I got it. Yuugi looked at the card he'd won in the tournament, Ties of Friendship. He liked it –and thought that Mayumi would like it too. But she always refused any cards he tried to give her, explaining that she felt that he earned the cards and it would be wrong of her to take them from him. Sighing, he got up to leave, when the lights suddenly flared on and a sharp cold voice echoed all around.
"So, you think you can leave a tournament without having faced the final duelist?! Pretty cocky of you, Yuugi Mutou. But what can I expect from a runt who seems to like to think he's as great as the World Champion."
Yuugi whirled around and looked up to see Seto Kaiba standing on the raised platform, icy blue eyes burning with heat and staring right into his. If looks could kill Yuugi would have been dead and buried three times over –but as they did not Yuugi said, "Kaiba-san, what are you doing here? Don't you know that everyone is looking for you? Why did you vanish like that? People are worried about you."
Seto laughed, "That's none of your concern. Now get up here and duel me so we can see who the real King of Games is, or do you just like dueling amateurs?"
In a flash Yuugi has switched and his Hitori answered in kind, "I accept your challenge, Kaiba –and if I win you will tell me why you are here."
Seto leered at him. Yuugi walked up to the platform and put his deck in the duel disk. He knew that Kaiba had invented the system they were going to play on, so he knew that the duelist before him knew exactly how this disk worked and Yuugi realized it was a rather large advantage for Kaiba. Two people watched as the duelist stood on opposite sides of the platform: Spencer from a seat near the sound booth near the middle of the arena, and Bakura –who was still hiding up in the catwalk where the shadows mingled with the darkness. Seto glared at Yuugi and laughed when he saw that Yuugi only came up to mid chest on him. "Feels like I'm dueling a grade-schooler."
"Shut up and draw, Kaiba," Yuugi barked and Seto smirked.
"Sure, just one thing, Mutou," Seto narrowed his brow. "I want you to know, you will never replace me. No matter how good you get I will always be better. You think tormenting your opponents will keep you ahead –it won't. I should know, I used those same tactics. So let's see what you put into that deck –King of Games. Is it more then your smart ass attitude?"
Yuugi clenched his fist; who did this arrogant prick think he was –lecturing him like he was a child.
"It's my heart, Kaiba," Yuugi shouted and Spencer leaned forward a bit to listen. Kaiba blinked as Yuugi went on –resting his right hand over his heart. "I refined this deck with my Grandfather. He helped me, and he showed me how to put my heart into these cards. That's what I battle with Kaiba –honor. The honor and heart of my family."
"Oh really, you certainly didn't show much honor this afternoon," Seto spat and held up his top card –a Blue Eyes White Dragon. Yuugi gasped, his Grandfather had one of those –they were incredibly rare and powerful. Seto saw his reaction and drew another two cards as he spoke, "Let me tell you something, Yuugi. You might think all I give a damn about is power –and yes that's how I built my deck. But I poured sweat and blood into it –mine and my little brothers. So I put my soul into this deck," –he showed the other two cards, a pair of Blue Eyes White Dragons –"This one is my real father, this is Mokuba, my little brother, and this is my mother. No matter where they are I still have their souls with me –and they give me strength and courage. So Yuugi, lets' see if your heart is stronger then my soul."
Clap, Clap, Clap, both boys heads heard the noise of sarcastic applause and they looked around for the owner of the clapping hands.
"Wonderful speeches, Ladies," Yuugi looked up into the middle row of seats on the first level. He saw Urshio who crossed his arms and was grinning like a fiend. "Now I'm sure you'll both make some passionate statement about how some tragedy made you the way you are."
Seto shot Urshio a look of anger and yelled, "Who the hell are you? Not that I care, but I don't like being bothered by asses before I duel."
Urshio just smirked and Seto looked at Yuugi asking, "One of your friends?"
"No, he's Urshio –a hall monitor at the school –nothing more then a bastard. He's been threatening duelists as school so his brother would win this tournament," Yuugi explained and Seto said, rolling his eyes.
"I see; so nothing more then a jealous wannabe. Figures," He looked up at Urshio and said calmly, crossing his arms. "Hey –Urshio –if your hanging around looking for a ride, I'm sure the garbage men should be here by morning; they can take you back to the dump you crawled away from."
Urshio smirked, "Tough talk from a pretty boy. I'm sure my crew will like messing up your good looks."
"Heh, I'd like to see them come close to even trying to touch me," Seto sneered back. Urshio took this as a challenge and looked at Yuugi.
"You might want to shut your girlfriend up; he runs his mouth a bit too much."
Yuugi let out a barking laugh, "Humph, sorry to say I can't keep him quiet even if I wanted to. Besides he's right, I'm the only one who can touch him –of course if you want to cop a feel –you'll have to pay triple the price I usually ask for. But here's the thing, I don't think I want you touching him, and besides, you'll have to go through me first."
Seto shot him a dirty look –but he knew that Yuugi was playing mind games with Urshio. Maybe he's smarter then he looks.
Urshio's face twisted into a horrid rage filled visage. He screamed, "Get them! Break their faces, and their backs. I want 'em dead!"
All at once a large group of big heavy set goons surrounded Yuugi and Seto. They forced Yuugi and Seto back to back and created a tight circle around them.
This is bad, Yuugi thought, a look of worry flashed in his eyes.
Hold strong Aibou.
I'll try…
Seto looked around –Where the hell is Spencer? Did they get to her first?
He needed her, she was the only reason he was able to conduct his search for Mokuba –if she was hurt, or worse, and it cost him time to search for his little brother, he'd kick and everyone of their asses straight to hell. They were at a disadvantage, Seto counted four to one, and –while he knew he could hold his own –he wasn't so sure about his reluctant partner.
"Yuugi, stay out of my way –I don't nee you to get hurt," Seto instructed Yuugi as he took a fighting stance.
"I don't need your help, Kaiba," Yuugi said –his voice tense, he didn't need his Aibou getting hurt. But he knew that this was not going to be a fair fight –and would get dirty fast.
"Just keep out of my way!" Kaiba stated as a tall, beefy boy attacked him. Seto blocked the punch and used the boy's momentum to send him flying into one of his comrades. If there was one thing he had Gozaburô to thank for, it was the many defense classes and lessons that he'd been forced to take as a child. It was suppose to build him up mentally and physically, creating a wall that no one would be able to break. But like all walls this one had several chips and weak points, and if you hit those weak points, you could knock down that wall. Meanwhile Yuugi dodged a punch by one of the goons on his left and maneuvered away from a right hook. Unlike Kaiba, Yuugi was not built for attacking –but he was small, and fast, and it gave him a way to keep the goons from landing punches. But he knew he couldn't keep it up for very long. He was already tired from the tournament, and this would only make his host body exhausted.
Seto wasn't fairing any better. He'd kept the large group from landing any solid punches, but there were more then he could handle.
"Yuugi," he called out, catching one with a well placed high kick to the jaw. He couldn't see the smaller spiked headed boy.
"Here," Yuugi's voice yelled to Seto. Then he saw a large figure loom out behind Kaiba, and he yelled, "Kaiba –behind you!"
Seto was able to dodge the blow in time, rolled and came up along side the moron that had tried to jump him, and planted a hard low kick to the guy's right side; Seto heard the crack of the guy's ribs and thought, "Another one down –a million more to go –great."
He turned to call thanks to Yuugi for warning him, when he saw that the small boy was being herded into a trap. Two goons were charging him from the sides, and one from the front –and he was backed into a corner. Yuugi's brow narrowed, he wasn't sure which way to go and the other two were charging him at full speed.
"Yuugi, Jump!" Kaiba called out as he blocked another blow to his head –this was getting annoying. Yuugi leapt into the air and the trio collided –as the young King of Games crashed down upon the pile rather inelegantly on his rear-end.
Ow, Yuugi thought but muttered, "Thanks Kaiba."
"Whatever," Seto replied and finished off a goon with a left to the jaw; Yuugi –on his side –dove under the legs of the very last member of Urshio's crew. He hooked the guy's ankles with his, and twisted his body around, taking the larger boy off his feet and sending him crashing, face first, down to the platform with a splat. The only thing, he hurt his calves in the process. Yuugi got into a kneeling position, and winced. Suddenly someone grabbed him by the hair and yanked him off his feet. He glanced up and barely had time to register a look of deep rage that was plastered on the hall monitor's face.
"Urshio," Yuugi tried to say, and was hit hard in the jaw by a strong left.
Shit, Seto though and tried to get over to where the large bastard was beating on Yuugi. But Seto was grabbed by the ankles and hauled to the ground by several of Urshio's men who dog piled upon him, effectively keeping him in place. "Yuugi –Damnit you asses –he's going to kill him."
"Right you are, lover boy," Urshio said pulling a long blade from his pocket and picked up the injured Yuugi by his hair again. "Should have listened to me runt, now you're going to die."
BAM, a whole host of spot lights flashed on and focused right into Urshio's eyes, blinding him. Urshio let out a yelp, dropping the knife and Yuugi at the same time. Yuugi made a grab for it. He looked up into the lighting and sound booth as a voice yelled. "Get off him now, or I'll drop a two ton light rigging on your boss's head. And I really don't think you want to be caked in his splatter."
Liz, Yuugi thought as the boys nervously moved off of Seto, who got up and proceeded to kick, punch, and whack the shit out of each and everyone of them. When he was sure that they were all out, he focused his attention on Urshio, saying, "You're next!"
"No. He's mine Kaiba," Yuugi stated calmly and pulled out his cards. "I want to play with him first."
* * *
From where she had been watching Liz gnashed her teeth. This wasn't supposed to be happening. Whoever this Urshio was he had made a mistake in messing with Seto and Yuugi. To say she was impressed was being kind –there were no words to actually express what she was thinking; but Spencer was pleased to see that the duo were working as a team –even though their styles were almost incompatible. She could have stopped it, but she had to know how well they could function if there was no one coming to the rescue, and if they could improvise with each other. They proved themselves with flying colors.
But watching them she felt guilty –and she started down to help, when she noticed three figures slip into the sound and light booth. Torn between protecting her allies, and her own nagging feeling of immediate danger, Spencer chose to follow the figures into the booth.
"Heh, check this out Yoshi," said a lanky boy with shades. Before the trio was the main control panel to the arena's lighting and sound systems. "Hehe. We can do a lotta damage with this…"
"I assume you boys have some working knowledge and skill to operate that," a voice said behind them. The trio turned to gawp at the doorway where they faced Spencer, who was standing –arms crossed –looking very dangerous. Her eyes were narrowed, "Because, if you don't, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Or I can just throw you out. Your choice."
The boy with the shades let out a loud laugh, "Look guys –it's the securities attack dog."
"Fine legs on that little bitch, though," Yoshi –a black haired boy with a penchant for trying to sneak peeks up girls' skirts –added, eyeing Spencer all over. He liked what he saw.
"Humph," she chortled, "So I see you've chosen door two. Pity to say, the lady was behind door one –you jerks are about to meet the tiger."
"Hahaha," Shades laughed and flexed his muscles. A small thing like her against the three of them –she was a stupid bitch, wasn't she? "Okay baby, come on, and let's see what you go…Ahhhh Shit! GET IT OFF IT BURNS!"
He didn't have time to finish his thought as Spencer threw a small capsule onto his face, which burst on contact releasing a slightly deluded form of hydrochloric acid. Shades' glasses melted as he clawed at the plastic.
"Shit, get her," Yoshi told the other boy and the duo launched themselves at Liz. She took a defense stance and blocked Yoshi's first few punches. She crossed her forearms creating an X shape with her hands open, and caught his fist. Liz smirked and kicked right, to Yoshi's head. He fell sideways and she used this to bring his arm around his back, breaking it in the process. She then slammed him face first into the metallic door frame, breaking his nose, and spattering blood all down his cheeks, lips and chin, sending several teeth flying as well. The second boy came at her while her back was turned, and she heard his feet pounding towards her, she back kicked –using Yoshi as a balance –catching her attacker in the abdomen. He crashed into the panel, but was still able to move, so she jabbed with her left, and swept kicked him off his feet, before he hit the ground she elbowed him in the face, breaking his jaw. He dropped like a wet bag of sand. Shades, was still clawing at his face, and she side stepped, allowing him to run into a wall with a sickening thud.
Spencer looked down at the arena, saw Urshio beating the crap out of Yuugi, and there was no way for Seto to help him as the other boys were piled atop him. Without hesitation, she flared up the lights to maximum wattage and focused them all into Urshio's eyes, blinding him, and then yelled out her threat. She had to cringe slightly when Seto took his revenge upon the crew members who had dog piled on him. She reminded herself to never get him that angry if she could help it.
* * *
"A game?!" Seto shouted to Yuugi who just smiled at Urshio. "You're wasting your time with a game! You fool, have you lost your mind? What good is a game going to do now? Finish him fast and let's finish what we were about to start."
Yuugi ignored this comment; he pulled out a stack of yen –about two hundred thousand in American dollars –and held them in his left hand. "Here's the game Urshio; we each take a turn drawing a card, whoever has the highest card wins. If you pull higher then I do, you get the prize money –and you may kill me. That is what you wanted isn't it, the money."
The hell? Seto thought, He really is insane. The fool –he'll let this bastard kill him! Well if he thinks I'm going to step in and save him his thoughts are very wrong about me…
"Heh, fine by me," Urshio said cracking his knuckles. Yuugi smiled wickedly.
"However, if I win, you play a penalty game."
"Deal," Urshio said and Yuugi's eyes glittered as he grinned showing all his teeth.
* * *
A game? He's cracked, Spencer thought looking down at the arena. A noise from behind and below made her glance over her shoulder. Shades was crawling towards her; she turned back to the booth's window, sniffed, and lashed out with a side kick that mashed Shades' face, and sent him clattering to the floor –minus some teeth.
I hope you know what you're doing Yuugi."
* * *
Hummm…Curious. Very, very curious.
Hummmm…what? The youthful voice echoed in Bakura's mind. Why the hummmms?
Apparently this boy is about to play a Yami no Game.
What! No, he can't…he could injure that Urshio…or kill him.
Yes, I know. I wonder if he does though. I can't wait to see his face when his opponent drops dead before him. Remember what happened the first time you played it. In his mind Bakura saw his host shudder, so you do remember… That pathetic mortal didn't know what hit him until it was too late.
Shut up! Don't you dare tell me I killed him when you...
It wasn't my hand that ended his life…Bakura glanced over at the actions below, and scowled; Seems to be that our young friend down there has a nasty streak to him as well. Such a predicament…to attack or not to attack, that would be the question, now wouldn't it.
Are you sure he can play it?
No, I was just trying to see how frightened I can make you. Although…the pendent he's wearing…humm. We need to get a closer look at this…
Why? Do you suspect…?
Bakura shrugged; Yes, but I can't confirm it –and if you don't go silent soon I won't be able to hear what's going on down there. As I said before –there is something very familiar about that boy –something ancient and strong.
His host went still and Bakura leaned in for a better view of the proceeding below.
* * *
"I go first," Urshio said and pulled a card from Yuugi's deck. He took a look and gave Yuugi a victory grin, showing his card. "Hah, Gemini Elves, they're at 1900. Beat that, Yuugi!"
Yuugi smiled confidently, but inside he was nervous. His deck was built around a Dark Magician theme. Which meant that there were more magic and trap cards in his deck then monsters, and he only had a few very high monster cards. His Dark Magician for one, and Summoned Skull for another, both were at 2500; but the odds of pulling them were slim. Yuugi took a deep breath and silently prayed, Please heart of the cards, guide me. Help me draw the right card.
* * *
Above Bakura suddenly felt a quick jolt of power course through the room as Yuugi pulled his card.
What was that? His host was shouting at him for an answer and Bakura chuckled.
A confirmation.
* * *
Yuugi drew his card, closed his eyes and hoped that it was higher then the Gemini Elves that Urshio held in his hand. If not, he was going to die, and from the look that Seto was giving him he highly doubted that Kaiba would step between him and Urshio's blade.
"Well," asked the hall monitor with a sneer, "What have you got Yuugi."
The imbecile, Seto thought –even if Yuugi pulled a higher card, Urshio would never keep his word. He pulled a card from his deck and held it loosely in his hand. Seto just hoped that one blow would be enough to knock the blade out of Ushio's hand. For one thing he knew that Spencer was watching and would kill him if he let Yuugi die. For another he didn't want to see the pointy headed kid to be killed. He had turned out to be a lot tougher then Seto had first thought. Even so –he would never relieve the World Champion title to Yuugi –he may have been dubbed the King of Games, but Seto Kaiba was the Master of the Cards –and no one ever take that from him.
Yuugi, he thought silently. You just better be ready to run.
Yuugi glanced at his card and his eyes went wide, he let out a loud laugh that gave Urshio the creeps.
"Hey, quit that," shouted the hall monitor. "You freak, what's so damn funny?"
Yuugi chuckled, "The fact that I won, Urshio, and I did it with the help of my favorite girl –the Dark Magician girl. Since she has attack strength of 2000, she beats your Elves by 100. Not much granted –but it's still a hundred points more then your Elves. So now you have to play the penalty game!"
"What the…?" Urshio shouted as a dark fog rolled into the arena. Seto shivered, it was like the inside of a grave, only colder and far darker then he believed it could be. Seto glanced over at Yuugi and noticed that the odd upside down pyramid pendent was glowing.
How is he doing this? It's gotta be a trick, but how?"
* * *
Liz gasped as the purple-black fog took over the entire arena. Even in the sound booth she could feel the cold clammy hand of death that came with the fog. She shuddered recalling when she first saw such a fog –and knew what it meant.
"Yami no Game," she hoarsely whispered. No wonder her boss wanted Yuugi, he could bring out these powers. Spencer knew that this game was a far more dangerous game that Yuugi was playing then he even realized. She gritted her teeth in worry, if he couldn't control this, it could wind up killing them all. So this is why you chose Yuugi. He's got the same ablities…but if that's so then that means the pendent is…Shit, If he'd been found by them they would have used it against us. So that's why you were so earnest about getting him to side with us. His power is even greater then…Oh Dear Lord! What have we unleashed?!
* * *
Ha, I thought so. He does have it!
I can't believe that there's three of us. This is bad. I'm sure he has no idea what he's about to unleash.
Who cares! Just feel the power it's...Bakura suddenly clenched his stomach and doubled over in pain.
What's wrong?!
Shit, he's too powerful. He's building up energy. If he releases it someone's going to be sleeping for a very long time.
Shouldn't we stop him then?!
Are you kidding? And miss seeing that prick get what's coming to him? Not on your life!
Right, it is my life, and my body that you're using. Mine, not yours, and I'm telling you to stop him.
"Too late," Bakura told his host. "It's already begun…"
* * *
What's going on…What's happening? Urshio thought as everything around him began to warp and twist. Suddenly he looked over to where Seto had been standing and saw a rather frighteningly tall blue Dragon. It had glowing blue eyes, and sharp talons, and seemed to loom over everything with its mighty wings. Around it lay several bodies of dead creatures it had slaughtered. When it opened its mouth it let out a series of roars and screeches. Urshio screamed, terrified of this monster beast.
"Moron, what the hell are you screaming at?" Seto barked at the terrified Urshio. The larger boy was crawling backwards away from him and Seto walked closer. "Urshio, get up you piece of filth. I told you that you were next, and I meant it!"
The Dragon grabbed Urshio and he screamed out, he did not want to be eaten. Just then, as the beast brought him up to look him in the eye, Urshio heard Yuugi's voice say," Kaiba, drop him. I told you he's mine to deal with."
"Wrong, Yuugi. No one gets away with insulting me," Seto shouted looking behind Urshio. The hall monitor turned his head to look in back of him, and what he saw made him piss his pants. Oh, Yuugi was there all right; only he looked nothing like the small, scrawny, punk that Urshio had been beating upon moments before. No, this was Yuugi –King of Demons! His eyes were violet pools of molten lava that flared out at the edges and twinkled wickedly at Urshio. He had fangs and a serpent's tongue that slithered out of his mouth as he spoke. His hair was a ghastly sea of flames that crackled wildly, creating a crown upon his head, and all over his body shadows slithered like writhing cobras. This Yuugi walked towards him and Urshio decided he'd rather deal with the Dragon.
"Please, help me! He's gonna kill me!" Pleaded Urshio and gripped onto Seto's shirt tightly. Seto looked at him with utter disgust as Urshio let snots run down onto his clothing. Seto lashed out at Urshio, knocking him away.
"Get away from me you piece of crap! You're more cowardly then a chicken, you misrable bastard. Sure you willingly pick on those who can't fight back, but when it's you who's in trouble you go running to the next biggest person on the playground. You make me sick. I hope he does kill you, because if he doesn't I will."
"No, please, Yuugi! Don't kill me," Urshio begged facing the demon king. For an instant Yuugi paused. He looked thoughtful –that was all Urshio needed. If he had to go he would at least take the demon with him. He lunged out at Yuugi screaming, "Let me kill you first!"
"Mind Crush!" Yuugi yelled and a huge blast of some unknown energy slammed into Urshio. He screamed, just for a second then dropped to the ground twitching feverishly. The strange fog dissipated and Seto found himself shaking his head wondering what the hell just happened. He glanced over at Yuugi, about to ask if he was okay, but to his shock he saw the smaller boy's knees buckle and he crumpled down towards the floor. Seto managed to sprint over to the other side and catch Yuugi before he crashed to the ground. The small boy was breathing, "Kaiba-san, is –is it over? What? What just happened?"
"Yeah, it's over," Seto said seeing Spencer running down from the sound booth. Her hair was flying out behind her, and she took the stairs two at a time. "I don't really know. But I think I know someone who does."
* * *
Liz raced towards the ring, her face flushed from the fight, and she looked worried. She hurried up to the raised platform and said with Kaiba in unison, "Are you okay? No I asked you first!"
"I'm okay. Few bruises," Seto said –then nodded to Yuugi. "Him on the other hand…"
Liz bent over Yuugi and pulled out a wet napkin from her purse. She gently wiped his brow saying softly, "He's exhausted. We better get out of here before someone comes."
"Fine," Seto said, picking up the limp Yuugi. "I'll drive."
"What?" Liz said in a tone of shock. He was in no condition to drive, he'd just been gang jumped by at least twenty guys. "Why you?"
"Because your driving sucks and I don't think you're in any state to handle the wheel," he looked down at her bruised and bloodied hands. "Cut them on some teeth, huh."
Liz looked slightly sheepish, and was about to come back with something when Yuugi let out a groan and both she and Seto looked at him.
"Liz-chan," he said weakly and Liz gently hushed him dabbing his face. He pushed her hand away and said, his eyes still full of light, "I want to join. If I can stop creeps like Urshio from hurting people –like my friend Mayumi's brother –then I'll join."
"Then welcome aboard, Yuugi. You've just become our second Angel," Liz said softly to Yuugi, who closed his eyes and slipped into darkness. Seto wheeled on his heels and shifted Yuugi slightly to get a better grip on him, then headed for the door. Liz followed and stopped when she heard a whistled tune.
"Wait," Liz shouted and Seto stopped.
"What?" he said, and then heard the song too. "Huh? What is that?"
Liz's eyes scanned the rafters; the melody was one she knew all too well. Her lips mouthed the words as the whistler played out the last note. "Green Sleeves twas my delight. Green Sleeves was my heart and joy; Green Sleeves twas my delight. Who but my lady Green Sleeves?"
Seto saw for the first time a flash of fear in her eyes, but that was replaced quickly with a look of hope –and something deeper then that. Longing, very powerful and very strong.
"Where are you?" Liz shouted to the whistler, Please show yourself, let me know your there. Please.
There was not reply. Seto turned fast when he heard one of the bloodied crew members groan, and saw him flop over onto his back.
"Damn, they're waking up," Seto hissed and kicked Liz lightly in the leg to wake her from whatever spell the tune had placed her under. "Come on. Let's go."
He whisked past her and Liz rubbed her leg, followed and muttered, "Who the hell does he think is the leader here?!"
However her mind kept playing the whistled tune in her ear and she couldn't help but look back for a second hoping to see –what –she had no clue. But sadly al that was there was shadows.
* * *
Bakura spat again on the dead man's body. A few minutes before he had been bending over the same corpse, hurling his guts out. The Yami no Game that Yuugi had used against his opposition had sent a wave of nausea through his host's body and turned his mind inside out sending him flying dangerously close to the edge of the darkness. He had gotten up just in time to see Spencer wipe Yuugi's brow. He looked in better shape then Bakura thought he would. Bakura sneered ever so slightly at the trio and said, "How quaint. Like a prizefighter's management team. Even got the scarecrow to carry him."
Ugh. I feel horrible, and did you have to throw up on that man?
Well excuse me! Do you see anywhere else I could have?
No, but what exactly happened just now? I've never seen you get sick before.
A massive excessive discharged wave of dark energy, that's what. If not used carefully it can fully destroy a body from the inside. You become soup and it oozes your inners out of the holes in your body. It can send shock waves to other's that have keys that allow them to access the same powers. That's why the sudden pain.
I see. So he's just set off what would be…
The equivalent of several atomic blasts, mentally. Shit, it's like a four-day hangover! Hold on? Where the hell are they going. They can't leave yet, Damnit! Ugh!
What's wrong? What's wrong with my body?
Ha, I knew you cared about me.
The hell I do! I want to know what's wrong with my body!
Still too much energy around. Switch for the time.
Fine.
In an instant Bakura traded places with his host. Casually he glanced over the edge and watched as Spencer and Seto took care of the injured Yuugi. He caught the last words of Spencer congratulating Yuugi, as he read her lips. Sighing he leaned onto the railing. "So they got to him too. Bravo Spencer. I knew you would."
He sighed again; surely knowing this fact was enough for him to realize that they were starting up a new team. He scowled some, and then smirked. If his counterpart could play mind games, why couldn't he too? Besides he wanted to see her face. So he began to whistle. It was a song that he'd known since he was a toddler. His mother had taught him that song, and surely she would remember the significance behind it. He was right. She did, and she had paused in her tracks when she heard it. When he caught sight of her face he thought of how she still looked so innocent after all the time that had passed. For an instant he thought of calling out to her –but the tall fool carrying Yuugi –this Seto Kaiba as he had been told –broke the moment by kicking her in the leg. Bakura made a mental note to break that leg, and the other, the next time he met Kaiba. He watched as Spencer quickly followed and let out an aggravated yell.
Heheheh, troubled by her again?
I'm not! I gave up those dreams a long time ago. Now switch with me.
But I thought you liked being out.
I changed my mind.
In a flash Bakura took over his host's body and looked down at the scene below. Urshio was still twitching, but some of his crew was up and about.
"Might as well go down and make some new friends," He said and leapt onto another catwalk across from the first. Then slid down a wire rigging –much to his host's protests –and let go dropping, with cat like skill, landing on his feet and placing his right hand out, touching the floor with the tips of his fingers for balance. He grinned, stood up, and slowly walked over to Urshio as if he was just out for a causal stroll around the park. Several of the boys were over by their leader uttering words of worry and fear.
"Come on get up Urshio!"
"What's wrong with him?"
"Should we call an ambulance?"
"What, and have the cops come here? Are you fucking crazy?"
"Perhaps I could be of assistance, Gentlemen," Bakura said and the crew looked up at him with suspicion.
"Who the hell are you?" one said and Bakura lazily pulled out his deck.
"I am an ally that you don't wish to cross. Now move," he shoved two larger boys aside and bent over Urshio. Impressive –he didn't kill him. Ah well, there's time to rectify that mistake, but for now…
Bakura pulled a card from his deck –Perfect. Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams. Now this should do the trick. He'll have a good time with this one. Bakura opened his jacket and a gold ring with several spikes that hung around his neck and down to his chest, slipped free. He held the card out before him and closed his eyes. Just then one of the boys grabbed him by his shoulder and shouted.
"Just what do you think you're doing?"
This was the boy's biggest mistake. If there was one thing that Bakura hated it was when people touched him with out permission, if there was another is was people questioning him; Combined –a person had a better chance out running a tidal wave then avoiding his wrath. Bakura swung around and caught the boy in the pelvis with a solid sidekick, then he twisted the boys leg and broke it with a dull crack.
There, you got a broken leg.
This isn't the person who I wanted it to happen to!
Whatever, you are a nitpicker you know that.
He stepped purposely onto the boy's broken leg, and twisted his heel into the cracked bone. The boy let out a howl as pain shot through his body like a bolt of jagged hot white lighting.
"Three things to remember! Never question me, and never touch me. And most defiantly do not do both at the same time. Lest you loose more then just a leg next time." –Bakura stepped off him and the boy whimpered clutching is useless leg. He walked back over by Urshio and stated, "For the record, I was trying to help your friend here; unless you want him to remain in a place where he will be driven insane."
The boys shook their heads and Bakura smirked, thinking; Although, the place I'm going to send him isn't exactly Disneyland, either. Again he stood over Urshio's body and held the card out before himself, and closed his eyes. In a moment the gold ring began to glow with an eerie internal light. It erupted, sending out waves of light and wind all over Bakura's body, battering his white mane as it did so. A large wave of dark energy coursed over his arm and near his hand. Bakura's face was taught with concentration, his brow glistened with sweat, and then the strange dark energy shot out of the card and enveloped Urshio's body, and he stopped convulsing, then lay very still. To the boys it looked like he was dead, but Bakura knew better and grinned almost lovingly at the card in his hand. Could he pocket Green Sleeves in this manner he would have long ago, but his host had threatened to jump off the nearest bridge, sending them both to hell, if he even dared to try it. Of course in her case he would pick the nicest card he had in his deck, which there really wasn't one.
"Wh –Why did you kill him? I thought you were going to help him?" asked one boy kneeling down by Urshio's still body. Bakura shook his head and laughed.
"Oh I did, I saved him from a hell that there is no escape from. And he's alive," he grinned like a skeleton at the boys. "But if you want your leader back you'll have to work for me, now."
'The hell we will! Right, boys," said the instigator –several heads nodded in agreement. Bakura figured he would have fun punishing this upstart. "We work only for Urshio!"
"Heh, oh really," laughed Bakura. The boys moved back as his laughter turned loud and cruel. "Well, if that's true then you must understand this one thing," –he held up the card to Urshio's crew who gasped in horror at what they saw. Bakura smirked; Urshio's face loomed out at the boys from the card, with a look of absolute terror. Behind him a green skeletal ghost, with a long sword, was aiming to run their boss through –"As you can plainly see, he works for me now. And I'm sure you'll be a good bunch of lap dogs and follow my orders, or I'll burn this card with you leader's soul, still trapped inside, and send him to the land of the dead."
"Hi –his soul," squeaked the upstart, and when Bakura nodded, the boy fainted. Bakura laughed as the others tried desperately to wake their fellow gang member up.
"That's right, and if you don't listen to my orders, men. You'll be next."
He cackled as the boys started to bow to him saying, "Yes Master. Yes."