Hey again to anyone reading. I just have to put a warning in here, this chapter is where the violence really picks up. In the remainder of the fic, there will be violence, there will be torture, and there will be death. If you don't want to read it, please stop now.
Incidentally, I've decided that for my own amusement, I'll be creating ridiculously long and descriptive titles for my chapters, following an Inuyasha tradition. Thank you.
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"Joey! It's already 20 after six! We're going to be late!" Serenity called up to her brother from the bottom of the stairs. She had a small backpack on, which held a few bottles of water and some food, along with her smallest stuffed rabbit for comfort.
"Geez sis, hold yer horses!" Joey ran to the top of the stairs, simultaneously shoving things into his bag and trying to force his left sneaker onto his foot. "Here, catch!" Joey threw the bag to his sister. Serenity caught it and fell over from the weight.
"Joey, what did you fill this with?" She asked, struggling to get up and pick the bag off the floor at the same time.
"Uh, lessee...I got my lucky horseshoe, my cool chain thing for fighting, some snacks, my I-pod-"
"Joey, that's way too much and you know it!" Serenity dumped Joey's things out of the bulging pack and began sorting through them. "Chain, okay. I-pod, no. Horseshoe, no. snacks, okay. comic books, definitely not. ...." She continued like this until about three-fourths of the bag's former contents were removed, and the pack was much more suitable for travel. "Now let's go!"
"Serenity, are you sure you want to-"
"For the last time Joey, yes!" Serenity was almost yelling, she was so impatient and annoyed. She took a deep breath. "Joey, Tea's my best friend in the world. Of COURSE I'm going to help you guys save her."
"Okay sis...just don't get hurt, alright?"
"Right Joey. Now let's go!" Serenity grabbed her brother's hand and pulled him out the door after her.
............
Korimo looked at the digital watch on her slender wrist. "6:30. Perfect. We'll be more than ready when they get here." She turned to Fukamito. "Well done. Maybe Yugi is smarter than we gave him credit for..." She let her voice trail off, noting the environment around her.
The mansion she stood in front of had a strange history in Domino. A rich eccentric had had it built years ago, but being a rich eccentric, never had anyone to give it to when he passed away. The house had stood for almost 20 years deep in the woods. When it was still nice, it cost far too much for anyone in the city to bother with, and when the price went down, it was because of the decay. Everything about the place creaked, moaned or squealed in some way now. The forest around it was very dense, making it hard to hear someone coming near, yet easy to track someone you were following. It was just perfect for Korimo's uses.
Korimo stretched out on a high tree limb. "Well, we've got a little bit of a wait, but the real challenge will arrive soon..."
..........
Joey and Serenity were the last ones to make it to the Kame Game Shop. Tristan, Ryou and Yami were waiting impatiently when they came through the door.
"Sorry we're late," Serenity said softly.
"It's no trouble, let's just head out now," Ryou suggested.
"Let's see what we have first," Yami said. "That way we'll know ahead of time if there's anything else we need."
"I brought some rice cakes and water," Serenity piped in happily.
"My fighting chain an' some junk food," was Joey's contribution.
"I also brought water, and a couple of blankets. It's getting colder, and it will be night by the time we get to where we're going. Oh, and a first-aid kit, too."
"Good thinking Bakura. I have a flashlight and knife," Yami said, looking through Yugi's Dark Magician backpack.
"Well we're going to the woods, aren't we? So I gotta have the Great Outdoors Survival Guide!"
"Oh geez Tristan, not THAT again..." Joey mumbled.
"What else might we need?" Yami asked.
"Maybe some kind of a tent?" Serenity suggested.
"That might be too hard to carry, though. But I can drape one of these blankets around a few tree limbs, and that should be just as good," Bakura explained.
"And besides, I'm sure Korimo's got a nice warm welcome all set up for us," Tristan said darkly. "We probably won't be out in the woods for too long."
"Right. And with any luck, we'll find Tea and get her out of there in no time, anyway." Yami stood up, slipping his arms through the backpack straps. "And we have surprise on our side. We'll be there long before she'll be ready for us. Now let's move out!"
The four other voices chorused as one, "Right!"
..............
Of course, Korimo was more than ready by the time Yami-tachi got to the meeting place in the woods. As they passed under the tree next to hers, Korimo jumped down from the branch she had been sitting on, landing lightly on her feet directly in front of them. "Well well, it's not polite to keep a lady waiting," She chided, relishing the looks of shock on five faces.
"How did you know!?" Serenity cried out. Her voice was a little too loud, a universal sign of fear. "You said 8 o'clock! It's barely 7:15!"
"Yes, well I believe you said 7 o'clock, didn't you? I've been waiting."
"You scum!" Joey yelled. "You've gotta be spyin' on us!"
Korimo folded her arms over her chest. "Well of course. Fukamito," she called into the trees. The demon flew down as a crow, landing on her shoulder. "What form did you take earlier to watch them?"
"A fly, milady. I was able to get in through the window."
Korimo turned back to Yami. "You left the window open while planning a sneak attack? Tsk tsk," she shook her finger, "not a bright idea."
"But how!?" Tristan asked.
"Don't you get it?" Korimo reached a hand up to stroke Fukamito's feathered neck. "My servant acts as my spy. He's a shape-shifter, as I sincerely hope you were able to figure out. It would be terribly pathetic if you hadn't noticed by now. But anyway, that effectively makes him the perfect spy. He can become whatever he needs to in order to fit seamlessly into any room. But it's no matter now, it's far too late."
"I'm afraid I agree with you," Yami said boldly. "But we've shown up, and you've obviously prepared for our arrival. Why don't we just skip the formalities and move along?"
"Yuge, are you sure-"
"Yes Joey. Well, Korimo?"
"Oh, I do so love banter. But very well, I'll humor you." Korimo snapped her fingers, and motioned into the thick forest behind her. "I have indeed prepared something quite special for you all. If you can make it past him, than join me in the main hall of the abandoned mansion for your next task."
"Where's Tea!?" Serenity yelled out, to everyone's surprise. "How do we know she's okay? How do we know you're not just playing with us?!"
Korimo smiled just a little bit, turning her head to face Serenity. "Tea is perfectly fine. She hasn't been harmed. Yet. And believe me, if you manage to get past me, she will be returned to you in one piece. You have my word."
"Yeah, so what's that worth?" Joey asked angrily.
"It's the only thing you have to go by," Korimo retorted. "Now with no further delay, will you come and join us, Duke?"
"Duke?" Yugi, Ryou, Tristan and Joey asked in unison. In the next moment, he stepped out from behind a tree.
"I trust you're familiar with Duke Devlin." Korimo smirked. "Take care of them, Duke."
He pulled a small knife out of his pocket. "Yes, Lady Korimo."
As Duke ran forward into the group of his friends, Korimo and Fukamito disappeared, and sneaked back to the mansion in the woods.
....................
As soon as they were out of sight and hearing of Yami-tachi, Korimo dealt her servant a blow across his crow's head. "Who was that?"
"Milady, I don't understa-"
"That was not Yugi Moto. Who was he!?" Korimo picked the crow up off the ground, gripping his neck tightly and speaking with passionate calmness. "I told you I had too much to do here to watch you, and I ordered you to tell me everything that happened. Are you truly stupid enough not to notice?"
"Milady, I'm sorry, I didn't see," Fukamito pleaded. Korimo threw him back down to the ground in disgust.
"You are off the hook this time. But rest assured, if you ever withhold information from me again, it will count as betrayal. And we both know what happens then."
"Of course Milady, it will never happen again!"
"It had better not, for your sake." Korimo looked up, taking note of the waning crescent moon just beginning to peek through the trees. "Now stay and watch the fight. Tell me what happens, and tell me everything this time." She closed her eyes and evaporated into a mist of glittering red smoke.
.................
Korimo reappeared in front of the dungeon-like cell Tea now inhabited.
"It appears little Yugi is more than he seems. You know him quite well Tea, tell me what he is capable of," she demanded.
"Why should I tell you? I'd never help you hurt Yugi!" Tea said bravely.
"It appears you underestimate me." Korimo held her hand up. "There is more than enough power in my palm alone to make you talk. And I am perfectly willing to use it."
"Try me!"
Korimo shot a burst of green light through the barred door. The light engulfed Tea, giving her the sensation of being ripped apart. The girl screamed and fell choking to the floor when the magic was withdrawn.
"I can do this for as long as necessary. Now tell me who I met in the forest. It was most definitely not Yugi." Tea didn't answer. She was still catching the breath that the pain had knocked out of her. "Oh, too much for you? It shouldn't have been," Korimo drew her hand back to examine a fingernail, "That particular spell is designed to send out just as much as you can handle. It will never be enough to kill you. Though it should feel like it," she added, grinning. "Of course, I could easily remedy that and give you more..."
"N-no..." Tea coughed weakly.
"No? Well I suggest you start talking then. Or must I give you another demonstration?" Korimo held her hand up again, and Tea winced. "So talk. The boy I saw was not Yugi. His voice was different, and he was taller than the shrimp I'm used to. But your little friends still called him 'Yugi'. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about Tea, I'm not dumb enough to think this is the first time this has happened."
"I...I won't tell you..."
Korimo lost her smirk, and shot another burst of light at Tea. Tea screamed again and began shivering once the pain left.
"You're not doing yourself any good, you know. Just tell me about him, and I'll leave. I've more important things to deal with anyway."
Tea gulped and bit her lip before speaking. "He...His name is Yami...and he's unbeatable." Even in her state, she was able to look at Korimo with strength in her eyes. "He's never lost at anything yet. There's no way you could beat him!"
Korimo smiled. "Perfect. Thank you Tea." Then, true to her word, she walked away.
Tea leaned against the wall of her cell. "Oh Yugi..." she started to cry. "I'm so sorry..."
............
Tristan was the first to dodge Duke's attack. He was luckily standing with his back to a tree, and he was able to step out of the way at just the right moment. The momentum of Duke's knife sent it straight into the thick wood. Tristan lightly stepped back, landing a punch on the back of Duke's head as he went.
"No, Tristan, don't hurt him!" Serenity yelled.
"I think we have to, Sis," Joey said, stepping in front of her to act as a shield.
"No, there has to be some way to snap him out of this!" Yami called to him. "Look at his eyes! He's being controlled."
Suspiciously, Joey followed Yami's directions. "Hey, you're right! His eyes are totally blank!"
Tristan side-stepped another onslaught. "That doesn't really help! Joey, get over here!"
"I'm comin' Tristan!" Joey ran forward, stopping just long enough to fish the chain out of his backpack.
"Duke, why are you doing this!?" Serenity yelled. She started to run forward, but Ryou grabbed her arm to stop her.
"That's not Duke," Ryou explained to her. "He's been brainwashed-- he doesn't remember any of us!"
"DUKE!" Serenity yelled again.
Duke turned his head in her direction, his eyes focusing on her as a target. Joey quickly stepped in front of him, lightly tapping the top of his head with the chain and moving to the side. Duke's focus returned to Joey and Tristan.
"Careful sis, don't draw attention to yourself," Joey called back.
"Joey, what are we gonna do? We've gotta snap him out of it!"
"You're right, Serenity, but we don't know how to do that right now. It's more important at this moment that we keep ourselves safe."
"Joey, cover me!" Tristan shouted to his best friend. He made the mistake of looking at Joey over his shoulder, and in the instant his back was turned, Duke slammed his knife into Tristan's shoulder. Tristan swore under his breath as he went down, tripping over a tree root. Serenity shrieked, and Joey stepped in front of his friend to stop Duke from finishing his job.
Yami, who had been standing to the side of the whole battle, suddenly moved in front of Serenity and Ryou. The quick action caught Duke's eye. He made a mad dash, turning his back to Joey and running straight to Serenity, knife drawn.
"Hey, I'm the one you're fighting, not her!" Joey barked.
Duke replied in a monotone. "You are protecting the girl. She must be important to you." He slashed randomly with his knife, forcing Yami and Ryou to step backward. Serenity was rooted to the ground in terror, and couldn't move. Duke crashed into her, and both of them fell to the floor. Serenity screwed her eyes shut and let out a heart-wrenching cry as Duke's arm went up, preparing to strike.
However, Duke's arm stopped cold in midair, only a few inches from the girl's heart. When she didn't feel any pain, Serenity timidly opened her eyes. She saw something change in Duke's expression.
"Sere...ni...ty..."
He dropped the knife. It thudded harmlessly to the ground beside them.
"What...what have I been doing...?" Duke stood up quickly, almost falling down again. He put a hand to the side of his head. His eyes went in and out of focus, finally returning to normal.
"Duke, you're back with us," Yami said with a small sigh of relief.
"What happened?"
"We're not sure, dude. You were attacking us. Bakura said something 'bout you being controlled," Joey explained.
Duke closed his eyes for a moment. "I remember...I remember now...Korimo...she got me..." He sat heavily on a log nearby. Serenity got up and walked over to him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. Duke looked up at her, but didn't say anything.
And in a pine tree nearby, a crow flew off toward the old mansion in the woods.
