Disclaimer: All Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and references belong to their respective owners. The song We'll Be There belongs to the artist and the company that recorded it and was used in this story with the best of intentions. Story elements © Hideki LaShae. No money was gained in the writing of this story.
WARNING: This story contains sensitive cultural practices and references that might offend some readers. The views and opinions of the cultures which condone these practices are not shared by this author, but they are included in this story for awareness purposes only.
Time to Duel, Mariko!
By
Hideki LaShae
Chapter Three
They Don't Understand
Seto rushes over and pulls Marie into his arms. "Marie! What just happened?"
"Mariko… the spirit within my Millennium Scale… he wanted to win at all cost. He took over again," says Marie quietly, "He drew the card Hinotama. He wanted to crush Mokuba so he would never duel again. I wouldn't let him. I fought against him. I barely managed to regain control. Mokuba, are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Marie," says Mokuba lifting the cards Marie had dropped on the ground.
"We're going inside now," says Seto lifting Marie up into his arms as he stands. He immediately starts to carry her into the house.
Mokuba finishes gathering Marie's fallen cards and hurries after Seto and Marie.
Seto lays Marie down on the soft sofa and kneels beside her. He takes her duel disk off and sets it on the table beside the plate of cookies. He quickly removes the Millennium Scale from her belt and places it beside the duel disk. Then he turns towards Marie and brushes her spiked bangs away from her face. "Are you sure that you are all right, Marie?"
"I have fought with Mariko before, Seto. I am fine," says Marie, "I just can't duel for awhile. He only ever seems to take over when I duel. I fought him off for a long time this time around, so maybe I am getting to be stronger. Maybe in the future he won't be able to take over control of me."
Mokuba hurries into the living room. He sets the cards in his hand beside Marie's duel disk. Then he takes his own duel disk off and removes his cards from it. "What do we do?"
"I am fine. Truly," says Marie.
"We must find a way to destroy the Millennium Scale!" exclaims Seto looking over his shoulder at the brass scale angrily.
Marie sits up. She places her hand gently on Seto's shoulder. "We will try to find a way, Seto, but for now there is nothing we can do."
Seto clenches his fist angrily. "I hate this! There must be something we can do! I hate being helpless!"
Marie takes a hold of Seto's arms and pulls him up onto the sofa beside her. She quickly throws her arms around him and squeezes him tightly.
Seto wraps his arms around Marie and holds her gently.
Mokuba blushes. "Should I leave?"
"No, Mokuba," says Marie pulling away from Seto slightly, "Would you like to play a game to take our minds off the Millennium Scale?"
Mokuba smiles and nods.
"Let's play Rabid Horseman! I'll be horse, and you can have the rabies!" exclaims Marie shaking off Seto's arms. She gets down on the floor on her hands and knees.
"I don't have rabies!" exclaims Mokuba climbing onto Marie's back.
"Seto? Would you like to play?" asks Marie rearing up and pawing at Seto as if her hands her hooves.
"I'll watch for a while," says Seto leaning back on the sofa with a smirk.
"Suit yourself!" exclaims Marie. She starts crawling away with Mokuba on her back holding onto her tri-colored hair.
Seto smiles as he watches Marie prance around like a horse with Mokuba practicing maneuvers to fight the air. His eyes move across her body, inspecting her as if she were a horse. His brief glances turn into a long, lustful gaze.
"Oh! Hey, Mokuba! Guess what else I brought for you!" exclaims Marie sitting down on her heels so that Mokuba is forced to stand up.
"What did you bring me?" asks Mokuba.
"I said guess," says Marie turning around to look at him.
"Give me a hint!" exclaims Mokuba smiling.
"Oh, all right," says Marie blushing a little. "It's something I made for you specifically, and it's something that you can wear. Now guess!"
"You made me a shirt?" asks Mokuba looking at Marie with confusion.
"Nope!" exclaims Marie getting up off the floor and moving to her backpack. She unzips the front pouch on her backpack and pulls out a bundle of fabric. She tosses it to Mokuba then she sits down beside Seto. "I made something for you too, Seto, but I couldn't bring it with me. I hope you don't mind. I mailed most of my stuff here. I only brought a few things with me."
"The things you would need on a daily basis," says Seto nodding, "I understand, Marie." He sets his arm over her shoulders.
Marie leans into Seto.
Mokuba unfolds the material and holds it up. "Cool! It's a costume of the Rabid Horseman! Thanks, Marie!"
"Welcome, Mokuba!" exclaims Marie smiling.
Mokuba jumps up from the floor and throws his arms around Marie's neck to hug her.
Marie holds Mokuba in her arms and squeezes him tightly.
"I'm going to go try it on!" exclaims Mokuba pulling away from Marie and rushing from the room.
"So… what did you make for me?" asks Seto with a smile.
Marie turns her purple eyes to gaze into Seto's dark blue eyes. "A costume. I think you'll like it."
"What is it?" whispers Seto pulling Marie close to him.
Marie crawls into Seto's lap and relaxes in his arms. "A costume of the card I gave you, the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon."
"When you see me in that costume, I better see you dressed up as the Dark Magician Girl!" exclaims Seto before locking her lips in a long kiss.
Marie nods her agreement.
"When do you plan to go find out about your past?" asks Seto.
"I don't know if I really want to know," says Marie, "but I was planning on going tomorrow morning." She rests her head against Seto's shoulder, and she yawns.
"Go to sleep, Marie," orders Seto in a quiet yet demanding voice.
"I don't want to sleep now," whispers Marie yawning again. "I'll sleep after I see Mokie in his costume."
Seto holds Marie tightly and gently rubs her back.
Mokuba walks into the living room wearing the costume Marie had made for him. He smiles and blushes awkwardly when he sees Marie in his brother's arms. "I summon the Rabid Horseman!"
Seto chuckles when he sees his little brother.
"Don't laugh, big brother! I like it!" exclaims Mokuba blushing even redder.
Marie yawns and lifts her head up to look at Mokuba. She smiles. "Am I good or what? I guessed the size right! It looks good on you, Mokie!"
"Thank you, Marie!" exclaims Mokuba smiling happily at her. He moves to sit down beside Marie and Seto.
Marie wraps her arms around Mokuba and closes her eyes as she leans her head against Seto's shoulder again. She drifts lazily off to sleep.
Seto strokes Marie's blonde, black, and pink hair as she sleeps in his arms. He smiles. "Marie's asleep. She's been having trouble sleeping recently. So I think we should let her sleep whenever she needs to."
"I agree," says Mokuba with a smile.
Mokuba wakes up from his sleep with a start. He listens to the night for a moment, unsure if he heard what he dreamt he heard. He gets up to go to the bathroom down the hall. Then his ears catch the muffled screams coming from the nearby guest room. He runs to the room and knocks on the door. "Marie! Marie? Are you all right?"
"No! No! Don't leave me!" calls Marie from inside the room, "Don't go away!"
Mokuba opens the door and looks inside at Marie.
Marie tosses and turns violently in her bed. "No! No! Don't go!"
"I'll be back, Marie!" exclaims Mokuba running down the hallway. He almost trips on the pants leg of his plaid pajamas as he rushes to Seto's room. He knocks on Seto's door. Then he yanks the door open and runs up to the bed. "Seto! Big brother!"
"Hunh?" asks Seto rousing slightly.
"Big brother!" exclaims Mokuba shaking Seto roughly.
Seto snaps awake at the sound of fear in his little brother's voice. "Mokuba! What's wrong?"
"It's Marie!" exclaims Mokuba.
Seto throws his blankets down and climbs from his bed. He grabs his black robe and wraps it around himself to hide his bare chest and loose pajama pants. "What's wrong with her, Mokuba?"
"I don't know! I think she's having a nightmare!" exclaims Mokuba as Seto runs from the room. He hurries after his brother.
Seto tears into Marie's room and rushes to her bedside.
Mokuba runs into the bedroom after Seto.
"No! No! No!" shouts Marie flailing her arms around her, "Don't leave me! Grandma!"
Seto shakes Marie to wake her up. "Marie!"
Marie gasps as she opens her eyes. "Seto!"
Seto pulls Marie into his arms and holds her tightly to him.
Turn around and we'll be there,
Always by your side…
"Are you okay, Marie?" asks Mokuba.
"Yeah. I'm okay, Mokuba," whispers Marie shivering in fear. "I was just dreaming… about the day Grandma died! I miss her so much!"
"It's okay, Marie!" exclaims Seto rubbing her softly to try to comfort her, "We're here. We understand. I had the exact same dreams when we lost our parents. I know how you feel."
Marie starts to cry on Seto's shoulder.
Mokuba walks up and sits down behind Marie. He sets his hand on her back. "I had the dreams too. I would often wake up crying. Seto would come over to my bed to comfort me just like he's trying now."
Marie takes a deep breath as her tears stop falling. She wipes her eyes. "I'm all right!"
"You don't need to be strong, Marie!" exclaims Seto, "We can be strong for you!"
"I do need to be strong sometimes," says Marie, "but tonight isn't one of them. Would you stay with me?"
"Stay with you?" asks Seto with wide eyes.
"Stay here. Sleep with me," says Marie, "I don't want to be alone. I'm scared, Seto!"
Think of us and we'll be
there,
In your heart forever
Sometimes when you're unsure
Sometimes when you're afraid…
Seto swallows hard and nods his head. "I'll stay."
"You can stay here too, Mokuba!" exclaims Marie, "We can make it kinda like a slumber party! Please, Mokuba!"
"Okay!" exclaims Mokuba. He crawls over the bed and lies down on the far side.
Marie covers Mokuba with the blanket and then lies down beside him. She wraps her arm around him, and Mokuba rests his head on her shoulder. She pats the bed on her right side. "Come on, Seto! Join us!"
Seto removes his robe and tosses it over the chair in front of the vanity dresser. He pulls the blankets down a little and climbs into bed beside Marie. He covers himself up and cuddles up to Marie setting his head on the pillow right beside hers. He kisses her cheek quickly.
"Sleep, sleep, my little angel," sings Marie caressing Mokuba's cheek as his head rests on her shoulder, "Peace, peace, will come unto you."
"Aren't we supposed to be comforting you, Marie? Not the other way around," whispers Mokuba closing his eyes.
"You are comforting me just by being here with me, Mokuba," whispers Marie. She continues to sing her lullaby, "Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Peace, peace, will come unto you. Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Dream, dream, and follow your heart. Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Joy, joy, will stay with you. Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Love, love, you're in my heart."
Seto places his arm over Marie's stomach. "Lovely, Marie. Close your eyes. Rest, my dear."
"Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Peace, peace, will come unto you. Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Dream, dream, and follow your heart. Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Joy, joy, will stay with you. Sleep, sleep, my little angel. Love, love, you're in my heart," sings Marie.
"Marie, my little angel, go to sleep," whispers Seto, "You need to rest. You're safe here. Nothing can hurt you. Go to sleep. I'll protect you."
"Seto…" Marie yawns and closes her eyes.
Mokuba drifts to sleep still hearing Marie's lullaby in his mind.
Seto remains awake for a short while until he hears the steady rhythm of breathing coming from the two sleeping people. He presses his body up against Marie's and touches her stomach delicately with his arm over her. He closes his eyes and allows himself to return to sleep.
Mokuba wakes up again and climbs out of bed, intent on completing the bathroom trip he had tried to go on earlier. He looks at Marie lying there in the bed with Seto's arm over her abdomen. He smiles and heads out to the bathroom.
Marie moves her arm, the one that had been wrapped around Mokuba. She jerks awake. "M-M-Mokie?"
Seto opens his eyes. "Hunh?"
"Mokuba's gone," whispers Marie stretching her arm as she brings it around to place her hand over Seto's. "Maybe he just went to the bathroom. He'll be back, right?"
"Mokuba will be back," says Seto rolling onto his back and pulling Marie over so that she rests her head on his chest. "Go to sleep, Marie."
Marie sets her hand on Seto's chest and gently moves her fingers across his bare flesh. She smiles as she closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep again.
Mokuba walks back into the room and yawns. His blue eyes look at Seto and Marie. "Seto?"
"Yeah, Mokuba?" asks Seto.
"Do you want me to go back to my room?" asks Mokuba.
"No… Marie needs us both here," says Seto, "She was about to freak out because you weren't here."
Mokuba climbs back into bed. He slides up to Marie and cuddles up to her. "Good night, Seto."
"Good night, Mokuba," says Seto.
The brothers close their eyes and go to sleep again.
Marie crawls out of bed being careful not to wake Seto or Mokuba. She lifts her hairbrush from the vanity dresser and starts to brush her tri-colored spikes.
Seto rolls over and opens his eyes. He stares at Marie's back at the dark colors of her night gown. "Turn around, Marie."
Marie turns around to look at Seto. "You're awake."
"Your Dark Magician Girl costume is your night gown?" asks Seto sitting up. He smiles at the purple and pink fabric.
Marie blushes. She rubs her left hand over the cream cloth that covers her arms beneath the short sleeves of her gown. A similar cream-colored cloth also covers her legs as she stands in front of Seto. "I have two Dark Magician Girl costumes. This one that's missing most of the accessories, and then the full costume that's being shipped along with your Blue-Eyes Ultimate."
"Do you know when they'll be arriving?" Seto raises an eyebrow inquisitively at Marie.
"I had it shipped to your office," says Marie, "I figured my stuff would get there quicker than here, and I knew there would be someone there at all times to sign for it. It should get there sometime this week." She turns her back to Seto and continues to brush her hair. Her hand quivers as it runs the brush through her spikes.
Seto climbs out of the bed and steps up behind Marie. He wraps his arms around her waist. "Are you nervous?"
"I'm terrified, Seto," whispers Marie, "I don't think I want to know. What if I find out that my entire life has been a lie? Oh, wait… I already know my entire life has been a lie. My name isn't Marie Twin."
"Don't worry, Marie. You're stronger than you think you are. You'll do fine. If you want, Mokuba and I will be right beside you, Marie. We'll be right there with you," whispers Seto, "Go take a bath and get dressed. I'll wake Mokuba. We'll meet you downstairs in the kitchen for breakfast, okay?"
When you try and find your way,
We'll be there…
Marie nods. "Okay, Seto. Thank you for the offer, but I have to try to do this on my own. I have to confront these demons by myself. I don't know what I'm going to find out, and if it's bad news, then I don't want you to hear it the way I will. I'll tell you everything. I promise. I just have to try it this way."
Seto rubs Marie's arms.
Marie turns around abruptly. She faces Seto and lifts both her hands to gently touch his face. She pulls him into a long kiss. "I like you, Seto. I like you a lot."
Seto embraces Marie tightly.
Marie kisses Seto's cheek and pulls out of his arms. "I'd better go get dressed. I'll see you and Mokuba at breakfast."
Seto sits back down on the bed and watches Marie grab her clothes and head out of the bedroom. He turns to Mokuba and sets his hand on his shoulder. "Mokuba? Wake up, little brother."
"I'm awake, Seto," says Mokuba smiling.
Seto's cheeks turn pink. "How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough to know you really like Marie, but I already knew that," says Mokuba sitting up, "You're in love with her, aren't you, big brother?"
"Love?" asks Seto looking into his brother's eyes.
Mokuba nods. "I've seen you looking at her. I think I know what those looks mean. You like her. You really like her! I like her too, but I think we like her in different ways. I think we both want to make her my sister!"
Seto stands up and grabs his robe from the chair. He slips it on and wraps it around himself.
"Are you mad, Seto?" asks Mokuba climbing out of bed.
"I do care for Marie… I was hoping to hide it from you," says Seto.
"You can't hide things like that from me. I'm your brother. I know you better than anybody," says Mokuba walking over to Seto. He smiles. "I would like Marie to be my sister."
"She wants you as her brother too," says Seto smiling, "Now, go to your room and get dressed. We'll meet Marie in the kitchen for breakfast!"
"Okay, Seto!" exclaims Mokuba walking to the door.
"You may be right, Mokuba. I may be in love with her," says Seto walking over to Mokuba and ruffling his hair, "I may be… Now let's go get dressed!"
Mokuba and Seto leave Marie's room.
Promise to be true…
Marie walks down the street. She makes it to the street corner, then she turns and starts back up the way she had come. She stops herself halfway up the block, silently curses her cowardice, and turns to walk to the corner again. When she reaches the corner this time, she looks ahead of her, at her intended destination. She sees a scrawny boy hurry out of the building and down the street. She can't help notice the large smile on his face, a vast contrast to the look of horror and dread that must surely adorn her own visage. "Well, of course he'd be happy. He knows who he is…"
Marie steps off the curb. She jumps back when she hears the truck horn beeping. She stares wide-eyed at the truck as it passes. She turns around and runs down the street fearfully. She runs as if her life depended on it, and in fact, she believes the life she knew really does.
Marie stops running in a different part of town. She looks around her and realizes that she's in Battle City, where Seto's duel tournament is taking place. She smiles and starts walking, looking for someone to challenge.
It's late afternoon when Marie returns to Seto's mansion. She walks through the door and kicks her shoes off. She takes a deep breath before calling out, "Mokuba? Seto?"
Mokuba runs out from the living room, and Seto walks out apprehensively.
"What did you find out, Marie?" asks Mokuba quickly.
From the worry lines around Seto's eyes, Marie knows that he's been concerned about where she went and what she found out. She falls to her knees and bursts into tears.
"Marie!" Seto rushes to Marie's side and pulls her into his arms.
"I couldn't do it! I couldn't go there by myself!" exclaims Marie crying against Seto's chest. "I don't think I really want to know! My entire life is a sham! Why do I need to know more than that?"
"Marie…" Seto squeezes Marie.
"Tomorrow morning. Would you come with me, Seto? You and Mokuba? Please? I don't think I can go alone!" exclaims Marie pulling away just enough to wipe the tears from her cheeks so that fresh ones sliding from her eyes could replace them.
"I will be at your side the entire time!" exclaims Seto.
"Me too!" exclaims Mokuba.
"Thank you, Seto," whispers Marie resting her head on his shoulder.
Seto holds Marie tenderly and whispers, "I'm taking you to bed, Marie."
"I don't want to sleep now," whispers Marie. She slowly closes her eyes and inhales Seto's delicious scent.
Seto strokes Marie's blonde, black, and pink hair. He stands up pulling her into his arms. "Mokuba, would you get the doors for me?"
"Sure thing, big brother," says Mokuba running up the stairs ahead of Seto. He runs to Marie's room.
"Not that one, Mokuba," says Seto stopping in front of his bedroom, "This door."
Mokuba smiles as he moves to open the door to Seto's bedroom.
Seto carries Marie into his bedroom and lays her down in the middle of his King-sized bed. He pulls her duel disk from her arm and places it on his nightstand. Then he brushes the strands of Marie's hair back away from her face.
Marie opens her eyes and looks at Seto. She whispers quietly, "Don't leave me alone."
Seto simply nods as he walks back over to the door where Mokuba stands. He ruffles his kid brother's disheveled hair. "Go on downstairs and play your game, Mokuba. I'm going to stay here with Marie."
Mokuba's eyes shine happily as his smile widens. "You be nice to her, Seto! Remember, she's been going through a rough time! So don't try to…"
Seto clamps his hand over Mokuba's mouth and pushes him out the door. He closes the door in his brother's smirking face and turns towards the bed. He walks back over to Marie and sits down on the edge of the bed. "Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"Before or after the car tried to run over me?"
"What!"
"I went there. I was across the street, but I still wasn't sure if I wanted to go and find out about myself," says Marie, "It's hard facing the truth. I stood across the street, and finally got up the nerve to cross. I had forgotten to make sure the road was clear, so I had to jump back before a truck would have hit me. I was so scared after that… I ran all the way to Battle City. I won two locator cards. I placed my complete Exodia set up as a prize in case I lost, but I won that duel, and I got two locator cards out of it."
"Are you scared now?" asks Seto.
"No… I'm okay now," says Marie, "but I still don't think I want to know the truth."
"The truth is… whoever you are… I love you," says Seto leaning down and kissing Marie's lips.
"You… You… love me?"
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it," whispers Seto.
Marie looks into Seto's blue eyes. For the first time, she sees his vulnerability shimmering through his eyes. She smiles happily. "I love you, Seto! I just want you to know I love you!"
Seto smirks as he lies down beside Marie and wraps his arms around her. He starts kissing her passionately. His hands slide around her body, and he slowly moves his right hand down to her hip.
Marie gasps as Seto caresses her groin. "No! Not that!"
Seto moves his hand quickly and stares at Marie with wide eyes.
"You can touch me anywhere you want, but not there, please," says Marie, "I'm not ready for that yet!"
Seto sighs.
Marie turns her face to stare at the wall. "I'm sorry… I know you're disappointed…"
When it's time to stand the
test,
I know you'll shine above the rest…
Seto grabs Marie's chin and pulls it so that he stares into her purple eyes. He smiles. "I'll wait for you."
"I'm sorry… You shouldn't have to," says Marie.
"I want to," whispers Seto, "I don't need to be in a hurry to make love to you. There's plenty of time for that. I can still hold and kiss you. That will suffice until you're ready."
"Thank you, Seto," says Marie pulling him into her kiss. "I'm just not quite ready for you to see me unclothed… or for you take me like I sometimes want you to."
"You want me?" asks Seto smirking.
"Who wouldn't?" Marie sighs.
"I want you as well." Seto rubs his hands across Marie's covered skin and continues to kiss her.
Marie sits nervously in the back of the limousine in between Seto and Mokuba. She clutches Seto's hand and gazes out the window with deep purple eyes. Her ankle-long pants are the same purple as her eyes, perfect to match the jacket she wears. The jacket itself extends down to her waist and is unbuttoned to reveal the solid white T-shirt beneath. The cuffs and the collar of the purple jacket are both white and the buttons are a reflective ivory.
Marie has her hair pulled up into a high-ponytail, which ends in odd spikes. Her bangs hang in odd crimped spikes around her face. Her hair, which even in its ponytail, hangs down to touch her shoulders in bright yellow, black, and pink colors. She wears a locket about her neck that looks like a pair of dog tags, and she wears white pumps on her feet.
Mokuba wears a white T-shirt beneath his pale blue jacket. He also wears blue jeans with his most comfortable white sneakers. His black hair hangs in disheveled spikes down past his shoulders. His blue eyes look at Marie happily. "There's nothing to be nervous about, Marie."
"Easy for you to say, Mokuba. You know who you are!" exclaims Marie.
"Don't worry, Marie. We're with you," says Seto turning his blue eyes to hers. He wears his black, long-sleeved shirt beneath his knee-length, sleeveless white jacket. His white jacket has a high collar and chiseled shoulders, and he left it unfastened in the front. He wears dark pants with comfortable shoes. His large card-shaped locket hangs from a cord around his neck. His brown hair is styled neatly.
"I'm glad you two came with me," says Marie.
"This way, you don't have to tell us what you find out. We'll already know," says Seto smiling. He squeezes Marie's hand gently.
Marie leans against Seto. "Thanks."
The limousine stops outside the address that Marie had given the driver before climbing into the back, and the driver jumps out to open the back door for the three people to climb out.
Seto climbs out first and helps Marie out of the back. He looks at the building in front of them as Mokuba climbs out of the limo. "The Kame Game Shop?"
Marie takes a deep breath. "Yes! This is where I'm supposed to meet my contact!"
"This is where Yugi lives isn't it?" asks Mokuba.
"That doesn't matter," says Seto nearly snarling angrily, "Are you ready, Marie?"
Marie swallows hard. She nods her head.
Seto opens the door and holds it open for Marie and Mokuba.
Mokuba goes into the game shop first and pulls Marie inside, and Seto follows behind them.
"Good morning!" exclaims Solomon Motou, a man with gray spiky hair, "I can be with you in just a moment!" He wrestles with the poster he's trying to fix up on the wall.
Yugi Motou comes out of the back room carrying a broom. He sets the broom on the counter and walks towards his grandfather. "Hey, Grandpa, let me help you!"
"Thank you, Yugi," says Solomon as Yugi fixes the poster for the new game, Dungeon Dice Monsters, on the wall. He looks proudly at his grandson with rich purple eyes.
Yugi's hair sticks up in odd spikes. The spikes have the same coloration as Marie's, the tri-colored black, pink, and yellow. His eyes are the same purple shade as Marie's as well. He wears purple pants and a matching purple jacket over a white muscle shirt. His jacket is left unbuttoned. A chain hangs around his neck, and an upside down pyramid hangs from the chain.
The door to the shop opens behind Marie, Mokuba, and Seto, and Marie turns to look at the new arrivals.
"Hey, Yuge! Are you done here? I want to get out to Battle City and win some locator cards!" calls Joey Wheeler as he walks in with his good friends, Téa Gardner and Tristan Taylor. His eyes are a rich brown. His blond hair is slightly disheveled from the wind outside. He wears a white T-shirt with red stripes on his sleeves and blue jeans with his brand new sneakers. A pair of dog tags dangles around his neck.
Tristan Taylor wears a blue denim jacket with his blue jeans and a white T-shirt. His brown hair is combed neatly, and his brown eyes stare at Seto's back in shock.
Téa Gardner's chin-length brown hair falls about her face and accents her blue eyes. She wears a yellow mini-skirt and a light pink, short-sleeved blouse. She wears a nice pair of pink pumps with thin, pale yellow socks. Her eyes catch Marie's and a spark of recognition flashes behind her eyes.
"Now, what can I help you with?" asks Solomon turning to face Marie and her two friends. The smile on his face disappears. "Seto Kaiba."
"Old man," says Seto.
Marie stares at Téa. "You look so familiar…"
"Do I know you?" asks Téa.
Seto raises an eyebrow as he looks at the two girls engaged in a staring contest.
"I'm… Marie…"
"I'm… Téa…"
"You… you… you wouldn't know anything about Hot Rods would you?" asks Marie awkwardly and quickly.
Téa's eyes widen. "Camaro?"
"T-bird?" asks Marie with rapidly widening eyes.
"Camaro!" exclaims Téa stepping up to Marie quickly and throwing her arms around her neck.
"T-bird!" exclaims Marie wrapping her arms around Téa's waist and holding her tight in their embrace, "Isis! I never thought I'd see you again!"
"Same here!" exclaims Téa smiling as she pulls back out of their embrace, "Where have you been, Camaro?"
"Egypt! You?" asks Marie smiling.
"I've been here!" exclaims Téa.
Marie lightly claws at Téa's stomach. She looks at her friend with a worried expression on her face. "How have you been doing, T-bird?"
"I've been fine, Camaro. Everything's okay… in fact, everything's okay because of him," says Téa indicating Yugi with her head, "He helped me out of a few tight spots, just like you've always done."
"I suppose I owe him thanks then. No one hurts my little Hot Rod!" exclaims Marie smirking at Téa.
Téa blushes. She turns her eyes away and stammers, "I'm planning on going to dance school in New York!"
"You rock!" exclaims Marie, "You always were the best dancer at camp!"
"And you were the toughest!" exclaims Téa, "You've got to meet my friends!" She turns towards everyone with her smile still plastered on her face. "Guys, this is my friend, Camaro! We went to dance camp together one summer. She saved my life!"
"Not your life! Just your virginity," says Marie blushing slightly.
Yugi's eyes widen as he looks at the two girls. "Téa?"
"One of the camp counselors…"
"And a couple boys from the neighboring band camp!" pipes in Marie.
"They tried to rape me, but Camaro… Marie… saved me," says Téa, "And right then and there, we made a pact."
"To be sisters forever!" exclaim Marie and Téa together.
Téa hugs Marie again. "We have got to get together soon and go out dancing!"
"Deal, and I have got to take you to the nightclubs of Cairo, Téa! They are totally kicking!" exclaims Marie happily, "Our dancing date will have to wait though. I'm entering the Battle City Tournament, but after the tournament's over, we'll paint this town!"
"Deal!" exclaims Téa.
"Marie… are you forgetting why you came here?" asks Seto.
"No, Seto," says Marie sadly as she moves away from Téa, "but not for lack of trying, I assure you. It has been nice seeing you again, T-bird, but I didn't come here for a reunion. I came here to talk, get thoroughly pissed, and beat something to within an inch of its life… not necessarily in that order."
"What are you doing here, Kaiba?" asks Téa finally turning her gaze to Seto.
"He came with me. We are looking for some Solomon guy!" exclaims Marie looking at Téa for a brief moment. She glances at the two boys she came in with as they stand slightly behind her, and she smiles.
Turn around and we'll be there
Always by your side…
"That's Grandpa! Solomon Motou!" exclaims Yugi looking at Marie, "What do you want with him?"
"I was sent here so that he could tell me who I am," says Marie.
"You must be mistaken," says Solomon, "I don't know who you are."
"My name is Marie Twin, and I was sent here by my Grandmother, Yurito Twin," says Marie.
"Yurito?" asks Solomon, "You are Yurito's grand-daughter, Marie?"
Marie nods her head, and the spiky ends of her ponytail bob.
"Let's go upstairs," says Solomon, "Joey, would you please lock the door and turn the sign to CLOSED?"
"Sure thing, Grandpa Motou," says Joey moving to lock the door. He flips the lock and spins the sign around so that it tells everyone outside that the shop is closed. "What's the deal?"
"Let's go upstairs," says Solomon, "We'll sit down and talk."
"Do you know who I am, old man?" asks Marie, "Cause if you don't, I'm leaving now!"
"I do know who you are, Marie," says Solomon, "I'll explain once we're upstairs." He starts up the stairs into the house above the Kame Game Shop.
"I want an explanation now!" exclaims Marie quickly following behind Solomon.
Seto and Mokuba hurry after Marie with Yugi, Tristan, Téa, and Joey following quickly behind them.
