Joy: Okay, when I left ya in the last chapter, they had yet to think of a plan. I kind of skip ahead a bit to when they already though of a plan and it is being carried out, but I go over the plan with you, so don't worry. Now, review responses!

Dark mage of sea 13: Great! Thanks a lot! I have big plans for Merina in the future. =D

Sakura: Got your email. Thanks a lot for the info and the permission! I will use that to my advantage after the rescue and such. Love the thought of killing him off for good. I gotta work it all out though, still working on the details of his ultimate demise.

Midnights: (laughs) Sorry, Yami Midnight. I gotta have a gap so I can reap in the wonders of the reviews given to me. I really hold out for them, you know. But I am glad you like my story…um…more than life itself??? (O.O) WOW! (faints of shock)

Ahem…I think I'm better now…I want to thank everyone for giving me permission to resume writing about their characters. You all have such great characters for me to build on. Arigatou! (bows) Now here's chapter 7!

Splitting Up

Yugi was sitting on a bench in front of the fountain at Tokyo Square. Yami, Luna, and Bakura (who went VERY reluctantly) had gone to the Shadow Realm in hopes of rescuing Katilli and Cala, who were still in the grips of the Vargon. The others were to serve as a distraction by splitting up into pairs and scattering all around the area, drawing Vargon out of his castle and setting the stage for the three darks to move in.

All Yugi and the others had to do was set up the diversion. The pairs of teens would spread out and wait out the wizard. Yugi was paired with Moon Shadow, Ryou had been paired with Sakura, and Joy with Seto. Much to Merina's utter dismay, she was chosen to stay at the mansion, which had become a kind of headquarters for the gang. If they ran into trouble, head to the mansion. That was the plan. The darks had set up a kind of force field at the old house.

Each 'team' had a cell phone. Merina had her own cell phone, Seto had his for himself and Joy, Sakura had hers for both her and Ryou to use, and Joy had given her phone to Yugi, as Moon Shadow did not have her phone at the time.

"So…you think he'll show up here first?" Yugi asked, dangling his feet off the bench nonchalantly.

"I have foreseen it. I saw him by the fountain, then at the building we sent Ryou and Sakura, then at the Cramdon, where Joy and Kaiba are."

"Tell me again what we are suppose to do if he shows up. I mean, how are we going to slow him down?" Yugi asked.

"The plan is to just keep him from going back to his castle until Yami and the other two darks can get Katilli and Cala to safety," Moon Shadow explained. "He'll be so busy chasing after us, he won't be able to stop Yami, Luna, and Bakura."

"Ah…I see. I just hope Yami and the others can find Katilli and Cala. I hope they are okay."

Moon Shadow smiled slightly at Yugi's statement. He's always thinking of others. So selfless, so kind-hearted. She had situated herself on the other side of the fountain, facing away from the tri-haired duelist. She knew that if she looked into his amethyst eyes for longer than a moment, she would melt into them. When she had first reunited with Yugi at the mansion just that afternoon, she felt butterflies dancing in her stomach.

Dancing…I wonder if Yugi can dance… Moon Shadow sighed. By Ra, I've got it bad.

Just then, they heard an eerie laughter. They both stood up at the same time, looking around for the owner.

"He's here. Come stand by me, Yugi," Moon Shadow requested.

"Right." As Yugi came forward to her, someone grabbed his arm and yanked him over to them. Moon Shadow's eyes narrowed dangerously as she saw Yugi's captor. "Vargon." She spat out the name as though it were a disease.

"You are fools to challenge me. Your Puzzle will be mine, boy!" He squeezed Yugi's arm tightly, causing the boy to cry out in pain.

"ITAI!"

An instant later, the fountain beside them exploded, sending Vargon to the ground. Yugi, who was still in his grasp, fell with him. Water covered all three of them. In the confusion, Moon Shadow grabbed Yugi and teleported just outside the mansion. They rushed inside to be met with Merina, who had been waiting in the main hall.

"Oh my gosh! Yugi! Moon Shadow! Are you two okay?" Merina asked, concern plain on her face. Yugi looked dazed and only half-conscious, and both had cuts and bruises all over them.

"Take care of Yugi, Merina, and give me your cell phone so I can warn Ryou and Sakura. Vargon is going after them next." Merina nodded, handed her phone to Moon Shadow, and helped the semi-conscious Yugi to the lounge to rest.

Moon Shadow quickly dialed Sakura's number.

…Meanwhile…

"I hope Yugi and Moon Shadow are okay. She said they would be the initial target." Sakura and Ryou were standing in front of a rather large office building, waiting and watching out for the villain to appear. About ten minutes after Ryou made that comment, Sakura sighed.

"This is certainly dull… Nothing is happening…" she muttered impatiently. She noticed Ryou's nervous expression. "It's okay, Ryou. They'll call if they run into something the can't handle. Or Moon Shadow will teleport them to safety." She patted him on the back gently. Ryou turned to her with a grateful smile.

Sakura couldn't help but smile back. He's sweet.

That is for sure. He is quite a catch, Sakura. Go for it, girl! Caru urged with a grin on her face.

Oh, hush. He's not like that, and neither am I. I would never take advantage of his nervousness.

But you care for him, Sakura. If not now…then when? Caru countered. "You care for him a lot. It is obvious to both Cala and myself. Just talk to him.

Sakura looked up at Ryou from her bench seat. The boy had taken to pacing to calm his fears. "Um…Ryou…"

Just then, the phone rang. (AN: HA! Interrupted them! EVIL ME!)

Sakura answered on the second ring. "Moshi moshi!"

"Sakura, Moon Shadow here."

"Everyone okay?" Sakura asked.

"Listen carefully. Vargon came at us, which means he will come after you next. Be ready, and after you've stalled him for awhile, head back to the mansion. Remember to call Joy and Kaiba," Moon Shadow instructed. "And remember not to send him to the Shadow Realm because that will not bode well for Yami and the darks there."

"Gotcha! Thanks Moon Shadow!" She hung up.

"He's coming, isn't he?" Ryou asked. Sakura nodded, then touched her necklace and it morphed into the Crossbow.

Sakura…be careful. The Crossbow's weakness…

Don't worry. I won't use it long enough for me to be drained, Caru. I just want one clear shot to create the distraction. Then, we run like Ra damn cheetahs! Caru laughed at her light's metaphor. "I just need one good shot, Ryou," she said aloud.

"Too bad you will not get it."

Sakura and Ryou gasped and whirled around to see the robed mage just a few yards away. Sakura tried to pull off a shot, but she was struck down by a dark energy blast, knocking her back several feet, where she lay motionless

"Sakura!"

(AN: Now if I were the evil person I claim to be, I would stop it here and let you all sweat for about two weeks before the next chapter…am I that cruel? I mean, I don't want people to arrive at my house with sharp objects…okay…I'll continue…)

Ryou looked on with wide eyes at Sakura, who lay on the ground motionless. "Sakura! Wake up!"

"She is no more, boy! The Ring is mine!" He took a step towards Ryou, who backed away fearfully.

"I doubt it, creep!" Ryou and Vargon turned to see a golden arrow pointed at Vargon. Sakura's narrow eyes looking at the mage with hatred.

"You! How –?" Vargon asked, in astonishment.

"You forgot I have two darks, baka! Caru gave me some of her life energy to revive me. You're lack of foresight is gonna cost ya. Big time." She fired her arrow. This time it didn't strike the wizard down because Sakura wasn't trying to lock away his soul. She only wanted to wound him. And she did. The arrow pierced the mage's arm.

He growled and vanished saying, "This is not done yet!"

Ryou went over to Sakura and helped her to her feet. "Let's get back to the mansion. It's only a few blocks away. We gotta call Kaiba and Joy on the way."

"Gotcha!" Ryou said with a smile. They started to head back, walking haltingly because Sakura was still weak from the blast and Ryou had to help her. Not that she was complaining at being so close to him. She pulled out her phone and dialed Joy's number.

…Meanwhile…

Joy sighed. This is boring…I hope the others are okay… She and Seto were stationed outside the Cramdon, the hotel Sakura was staying at. "Kaiba, why do you think Vargon would choose to come here? I mean, of all the places to look for us…"

"Don't ask me. I'm just a lowly CEO," Seto said with a slight smirk.

"Ha, ha." Joy sighed again. "I'm bored."

Seto rolled his eyes. I can see why you like her so much, Kaiba. You two are so much alike it's scary.

Shut it, Sorcerer. Sorcerer laughed a bit. Seto frowned, sending his dark a few threatening emotions through their link.

Then the phone rang. Seto answered on the third ring. "Kaiba."

"Kaiba, it's Sakura. Vargon just got done attacking us. I managed to nick him in the arm. He's heading your way. Get ready and good luck. He's in a really bad mood."

"Right." Seto hung up and turned to Joy. "Vargon is on his way."

"Great," Joy said, putting as much sarcasm into her voice as possible. "Just excellent."

Suddenly, there was a gust of wind. Joy cried out in surprise at the gust as she and Seto covered their faces to shield them from the force of it. Then they heard an all too familiar laughter. "Vargon!" Joy hollered over the wind to be heard. Seto tried to reach her, but the wind got even fiercer, knocking him off his feet.

Joy gasped as she was grabbed from behind. "Kaiba!" she called out to him as Vargon held onto her arms. She struggled, but to no avail.

Seto looked up, his face showing his anger at the scene before him. "Let her go, Vargon!" Vargon laughed.

"Come and get her, boy!"

Sorcerer, Kaiba spoke to his dark, initiating a rare conversation with the spirit, if you had control, could you save her?

Hmm…maybe. It is quite risky.

Seto closed his eyes. Use the staff and do it. And don't miss. I want this asshole to feel some pain. When his eyes opened, Sorcerer was in control. He held out his hand, the watch around his wrist changing into the Sorcerer's staff.

"Now let us see who the better sorcerer is, you fraud!" He aimed his staff.

Joy: Hope you all liked that one. A bit longer than the rest. I had actually planned on ending it where I said – when Sakura got hit – but then I changed my mind. I wanted to give you all a longer chapter. After all, I am kind of in a good mood right now, since I am only on Chapter 7 and I already got over twenty reviews for this story. With the size of this story though, I expect to outdo SL…I know it's a long shot, with SL at 94 reviews…but a girl's gotta dream, ne?

Now, in the next chapter, Seto has to rely on Sorcerer to save Joy from the clutches of the EVIL Vargon. Can he do it? Is he too rusty after so long without the use of magic? And what about the others at the mansion? Will Yugi and Sakura and the others be okay?

Find out in the next chapter, entitled… 'Who's Idea Was This Anyway?' Heh. I love that title. =D