Chapter 4 Game Start

"Come on, Mokuba," Kaiba muttered despite what Pegasus had just said. "We're leaving. I'm sure we can still catch up to those others."

Mokuba jumped to his feet as his brother said. Across the way, the creepy man was watching them again. They had to go by the man to get out in the direction the others had gone, but Mokuba hated every moment of it.

Pegasus was watching them as well, knowing no one would get by his guards. However, even something he had not been expecting happened.

Mokuba was following behind his brother when the man all in black snaked out his arm and grabbed him by the throat. Slowly, he switched his hold on the boy and held him up under his elbow by Mokuba's neck. In his other hand was a gun. Kaiba sensed his brother's abduction and turned around.

"Mokuba!"

As he was getting somewhat choked, all he managed was a weak, "Seto…"

Anzu stepped forward. "Let go!"

The creepy guy called out to Pegasus: "I never came to this to be part of a murder investigation! I want off this island or I off the kid!"

Kaiba, who wanted to pounce on the guy, could only uselessly clench his hands into fists. There was nothing worse than standing so close and being able to do nothing. Gritting his teeth, Kaiba debated lunging at the man despite it all and hoping the gun would turn to aim at him. But he could not risk his brother's life.

Several guards all drew guns at once and pointed them at the man. Everyone else was frozen. It was a stalemate.

The head guard said softly, "There's no way off the island. We're all trapped here."

Pegasus had a glint in his one eye as if daring the man to continue.

Kaiba, clenching and unclenching his hands, was becoming really worried now— he was thinking the man would just murder his brother in his insanity. He turned his gaze to his brother, who was looking at him. It was obvious the boy was frightened. He was whimpering slightly and trying to break the man's grip in vain. As Mokuba looked at his brother, tears began to fill his eyes.

A shot rang off. A moment later, a thud sounded. Everyone jerked and looked around. Smoke was rising from Bandit Keith's gun.

Mokuba, frozen for a second, remained on the ground where he had fallen, and then he ran and hid behind his brother, clutching his coat as he peered fearfully at the man in black.

Guards had stridden forward and grabbed the man's arms, ripping the gun from his hands. Then, the guards checked over the rest of his person. Keith's shot had only been a warning one. Now, there was a hole in the ceiling above him where some chips and dust had fallen.

"I think we've found the one who threatened you, Pegasus." Kaiba had turned slightly so that he could put an arm around his brother and keep him safely behind him. "Now we want off this island." He glared at the man who had just threatened Mokuba. "And you'll be hearing from me again soon."

The millionaire hardly seemed perturbed. "That act hardly means anything, Kaiba-boy. But, if you really want off this island, you will allow me to begin explaining."

The guards, meanwhile, were busy searching others and taking away anything that could be used as a weapon. Keith was arguing that his gun had just saved someone. They had no right to take it!

"Sorry, sir, but all weapons must be handed over."

Finally, they wrestled the gun away and searched him for any more weapons. A few knives came off him as well. The others were getting the same treatment.

"You can't search me. I don't even intend to be staying."

The guards searched Kaiba anyway. Two held his arms down and the rest felt into every pocket of his clothes and long blue coat.

"Hands off the puzzle, you!" The Spirit of the Millennium Puzzle held the pendant farther away from questing fingers.

Bakura felt he was going to have the same problem. Quietly, control of the host slipped until only an innocent boy remained. An innocent boy wearing nothing around his neck.

Pegasus had a slight grin still. "Let the 'boy' keep the Puzzle."

The guards moved on to search any purses, pockets, or clothes in general. After they had gathered everything usable as a weapon, they went through a door and deposited their findings in another room. Then, they locked the door and handed the key to Pegasus.

Suguroku and Hopkins exchanged glances. Neither one was pleased with what was happening. Who was?

Clapping his hands for attention, Pegasus looked at everyone in the room. There were nineteen here from Japan and five from America. Well, four. The cartoon representative was gone.

"As I was saying before, all of you are here for a reason. Someone had been blackmailing me. There were terms. I had to give over my treasure or risk being publicized as a maniac. Most of you can guess how that would happen."

Honda snorted. "Yeah, you wanted to make a 3-D image of your wife, Cynthia, in the hopes of bringing her back to life with some odd magic."

"Not to mention stealing souls." Kaiba's eyes were narrowed. One arm was still around his brother.

Pegasus did not blush in shame or even blink. He continued calmly, "The blackmailer gave me a time limit, of course. So I did the only thing I could do to save myself. I pretended to die and publicly announced the division of my money. That way, the blackmailer would have to show up. But that is not the only way to snag him."

Under her breath, Mai muttered, "'He?' I think awoman is as likely to threaten him as a man."

"I knew the person had to have been at my island sometime. How else had he known my plans and actions? Few would believe my actions as truth if they had only heard them as a rumor. So, I knew it was someone I probably knew. That is why all of you are here. You are all suspects."

"My brother!" Kaiba asked, outraged.

Mai smirked. "That's more like it. I was tired of hearing you say 'he' all this time."

"Mai! Are you saying you did it?" Jonouchi stared at her.

"No. I just want people to think I could." She winked at him and looked around at all the others. Their surprise just made her grin wider.

Malik was frowning next to Rishid and Isis. "I don't see how we could be suspects. I hardly know you at all, and I was never here before."

"I'm glad you asked." Pegasus looked sharply at them. "You, my friends, are also wielders of Millennium Items. I thought that would be another lead. After all, some people are trying to collect them all." One eye focused on Bakura, who only smirked back.

The Spirit of the Ring had taken Pegasus's Millennium Eye before, leaving him a false replacement one. However, Pegasus could never be certain the others knew his Eye was gone. Therefore, they were all still suspects.

Looking at Rishid, Malik thought Pegasus's answer did not make complete sense.

Pegasus continued, "And, while the threatening letters seemed to be making reference to my money, it could have been interpreted in other ways, as you will see."

"So," the Spirit of the Puzzle said, "you will be showing us some evidence?"

Chuckling, Pegasus replied, "Of course. If I want you to solve the mystery, you need to be told something."

"Then get on with it, Pegasus. I'm ready to play your game and prove my friends are innocent!"

Someone from the back who was unknown to the others strode forward. She was in a business suit with a look on her face that could have re-"killed" Pegasus.

When she spoke, it was obvious she was from America. "I want to speak with the police."

Pegasus focused on her. "But, Johanna-girl, on my island, I am the police. Did you want to make a call? See if someone could come get you? You'd find there is no service on this island."

The woman was seething as she stepped away. "Just remember, Crawford, when I get back to inform the company about what you've done, our business with you will be finished."

"Oh, I'm so disappointed," Pegasus said with a frown. "It is so hard to maintain good friendships these days. I'm sorry for your loss."

A goon had to grab Johanna as she reached forward to hit Pegasus. Without much effort, he pulled her away and sat her down on a couch.

By then, most of the others were trying to get free and all the goons had their hands full. It was sheer idiocy to wait around and play Pegasus's game. The people had to take what advantage they could.

Pegasus had prepared for that. Most of his security had an easy job of holding back "guests." The millionaire had hired extra help so that the numbers were almost even. With the limited exits and now lack of weapons, no one could escape.

"Now," continued Pegasus, "are you finally all ready to learn the rules and clues? I had to make it a game, of course. A game with a time limit involved."

"A game?" Anzu was incredulous. "A game to have us find the writer of the letters?"

The Spirit of the Millennium Puzzle scowled. "That's playing a game for our very lives, Pegasus! What if the person decides to just kill everyone to stay unknown?"

Instantly, people began to look around uneasily.

Crawford's face became amused. "Yes, well, someone was playing games with my life, so I just thought, why not include everyone in the fun?"

"You belong in an insane asylum," Kaiba commented.

"As asylum, you say? Well, my castle will soon be like that for you. You'll be driven mad as you struggle to find out the truth of the matter. My game should not be too difficult, but I have no doubt that with all the pressure it will turn into something more. Now, will you let me explain without further interruptions?"

For once, everyone was silently watching him. None of them looked well-at-ease, however, except a couple Spirits.

"The game starts in this room. Then, you will need to find the clue within it that will lead you to another room. That room will also have a clue for another room until you find the room with the letters. If you're not fast enough, there will be a few surprises awaiting you." He paused, and someone immediately took advantage of the silence.

"Why not just give us the clues?" For once, Otogi sounded shocked by his role model.

"Because, that wouldn't be fun in the slightest. Besides, the process has to be gradual so you can get to know one another. After all, you will be formally accusing someone of blackmailing me. And on my island, whomever you decide is guilty will be taken into my custody. I trust you, for you see, I know that one's own safety and freedom is encouragement enough to get one to do my will. Besides, if you think you might hand over someone innocent just to escape, it will forever live on your consciences. This is like a trial with a jury of twenty-three. All of you must agree on who it is. That way, it will be just like real proceedings. And, just like real trials, innocent people are sometimes condemned."

"You're sick," Shizuka whispered, a tear forming and falling down her face. Jonouchi enfolded her into his arms so she would not have to see the silver-haired man.

"Well, it's better than being what I was before, isn't it? Dead?" Pegasus chuckled.

Honda and Jonouchi looked at one another and nodded.

"Watch it, Pegasus, or we'll be getting you for this." Both of them balled their hands into fists. "You don't want to have to face us."

The multi-millionaire did not seem horrified, though he play-acted the role. "Oh, no. I don't think I will be able to rest at night even with my twenty-two guards all about me knowing you want to inflict me bodily harm."

"Grr." Jonouchi would have stridden forward right then, but with the goons ready before their master, Honda, Anzu, and even Shizuka helped hold him back.

The Spirit of the Puzzle was still mostly interested in the game. "So, how long will we have before our 'surprise' happens? When does this game start?"

Rebecca adjusted her glasses. While she was not pleased that Yugi had been replaced with this master gamer, she did have to admit that he had a grip on the important facts.

"Yeah, I want to know when we can get started so I can solve this riddle! It's just an easy process of elimination." She cast her eyes around the room, seeing all those she knew and the few adults from big businesses. "It's probably one of those people in the back who've stayed silent."

The men glanced at her once with narrowed eyes but continued to be silent.

"Ahh, I should tell you why all of you are here individually. It is really quite a list I am growing fond of. But then, that is yours to discover to make your own guesses. The game begins now. You will have two hours to find the next room and two hours between every clue here on forth." He took one step forward and bowed. "I do wish you good luck, so I get some amusement out of this." Then, he turned around and walked out of the door he had come from, all of his goons but three following him. The three blocked the way Pegasus had taken.

Rebecca decided to take matters into her own hands. "Why doesn't everyone start looking for the clue? As the smartest person here, I'll start assessing suspects and who's the most likely to have done it."

Crossing her arms, Anzu said dryly, "Why don't you start looking for the clue, Miss Genius? After all, there're only so many hundred things it could be. I think I can handle looking over the evidence for suspects."

There was an argument impending. Before it even begin, Suguroku came over with Hopkins.

"What we need to do is get organized. However, with such a large group, I doubt that will happen. Therefore, Rebecca, dear, do try to remain calm and start with the most important job: finding the next clue."

"Yes!" Suguroku added. "We don't want to run out of time. I love surprises, but I doubt this will be one I enjoy at all. So, I don't know about you, but I'm going to go look for a key!"

The other Yugi who had been listening as well, nodded. A key was the perfect item to begin looking for. Also, while this room did not have too much miscellanea within it, finding such a utensil might still be difficult.

Mai was looking around the room and counting everyone. "Looks like some people already left."

That attracted everyone else's attention, so before they began searching for anything, they took a mental roll call.

"Bakura's missing," the Spirit of the Puzzle said at last. "And Bandit Keith and the man who attacked Mokuba."

Kaiba, for all his threats, was still present. Even all the men in suits were still standing in the back of the room. Johanna also remained, though she did not look pleased at all or willing to help.

"His name's Hugh. Hugh Hoturi." One of the business representatives had offered the name of the man who had attacked Mokuba.

"We'll have to work without them." The other Yugi took on a concentrating face. "However, I fear that is Pegasus's true game: teamwork. For that is what will bring us down." He turned to Kaiba and Mai, expecting an outburst. They, however, stayed silent this time.

"I think we came to a place where we just don't fit in, sister." Malik turned around to look at her, but the Egyptian's face held no revelations.

A sudden curse rang out. Then, turning red, Jonouchi tried to pass it off by looking unconcerned. "Sorry, I just remembered I forgot to ask if we even get any money for doing this. I was looking forward to the reading of Pegasus's will."

Otogi scowled at him. "I know. I bet you're wishing he was really dead."

"And if I am?"

"Don't start it now, guys." Shizuka said, "We just need to work together to solve the problem and go home. Isn't that all anyone really wants?"

Her words silenced most. The others just chose not to say anything. Suguroku and Hopkins began looking on the mantel of the fireplace. Honda and Jonouchi looked under couches. While it seemed unlikely, the other Yugi was checking the stones of the walls. One just might be loose. Other than the couches and fireplace, there was nothing extra in the room but a few rugs. Shizuka, Mai, and Anzu began lifting those up. Meanwhile, Kaiba walked right up to the three goons still standing there.

"You wouldn't happen to be holding the key on your person, would you? Pegasus would do something like that," he muttered. Mokuba, next to him, gave his own little scowl at the men.

"If Pegasus meant the key was on his own body, and then left, that wouldn't be fair!" the boy added.

A goon spoke without looking down at him, "Mr. Crawford did not cheat in the game."

One other person who was being uncooperative spoke up now. "Mr. Crawford would never do anything like that! He plays fair but well."

Kaiba turned his cold look upon Otogi. "I wouldn't be so quick to defend your little hero. We're trapped here, after all. And, he has done tricks just as cheap before. I'm not surprised someone was blackmailing him."

The young man with the black ponytail turned around and stood alone in a different section of the room.

The three Ishtars were helping lift the couches for the two when Rebecca suddenly pointed at the fireplace.

"I get it!" she exclaimed, instantly catching everyone's attention. Even the business representatives listened to her as they stood in the back doing nothing helpful. But then, it was hard for them to start listening to people so many years their junior for instruction. So, it was with a skeptical expression that they gave their attention.

Professor Hopkins went over to his granddaughter and asked her to explain herself.

"I bet Pegasus put the key in the fireplace! We need to let it die out."

Walking over to the fireplace, Jonouchi kicked some logs around. The sparks flying up around him made him seem like a little demon, all the more because of the red glow in his eyes and hair.

Honda nodded in approval, but he sniffed the air. "Is something burning?"

Aghast, Jonouchi grabbed a foot and hopped on one leg as he looked at his shoe. "My shoes! My beautiful shoes! They're ruined!"

Now, not only from the mysterious hole in the one that Jonouchi referred to as a "battle scar," the bottoms had slightly melted soles.

"That key had better be there!"

The others, mostly hiding laughter and smiles, tried to seem serious for their friend. But, Honda first snickered, spreading it to Anzu to Shizuka. Soon, most of everyone was chuckling.

And, at the other end of a camera, Pegasus J. Crawford raised his glass of wine to the camera and toasted Jonouchi for already being so amusing.