****Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh ****
Chapter Twenty-Four
Old Friend
A rather scary surprise awaited Joey when he and Yami Yugi slumped over to the Domino Hotel, with his fists shoved in his pockets and his head hanging. For the entire day, almost, Joey had been in his room thinking about Roux, and about their argument the day before. Given the time to think about it, he had come to a conclusion.
Indeed Roux had been right, and Joey was wrong not to have faith in her because she was a model. He hadn't even known it himself until he had talked to her about it. Not even when he had put the Red-Eyes Black Dragon into her deck. He felt terrible about it, and he should have gone after her that night, but he needed the time to think.
Joey had also talked to Yami Yugi about it. They had been talking about it on their way to the hotel. Yugi had been great about the whole situation after Joey had told him everything. However he did manage to give Joey one of his pep talks on the way to the hotel, talking about how friends support one another no matter what, and they're always there, and that one should have faith in their cards.
Joey admitted that Yugi was right, and as they were walking, Joey kept on thinking about Roux's reaction. Would she take kindly to his admittance? Or would she be angry with him for not seeing it before? He didn't know the answer.
"Don't worry, Joey." Yami said strongly as they were walking. The sun was setting and cast the glow of orange across the city, leaving the two boys in the sun as they walked. "I'm sure Roux will forgive you, maybe not right away, but she will. I don't think she's one to keep a grudge."
"I dunno, Yug." Joey said indifferently. "What if she never speaks to me again?"
Yami put his hand on Joey's shoulder. "I can assure you that won't happen." He told Joey encouragingly. "You just have to show her that you believe in her, no matter what."
Joey looked over at Yugi, and smiled for the first time in about twenty hours. It was times like this Joey was glad he was friends with Yugi. Yugi was always there to give advice when someone wanted it, and in the end he never judged you for it. Joey suspected his life would have been a lot different if he hadn't met Yugi Moto.
The hotel came to view. Yugi heard Joey sucking in breath to prepare himself. Yugi smiled to himself. He knew that Joey was nervous and that he didn't want to lose Roux as a friend. As long as Joey was considerate about Roux's feelings and beliefs about the duels and about everything, Yugi knew Joey would be all right.
They went towards the hotel and climbed the steps to the front entrance, where the doorman gave them both a stiff look, but said nothing as he opened the door for them. Once they were in the lobby, Joey turned to Yugi.
"Wow, can you believe they got a guy at the door to open it for ya?" Joey whistled impressively. "Talk about royalty."
Yugi chuckled to himself. Joey was impressed by the strangest things.
They approached the front desk shortly. The man at the desk was not looking pleased to see them in the least. He frowned disapprovingly and stood up very straight. When Joey and Yugi came up to the desk, the man studied Joey intently, and Yugi only for a moment, as no one really dared to stare at Yami Yugi very long in fear of getting killed.
"Can I-" he paused and cleared his throat. "Help you, in any way?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure ya can pops." Joey said. "Um listen, I need to talk to a guest of yours, it's really important."
The man looked disgusted. "A guest here, at this hotel?"
"That's right."
The man shrugged. "Very well, which guest would you like to see? I can run a bellboy up."
"Roux Matuko please." Joey said politely, and then irritatingly began tapping the bell on the counter.
The man at the desk sneered at Joey's insane tapping of the bell and in a quick movement snatched it away from under Joey's finger. "I'm terribly sorry, but Miss. Matuko has not been here in the last several days, and even if she was I'd doubt she'd want to speak with the likes of you." The man added harshly.
Yami Yugi crossed his arms and gave the man a deadly stare.
"Wha? You mean Roux's not here?" Joey asked, praying that he had heard the man wrong.
The man sighed. "If you wish for me to repeat it I shall, Miss. Matuko has not been here in the last several days, however she asked us to keep her room for her, so-"
"Wait a minute pops! You mean to tell me that she's not here?" Joey asked concerned. "She didn't come back last night?"
"You didn't receive a phone call or anything from her?" Yami piped in, growing a little worried.
The man shook his head. "No I'm sorry, Miss. Matuko has not been here for several days, including last night."
Joey and Yami left the man at the desk, saying thanks but knowing he didn't really deserve it. They were halfway to the door when Joey stared flipping out. "What could have happened to her? If I know Roux, she doesn't know anyone else in the city!"
"Joey, calm down." Yugi said sternly.
"And if she didn't come here last night and she don't know anyone else in town where is she? Where was she last night?" Joey ran his hands frantically through his hair. "Yug, we gotta do something! What if she's in trouble or something?"
"Don't panic!" Yugi insisted. "If we work together I'm sure we can find her. All we have to do is look in the obvious places." Yugi pointed out. "Now think; where would she go if she didn't come back to the hotel?"
Joey thought for a moment, tapping his chin. Where would Roux go if she didn't go back to her hotel? Where else could she have gone? Who else did she know in Domino City, besides all of Joey's friends?
Suddenly Joey snapped his fingers. "Pegasus!" he cried out suddenly, and everyone in the lobby looked over at them rather confused and irritated.
Yugi nodded. "Great, Joey! That'll be the first place to look. Let's get going."
They both headed out the doors. The doorman held the door for them and Joey was so frantic to get moving over to Pegasus' house that he skipped a few of the steps leading down to the driveway, and began tripping.
"Whooa!!" Joey shrieked out as he tripped down the stairs, and then landed face first into a long, jet black limo. Yugi shook his head and quickly went down the steps to help Joey.
"Joey, are you okay?" Yugi asked.
Joey stepped away from the limo, rubbing his nose. "Yeow, that smarts! How'd ya like that, running into a limo?" he turned to the side and saw that the person in the back seat was getting out of the car.
Angrily Joey started shaking his fist. "Hey nimrod, wanna tell your driver to watch where he's going? Sheesh, he's driving like a maniac!"
Joey shut right up when he saw Kaiba get out of the back seat of the limo, and give him the dirtiest look ever. Joey bit his lip but still held his ground.
"Well, well. If it isn't Wheeler. Were the people inside astonished to see someone like you wandering around?" Kaiba scowled. "And there's nothing wrong with my driver, it's just like you to run into a car, you're so clumsy."
Joey went red. "Aw yeah?" he asked angrily. "Well for your information I wouldn't be so frantic right now if-"
Joey was instantly cut off when he watched Kaiba offer his hand to someone in the limo, and the person took his hand and climbed out. Joey saw the flash of the golden hair and the red lips, and when those familiar, jeweled eyes smiled over at him, Joey just went nuts. "ROUX!"
Roux saw Joey and she smiled instantly, and was rather taken aback when he just flung himself right at her and landed in her arms. He grabbed her tightly and seemed to refuse to let go. Roux hugged him back. She was so happy to see him.
Yami smiled and walked towards them. He observed Kaiba standing to the side rolling his eyes and crossing his arms. Yugi raised an eyebrow. What would Roux be doing in the back of Kaiba's limo?
"Joey, I'm sorry about what happened the other night." Roux said frantically. "I'm sorry I yelled at you, I'm sorry-"
"Nah, I'm the one who should be sorry." Joey laughed. "I should believe in ya, no matter what, whether or not you win or lose a duel. Winning's not important, it's about believing in yourself. So I'm sorry." He said, smiling sweetly.
Roux smiled at him, and she felt tears threaten to come to her eyes. She hugged to him again. "Joey I'm sorry I ran off last night. I'm so glad to see you."
Joey patted her back. "Yeah, where you been at?" Joey asked. "That aging bafoon at the desk told us you ain't been here for a few days. Where were you?"
Roux's soft smile was gone and what was left was a rather questionable look. Then she bit softly on her lower lip and looked over. "Well." She looked up at Kaiba.
Kaiba didn't look amused when Joey looked up at him, his eyes demanding of an explanation. Joey's eyebrows burred questionably. "Yeah, why'd you have Roux in your back seat there, Kaiba?"
Kaiba's lip curled in detest. "Well, if you hadn't been so blind, you would have known that your little blonde run-a-bout was almost kidnapped last night."
Both Yugi and Joey's eyes went wide with surprise.
"Say WHA?" Joey blurted out loudly, and turned to Roux. "If this true?"
Roux shrugged. "Yeah. Right after I left your place, I was walking through the park and these guys confronted me." She hated to relive the whole experience in her head again. She would be glad never to speak of it again.
Yugi crossed his arms and thought for a moment. "Hmm, it had something to do with the Millennium Stone, didn't it?"
They all looked over at him. Kaiba was rather surprised that Yugi knew about it.
"Yeah, actually." Roux said. "We found out that the guy who wants the stone is a guy named Marik." Roux told them both, wary of people around who could have been listening.
Yugi's brows furred in anger. He knew Marik Ishtar all too well. He was rather surprised that Marik was here in Domino, but then again he hadn't really expected Marik to miss out on a tournament, or to miss out on getting a millennium item.
"Marik?" Joey growled angrily. "That two-bit mind-controlling nimrod! He'll get his if he ever comes near you again!" Joey told Roux protectively.
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "You won't have to bother."
Yugi and Joey looked up questionably at Kaiba. He didn't look at them, he held his arms crossed against his chest tightly and pouted.
"What are ya talking about, Kaiba?" Joey demanded to know.
Kaiba's eyes narrowed intensely at Joey. "None of your concern, Wheeler. It's between me and Roux." He glared down at Roux. "And it's going to stay that way!" He snarled at her, having the feeling that once Kaiba was gone, she'd blab to everyone about what had happened.
Roux scowled up at him. "Hey listen Kaiba, they knew about this probably before you did, I trust them."
He pouted. "You can tell Yugi, but I wouldn't be so sure about Wheeler." Kaiba's eyes flashed detestfully at Joey.
Joey growled and put up his fist. "What's that supposed to mean, Kaiba? I as much a friend of Roux's as Yugi is, and I could protect her if I needed to."
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "Oh please, you couldn't protect anyone from a caterpillar, let alone Marik Ishtar."
Roux and Yugi had to be quick in holding back Joey from attacking Joey. Kaiba stood as though nothing was the matter but Joey looked as though he was ready to take a few chunks out of the side of Kaiba's head.
"You're really pushin' a button here, Kaiba!" Joey snarled furiously, his nostrils flaring.
Kaiba shook his head and rolled his eyes. "I don't know what I'm doing here, I have work to do." He said, turning to get back into the limo. But before he did he turned and looked at Roux intensely, after she and Yugi had let Joey go.
"Remember our discussion," he reminded her sternly. "I'll be back here tomorrow afternoon to collect you."
Roux nodded, but then Joey stepped in. "Oh no ya don't!" he said. "Listen, if Roux's being chased after now, there's no way we're gonna let her stay here by herself!" Joey crossed his arms. "If you were a proper protector Kaiba, I think you'd know that. She'll stay with us tonight."
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever. I'll be at the Wheeler residence tomorrow to collect you." He told Roux. She didn't say anything. She tried to ignore Kaiba's shamed glare as he got in the limo and slammed the door shut.
On the way back to Joey's apartment, both Yugi and Joey had demanded for an explanation from Roux. Who were the guys chasing her? How did she know Marik was after her? And why, above all things, was Kaiba the one to protect her? None of it made any sense.
Roux told them everything, one little bit at a time. She told them about her dreams with Shaadii, about seeing Kale and about being in Egypt and learning about the stone's powers. Then she continued on to the night before, where she had stopped at a park and was chased by the goons. And then she commenced to when she ran into Kaiba, and at first he was happy to give her up to the goons. But then he demanded them to let her go, and when they didn't, he summoned his Blue Eyes White Dragon to take them out. Joey and Yugi exchanged glances of confusion.
Then she told them how Kaiba knew about the stone and how he wanted it, and then she was in his limo and woke up in his house. She hadn't left out a single detail. She wasn't even half way done her story by the time they reached Joey's apartment.
"Kaiba didn't really tell me much, it was Shaadii who explained. Apparently it's his destiny to protect the one who bears the Millennium Stone." Roux said, as she they all sat down in the Wheeler kitchen table, drinking hot cups of coffee. Serenity was already asleep and they didn't want to wake her, so they were especially quiet.
"Why would it be Kaiba's destiny to do such a thing?" Joey thought. "He didn't seem too happy to accept it, I'll bet."
Roux gave a soft smile. "No, actually. He did quite a bit of grumbling about it. And I don't blame him. I did my fair share too." She sighed softly, warming her clammy hands with the cup of coffee.
"I'll bet he's just after the stone now to get an item, now that he's got an Egyptian God card." Joey huffed. "He'll do anything for power, that guy."
Yugi looked over at Roux sternly. "Roux, how was Kaiba able to summon the Blue Eyes White Dragon there in the middle of the street?"
Roux shrugged. "I don't know, I was wondering about that too." She said and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But then again he did sorta save me with it so I'm not asking questions."
Yugi frowned considerably. If Kaiba were up to something, as to summon monsters on the street, it would certainly be worth looking into. Perhaps he had finally reached a breakthrough on his technology studies for gaming down at Kaiba Corporation. Yeah, that had to be the answer.
Roux smiled at them both after awhile. "I'm glad you guys came along. I really didn't want to stay at the hotel by myself." She stalled for a moment. "In case Marik knew my location, you know?"
Joey smiled sadly and put his arm around her. "Don't worry Roux, we wouldn't leave you alone ever. Not when you're in trouble, at least." He gave her a warm smile.
Yami smiled as well. "Joey's right. And if Marik is to even try to capture you again, he'll have your friends to deal with first."
Roux smiled. She took a deep breath in and hugged them both. "Thank you so much, you guys. You truly are great friends." But shortly after she had said this she yawned softly.
"Here," Joey said, helping her up. "You're tired, you should get some sleep."
Roux nodded. "Yeah, I am rather tired. I can manage." She told Joey, and slowly Joey removed his arm from her shoulder. "Thanks again you guys." She said, smiling brilliantly at both Joey and Yami before walking through the kitchen door and towards the hallway.
Joey made sure that he heard her door open and close before he let out a pained sigh and collapsed onto the table. Yugi looked down at him and frowned in confusion. "Joey, are you okay?"
"No I'm not okay." Joey said impatiently, mumbling into the table, but with his loud voice Yugi could still hear him. "I just found out that one of my friends was almost kidnapped last night and it was all my fault."
Yugi shook his head and put his hand encouragingly on Joey's shoulder. "No Joey, you're not to blame."
"Yes I am!" Joey demanded. "If I hadn't argued with her, or if I had chased after her after she left the apartment, she wouldn't have come anywhere near danger. I should have been smarter."
"Joey we all made the mistake in not going after her." Yugi said. "Any one of us could have done it, and we didn't. We felt she needed some space to herself. So you see, it was just as much our fault as it was yours. But she's safe now and that's all that matters." Yugi looked up at the kitchen door, and smiling as though Roux was standing there, even though there was no one.
Joey smirked. "Yeah, and with Kaiba claiming to protect her, I'm sure Marik will never dare to touch her again." Joey pouted, and leaned on his arm. "That's what I totally don't understand about this whole thing. Why Kaiba? He couldn't care about anyone to save his life!"
Yami nodded. "I regret to say I agree with you on that, however protecting and caring are two different things. But perhaps in his challenge to protect Roux he could learn to care."
Joey let out a big laugh. "Kaiba? Learn to care?" he laughed even harder. "That's pretty farfetched, Yugi. And you're pretty risky to say such a thing."
Yugi shrugged softly, and a wry smile came over his lips. "Who knows, Joey. Perhaps Kaiba can change."
Joey shook his head. "No he can't, Yugi. Believe me. And in Roux's case, he better not." He leaned back on his chair. "All he has to do is make sure she's safe, and that'll be fine with me."
Yugi looked at Joey for a moment, and then broke the gaze by sipping the last of his coffee, which had gone cold and was distasteful.
Meanwhile, in the guest bedroom, Roux lay in the bed, every muscle in her body told her to sleep, but instead she was wide awake, and found herself staring out the window to keep her occupied.
Her entire life was changing so dramatically. Each day there was more news, more bad news, and then more worry and more fear. What had started out as merely a little competition had turned her life into an imaginative nightmare.
She sighed. She wanted to sleep, and to dream away this entire mess, but she couldn't even blink. Her mind raced frantically with a million confusing thoughts, one right after the other, in which she didn't have the answers to. If she wasn't so confused and frustrated, she could have been able to figure everything out.
So knew a few things, however. She knew her antagonist. Marik Ishtar, and if anyone were to approach her again saying that he wanted to see her, she knew to run, and not look behind. She had to, however, find out what he looked like, so if he had ever tried to approach her himself, she knew what he looked like, and have a head start on an escape plan, to make herself safe.
Roux also knew that Seto Kaiba was to protect her. She fought the urge to groan in disgust. He hadn't been happy in the least to know the truth, and neither was she. They didn't even really talk about it either. He had told her that she was under his protection from now on, but he was a busy man so during the day she would stay out of sight, and in the evening he would collect her and keep her safe. It hadn't made her completely excited, or happy in any way.
She thought about the stone on her finger. She knew Kaiba needed and wanted the ring. If it hadn't been for that stone, he would have just dumped her off with Joey and Yugi altogether and be happy to be done with her for the rest of his life.
But then again he needed the stone, and she knew it. Seto Kaiba was trapped.
Heavily, she sighed, and rolled onto her side to look out the window. She looked at her ring, and traced her finger over the patterns of the eye. She shook her head. "It's remarkable that so many should suffer such fear and doubt over so small a thing." She whispered to herself.
Then she laughed. She wondered if she was dreaming. Quoting from, "The Lord of the Rings" was not one of her major ideas of fun.
Nevertheless, there was something so odd about it. So much grief over a tiny object. It scared her, and she remembered her dream, when she was in Egypt with Shaadii. He told her that the Millennium Stone had intense powers that only she was destined to wield. She burred her eyebrows in confusion. So why could she not wield the power, is she was destined to wield it?
A voice in her head started to speak. It sounded familiar, warm and friendly in her mind. It seemed to be coming from beside her.
It came again, speaking to her a little more clearing, and the stone within the eye of the ring flashed again the brilliant red. The same flash the day of the practice duel, before she had drawn the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
The flash was gone.
"Roux."
Roux gasped softly, as she held the voice again. This time it was not in her head, but right beside her. Fearfully she could feel someone's weight pressing down on the sheets and covers of the bed, and the warmth at her knees gave her shivers.
Immediately she looked over. She almost burst into tears.
Kale, sitting on the side of her bed, smiling down at her.
She shook her head, unbelieving. He was dead, he couldn't be there. Was she dreaming? Or was she just imagining it? Either way she knew he wasn't there, he couldn't have been there. But she was so happy to see him.
"Kale, you can't be here." She said, raising her head a little.
Kale smirked, and crossed his arms. "Oh, so like that's any way to greet your best friend?" he asked, amused.
Roux smiled. Kale had the most irresistible charm. No mortal girl could resist it. "I'm sorry, it's just that, you can't be here. You died."
Kale nodded. "Indeed I did, and it was brutal too. And when I reached the spirit world I was rather angry."
Roux looked curious. "Why?"
"Because I was almost finished my latest design for 'White Plum' when that little ass Marik sliced me across my chest." Kale complained, rolling his eyes and then smiling cheerfully. "That edition could have made me my fortune!"
Roux laughed. "You already had a fortune, Kale. What are you talking about?"
Kale shook his head. "Nah, I didn't have a fortune." He said to her, his eyes, even though they seemed to be of only his direct soul, filled with a soft sadness that Roux couldn't encounter. "I had money, but that wasn't the same as fortune." He touched her hand softly. His hand was cold and hard, but Roux didn't dare to move her hand. He smiled at her. "Only with you was I fortunate."
Roux smiled, and had the biggest urge to hug him. But she felt herself glued down to the sheets beneath her. How she missed her, how she was so glad to see him now, and talk to him for what she felt would be the very last time.
His eyes went round, and then serious for a single moment. "Roux, the danger you are in is rather critical." He told her sternly, and she was shocked by the change of tone in his voice. "You have to promise me that you will be safe, and not do anything too stupid."
Roux was glad to see him smile, and she smiled herself. "Too stupid? Well I wouldn't be talking, Kale. You remember when we were dating and you made me a martini and got your tie stuck in the blender?" she gave him a mischievous smile.
Kale's jaw dropped and was mockingly offended. "The only reason that happened was because you were distracting me by playing puppets with the kitchen tongs!"
They both laughed heartily, and it felt good to laugh with him again, and they had done before so many times. Roux felt herself completely happy, and not worrying about really anything at the moment. Not until Kale had to bring it up again.
"But Roux, you must promise me that you will be safe." He squeezed her hand softly. "I know it may seem sort of startling, but you need to do this to protect the stone and yourself." He spoke softly, and she knew what he would say next. "I know Yugi Moto and Joey Wheeler are your friends and will stop at nothing to help you, but you must also find faith in Seto Kaiba."
Roux sighed softly and hung her head. Softly shaking it, she mumbled. "Kaiba and I hate each other, we'll kill each other before Marik even has the chance to."
Kale smiled and lifted her chin with his fingers. He stared into her deep eyes and gave her a comforting smile. "Perhaps you will, but nevertheless you must have faith in him. He has a job to do and he knows it, and if he wants to achieve what he truly wants, he'll have to stand by you and protect you with all his might." Kale grinned playfully. "And if he fails in any way possible, and you are hurt in any way, I will personally haunt him for the rest of his days."
Roux couldn't help but laugh. She looked up at him. His sweet smile, his carefree hair, his charming eyes. She could never say no to him, she loved him too much. "Okay Kale. I will stick by him, and his protection. For you."
Kale's eyes lit up brightly. "I know you will." He told her, and then he wrapped her arms around her, cradling her to him.
Roux knew he was only a ghost, a memory in her mind, but he felt so real as he held her there. She clung to him like a newborn baby to her mother. She didn't want Kale to go, but she knew he had to, and he would go soon.
Slowly he began to inch away from her, smiling softly at her, his eyes held sadness. Roux bit her lip, and then she remembered something. "Wait! Kale! How do I use the powers of the stone?" she asked urgently.
Kale could only smile at her. "Simple." He said, and he was going transparent before her eyes. She watched as he was slowly disappearing into the room. She reached for him and heard his words whisper to her. "Just listen to your heart."
And just like that, Kale was gone.
~*~
Marik paced the dark room impatiently, staring at his feet, his hands behind his back. He was awaiting the test results from his men. He wanted to know what had attacked them the night before and stood in the way of his plans.
Marik's anger grew the more he thought of anyone trying to foil his great plan. The Millennium Rod was sitting nearby on a table in the moonlight. He had the greatest urge to use it to destroy his boat, just to let out his frustation.
The clock chimed, and he stopped and stared at it. One in the morning. Where was the guard with the results? If he had to go down to the medical room himself, and expose himself to the various servants on board the cruise ship, he would have been very angry indeed.
His tension broke when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Marik shouted, looking at the door.
The guard came in holding a piece of paper in his hand. He looked indifferent, although his facial expression showed a hint of confusion. Marik suspiciously stared. He turned to face the guard.
"Well?" he asked expectantly, crossing his arms. "What have you found?"
The guard cleared his throat. "Well we did the examinations of the men sir, and-"
"Yes, yes!" Marik said negatively, waving his hand back and forth as if to swat an insect away from him. "What have you found?"
The guard looked down at the piece of paper. "Well the doctor has confirmed that the attacks upon the men were caused by, well you won't really believe this, white lightning."
Marik scowled. And he retraced the night before hurriedly. There hadn't been a thunderstorm or anything the night before, what was the guard playing at? "What the hell do you mean white lightning? Were they struck by lightning? There wasn't a drop last night!" Marik growled furiously.
"Oh no sir," the guard said. "The doctor said it is the white lightning attack from a-" he checked the piece of paper. "Ah yes, a Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
Marik's eyes widened in surprise. A Blue-Eyes White Dragon? No, that couldn't have been right. The only person in the world who held all three of the Blue-Eyes White Dragons was-
"No, read it over. You're mistaken." Marik concluded, trying to shake the thought from his head, and waited for the real answer.
The guard shrugged. "I'm sorry sir, but this is what the doctor said."
Marik scowled. "It can't be right." He insisted. "Seto Kaiba owns the Blue- Eyes White Dragons."
The guard cleared his throat nervously. "Well sir, then I suppose he was the one who stopped the men."
Marik's eyes flared in anger. "Are you contradicting me?" he shouted.
The guard's face showed great worry and he backed up. "Umm no sir, not at all!"
"It couldn't have been Seto Kaiba," Marik snarled. "Why would he have any reason whatsoever to save a girl from my men?"
The guard swallowed tightly. "Actually sir, one of our men testified."
Marik eyed him suspiciously. "Go on."
The guard nodded. "He said that they had encountered a young man on the streets, and he had given her up willingly to them. However when they said your name, he immediately insisted they release her, and when they didn't, he unleashed his dragon."
Marik tapped his arm, lost in deep thought. This was a confusing situation. Why would Seto Kaiba be wondering around in the dark, find a girl, give her up to some goons trying to capture her, and then demand they let her go after hearing the name of Marik?
And how was he able to summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in the middle of a public street?
"Hmm," Marik said thoughtfully, and turned his back to the guard, and staring out the window. "I see. Now my plan had gotten more difficult. No matter. I can deal with Seto Kaiba myself," he looked at the guard over his shoulder. "But somehow he was able to summon the dragon in the middle of the street without a hologram system or anything. Find out how." Marik hissed in request to the guard.
The man bowed. "Yes sir." And he left the room in a moment.
Marik sighed and looked out the window, up into the lights of Domino City. He thought to himself in the dark.
~ So now Seto Kaiba is in the game too, is he? This makes everything much easier. Now I will be able to win his Egyptian god card quicker than I thought. And if Kaiba Corp has created some new virtual system, it shall be mine soon. ~
He laughed wickedly into the silence.
~*~
**** This afternoon I got a spectacular, spectacular idea for a sequel to this story. I'll finish this one first of course, and then perhaps I'll begin to write the sequel. What would you, the readers think, of a sequel? Of course that isn't really a fair enough question, as the story isn't near finished yet ^_^. But things are cooking, so we'll get there soon! Just hang in there ^_^ ****
Chapter Twenty-Four
Old Friend
A rather scary surprise awaited Joey when he and Yami Yugi slumped over to the Domino Hotel, with his fists shoved in his pockets and his head hanging. For the entire day, almost, Joey had been in his room thinking about Roux, and about their argument the day before. Given the time to think about it, he had come to a conclusion.
Indeed Roux had been right, and Joey was wrong not to have faith in her because she was a model. He hadn't even known it himself until he had talked to her about it. Not even when he had put the Red-Eyes Black Dragon into her deck. He felt terrible about it, and he should have gone after her that night, but he needed the time to think.
Joey had also talked to Yami Yugi about it. They had been talking about it on their way to the hotel. Yugi had been great about the whole situation after Joey had told him everything. However he did manage to give Joey one of his pep talks on the way to the hotel, talking about how friends support one another no matter what, and they're always there, and that one should have faith in their cards.
Joey admitted that Yugi was right, and as they were walking, Joey kept on thinking about Roux's reaction. Would she take kindly to his admittance? Or would she be angry with him for not seeing it before? He didn't know the answer.
"Don't worry, Joey." Yami said strongly as they were walking. The sun was setting and cast the glow of orange across the city, leaving the two boys in the sun as they walked. "I'm sure Roux will forgive you, maybe not right away, but she will. I don't think she's one to keep a grudge."
"I dunno, Yug." Joey said indifferently. "What if she never speaks to me again?"
Yami put his hand on Joey's shoulder. "I can assure you that won't happen." He told Joey encouragingly. "You just have to show her that you believe in her, no matter what."
Joey looked over at Yugi, and smiled for the first time in about twenty hours. It was times like this Joey was glad he was friends with Yugi. Yugi was always there to give advice when someone wanted it, and in the end he never judged you for it. Joey suspected his life would have been a lot different if he hadn't met Yugi Moto.
The hotel came to view. Yugi heard Joey sucking in breath to prepare himself. Yugi smiled to himself. He knew that Joey was nervous and that he didn't want to lose Roux as a friend. As long as Joey was considerate about Roux's feelings and beliefs about the duels and about everything, Yugi knew Joey would be all right.
They went towards the hotel and climbed the steps to the front entrance, where the doorman gave them both a stiff look, but said nothing as he opened the door for them. Once they were in the lobby, Joey turned to Yugi.
"Wow, can you believe they got a guy at the door to open it for ya?" Joey whistled impressively. "Talk about royalty."
Yugi chuckled to himself. Joey was impressed by the strangest things.
They approached the front desk shortly. The man at the desk was not looking pleased to see them in the least. He frowned disapprovingly and stood up very straight. When Joey and Yugi came up to the desk, the man studied Joey intently, and Yugi only for a moment, as no one really dared to stare at Yami Yugi very long in fear of getting killed.
"Can I-" he paused and cleared his throat. "Help you, in any way?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure ya can pops." Joey said. "Um listen, I need to talk to a guest of yours, it's really important."
The man looked disgusted. "A guest here, at this hotel?"
"That's right."
The man shrugged. "Very well, which guest would you like to see? I can run a bellboy up."
"Roux Matuko please." Joey said politely, and then irritatingly began tapping the bell on the counter.
The man at the desk sneered at Joey's insane tapping of the bell and in a quick movement snatched it away from under Joey's finger. "I'm terribly sorry, but Miss. Matuko has not been here in the last several days, and even if she was I'd doubt she'd want to speak with the likes of you." The man added harshly.
Yami Yugi crossed his arms and gave the man a deadly stare.
"Wha? You mean Roux's not here?" Joey asked, praying that he had heard the man wrong.
The man sighed. "If you wish for me to repeat it I shall, Miss. Matuko has not been here in the last several days, however she asked us to keep her room for her, so-"
"Wait a minute pops! You mean to tell me that she's not here?" Joey asked concerned. "She didn't come back last night?"
"You didn't receive a phone call or anything from her?" Yami piped in, growing a little worried.
The man shook his head. "No I'm sorry, Miss. Matuko has not been here for several days, including last night."
Joey and Yami left the man at the desk, saying thanks but knowing he didn't really deserve it. They were halfway to the door when Joey stared flipping out. "What could have happened to her? If I know Roux, she doesn't know anyone else in the city!"
"Joey, calm down." Yugi said sternly.
"And if she didn't come here last night and she don't know anyone else in town where is she? Where was she last night?" Joey ran his hands frantically through his hair. "Yug, we gotta do something! What if she's in trouble or something?"
"Don't panic!" Yugi insisted. "If we work together I'm sure we can find her. All we have to do is look in the obvious places." Yugi pointed out. "Now think; where would she go if she didn't come back to the hotel?"
Joey thought for a moment, tapping his chin. Where would Roux go if she didn't go back to her hotel? Where else could she have gone? Who else did she know in Domino City, besides all of Joey's friends?
Suddenly Joey snapped his fingers. "Pegasus!" he cried out suddenly, and everyone in the lobby looked over at them rather confused and irritated.
Yugi nodded. "Great, Joey! That'll be the first place to look. Let's get going."
They both headed out the doors. The doorman held the door for them and Joey was so frantic to get moving over to Pegasus' house that he skipped a few of the steps leading down to the driveway, and began tripping.
"Whooa!!" Joey shrieked out as he tripped down the stairs, and then landed face first into a long, jet black limo. Yugi shook his head and quickly went down the steps to help Joey.
"Joey, are you okay?" Yugi asked.
Joey stepped away from the limo, rubbing his nose. "Yeow, that smarts! How'd ya like that, running into a limo?" he turned to the side and saw that the person in the back seat was getting out of the car.
Angrily Joey started shaking his fist. "Hey nimrod, wanna tell your driver to watch where he's going? Sheesh, he's driving like a maniac!"
Joey shut right up when he saw Kaiba get out of the back seat of the limo, and give him the dirtiest look ever. Joey bit his lip but still held his ground.
"Well, well. If it isn't Wheeler. Were the people inside astonished to see someone like you wandering around?" Kaiba scowled. "And there's nothing wrong with my driver, it's just like you to run into a car, you're so clumsy."
Joey went red. "Aw yeah?" he asked angrily. "Well for your information I wouldn't be so frantic right now if-"
Joey was instantly cut off when he watched Kaiba offer his hand to someone in the limo, and the person took his hand and climbed out. Joey saw the flash of the golden hair and the red lips, and when those familiar, jeweled eyes smiled over at him, Joey just went nuts. "ROUX!"
Roux saw Joey and she smiled instantly, and was rather taken aback when he just flung himself right at her and landed in her arms. He grabbed her tightly and seemed to refuse to let go. Roux hugged him back. She was so happy to see him.
Yami smiled and walked towards them. He observed Kaiba standing to the side rolling his eyes and crossing his arms. Yugi raised an eyebrow. What would Roux be doing in the back of Kaiba's limo?
"Joey, I'm sorry about what happened the other night." Roux said frantically. "I'm sorry I yelled at you, I'm sorry-"
"Nah, I'm the one who should be sorry." Joey laughed. "I should believe in ya, no matter what, whether or not you win or lose a duel. Winning's not important, it's about believing in yourself. So I'm sorry." He said, smiling sweetly.
Roux smiled at him, and she felt tears threaten to come to her eyes. She hugged to him again. "Joey I'm sorry I ran off last night. I'm so glad to see you."
Joey patted her back. "Yeah, where you been at?" Joey asked. "That aging bafoon at the desk told us you ain't been here for a few days. Where were you?"
Roux's soft smile was gone and what was left was a rather questionable look. Then she bit softly on her lower lip and looked over. "Well." She looked up at Kaiba.
Kaiba didn't look amused when Joey looked up at him, his eyes demanding of an explanation. Joey's eyebrows burred questionably. "Yeah, why'd you have Roux in your back seat there, Kaiba?"
Kaiba's lip curled in detest. "Well, if you hadn't been so blind, you would have known that your little blonde run-a-bout was almost kidnapped last night."
Both Yugi and Joey's eyes went wide with surprise.
"Say WHA?" Joey blurted out loudly, and turned to Roux. "If this true?"
Roux shrugged. "Yeah. Right after I left your place, I was walking through the park and these guys confronted me." She hated to relive the whole experience in her head again. She would be glad never to speak of it again.
Yugi crossed his arms and thought for a moment. "Hmm, it had something to do with the Millennium Stone, didn't it?"
They all looked over at him. Kaiba was rather surprised that Yugi knew about it.
"Yeah, actually." Roux said. "We found out that the guy who wants the stone is a guy named Marik." Roux told them both, wary of people around who could have been listening.
Yugi's brows furred in anger. He knew Marik Ishtar all too well. He was rather surprised that Marik was here in Domino, but then again he hadn't really expected Marik to miss out on a tournament, or to miss out on getting a millennium item.
"Marik?" Joey growled angrily. "That two-bit mind-controlling nimrod! He'll get his if he ever comes near you again!" Joey told Roux protectively.
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "You won't have to bother."
Yugi and Joey looked up questionably at Kaiba. He didn't look at them, he held his arms crossed against his chest tightly and pouted.
"What are ya talking about, Kaiba?" Joey demanded to know.
Kaiba's eyes narrowed intensely at Joey. "None of your concern, Wheeler. It's between me and Roux." He glared down at Roux. "And it's going to stay that way!" He snarled at her, having the feeling that once Kaiba was gone, she'd blab to everyone about what had happened.
Roux scowled up at him. "Hey listen Kaiba, they knew about this probably before you did, I trust them."
He pouted. "You can tell Yugi, but I wouldn't be so sure about Wheeler." Kaiba's eyes flashed detestfully at Joey.
Joey growled and put up his fist. "What's that supposed to mean, Kaiba? I as much a friend of Roux's as Yugi is, and I could protect her if I needed to."
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "Oh please, you couldn't protect anyone from a caterpillar, let alone Marik Ishtar."
Roux and Yugi had to be quick in holding back Joey from attacking Joey. Kaiba stood as though nothing was the matter but Joey looked as though he was ready to take a few chunks out of the side of Kaiba's head.
"You're really pushin' a button here, Kaiba!" Joey snarled furiously, his nostrils flaring.
Kaiba shook his head and rolled his eyes. "I don't know what I'm doing here, I have work to do." He said, turning to get back into the limo. But before he did he turned and looked at Roux intensely, after she and Yugi had let Joey go.
"Remember our discussion," he reminded her sternly. "I'll be back here tomorrow afternoon to collect you."
Roux nodded, but then Joey stepped in. "Oh no ya don't!" he said. "Listen, if Roux's being chased after now, there's no way we're gonna let her stay here by herself!" Joey crossed his arms. "If you were a proper protector Kaiba, I think you'd know that. She'll stay with us tonight."
Kaiba rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever. I'll be at the Wheeler residence tomorrow to collect you." He told Roux. She didn't say anything. She tried to ignore Kaiba's shamed glare as he got in the limo and slammed the door shut.
On the way back to Joey's apartment, both Yugi and Joey had demanded for an explanation from Roux. Who were the guys chasing her? How did she know Marik was after her? And why, above all things, was Kaiba the one to protect her? None of it made any sense.
Roux told them everything, one little bit at a time. She told them about her dreams with Shaadii, about seeing Kale and about being in Egypt and learning about the stone's powers. Then she continued on to the night before, where she had stopped at a park and was chased by the goons. And then she commenced to when she ran into Kaiba, and at first he was happy to give her up to the goons. But then he demanded them to let her go, and when they didn't, he summoned his Blue Eyes White Dragon to take them out. Joey and Yugi exchanged glances of confusion.
Then she told them how Kaiba knew about the stone and how he wanted it, and then she was in his limo and woke up in his house. She hadn't left out a single detail. She wasn't even half way done her story by the time they reached Joey's apartment.
"Kaiba didn't really tell me much, it was Shaadii who explained. Apparently it's his destiny to protect the one who bears the Millennium Stone." Roux said, as she they all sat down in the Wheeler kitchen table, drinking hot cups of coffee. Serenity was already asleep and they didn't want to wake her, so they were especially quiet.
"Why would it be Kaiba's destiny to do such a thing?" Joey thought. "He didn't seem too happy to accept it, I'll bet."
Roux gave a soft smile. "No, actually. He did quite a bit of grumbling about it. And I don't blame him. I did my fair share too." She sighed softly, warming her clammy hands with the cup of coffee.
"I'll bet he's just after the stone now to get an item, now that he's got an Egyptian God card." Joey huffed. "He'll do anything for power, that guy."
Yugi looked over at Roux sternly. "Roux, how was Kaiba able to summon the Blue Eyes White Dragon there in the middle of the street?"
Roux shrugged. "I don't know, I was wondering about that too." She said and rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But then again he did sorta save me with it so I'm not asking questions."
Yugi frowned considerably. If Kaiba were up to something, as to summon monsters on the street, it would certainly be worth looking into. Perhaps he had finally reached a breakthrough on his technology studies for gaming down at Kaiba Corporation. Yeah, that had to be the answer.
Roux smiled at them both after awhile. "I'm glad you guys came along. I really didn't want to stay at the hotel by myself." She stalled for a moment. "In case Marik knew my location, you know?"
Joey smiled sadly and put his arm around her. "Don't worry Roux, we wouldn't leave you alone ever. Not when you're in trouble, at least." He gave her a warm smile.
Yami smiled as well. "Joey's right. And if Marik is to even try to capture you again, he'll have your friends to deal with first."
Roux smiled. She took a deep breath in and hugged them both. "Thank you so much, you guys. You truly are great friends." But shortly after she had said this she yawned softly.
"Here," Joey said, helping her up. "You're tired, you should get some sleep."
Roux nodded. "Yeah, I am rather tired. I can manage." She told Joey, and slowly Joey removed his arm from her shoulder. "Thanks again you guys." She said, smiling brilliantly at both Joey and Yami before walking through the kitchen door and towards the hallway.
Joey made sure that he heard her door open and close before he let out a pained sigh and collapsed onto the table. Yugi looked down at him and frowned in confusion. "Joey, are you okay?"
"No I'm not okay." Joey said impatiently, mumbling into the table, but with his loud voice Yugi could still hear him. "I just found out that one of my friends was almost kidnapped last night and it was all my fault."
Yugi shook his head and put his hand encouragingly on Joey's shoulder. "No Joey, you're not to blame."
"Yes I am!" Joey demanded. "If I hadn't argued with her, or if I had chased after her after she left the apartment, she wouldn't have come anywhere near danger. I should have been smarter."
"Joey we all made the mistake in not going after her." Yugi said. "Any one of us could have done it, and we didn't. We felt she needed some space to herself. So you see, it was just as much our fault as it was yours. But she's safe now and that's all that matters." Yugi looked up at the kitchen door, and smiling as though Roux was standing there, even though there was no one.
Joey smirked. "Yeah, and with Kaiba claiming to protect her, I'm sure Marik will never dare to touch her again." Joey pouted, and leaned on his arm. "That's what I totally don't understand about this whole thing. Why Kaiba? He couldn't care about anyone to save his life!"
Yami nodded. "I regret to say I agree with you on that, however protecting and caring are two different things. But perhaps in his challenge to protect Roux he could learn to care."
Joey let out a big laugh. "Kaiba? Learn to care?" he laughed even harder. "That's pretty farfetched, Yugi. And you're pretty risky to say such a thing."
Yugi shrugged softly, and a wry smile came over his lips. "Who knows, Joey. Perhaps Kaiba can change."
Joey shook his head. "No he can't, Yugi. Believe me. And in Roux's case, he better not." He leaned back on his chair. "All he has to do is make sure she's safe, and that'll be fine with me."
Yugi looked at Joey for a moment, and then broke the gaze by sipping the last of his coffee, which had gone cold and was distasteful.
Meanwhile, in the guest bedroom, Roux lay in the bed, every muscle in her body told her to sleep, but instead she was wide awake, and found herself staring out the window to keep her occupied.
Her entire life was changing so dramatically. Each day there was more news, more bad news, and then more worry and more fear. What had started out as merely a little competition had turned her life into an imaginative nightmare.
She sighed. She wanted to sleep, and to dream away this entire mess, but she couldn't even blink. Her mind raced frantically with a million confusing thoughts, one right after the other, in which she didn't have the answers to. If she wasn't so confused and frustrated, she could have been able to figure everything out.
So knew a few things, however. She knew her antagonist. Marik Ishtar, and if anyone were to approach her again saying that he wanted to see her, she knew to run, and not look behind. She had to, however, find out what he looked like, so if he had ever tried to approach her himself, she knew what he looked like, and have a head start on an escape plan, to make herself safe.
Roux also knew that Seto Kaiba was to protect her. She fought the urge to groan in disgust. He hadn't been happy in the least to know the truth, and neither was she. They didn't even really talk about it either. He had told her that she was under his protection from now on, but he was a busy man so during the day she would stay out of sight, and in the evening he would collect her and keep her safe. It hadn't made her completely excited, or happy in any way.
She thought about the stone on her finger. She knew Kaiba needed and wanted the ring. If it hadn't been for that stone, he would have just dumped her off with Joey and Yugi altogether and be happy to be done with her for the rest of his life.
But then again he needed the stone, and she knew it. Seto Kaiba was trapped.
Heavily, she sighed, and rolled onto her side to look out the window. She looked at her ring, and traced her finger over the patterns of the eye. She shook her head. "It's remarkable that so many should suffer such fear and doubt over so small a thing." She whispered to herself.
Then she laughed. She wondered if she was dreaming. Quoting from, "The Lord of the Rings" was not one of her major ideas of fun.
Nevertheless, there was something so odd about it. So much grief over a tiny object. It scared her, and she remembered her dream, when she was in Egypt with Shaadii. He told her that the Millennium Stone had intense powers that only she was destined to wield. She burred her eyebrows in confusion. So why could she not wield the power, is she was destined to wield it?
A voice in her head started to speak. It sounded familiar, warm and friendly in her mind. It seemed to be coming from beside her.
It came again, speaking to her a little more clearing, and the stone within the eye of the ring flashed again the brilliant red. The same flash the day of the practice duel, before she had drawn the Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
The flash was gone.
"Roux."
Roux gasped softly, as she held the voice again. This time it was not in her head, but right beside her. Fearfully she could feel someone's weight pressing down on the sheets and covers of the bed, and the warmth at her knees gave her shivers.
Immediately she looked over. She almost burst into tears.
Kale, sitting on the side of her bed, smiling down at her.
She shook her head, unbelieving. He was dead, he couldn't be there. Was she dreaming? Or was she just imagining it? Either way she knew he wasn't there, he couldn't have been there. But she was so happy to see him.
"Kale, you can't be here." She said, raising her head a little.
Kale smirked, and crossed his arms. "Oh, so like that's any way to greet your best friend?" he asked, amused.
Roux smiled. Kale had the most irresistible charm. No mortal girl could resist it. "I'm sorry, it's just that, you can't be here. You died."
Kale nodded. "Indeed I did, and it was brutal too. And when I reached the spirit world I was rather angry."
Roux looked curious. "Why?"
"Because I was almost finished my latest design for 'White Plum' when that little ass Marik sliced me across my chest." Kale complained, rolling his eyes and then smiling cheerfully. "That edition could have made me my fortune!"
Roux laughed. "You already had a fortune, Kale. What are you talking about?"
Kale shook his head. "Nah, I didn't have a fortune." He said to her, his eyes, even though they seemed to be of only his direct soul, filled with a soft sadness that Roux couldn't encounter. "I had money, but that wasn't the same as fortune." He touched her hand softly. His hand was cold and hard, but Roux didn't dare to move her hand. He smiled at her. "Only with you was I fortunate."
Roux smiled, and had the biggest urge to hug him. But she felt herself glued down to the sheets beneath her. How she missed her, how she was so glad to see him now, and talk to him for what she felt would be the very last time.
His eyes went round, and then serious for a single moment. "Roux, the danger you are in is rather critical." He told her sternly, and she was shocked by the change of tone in his voice. "You have to promise me that you will be safe, and not do anything too stupid."
Roux was glad to see him smile, and she smiled herself. "Too stupid? Well I wouldn't be talking, Kale. You remember when we were dating and you made me a martini and got your tie stuck in the blender?" she gave him a mischievous smile.
Kale's jaw dropped and was mockingly offended. "The only reason that happened was because you were distracting me by playing puppets with the kitchen tongs!"
They both laughed heartily, and it felt good to laugh with him again, and they had done before so many times. Roux felt herself completely happy, and not worrying about really anything at the moment. Not until Kale had to bring it up again.
"But Roux, you must promise me that you will be safe." He squeezed her hand softly. "I know it may seem sort of startling, but you need to do this to protect the stone and yourself." He spoke softly, and she knew what he would say next. "I know Yugi Moto and Joey Wheeler are your friends and will stop at nothing to help you, but you must also find faith in Seto Kaiba."
Roux sighed softly and hung her head. Softly shaking it, she mumbled. "Kaiba and I hate each other, we'll kill each other before Marik even has the chance to."
Kale smiled and lifted her chin with his fingers. He stared into her deep eyes and gave her a comforting smile. "Perhaps you will, but nevertheless you must have faith in him. He has a job to do and he knows it, and if he wants to achieve what he truly wants, he'll have to stand by you and protect you with all his might." Kale grinned playfully. "And if he fails in any way possible, and you are hurt in any way, I will personally haunt him for the rest of his days."
Roux couldn't help but laugh. She looked up at him. His sweet smile, his carefree hair, his charming eyes. She could never say no to him, she loved him too much. "Okay Kale. I will stick by him, and his protection. For you."
Kale's eyes lit up brightly. "I know you will." He told her, and then he wrapped her arms around her, cradling her to him.
Roux knew he was only a ghost, a memory in her mind, but he felt so real as he held her there. She clung to him like a newborn baby to her mother. She didn't want Kale to go, but she knew he had to, and he would go soon.
Slowly he began to inch away from her, smiling softly at her, his eyes held sadness. Roux bit her lip, and then she remembered something. "Wait! Kale! How do I use the powers of the stone?" she asked urgently.
Kale could only smile at her. "Simple." He said, and he was going transparent before her eyes. She watched as he was slowly disappearing into the room. She reached for him and heard his words whisper to her. "Just listen to your heart."
And just like that, Kale was gone.
~*~
Marik paced the dark room impatiently, staring at his feet, his hands behind his back. He was awaiting the test results from his men. He wanted to know what had attacked them the night before and stood in the way of his plans.
Marik's anger grew the more he thought of anyone trying to foil his great plan. The Millennium Rod was sitting nearby on a table in the moonlight. He had the greatest urge to use it to destroy his boat, just to let out his frustation.
The clock chimed, and he stopped and stared at it. One in the morning. Where was the guard with the results? If he had to go down to the medical room himself, and expose himself to the various servants on board the cruise ship, he would have been very angry indeed.
His tension broke when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Marik shouted, looking at the door.
The guard came in holding a piece of paper in his hand. He looked indifferent, although his facial expression showed a hint of confusion. Marik suspiciously stared. He turned to face the guard.
"Well?" he asked expectantly, crossing his arms. "What have you found?"
The guard cleared his throat. "Well we did the examinations of the men sir, and-"
"Yes, yes!" Marik said negatively, waving his hand back and forth as if to swat an insect away from him. "What have you found?"
The guard looked down at the piece of paper. "Well the doctor has confirmed that the attacks upon the men were caused by, well you won't really believe this, white lightning."
Marik scowled. And he retraced the night before hurriedly. There hadn't been a thunderstorm or anything the night before, what was the guard playing at? "What the hell do you mean white lightning? Were they struck by lightning? There wasn't a drop last night!" Marik growled furiously.
"Oh no sir," the guard said. "The doctor said it is the white lightning attack from a-" he checked the piece of paper. "Ah yes, a Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
Marik's eyes widened in surprise. A Blue-Eyes White Dragon? No, that couldn't have been right. The only person in the world who held all three of the Blue-Eyes White Dragons was-
"No, read it over. You're mistaken." Marik concluded, trying to shake the thought from his head, and waited for the real answer.
The guard shrugged. "I'm sorry sir, but this is what the doctor said."
Marik scowled. "It can't be right." He insisted. "Seto Kaiba owns the Blue- Eyes White Dragons."
The guard cleared his throat nervously. "Well sir, then I suppose he was the one who stopped the men."
Marik's eyes flared in anger. "Are you contradicting me?" he shouted.
The guard's face showed great worry and he backed up. "Umm no sir, not at all!"
"It couldn't have been Seto Kaiba," Marik snarled. "Why would he have any reason whatsoever to save a girl from my men?"
The guard swallowed tightly. "Actually sir, one of our men testified."
Marik eyed him suspiciously. "Go on."
The guard nodded. "He said that they had encountered a young man on the streets, and he had given her up willingly to them. However when they said your name, he immediately insisted they release her, and when they didn't, he unleashed his dragon."
Marik tapped his arm, lost in deep thought. This was a confusing situation. Why would Seto Kaiba be wondering around in the dark, find a girl, give her up to some goons trying to capture her, and then demand they let her go after hearing the name of Marik?
And how was he able to summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in the middle of a public street?
"Hmm," Marik said thoughtfully, and turned his back to the guard, and staring out the window. "I see. Now my plan had gotten more difficult. No matter. I can deal with Seto Kaiba myself," he looked at the guard over his shoulder. "But somehow he was able to summon the dragon in the middle of the street without a hologram system or anything. Find out how." Marik hissed in request to the guard.
The man bowed. "Yes sir." And he left the room in a moment.
Marik sighed and looked out the window, up into the lights of Domino City. He thought to himself in the dark.
~ So now Seto Kaiba is in the game too, is he? This makes everything much easier. Now I will be able to win his Egyptian god card quicker than I thought. And if Kaiba Corp has created some new virtual system, it shall be mine soon. ~
He laughed wickedly into the silence.
~*~
**** This afternoon I got a spectacular, spectacular idea for a sequel to this story. I'll finish this one first of course, and then perhaps I'll begin to write the sequel. What would you, the readers think, of a sequel? Of course that isn't really a fair enough question, as the story isn't near finished yet ^_^. But things are cooking, so we'll get there soon! Just hang in there ^_^ ****