Thank you for these characters and their stories, Kazuki Takahashi. Requiescat in pace.
Chapter Eight
Dria
"Everybody wake up!" I groaned in annoyance. Who on earth was stupid enough to interrupt the best part of my dream? Joey's loud wakeup call startled Yugi, causing him to somehow crash into me. He yelled in surprise as we tumbled down the little hill and crashed into the bushes. He ended up on top of me, straddling my waist.
"Uh, umm, I…" His face turned so red that I couldn't stop myself from laughing hysterically. This made him blush even harder. He hesitated a bit before he got off me as quickly as he could, stuttering out an apology. I sat up and placed my hands behind me, leaning back on them. I just watched in amusement as he tried to explain what happened.
I stood up and brushed myself off. He froze as I got up. Was he afraid I would be angry? I leaned forward and swiftly kissed his cheek. "Stop worrying Yugi. I know it wasn't your fault. I blame Joey and his nightmares." He still hadn't moved. I smiled and danced back up the hill to Joey.
"Would you like to tell me exactly why you woke me up? I was having quite a lovely dream."
"Yeah Joey, what's wrong?" Joey blushed a little bit.
"Eh, nothing's wrong. It's just a brand new day and I'm hot to find us a duel!" I rolled my eyes. He must have had a nightmare about dueling Kaiba and was now desperate to prove himself.
Mai had already left. She headed out to finish collecting the chips she needed to get into the castle. Yugi blushed at her note (though not as hard as he had blushed earlier). Tristian didn't really believe Mai would ever repay Yugi for what he had done. Apparently, he'd stuck his neck out for her against an eliminator and saved her spot in the tournament. Yugi and I agreed that she could actually be trusted. Besides, we would see her again soon enough.
"Well we're still the Team Supreme then, right? Let's move out!" I grinned at Joey's enthusiasm. I loved watching duelists like him. They kept the game interesting and fun for everyone.
"I wonder how many duelists there are left on the island?" Bakura looked towards me for an answer. Sadly, I didn't even know how many were in the tournament to begin with. Father had been in charge of the invitations. I was there for the duels and to make sure people were following the rules every now and then.
"They shipped a couple dozen out yesterday."
"About that many have probably been eliminated by now today. Don't look at me. I'm just here for the duels." Yugi chuckled at my comment. I flashed him a smile and giggled at his dazed expression. He rubbed the back of his head before continuing his conversation with Joey.
"The duelists we face today will be even stronger, since they survived the first round." Joey froze as he heard Yugi. I knew he'd had a little trouble with Mai, but surely, he was feeling a little more comfortable with dueling now.
"Careful what you say, Yugi. You've got little Joey here shaking in his sneakers."
"What? You think I'm a scared little puppy dog?" I sighed before stepping in between the two of them. I might have even used a little of my magic to make sure they couldn't reach each other. This was a pointless argument, and it didn't need to escalate to anything even more pointless.
Joey stepped away from my hand, renewed determination burning in his eyes as he shouted, "Just bring on any duelist, and I'll cream em'!"
He would be just fine, though he did need to maintain his focus. I heard some laughter coming from somewhere above us. I discreetly turned my head up towards the mountain facing us, and saw 3 boys looking over the ridge. Two of them looked partially normal. When I saw the third, I felt a chill run down my spine. That face! I turned back to the group before my facial expression would be noticed. It wasn't the boy's fault, but genetics had not been kind to him. It was either that, or perhaps he simply needed more Vitamin D in his life.
"Don't know who the others are, but I think that little runt is that Yugi kid."
"Wait, isn't that Alexandria Pegasus?" I turned my head back at the mention of my name. My eyes met theirs for a moment, and then they scrambled off the ridge and out of sight. I smirked at their immediate retreat. I returned my gaze once more to Yugi and Joey.
I couldn't really say I knew what Joey was doing. It might have been a dance, but that didn't seem right. Then again, dancing had changed a lot from the traditional dances during parties in the Pharaoh's palace. A memory was about to overtake me once more, but I pushed it aside. Joey had just run off in a random direction.
"Where are you going?"
"To stalk them!" Now I wished I had been paying a little attention to what he had been talking about. I looked around the area, checking to see if anyone else was there. I felt a little jumpy when I didn't see anything or anyone. Something did feel a little off. Perhaps it had been those boys I had seen moments ago. That feeling continued for quite a while. Joey had been gone at least half an hour before the feeling really began to bother me.
"Something is not right guys."
"Joey has been gone an awfully long time."
I didn't know Joey as well as Yugi did, but even I knew that he wouldn't just run off and get lost. Someone had probably challenged him to a duel or maybe he had gotten lost. This island was awfully big and confusing if you were unfamiliar with it.
"I must have gotten on his case a little too hard about being scared. He must have gone off to find a duel all by himself." Tristian was probably right. Joey did seem like the kind of person who would do something like that because he felt that he had something to prove to us and himself about his dueling skills.
"We should split up and go look for him." The others agreed with my idea. I sent Yugi and Tea to the east, Tristian and Bakura to the north, and I went west. I looked around for at least thirty minutes, but I couldn't find Joey anywhere. I sat down to think a little harder after I reached the waterfall. It was as far as I could go before hitting the edge of the island. Joey couldn't have gone any further without a boat. There was only one arena in the ocean, and it was at the other end of the island, where we had seen Mako not too long ago.
"Any luck Dria?" Yugi and Tea had arrived at the waterfall as well. I sadly shook my head. "Nope, none whatsoever. But, he couldn't have gone any further than this because the next stop would be the ocean." I tore my gaze away from Yugi's eyes and tried to look elsewhere. Who knew what I would say if I lost myself in those familiar eyes, even if his were much less demanding than his alter ego's.
Tristian and Bakura came up at some point. What interested me however was the cave hardly 10 feet from our position.
"Hey, that's Joey's wallet." So, he had been here, and he was probably in that cave right now. As the others contemplated the meaning of their sudden discovery, I excused myself from the conversation and headed for the cave.
"Hey, Dria! Where are you going?"
"Look, there's a cave over there. Nice spot, Dria!"
I ignored all their comments and continued into the cave that Pegasus and I set up just before I left for Domino City.
"But Papa! The point of this cave is to scare duelists! It has to be as lifelike as we can make it!" Pegasus sighed dramatically at my complaints. He had wanted to go easy on those who were unfortunate enough to stumble into this cave (i.e. make it so obviously fake so they didn't wet their pants in fear). I, on the other hand, felt it necessary to scare the bejeezus out of those poor souls. I mean honestly, what fun was a cave if there weren't coffins and booby traps everywhere?
"Dria, we're not trying to scare them away. The point of this tournament is to declare someone King of Games, not to scare them all away." I smirked.
"A true King of Games can handle my silly tricks and traps. After all, even something like this is a game, is it not?"
He had relented in the end and allowed me to design the interior of the cave. The dueling arena down there was a legal arena for the tournament; we just didn't expect anyone to ever find it or be able to use it. Not many duelists carried around zombie cards, but we wanted to cover all possible monster strengths with field bonuses.
The others followed me into the cave. Startled bats flew around the entrance of the cave, eventually flying deeper inside. I hid a smile as the others noticed the two coffins resting against the wall.
"Be careful. It could be some kind of trap."
"But who'd leave them just standing here?"
I covered my laughter with a coughing fit as Bakura and Tea stepped up to the coffins. Yugi turned towards me, concerned. I just smiled and waved it off. After he turned back, my eyes darted to the top of the coffin in front of Tea. It was set up so both would open with a flick of my eyes or, if Pegasus were here, the press of a small button on the floor.
"I wouldn't touch those."
"Don't be silly. It's just a wooden bo-" Tea hesitated as she touched the outside.
I flicked my eyes to the left and the trap activated. The pulleys began to creak, screeching in protest as the coffins were pulled. She and Bakura screamed as two skeletons fell out of the coffins and onto their backs. While Yugi and Tristian just stood there, I was beside myself with laughter. This was the scene I had been waiting for when I designed this area.
"That Pegasus has sure got a sick sense of humor."
That sent me over the top, knowing that Pegasus wouldn't have done this without my provocation. I fell to the ground, clutching my sides, completely overtaken by laughter. I managed to calm down long enough to explain my sudden seizure.
"Pegasus had nothing to do with this actually. He wanted to practically paint this place with rainbows and smiles. I said no and did this instead." Three of them groaned in annoyance. Yugi just smiled and rolled his eyes, as if he already knew I was the culprit of the trick.
After I regained control of myself, the five of us took off in a run, trying to find Joey. Somehow, along the straight and somewhat narrow path we were following, Bakura got lost and made a new friend. He ran through this portion of the tunnel, begging us for help.
"From now on, don't go picking up any hitchhikers."
The poor skeleton never stood a chance against Tristian's fist. "Now we've got another problem: which way do we go now?" I stood up and walked to the newest challenge, the fork in the road. From what I could remember, left was a dead end and right, well, was right.
"Well Dria, this is your island. Do you have any idea?" I sighed and pretended to contemplate the choice. "My vote would be the ri-" Another switch flipped after Bakura stood up.
"What is that sound?" This was Pegasus's addition to my little cave of horrors. He had been re-watching action-archaeology films again when we discussed what sort of traps should be in this cave. I took a deep breath, pushing back any laughter that threatened to escape from my mouth. The sound got louder as more seconds passed. It sounded like a boulder.
"Just what is coming this way?" The others were understandably nervous.
I took a very subtle step towards the right opening, making sure that I wouldn't get caught behind the very scary "boulder." As it finally came into view, their yells threatened to make me fall to pieces in laughter again. Unfortunately, they all took off down the left opening. I guess what the ancients say is true: sometimes, left is unlucky (no offense intended towards left-handed folks).
"Do hurry! Do hurry!" Bakura's adorable British accent made it even funnier. I shouted after them in faker terror, mostly crying out Yugi's name. They continued to run down the tunnel. I enjoyed the stroll down the tunnel as their shouts echoed off the cave walls. Eventually, I came up on Bakura, who was frozen in fear on the ground.
"I am assuming you got run over by the boulder?" He hardly acknowledged my presence. "Tristian! You can't punch out a boulder!"
*POP*
When I saw the expressions of the others, who managed to avoid being eaten by the balloon, I fell to the ground again, howling with laughter. "A balloon?" I began to suffocate from laughing so much. Needless to say, the others did not see the humor in the situation. I smiled at them, "I promise you'll never be in real danger while I'm around."
After calming Bakura and me down, Tristian took the lead down the right tunnel. We kept walking until I finally smelled the incense coming from the arena. I bolted ahead of them, eager to see a duel. They weren't too eager to reach the arena, afraid they might set off another trap, possibly a dangerous one this time.
When I reached the arena, Joey was quickly losing momentum. The creepy little boy was standing opposite Joey. "Ha-ha, I'm wiping them out one by one! Deadly zombie breath!" This was a set up. Joey would not have just run into this cave because it looked inviting; someone had dragged him in here. Though I would have normally suspected his opponent, there was no way that little shrimp managed to bring Joey in here. His creepy face would scare anyone off before they even heard his challenge.
I looked over towards the ledge right next to the dueling arena. "Joey!" Yugi appeared at my side, along with Tea and Tristian. "Dria! Yugi! You're here!" Relief completely filled Joey's voice.
"Block em'." My eyes widened as I recognized the voice. "I should have guessed you would have snuck into this tournament." Bandit Keith, a talented but arrogant duelist, turned his gaze towards me, and a wide, creepy smile covered his face.
"Well, well, if it isn't Alexandria Pegasus. How nice of you to join us. Why aren't you up in the castle with your father?" He jumped down from the ledge and began walking towards us. His two goons flanked his steps. "It's because I'm here, right? You wanted to see me again. It's been so long since we last saw each other." I snarled at his ego. I felt Yugi tense next to me as Keith got closer. Before he could do anything stupid and place himself in harm's way, I stepped in front of him and faced Keith.
"Oh please, if I really wanted to see you, I could just look at your picture in 'Has-been' monthly. You've been on the cover at least three months in a row." I smiled sweetly at his glare. His two goons moved so they were standing next to me.
"Why in the world did you accept a duel in a place like this?"
"They ganged up on me and forced me into this duel!" I narrowed my eyes, still staring at Keith. He would pull a stunt as stupid as this. He never wanted to go out and be an honorable competitor; he'd rather threaten his opponents into surrendering. I laughed as Tristan stood beside me, placing himself in front of Yugi and Tea as well.
"Why am I not surprised?" I taunted. "This overgrown child is far too cowardly to challenge anyone honorably."
"This duel is over," Tristan said firmly.
"You wanna stop it, you gonna have to get past me," Keith had yet to drop his smile, even when faced against another group.
Tristian rushed forward to fight the two goons on my sides. I turned my head for one moment to check on the two behind us, when a hard fist came crashing into my stomach. I felt the air rush out of me, and my breath caught in my throat. I heard Tristian fall to the ground as I fell as well. Only, I would have preferred to hit the ground. Bandit Keith stopped my fall and yanked me into his arms. One arm wrapped around my waist as the other wrapped around my throat.
"No! Dria!" Yugi ran forward. I quickly shook my head, trying to stop him before Keith decided to punch him as well. Thankfully, Tea got my message and grabbed his arm before he could get too close to these bullies. He struggled with her, before stopping after he looked into my eyes and saw my plea.
"Dria, Tristian, are you-" Joey started to get down from the arena. The grip around my throat tightened as Keith stopped him. "Hold it. Remember, if you leave the arena, you forfeit the duel. And your star chips belong to me." The grip loosened and I managed to take a few deep breaths.
"You can beat them Joey! Trust yourself!"
Joey worriedly looked towards me, and then nodded. He continued to fight against Bones, I believe his name was. Bones had quite a few good cards, but I knew Joey could beat him. I wasn't concerned at all.
"Ha-ha! End of the road for you dweeb." Keith had returned to his spot on the ledge, with me now trapped on his lap, which was an uncomfortable position for me. "Red Eyes, take out that overgrown pumpkin." I cheered from my prison as Joey finally managed to get an attack off. Red Eyes wouldn't last long unfortunately, and Joey was losing hope fast after watching his favorite monster be destroyed. He couldn't just attack the zombies, no matter what cards he had left. Plus, that Stop Defense card wasn't helping. My eyes widened as a plan came to me.
"Joey! There is a way! You've got a magic card in your deck that can turn this whole duel around!" Yugi had read my mind; Joey had the Shield and Sword magic card. How did I know? You've got to know these things to be Queen.
"You've gotta be kidding. The strategy I've given Bones is just perfect." I squirmed in Keith's grip.
"He's wrong Joey! Yugi is right! You do have a card that can turn everything around." Keith tightened his grip on my throat once more. I gagged a little as the air was forced out of my mouth again. This sort of brutality was unwarranted, especially because I was not resisting as much as I could have in fear for my friends' safety. I pushed against him again as I spoke to him again.
"You're a stupid brute. You know that right?"
He just gave me a somewhat sadistic smile in reply. I kept any emotion off my face when I responded, "Why on earth are you wearing sunglasses in here? I am sorry to tell you this, but your future isn't looking too bright, especially not with the way you've treated me during my own tournament." I turned my head back as he scowled at my mockery.
Joey's gaze lingered on me, asking if I was being honest. I only stared back, confidence in his abilities hopefully shining clear in my eyes.
"Go, offensive defensive flip!"
I cheered in happiness as Joey wiped out the remainder of his opponent's points. I knew he could do it! Bandit Keith just huffed in annoyance as his minion failed in his task. He pushed me off him, jumped off the ledge, and grabbed me around the waist again before I could run for it. "See ya round, loser." I elbowed him hard in the gut. He stopped for a moment, slightly stunned by my hit and my ferocity, before he recovered and shoved me forward again.
"Let her go, Bandit Keith. Your fight was with me, and I won. Now let Dria go."
Keith laughed at Joey's statement, "I wasn't planning on being able to use her to get myself into the castle. I always thought Pegasus would lock her up in a tower or something until he died. I guess the princess is a little rebellious. Now, I have leverage over Pegasus, which is just what I need."
He stroked my cheek to be seductive, but I just snapped at his fingers with my teeth, trying to be as fearsome as I could without showing my real power. If he had attempted this at some other time in my life, I might have just killed him. I hadn't carried as weapon in many years, and with my friends still in danger, any attempt at hand-to-hand combat would likely not end well. Joey tried to threaten him again, but Bandit Keith just laughed at the attempt.
"Ha-ha, yeah right. I'm quivering in fear already, dweeb." His three goons had joined us on the path out and together, the three of them dragged me towards the exit. "Dria!" Yugi started moving towards me, and I heard his desperation as I shifted my eyes back to him, "Don't worry about me, Yugi! Just get yourself into my father's castle. I'll be fine."
The four stooges pushed me out of the cave. When his grip finally relaxed, I whacked Keith in the lower jaw and tried to run back into the cave while he was disoriented. But, one of the other men grabbed me again, hoisting me into the air, and carried me back towards the exit.
"Let me go! You have no idea who you're dealing with!" The brute who grabbed me only laughed, before placing me in front of Keith again. He placed his hands on my shoulders and strengthened his grip. I twisted around as much as I could, but only managed to turn my back to him.
"That wasn't very nice princess. You're going to pay for that."
He began to kiss the back of my neck. This was just gross and horrifying. There hadn't been many times during my lifetime where I'd had to experience such an unwanted physical assault; I had been permitted to use any means necessary to escape in the past. He turned me around, pressing his lips to mine, shoving his tongue inside my mouth. I squealed in disgust, before chomping down onto his tongue as hard as I could. He yelled in surprise and backed away from me. Blood spilled from his injured tongue and ran down his chin.
Dria: 1 Creepy kidnapper: 0
Keith spat the blood out of his mouth and commanded to his men, "Seal the cave."
He grabbed my waist again, probably bruising my hip with the force of his grasp. His henchmen began moving a huge rock in front of the exit. I began frantically struggling again, trying to rip myself out of Bandit Keith's arms. I would have used my magic, but would it completely ruin my 'normal, mortal, rich girl' cover, plus my emotions were out of control and my mind was in a panic. I had to have control over my emotions and maintain focus to achieve what was necessary for this situation.
The only way out of that cave was through Para and Dox's puzzle challenge. I had helped them design the maze when Father had first bought this island years ago. They were my old babysitters and since the three of us loved mazes and puzzles, we built a maze underground like the one on Crete where the Minotaur was thought to have lived. But we were the only ones who had ever been through it successfully. My heart sank at the thought of my friends.
"Ha-ha, tough luck guys. Looks like you're stuck in that cave for life."
My struggles ceased and I sighed in defeat. Keith let me go and I ran towards the rock. I pushed on it will all my mortal strength, but it was just too big for someone my size with no magic. I completely ignored Keith as he beat up the boys that he had called his associates. I tried to calm myself down enough to use a little magic. I managed to push the rock a little way away from the entrance, opening up a small space. It was not enough for anyone to get out, but enough for me to tell them about Para and Dox.
"Yugi! Yugi! Are you there?"
I shouted as loudly as I could, without alerting Bandit Keith, into the small opening. "Dria! Dria!" His voice was frantic when he responded. "Yugi! Yugi, please listen to me. There is another way out. Find Para and Dox. You'll have to beat them in a duel to get out, but you can do it! Tell them what happened and have them report to my father. Please, Yugi! You have to get out of the cave be-" I yelled as Bandit Keith pulled me away from my friends.
"Dria!" Yugi's voice got fainter and fainter as Bandit Keith dragged me toward the castle with 10 star chips sparkling in his new dueling glove.