Joy: Guess what? Another chapter! I am really cranking them out. This one has Vargon in it, and he's got a new trick up his sleeve. And I put a lot of people in this chapter, so it should be interesting. I hope. Review responses…
Sakura: Sakura is in this one, so you get to find out.
Silver Moon Phoenix: Yeah, that poem does come into play, but it might not be revealed until much, much later. Possibly next story or at the end of this one. Still a work in progress. I am trying to set something up on the side.
Fallen Mercy: Thanks! =D
Sapphire: Yeah. I have the same problem when it comes to work. Not enough time to read or write.
DMoS13: Yeah, I am gonna give Merina a role in this one where she…opps! Don't want to give it away too early. Just read!
Midnights: So Midnight CAN be a hopeless romantic when she wants to be… ;o) LOL I want to read your fanfic!
On with the chapter!
Mind Control
When they arrived at Kaiba Manor, Seto carefully got Joy and took her inside. He was immediately bombarded with questions from Merina, who demanded to know what happened to cause Joy to be so injured.
"She'll explain it. I need to take care of Joy right now." He motioned to Ishizu, who was just coming into the room. Meanwhile he took Joy upstairs and put her to bed.
A physician was waiting in the room and took a look at the girl. "She will be all right, sir. She just needs some rest. A day in bed with as little excitement as possible will do her good. She has a slight fever, but nothing that will need hospital care."
"Very well." The doctor bowed and left. Kaiba took a seat next to Joy's bedside.
Merina came in a moment later. "Ishizu called the museum. They finally tracked down the thugs responsible for Joy's attack. It seems that Vargon was bribing them into obeying his orders. They hiding out at a hotel." She grinned. "Do you want me to go and kick the shit out of them? I bet I could get in really easily."
Hmm…she hasn't got a bad idea there…
Kaiba, if you do that, then who would look after Joy?"
I am looking after her. I could send Lopez to deal with those thugs. Katilli could go with her. She wants revenge on them anyway. "Okay, go on and take Katilli. I'll look after things here till you get back." Merina's grin got wider and she left to find Katilli, who had created a physical form when they got back to the mansion from the museum.
"Kaiba…" The communicator crackled a bit as someone spoke. It sounded like Sakura.
"Yes?"
"Yugi just contacted me about Joy getting hurt. Is she okay?"
"She'll be fine after some rest. Is it quiet at the Game Shop?"
"Yeah, me and grandpa are playing Duel Monsters. He's pretty good. I guess he should be if he trained Yugi. Oh, hold on, Kaiba. I gotta get the door. I told grandpa to let me answer it until we get Jessie taken out of the picture. I'll contact you later."
"Fine."
Seto took a moment to look at Joy, who was still sleeping soundly. At least she's not still delirious. I think she is getting better. I'll check on her later. He stepped quietly out of the room and went downstairs. About ten minutes later, Yugi to come through the door.
"I contacted Sakura on the way over," Yugi said.
"Yes, she talked to me a second ago. You should contact the others as well, just in case. If Vargon gets a hold of that Millennium Rod, he could control our minds and that wouldn't be good."
Yugi looked around. "Where's Merina?"
Just then the girl in question came through the front door. "I am SO happy! Those thugs that attacked Joy are now wishing they had never heard of Vargon. Katilli didn't send them to the Shadow Realm but she did make them go completely insane…after we beat them to a bloody pulp that is. Boy, Katilli sure can land quite a punch."
Katilli smiled. "And Merina did not do bad, either. Was that martial arts you did when that man tried to punch you?"
Merina grinned. "Yep! I am the highest ranking black belt in my class back home. So…" She turned to the others. "What did we miss?" The two women were brought up to date. Merina frowned. "If he gets all the Items, he won't hesitate to use them, no matter what the cost." The others nodded in agreement.
"We have to be on our guard," Yugi said. "I'll get a hold of Moon Shadow and Ryou. They need to be ready because things are going to get heated up fast. Vargon has got to be frustrated. After all, there are only three Items left out there."
…Later…
"Come…"
"Hmm…"
"You must obey…come to me…"
The voice was so persuasive. It was like a command, one that could not be refused. The need to follow the order outweighed all other things. It was a luring voice.
Who are you…?
"Come to me, girl, and you will find out. Now, come."
Joy's eyes snapped open. She found herself unable to resist the tempting voice any longer. Despite being injured and still having a slight fever, Joy got out of bed, falling into a trance-like state. She made her way out of the room. The hallways were empty. The others were downstairs in the library, reading.
She allowed her mind to be lulled by the voice that was still calling for her. She went downstairs and slipped past the library unnoticed and was out the door in seconds. She only saw what was in front of here, and heard no one else but the mesmerizing voice.
…Meanwhile…
After Yugi contacted Ryou. He wanted the Ring-bearer to find Marik as soon as possible with the Ring. Bakura was a lot more experienced manipulating the Ring, so he took over and they were using it's power to find the Egyptian. Bakura was about to cross the street when he spotted a very familiar female walking on the other side of the street.
What is Neko's light doing here?
Joy? But…she's injured! What is she doing roaming the streets? Yugi and the others…they aren't with her. Why is she alone?
I do not know, host. But I sense a familiar magic at work here. Yes…Neko's light is being manipulated by the power of the Millennium Rod.
But…Marik has that.
Does he? Or has Vargon gotten to it first? He may have gotten to it already and is using it on the girl. We should follow her, she is going in the direction of our target.
All right. Bakura stealthily followed Joy, who was completely oblivious to Bakura's presence. She continued looking straight ahead. About ten or fifteen minutes later, she stopped in front of a building. Kaiba Corp. But why would Vargon be here?
Perhaps he is setting up a trap for us. But I will take care of him.
We need to contact the others, Ryou said firmly. We will need someone to take care of Joy and if the Rod is here, we need to get it back.
Bakura frowned, not wanting the pharaoh or his light to be present, but he did as his light suggested, touching the communicator on his collar. "Pharaoh's light."
A second later, Yugi's voice answered him. "Bakura? Where are you?"
"At Kaiba Corp. I tracked the Rod here. And Neko's light is here as well."
"NANI! How…?"
"Do not ask questions there are no current answers for, mortal. Bring the pharaoh and the others and get to Kaiba Corp now." He ended the communication. The Millennium Rod is here. I know it is.
He cautiously stepped into the building. Joy had entered it a moment ago and was standing in the lobby, her back to him. Then she turned, looking directly into Bakura's eyes. Then her lips turned into a smirk. She opened her mouth and spoke, but the voice was not entirely her own.
"It's about time you showed up. I knew the Ring would track me down. Where's Yugi? Why isn't he with you?"
"I am with him!" Everyone looked over and spotted Yami standing right behind Bakura. He strolled up to them. "Release Joy from your mind control and face us, Vargon."
"You think Vargon has the Rod? That's not going to happen. I would never let Vargon get my Millennium Rod."
Yami and Bakura exchanged a glance, then looked at Joy. "If you are not Vargon, then who are you?"
A figure came out of the shadows. A blonde Egyptian. "Marik!" Bakura exclaimed. (AN: Oh, come on, I got you, admit it. You thought Vargon had the Rod. Well, guess again!)
"Yes. I had no where else to go. I couldn't go back to the museum because that would have put my sister in danger. I was attacked by Vargon. He wanted my Millennium Rod, but I managed to hold him off. Don't ask me how."
"Why take control of Joy?" Yami asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I knew you two were friends because of your call to Ishizu. After you called, she sensed that someone evil was coming for our items and she sent me Kaiba Manor, but along the way, Vargon showed up. I needed to get your attention somehow. I didn't know about the Ring until I sensed it's presence when Bakura followed the girl here." He sighed. "I know that sounds absurd, but I didn't know what to do. I was worried if I went to Kaiba's place, I would lead Vargon right to the other Items or put you in danger. I am sorry for the trouble."
"Very well. Release Joy and we will all go to Kaiba Manor."
Just then Seto and Katilli burst through the door. Seto looked ready to draw blood at first glance, and Katilli was muttering curses in Egyptian that made Yami give her a warning look. Marik released Joy, who fell into Seto's open arms, completely knocked out.
"She won't remember any of it," Marik explained.
"Okay, let us head back to Kaiba Manor. Come along," Katilli said.
Just then, the group heard a bellowing laughter fill the lobby of the building before hearing a very unwelcome voice. "You mortal fools think you have won? Well, while you were having fun chasing Items all through the city, I have been a very busy man."
"What are you talking about?" Seto asked.
"My servant lied to you, you fools. She was not going after your loved ones. That was a ruse to get you to separate. I have acquired a very good prize. A very nice weapon that will send you all to hell. And to think you fools thought my servant was after mere mortals. No. She was a decoy, as was my attack on the bearer of the Millennium Rod."
"What weapon are you talking about?" Marik said. "You said you were going after the Items."
"Yes, but you forget, there are more than the seven."
Yami's eyes grew wide. "The Millennium Crossbow!"
(AN: Did you all forget that one? I hope not… Should I end this here?…hmm…I have been making them to short lately, so I'll go on.)
Yami frantically tried to reach Sakura on the communicator as they raced towards Kaiba's limo. Nothing. Ra, I hope she is all right. Suddenly static came from the com-link, then a voice. But it wasn't Sakura's
"Yugi! Please hear me. It is Moon Shadow!"
"Moon Shadow! Sakura…"
"I know, she contacted me asking for aid, which I rushed to give. When I arrived, Vargon was already engaged in a battle with her."
"Yugi's grandfather?"
"Safe. I teleported him to the safety of Kaiba Manor. But…I fear I was too late to be of much help. Vargon has captured the Millennium Crossbow and the twins are trapped inside it. Luna has already gone in pursuit. I have yet to hear from her, and I am not hesitant to say I am worried about this turn of events, my pharaoh."
"Yes, as am I. Teleport Sakura to Kaiba Manor and I will meet you at the Game Shop. We need to get the Crossbow back."
"Very well. It will be done. I will see you when you arrive."
The communication over, Yami turned to Seto. "Drop me off at the Game Shop, Kaiba. I will go with Moon Shadow and Get the Crossbow back. Bakura, I am trusting that you will be ready to track down Shadi for the remaining two Items when I return." Bakura nodded.
Yami was dropped off as planned. Moon Shadow was waiting for him. "Shall we go now, my pharaoh?" she asked.
"Yes. Nothing from Luna?"
Moon Shadow shook here head. "I can feel that Vargon is close."
"You are correct, foolish girl."
"They both whirled around to face the evil wizard himself. He was holding the Crossbow and aiming its arrow right at them. "Now, fools, feel my wrath! Soon I shall rule the world!"
Joy: Okay, peoples. That's it for this chapter. Not too shabby in length. I will hopefully get enough for the next chapter to be longer, too. BTW: Sakura is not dead, she just had her Item stolen and a little worn out is all. Didn't want to confuse anyone with that unanswered question.
I want to say some things. Just a tiny rant before closing out the chapter. First, I have planned out this story and it will be 40 chapters in length. I have what I want to happen. This story will also encompass the end of summer, which means when this story ends, Joy will have to go back to America. If you recall, she was just in Japan for the summer. Sequel, you may ask? I don't know…are you all getting bored with the series? Is it becoming too long? Give me input. Influence me.
Well, that's enough of a rant for me. The next chapter is called: 'Recovery'. Will the Crossbow be recovered? And what about Joy and her own recovery? Till then, review and see ya next time!