Disclaimer: WookieeBeta still does not own Yuugiou. And she is still not happy about it.

Warning: Language.


Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude

Chapter Nine: Back Again

By WookieeBeta


"Stupid stupid Ra-damned storm..."

THUD. THUD THUD THUD.

"Owwwww! Otogi, get your dicey butt off of me!"

"Honda, you're - you're not a monkey anymore!"

The brunette blinked. "Hey...you're right! Woohoo! I'm me again!" He leapt up off the floor and did a quick celebratory dance.

Shizuka frowned. "Hey, guys...where're Mokuba and my brother?"

THUD.

"Nooooo! Setoooooo!"

"...never mind. Mokuba, what's wrong?"

"What in the seven hells!"

Mokuba sniffled, trying valiantly to bring his voice back under control as he climbed to unsteady feet. "Seto... Nii-sama...he - "

THUD.

"Stupid fucking Moneybags!" Jou yelled, slamming his fist into the ground. "What the hell were you thinking!"

" - the helicopter," Mokuba finished. "He...blew it up...and I don't think he got out... Setoooo!" He fell back to his knees, wrapping his arms around himself and shaking. The ground around him was darkening with his tears.

"Shhh...shhh, Mokuba, it's okay," Jou said, giving the raven-haired boy a tight hug. "Everything's gonna be okay, I promise."

"Jounouchi..."

Anzu and Otogi stared at the pair blankly, still trying to accept this new tragedy. Shizuka was weeping, too, whispering, "Seto-kun...Yuugi-tachi..."

Marik finally managed to connect the random bits of sentences into a logical sequence. "So, the Pharaoh and his high Priest are dead, then," he smirked. He turned and started walking towards the blimp. "Best keep your eyes open, Rishid."

Jou stood suddenly, leaving a sniffling Mokuba still huddled on the ground. "You keep your vile hands off him, d'you hear!" he shouted.

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Why should I? Is the little chihuahua going to bark at me if I don't?"

"Why you..." Jou growled. "You of all people have no right to call me that!" He jumped forward and attacked the Egyptian dark empty-handed.

Marik whipped his Rod from its customary belt-loop and smacked it against the side of Jou's head, sending the poor blonde stumbling away. Jou fell to one knee and winced as a thin trickle of blood coursed down the side of his face.

"Idiot mortal. You know you can't win against me." He unsheathed the blade at the end of the Millennium Rod and stalked toward Jou, deadly intent flashing in his eyes.

Mokuba scrambled up and ran to stand in front of Jounouchi. "You leave him alone, creep!"

Marik growled. This little rat was getting in his way. He grabbed Mokuba by the neck and lifted him single-handedly off the ground, grinning insanely as the boy struggled against his grip. Jou growled and tried to stand, but his knees quaked and gave out under him; he fell back to the concrete floor and moaned.

"A single one of you moves, and I strangle Mokuba," the Egyptian spirit snarled. There was a moment of absolute silence. Then...

"Keep your grimy hands off my brother," Kaiba whispered. Marik jumped; no one was quite sure if it was from surprise, or from the sudden introduction of Kaiba's fingers to a vulnerable pressure point. The Egyptian gave a quiet exclamation of pain and released his death grip on Mokuba. Kaiba's fist met Marik's jaw, and the bronze-skinned dark slumped to the floor unconscious.

"Seto!" Mokuba leaped blindly into his brother's arms, clinging to his neck and letting loose the flood of tears he'd been choking back.

"I think it's high time we get out of this place," the elder Kaiba said.


A/N 1: Little longer, but not by much…

A/N 2: Minor edits, chapter title change, title change. – WB 09Nórui2006