Beauty and the Beast pt.2

 In the small village of London, a young girl name Serenity stepped out of her small cottage. She wore a blue dress with a white long sleeved shirt under it. With a basket in her hand, she crossed over the bridge and into the village where people were being their busy selves whether it be on the streets or the stores.
"Ah yes," Serenity smiled to herself. "There goes the baker with his tray like always. Always selling the same bread every morning." She strode down the roads, looking up and about.
"Morning Serenity," the baker called out, trying to balance the empty tray in his hand.
"Morning Rishid." Serenity smiled, following Rishid to the bakery. He was an odd man indeed for he wore a cloak instead of a baker's suit.
"Where you off too?" Rishid didn't seem to be paying attention to her.
"Oh, just to the book shop," Serenity replied excitedly. "I just finished this story by Edgar Allan Poe. It's about a guy who just killed this other..."
"That's nice." Rishid obviously wasn't paying attention to her. "Yami! You dumb ass, hurry up with the bagels!!"
As Serenity waltzed down the road, she could hear murmured voices. Village people were talking about her. She was an odd one indeed. Despite her beauty looks, she preferred to reading books, compete in horse races, things women think that are outrageous for them to do.
Finally, she reached the bookstore. "Ah, Serenity," the bookkeeper greeted her. He was a middle-aged man, his age showing from his baldness and white hair.
"Hey, hey." Serenity smiled. "I've come to return the book I've borrowed."
"You...you finished it?" the bookkeeper was stunned.
"It was too interesting." she looked around. "Got anything new?"
"Nah," he fixed his glasses. "The black market isn't sending me any new ones till next Friday." he looked from left to right before running to the door, turning the side over which said "Closed". "Come on Serenity," he then took her by the hand and led her to his office. Making his way towards his closet, he pushed aside some of his clothes only to reveal a secret door. "The books one can get from the black market."
Serenity stepped inside the rather neat, yet small, library. Big and small books filled the shelves one by one. "Hmm..." Serenity looked at a few books. "The Mysterious Phantom Killer. Cinderella: The Demonic Version. Snow White and a 101 Dark Fairy Tales." she happily turned to the bookkeeper. "I'll take these."
"I knew you would." he helped Serenity out of the closet before closing the door and fixing the closet. "Now you gotta find, as they say, a normal book, so they wouldn't arrest you."
"Sure," Serenity hopped out of the office and into the store. Climbing up the ladder, she scanned the top shelf before finding a blue book. "I'll take this one."
"That one?!?" he adjusted his glasses. "You read this like, ten times for crying out loud!"
"Well it's my favorite. The seduction between a demonic elf and a human, the twists and turns, and the way the elf disguises himself to be a regular person."
The bookkeeper chuckled. "If you like it so much, keep it."
"But..." Serenity started to say.
"No, no, I insist." he then placed the three books wrapped in cloth into her basket.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the town square, birds flew high in the sky. A loud gunshot sounded off, the birds scattered, except for the one that got shot that flew straight down. A boy with blonde hair came running about with a bag wide open in his hands. Expecting himself to catch it, the bird landed on the side of him. Quick to notice this, he shoved the bird inside the bag, running up to an older man.
"Woo-hoo! You didn't miss a shot Marik! Hehehehe, you're the greatest hunter in the entire world." he beamed.
The tall, spiky haired man spun his pistol around. "Yeah, yeah, I know Yugi."
Yugi chuckled, carrying the bag full of animals Marik shot. "None of the animal kingdom can stand a chance against you." he started to follow Marik down the streets. "And that goes for the ladies as well."
"It's true Yugi," Marik grabbed Yugi by the shirt. "And I've been checking out that chick for a long time." he pointed towards Serenity, who was at the fruit stand buying a couple of lemons.
"What?!?" Yugi gazed at Serenity, shocked at what Marik just said. "The scientist's daughter?!?"
"She's the one," Marik smirked. "The lucky girl I'm gonna marry."
"But she..." Yugi started to say.
Unfortunately, Marik had cut him off. "The most beautiful girl in town."
"Yeah, I know but..." Yugi was trying to get his point across but Marik tossed his pistol onto the piles Yugi had been carrying, causing the boy to stumble.
"You know I deserve the best don't you Yugi?" that smirk never left his lips.
"Well of course..." Yugi stammered. "I mean you do but..."
"You see, from the moment I saw her, she was the most gorgeous thing that I saw. Say like a chandelier." He then stopped at a place where mirrors were sold, fixing his hair.
As Marik continued his ranting on how much he liked Serenity, Serenity just passed by the two, reading her book. Seeing this, Yugi started tugging on Marik's shirt, trying to get his attention, pointing at her.
"See Yugi," Marik continued. "I'm planning to visit her and propose my marriage and love for her."
"MARIK!!" Yugi was pissed.
"What?!!" Marik glared at Yugi.
"She just passed by." he pointed to Serenity who was walking at a fast rate.
Looking up, Marik was surprised at the fact that Serenity just passed by. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"But..." Yugi started to say.
"Oh forget it." Marik shoved Yugi aside, following Serenity. Picking up the bundle, Yugi soon followed after.
Serenity had no idea that Marik was following her. She was too entranced by the words in her book. Meanwhile, Marik was trying to push and make his way around the crowd, struggling to make his way towards Serenity.
Most of the vendors and the customers greeted Marik. Few of the village girls swooned when he had passed by. Deciding to make his statement public, he stood on top of one of the concession stands, yelling out. "To this day, I'm making Serenity my wife!!"
Everyone, except Serenity, looked at Marik strangely...blankly. They then went back to their business. Unfortunately for Marik, Serenity did not hear anything.
"You guys have no common sense do you?" Marik was a little mad that no one cared what he just said. He was the most liked guy throughout the village. Maybe it was normal since to the villagers, Serenity was too weird. He then pushed his way out of the ground. Slowly, he approached her from behind, grabbing her by the shoulders.
Startled, Serenity shrieked. Looking behind her, she came face to face with Marik.
"Morning Serenity." A grin curled his lips.
"Uh...hey Marik." Serenity laughed nervously. Seeing the book in Serenity's hand, Marik snatched the book from her hand. Ticked off, Serenity gave Marik a glare. "Marik, can I have my book back?"
"What's the magic word?" That grin never left his face.
"C'mon Marik, please." Serenity begged.
Marik skimmed through the pages, turning the book upside down. "How can you read this? There's no pictures!"
"Common sense Marik," Serenity stared at him strangely. "Just use your imagination."
All was silent for a moment before Marik tossed the book aside. "It's time you got your head out of the clouds and pay attention to more important things." He held up two thumbs and pointed to himself. "Like yours truly."
Serenity released a short laugh. "Yeah right!"
"The whole town's talking about you Serenity. It's not right for a woman to read. Soon, she's gonna get these ideas and corrupt the whole town."
"Sometimes you're really weird, do you know that?" Serenity picked up her book and basket.
"Hmmm..." Marik wrapped his arm around her. "Why don't we go back to my place, have a little lunch. Just the two of us." he winked.
"Maybe some other time." Serenity took Marik's arm off. "Look Marik, I can't. I have to get home to my father now, all right?. Bye."
This caused Yugi to go hysterical. "That crazy, old nutshell?!? He needs all the help he can get!" He continued laughing.
"Don't talk about my father that way." Serenity glared at Yugi.
"Yeah," Marik looked down at Yugi, pretending to defend Serenity. "Don't talk about her father that way." he pulled the trigger, shooting at the ground, right in front of Yugi, causing him to jump.
"Marik you dumb ass!" Yugi raised his fist towards him.
"For your information you little runt," Serenity sneered. "My father's not crazy, he's a genius." Suddenly, a huge explosion sounded off, smoke coming from the basement. Shocked, Serenity hurried home, leaving behind a laughing Marik and a hysterical Yugi.
Opening the basement door, the smoke surrounded her. "Dad? Dad?" she looked around, trying to find her father.
There by a chemistry table stood a lanky man with blonde hair in a scientist outfit. His face was a bit soiled, a vial in his hand.
"Dad?" Serenity made her way towards her father, shaking him slightly. "Are you all right?"
A small smile curled Joey's lips. "I'll take two fruit shakes and the latest edition of Playboy."
"Huh?" Serenity looked at her father strangely. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Oh..." Joey shook his head, looking up at Serenity. "Oh hey Serenity."
"What happened?" Serenity looked around at the now destroyed fruits and vegetables.
"I can't seem to get in the right formula for my instant growth." Joey grumbled. "This sucks! I give up!"
"You always say that."
"And I mean it this time kiddo!" Joey pointed a finger to her. "I'll never be able to get the formula for my instant growth to work!!" he then kicked the massacred fruit on the floor, nearly throwing a fit.
"Dad don't worry," Serenity placed her hands on his shoulders, trying to calm him down. "You'll win grand prize in the competition tonight. And," a small grin formed on her lips. "Become the greatest chemist ever."
"You like to tempt me don't you?"
"I always have." Serenity released her hands from her father's shoulders.
"All right, fine." Joey got to his feet and back to his table. "This time, I'll get it right. If not, I'm throwing in the towel! Finish!" he started to pour in a few liquids into a graduated cylinder. "Now um..." he said, not looking up at his daughter, pointing to the top shelf. "Pass the purple liquid on the shelf."
Wordlessly, Serenity reached for the top shelf, grabbing the purple liquid and handing it to her father. Busily working on the mixing, Joey continued his ranting. "So...had fun in town today?"
"Mr. Hiroshi gave me a few new books for free." She placed her basket on the floor. "Father...um...er...do you think I'm weird?"
"What?" Joey looked up at his daughter. "You? Weird? Who's making fun of you huh?"
"Dad, calm down. It's just that...well...I don't think I fit in. "There's no one I could really talk to."
"What about that guy...what's his name...Marik, there you go. He's not a bad looking guy."
"He's cute all right," Serenity looked out the window. "And rude and conceited and a whore!"
"Pimps Serenity," Joey corrected her. "Guys are pimps. Girls who are obviously too light-headed for their own good are whores."
"Well anyway, I don't think I can consider him as a friend."
Joey continued mixing for a few more minutes. "Okay, I think that's done it." he then inserted a dropper, taking in some of the liquid. "Did you buy any fruit while you were in town?"
"Just a few lemons." And as if she knew, she took out one of the lemons, giving it to Joey.
Joey took the lemon, placing it on the table. He squeezed the dropper, letting out a drop of the liquid, watching it land on the lemon. A few seconds passed by as Joey took a few steps back, being cautious of this situation. Suddenly, the lemon started to grow bigger, and bigger. In three seconds, the lemon grew as big as the shelf.
"Hey, hey!" Joey was amazed. "It actually works!"
'You did it!" Serenity said excitedly. "You actually did it!!"
"Well that's it." Joey poured the rest of the liquid inside a vial, sealing it with a corkscrew. "I'm ff to the fair!"
Within an hour, Joey dressed in his best with a briefcase in hand. He then climbed up atop his horse. "Oh well Serenity, just be sure you lock the doors before you go to sleep."
"Good luck." Serenity waved as her father trotted off into the forests.

Two hours later...
 Darkness fell and nightfall settled in. Joey was looking at a road map for directions. Looking up, he found himself lost in the middle of the forests.
"Aw man," Joey frowned. "I knew I made a wrong turn at some point." His eyes roamed around the trees. Suddenly, a huge storm sounded off and rain started to pour down. "Oh yeah," Joey said sarcastically. "Can my day get any better than this?" he then noticed a castle up ahead. "Hmm...maybe whoever lives here will have some decency to let me stay for the night." he then tried to make his horse go towards the castle. Ironically, however, the house hesitated, trying to take another direction.
Ticked off, Joey pulled on the reins of his horse. "Oh c'mon Sasaki. Jeez, it's just a castle. You make it seem like that place is haunted."
Suddenly, Sasaki the horse started to go wild as they reached the entrance. In no time, it knocked its owner off, running off into the woods.
"The same goes for you jackass!" Joey raised his fist in the air. Opening the gate, he hurried to the front door, pounding on it. "Hello? Somebody? Anybody?" And as if on command, the door swung open. Joey stumbled in, looking around. It must have been the main floor for there was no furniture and a staircase. A candle lit up part of the room as that and a miniature grandfather clock sat on a table that leaned up against the wall. Muttered voices could be heard but the words remain unclear to Joey.
"Is someone there?" he called out.
The clock's eyes opened slightly, glaring at the candle holder with a candle for his head and candles in his hand. "Don't even think about it Bakura."
"Look...uh..." Joey scratched his head. "My horse just ditched me and it's raining outside. I just need a place to stay for the night."
As Joey continued ranting, Bakura and Duke looked on. "C'mon Duke," Bakura had sympathy for Joey. "Show some compassion at least."
"Shh..." Duke clamped his hand over Bakura's mouth.
With his flaming hand, Bakura placed his hand under Duke's, causing him to scream. "Well of course, you're welcome anytime."
"Who said that?" Joey picked up the candle, looking around.
"Right behind you." Bakura grinned.
"Where?" Joey looked behind him, not seeing anyone.
Bakura tapped Joey on the head, getting his attention. "Boo."
Surprised, Joey dropped Bakura onto the floor. "How in the world?"
"Now you've done it Bakura," Duke said sarcastically. "Congratulations. Now he knows..."
"How do you guys do that?" Joe picked up the clock, turning it over.
"Hey! Stop that! Put me down you twit!" Duke demanded. Joey started to tickle him, causing him to laugh. He then proceeded to wind him up, causing Duke to scream and sending Bakura to a laughing frenzy.
Joey opened the door, swinging the pendulum. "Hehe, how cute."
Quickly, Duke closed the lid. "I prefer it closed."
"I've never seen anything like this before. I...I..." suddenly, he sneezed right on Duke.
With the minute and hour hand, he wiped off the mucus that landed on him.
Bakura stood up, looking at Joey. "You're really soaked my friend. Come, let's warm you up by the fire." he then guided him to the living room.
"Bakura, no!" Duke followed the two. "You know what Kaiba's gonna do if he finds out. I insist we throw him out." he then stumbled down the steps. Looking up, he saw Joey sitting on a huge sofa. "Oh no, not Kaiba's chair."
Suddenly, a cart whizzed by, stopping beside Joey. "How about some green tea. It'll clear your mind of all your stress." the kettle spoke up.
"Anzu," Duke sneered. "Don't give that sucker that monkey piss!"
Anzu glared at Duke. "Watch your mouth you pocket watch."
Joey took a sip of the tea. "Hey," a childish voice called out. "Wanna see me do a trick?"
"Huh?" Joey pulled the cup away only to see it smiling at him. He watched the cup drain the rest of the liquid and shooting it right at his face.
"Mokuba." Tea gave Mokuba a mean look.
Mokuba smiled childishly. Before he could say anything, the door busted open, a huge blast of cold wind blowing in. A tall creature stood at the entry, glaring down at Joey. Most of the objects became frightened. Duke hid under the carpet. Tea and Mokuba hid behind the chair while Bakura leaned against the wall.
"Uh-oh," Mokuba didn't bother to look up. Joey was obviously scared, his body scrunched up.
"There's a stranger here." the demon growled.
"Kaiba," Bakura smiled nervously. "The guy got lost in the woods and he needed a place to stay and since it was raining..." but he was cut off by Kaiba's roar, his flames blown off.
"Uh...Kaiba..." Duke peeked out of the carpet. "I just have one thing to say about this." he then started pointing at Bakura. "It was all Bakura's fault. I told him we should've thrown the bastard out into the street. But does he ever listen? No, no, no, no, no..." but he too was cut off and silenced by another thunderous roar. Duke dove back under the carpet.
Shaken, struck with fear, Joey looked around, side to side, coming face to face with the hideous demon.
"Who are you?" the demon growled. "What are you doing here?"
"I...I just got lost in the woods..." Joey stammered.
But Kaiba picked Joey up by his neck, staring into his eyes. "You're not welcome here!" he started to choke him.
"I didn't mean it! Put me down you freak!" Joey choked out the words, his legs dangling in the air.
A smirk curled the demon's lips. "You wish to speak of freaks old man?" he then hurled him onto the floor.
"Please," Joey begged. "I just need a place to stay for the night, that's all!"
"I'll give you a place to stay." the demon grabbed Joey by the leg, dragging him out of the living room.
"No, wait!" Joey screamed. But Kaiba didn't listen as he slammed the living room door shut.

To Be Continued