Yes, I know its been weeks and weeks since the last update.
But as work on this fic is going incredibly slowly, I have to also update slowly since otherwise I wouldn't have a thing to update for you sillies.
Disclaimer: Authoress does not own Yugioh
Oh yeah, to those who wondered about Croquet's spiffy new nickname - Croquet sounds like crossuiant (which, if I could spell it right, you would know is that cresent-shaped pastry) and a muffin is also baked...and if that's not enough for you, then its because I said so so there!
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Just as Athorl took hold of the necklace of the bulky golden pendants, the scene was drowned in a whirlpool of light, and before anyone could say anything, Pegasus, Terra, and Croquet were back where they started - on the floor of the corridor in Littlerock Manor, just outside the kitchens.
On the big screen disk, the arena where Yugi and Kaiba were battling was visible. Both Egyptian God Monsters were gone, and both duelists were picking themselves off the ground with dazed expressions.
"Of course, they saw something completely different," Terra explained as the two of them began arguing over something other than the weirdness she had just given them a guided tour of, "Something silly involving them. Anyway, that's not important."
"For once, I completely agree with you," Pegasus agreed.
"Aww, that's real sweet of ya," Terra beamed, patting him on the head, "But do you know WHY its not important?"
"…No, but I'm certain you are about to tell me," he sighed.
Abruptly, Croquet's phone went off. While the other two briefly glanced at the big-screen disk - upon which the two duelists could be seen STILL arguing - Croquet received a report from the castle security people.
"Pegasus, sir," Croquet addressed his boss.
"What was that about? An intruder?" Pegasus inquired, before seeing the answer in Croquet's immediate thoughts and cursing, "Damn!"
"I've sent the security forces we have stationed at the manor to intercept the intruder, but there's a good chance they're not working alone and the estate may be compromised."
"Oh very well," Pegasus sighed, "Let's go find a hiding place, then."
Just then, the non-silent alarms began blaring their little electronic heads off. That meant a lot of intruders, and that they were forcing their way into the manor castle itself.
"Or maybe a boat…" Pegasus added to himself as the three of them scrambled to their feet and started running.
Littlerock Manor boasted one of the most complicated interior designs ever to be found in a castle - due mostly to the 'eccentric' trait that popped up now and again in the family - and right now this proved to be the most useful defense they had.
A whole army's worth of intruders was swarming the island. And yet, they were all heading for the top floor of the castle, where important people like Pegasus were expected to be located, especially in such an emergency.
Except that the kitchen was on the ground floor, inaccessible except for a staircase leading to a third floor wing which could only be reached from the basement. Well, by that and the dumbwaiters. But there was a short service entrance to the kitchen section that lead to the subbasement, and from there went directly to the airstrip and docks.
"I can see where that maze-card in your little game came from, Peggy-kun!" Terra laughed, pacing the two running men easily.
"Sir, where do we go now?" Croquet asked when they reached the fork in the road.
"We don't go anywhere," Pegasus said, "You, Croquet, are going to go steal a boat, head for shore, and see if you can't get help back here."
"But sir -"
"Actually, this is a good idea," Terra said, looking thoughtful.
"Thank you."
"Yeah, 'cause they're only supposed to keep you locked up until their boss comes for the Millennium Eye - which lots of people still think you have - and then you'll be eaten by a monster. So it's a good plan not to use a boat that they'll catch in no time," she added.
"…Thank you."
"But sir, who am I supposed to get help from?" Croquet asked.
"…Hmm…I suppose Kaiba-boy's dear old step-daddy must have left a few tidbits or something behind," Pegasus replied after another moment of thought.
He pulled an envelop out of a pocket and handed it to Croquet.
"And when he says no, just remind him that without my stopping it, this little number will be shipping out world-wide in the thousands by the end of the month. You can even let him see it."
"Yes sir," Croquet said, reluctant to leave his boss behind.
"Ah, don't sweat it Muffin-Man!" Terra giggled, "I'll be right here to watch over Peggy-kun!"
"…You are?" Pegasus said, unnerved, "But…Terra-san -"
"NO! You say 'chan'! Chan!" Terra interrupted, slapping the back of his head in reproof.
"Terra…chan," Pegasus finally managed to say, "Aren't you…a little, um…conspicuous?"
"Maybe, but I can fix it," she winked.
She stepped back, clapped her hands together, and threw them up in the air. Instantly, she vanished in a burst of feathers.
What appeared in the feathers was a small, white and blue parrot, who fluttered up to sit on Pegasus' left shoulder.
"Braawc, Terra want a milkshake, hoo-hoo!" she croaked, imitating a parrot's voice.
"Butterscotch, if you've got it," she added in her normal voice after another second.
"…And when were you planning on mentioning this little ability," Pegasus said once he got over his shock.
"Ah, come off it," Terra chirped back, "This way, you're a pirate! And pirates are cool."
Pegasus sighed, and counted to five inside his head.
Eye-patch, plus parrot, plus billionaire suspected of insanity…okay, so maybe it WAS a perfect disguise.
"Croquet, you're still here," he said after another minute had passed.
Nodding, Croquet headed for the docks. Once his subordinate was out of sight, Pegasus sighed to himself and turned around, heading back for the castle with Parrot-Terra perched on his shoulder.
