DISCLAIMER: If you recognise it from somewhere else, it isn't mine.

Family Affair Part I

A boat sat in the harbour, hidden from view. On the deck, there was a pale-haired Egyptian boy. He had decked himself in gold, like his ancestors may have worn many thousands of years ago, and he held in his hand one of the seven Millennium Items. Behind him, another Egyptian knelt, as if bowing.

'Odion,' the boy addressed the man behind him. 'What have you been able to find out about Sharee Pertinicle's family?'

'They have been involved in archaeology for six generations now, Master Marik, approaching seven,' Odion said. 'Each generation has been the top of the field for its time. They also have a long history of expeditions, of which they later spoke nothing.'

'What are their defences like?' Marik asked.

'Average. We have located each of the immediate family members of Sharee Pertinicle. As you know, her father works at the Domino Museum and she herself attends Domino High School. The other half of her family live in America. Her mother runs their local branch of the National Museum and her sister attends the private boarding school called Trinity College. They do not seem to fear attack.'

'Indeed?' Marik raised his Millennium Rod. 'Then that is something they will soon regret. Give the order, Odion.'

New Haven, CT, USA

A woman walked through an office, flicking through papers. She had long red hair that was bound behind her head in a tight bun and she wore a business suit to look as professional as possible. A pair of expensive black-rimmed glasses sat on her nose and her blue eyes flicked over the pages she was reading. A pen was in her other hand, writing down calculations as needed. This was normal for her end-of-day routine, even though the museum closed three hours ago.

The hairs on the back of her neck suddenly prickled. Setting down her pen the woman lifted her head. She took off her glasses and calmly set them down on the desk in front of her. Cocking her head, she listened. A moment later, her office door opened and three cloaked men came in.

The woman frowned and stood up. 'May I help you, gentlemen?'

The men moved forward without a word, surrounding the woman. She watched calmly, but she knew exactly what they were: Rare Hunters. It looked like that boy had to learn the hard way. One of the Rare Hunters reached for her but the woman ducked. It was unavoidable that she had to duck in the direction of one of the others, so she merely drove her elbow back as she moved. She added force to the blow by grabbing the fist on the end of that arm with her other hand. The elbow sailed deep into the soft flesh of that man's belly and he yelled out in pain.

Twisting around, the woman grabbed the collar of the cloak her target wore. Spinning around, she rolled him over her shoulder and threw him into his friend. Both men hit the wall with a loud thud. The woman worried she'd have a dent there, but she spun and ducked as the third man tried to grab her. The woman simply threw her fist into his face. He hit the ground like a rock.

The woman straightened up and looked at all three men. They were out cold. She'd have to make a phone call but first thing was first. Checking her hair with the other hand, the woman hit the intercom button on her desk.

'Yes, Mrs. Pertinicle?'

Noel Pertinicle smirked. 'Security report to my office.'

Trinity College

There was one school rule Shauna Pertinicle hated above all else. No student was permitted to walk across the school grounds out of uniform. It wasn't that she hated the uniform. Actually, the dark blue knee-length skirt and matching blazer – along with the customary white shirt, socks and black shoes – were positively attractive compared to what she'd seen in some school uniforms.

Like…I don't know, Domino High School.

The fact of it was that it was eight o'clock in the evening! Who was going to be passing a school this far out in the country at that time of the day? Besides, all she wanted to do was return these books to the school library. But she didn't want to be confined to her room again. After all, the curfew wasn't until ten.

Shauna smirked to herself as she thought of it. Usually, she shared her room with her sister but their father had called in at the start of this year and told them Sharee was going on "exchange". After all, whatever the Pharaoh and Shamee needed to do was more important than what school Sharee happened to be going to. They had been waiting five thousand years to get compatible vessels so…

Shauna suddenly heard something and stopped. She listened again. Only a few feet away from the school library and Shauna pinpointed the source. She huffed it agitation. Idiot. Shauna counted backwards in her head. Three, two, one.

Dropping her books, Shauna ducked under the grab. Swinging around and kicking her feet out, her suspicions were confirmed. The Rare Hunter hit the ground with a yell as she knocked his feet out from under him. Blue eyes flickering around on instinct, Shauna saw two others, rushing to help their fallen forced comrade.

Shauna flipped between the two charging at her and stopped just behind them. They also stopped, right in arms length. With a smirk, Shauna smacked her fists back. Both of the Rare Hunters flew into the ground, each emitting a grunt-like sound as their faces hit the dirt. Neither got up again. She'd hit right where she was aiming – on both.

The back of the skull was not designed for impact.

'Y…you dirty little…'

Shauna turned around. The first of the Rare Hunters was slowly staggering to his feet. He was glaring at her so much, she was half surprised that someone's skin didn't peel off. With a primal yell, he charged at her. Shauna waited until he got close enough and then jumped to the side. The grabbed his cloak and changed his course, sending him slamming face first into the wall of the library.

'Pertinicle!'

It was only the fact that the new voice was panicked that made Shauna aware of who it was, basically. She turned her head and saw some of the teachers charging across the school grounds. From the looks of her, she'd heard something and looked out the window to see one of the students being attacked. Shauna patiently waited for her to get over to her.

'What happened?' she demanded.

Shauna saw there were more teachers running towards them. 'Obviously I was attacked and I defended myself.' She walked over and picked up the books, dusting them off. 'I only came out here to return these anyway.'

One of the male teachers got to them, and slowed to a stop, in time to hear that. 'Well, then, may I suggest you do just that? When you come out, someone will escort you back to your dorm.'

'Yes, sir.' Shauna continued on her way. She knew, after something like this, new restrictions would be put in place. The police would be called as well, but it'd take them an hour to get to the school, at best. Not that they could really do anything. The "ringleader" was in Japan. But there wasn't much to think on that.

In the meantime, Shauna had to make a phone call.

Domino City, Japan

Dennis was expecting it.

As he worked in the artefact room, he had a mirror sitting in front of him. It was angled so that he could see behind him. The stone tablet in front of him was fascinating but he was also keeping an ear out. Sure enough, when the door to the artefact room opened and he looked up he saw two Rare Hunters trying to sneak up behind him.

Dennis waited patiently. When the came within arms length, and one of them reached for his collar, he moved. Spinning around fast and springing to his feet, Dennis snatched their collars and slammed their heads together. Both men fell to the ground with loud grunts but they didn't lose consciousness. They didn't need to.

The door opened again and Ishizu came in with two security guards. They grabbed one Rare Hunter each and hauled them to their feet. But Dennis wasn't quite done. He grabbed a fistful of hair of one of the Rare Hunters.

'Marik,' he said. 'I don't doubt you're watching this. Your sister warned me you were about to try this little stunt, kid. Maybe next time you attack someone, you'll do well to learn a little about them first!'

Battle City

Shamee cursed as she ran through the City. She couldn't find their friends anywhere. If she didn't track them down soon – her or the Pharaoh – then Marik would get them. She knew she and her host were in no danger from him, but the others were. They had nothing to protect themselves.

Of course, they could.

Shamee's lips twitched at that. Sharee was right. Shamee had nearly forgotten about the other thing the Pertinicles had from her lifetime. She didn't remember it, but she sure knew what it did. Shamee wondered if Marik was even aware of its existence. She'd laugh if he wasn't.

Shamee slowed to a stop as her cell phone rang. She pulled it out of her pocket and checked the caller ID before answering it. 'Shauna?'

'From the voice, I'd say I'm talking to Shamee?' Shauna said.

'Yes, you are. Why? Did you want to talk to your sister?'

'It doesn't matter who I talk to. I was just attacked by Rare Hunters.'

'You were?' Shamee looked in the shop window to her left. In the window, she could see the reflections of three Rare Hunters moving towards her. They were going slow in a clear attempt to not draw attention to themselves. It might've helped if they weren't wearing those cloaks, or the street was more crowded.

'Yeah, I'm about to call mom. I thought you'd want to know too. It looks like Marik's handiwork.'

'Of course,' Shamee said. 'Thank you.' She hung up.

Ooh, Shamee!

Yes?

Let me. Please?

Shamee internally chuckled. All right. They switched.

YGO

Sharee spun around and ducked as one of the Rare Hunters grabbed at her. Another one dived at her and she back-flipped, kicking him right in the jaw and sending him flying. He hit the ground with a grunt and didn't get back up. She spun around to face the other two.

'Come on, boys.' Sharee leaned forward. 'One little girl shouldn't be too much trouble now, should she?'

The two of them looked at each other and then charged her together. Sharee timed her self, then ducked and swung her legs around. Both of them were swept clean off of their feet and hit the ground. One of them didn't get up again but as Sharee hopped up, the third one started pushing himself up.

'Get down!' Sharee kicked him in the behind and sent him into a street light. He dropped to the ground. She knew all of them were just unconscious. It looked like Marik really had no idea. He'd decided to attack her family first before her friends. But that concerned Sharee. She pulled out her phone and dialled as she began walking again.

It was answered on the second ring. 'Peabody Museum of Natural History.'

'Mom, it's Sharee.'

'Oh, honey. Are you all right?'

'I was going to ask you the same thing,' Sharee said. 'Marik sent Rare Hunters to attack me and Shauna both. We both put them in the ground, though. I was wondering about you.'

'Yes, I just knocked down three of them. I expect I'll get a call from the College tomorrow. You weren't hurt?'

'No, no. Marik's taken away their free will and he's got an amazingly big head. I doubt he expected any of us to fight back.' Sharee paused. 'Hm…I better call dad and check with him.'

'I already did. He was attacked too but Ishizu told him it was going to happen. I don't think Marik knew anything about the family reputation.'

'No, he wouldn't have even thought of it.' Sharee rolled her eyes. 'This is a guy that thinks he can be Pharaoh by stealing the power within the Puzzle.'

Noel paused. 'Um…he does realise that if someone who isn't Yugi Moto tries to take or use that Puzzle they will die slowly and painfully, right?'

'Studying the ancient scriptures his whole life, you'd think so but…no.' Sharee sighed. 'All right, mom. I'm glad you're all right, but I better go and take care of Marik. If he doesn't know about us, maybe I'd better educate him.'

'Take your father with you.'

'Yes, mom. Bye.' Sharee hung up and dialled again. 'Dad? We'll be needing the Ring of Horus.'

YGO

"Bakura" smirked in satisfaction was the motorbike skidded to a stop in front of him and the driver grunted in effort. The driver took his helmet off and gave him a look. As he spoke, he pulled the Millennium Item in question out of hiding.

'You're in my way!'

'You have something I seek.' "Bakura" pulled his overshirt aside, revealing the Millennium Ring. It glowed brightly.

'The Millennium Ring!' It seemed this guy had knowledge of the Millennium Items.

"Bakura" let the power recede and folded his arms. 'It seems you're the dark force whose presence I've been sensing. Give me your Millennium Item and you may pass by.'

'Hm.' The other guy climbed off his motorbike. 'You are somewhat familiar with the ancient ways. Why do you want my Item?'

'If you must know, I'm a collector of sorts. And once I possess all seven Millennium Items I'll control ancient power strong enough to rule the entire world. So I will ask you once again to hand over your Millennium Rod.'

The other guy stared at him for a moment. It was clear he was thinking. 'My name is Marik.'

'I don't care.'

'What if I told you I had exclusive knowledge of certain secrets?' Marik asked. 'You can have my Millennium Rod if you want.' He turned his back to him. 'But before I hand it over to you, you have to do something for me in exchange.'

Of course.

'For I am somewhat of a collector myself. And once I possess what I desire, the Millennium Rod will mean absolutely nothing to me.'

'Why should I help?' "Bakura" demanded. 'I can take your Millennium Item by force as I've done to others in the past.'

Marik chuckled and turned around. 'Because I know the whereabouts of several of the Millennium Items, including the Millennium Necklace worn by my sister.'

"Bakura" smirked. This one was willing to sell his own sister out? 'Perhaps there is a way we can work together, and help each other to get what we want.'

Marik's own smirk widened. 'You've made a wise choice.' Both of their auras appeared around them, displaying the power each possessed, as he went on. 'With our combined power, no one in the entire world will be able to stop us!'

YGO

Sharee and her father had spent the last hour grabbing everything they needed and getting here. Now, she was perched up on the railings of the wharf. Below her, Marik was just coming out of his boat's cabin and onto the deck. Odion followed him. Sharee didn't like what she was hearing.

'So he has agreed to help you get the God Cards?' Odion asked.

'Yes,' Marik said. 'We'll be meeting in a few hours, then the first part of phase two will be put into effect.'

'Master Marik, is it at all possible the Pharaoh may learn to use his power?' Odion asked.

'No,' Marik said. 'Not unless he regains his memory, and its been said only the Lost One can do that.'

'A child?' Odion asked.

'Yes, but only if the Pharaoh comes into contract with him in this world.'

The Lost One? Child? This world? It took a moment for the whole thing to hit Sharee. She recalled the little boy in the Shadow Realm. Sharee barely held herself back from face-palming. That little kid had to, somehow, be the trigger that would give the Pharaoh back his memories.

Sharee looked down at them and, with a flash of annoyance, realised that they weren't going to say anything more about their plans. Oh, well, there was no time like the present. It wasn't that far of a jump – for her. When she landed on the railing of the boat, she was satisfied to see both of them jump.

'Didn't anyone ever tell you attacking someone's family is not only an old trick, but plain stupid?' Sharee hopped onto the deck.

Marik recovered first and he smirked. He lifted the Millennium Rod. 'Sharee Pertinicle, how very nice of you to drop in. To be perfectly honest, I thought I'd be seeing Shamee if she managed to track down my heart signature.'

Sharee held up two fingers and counted off. 'First of all, Shamee has been with me for two years now. Our only previous encounter took place one year ago. Shamee only has to read a heart once to be able to track it down later. Secondly, it's a foregone conclusion that I won't always have Shamee in my head. Any problems that are mine, I should deal with. You attacked my family, so I'm handling this.'

'It makes no difference to me.' Marik held up his Millennium Rod at her. 'The result is the same. You will help me reclaim that God Card from Yugi and the Pharaoh!'

Sharee folded her arms and stood there. The invading force of the Millennium Rod was a pressure in her mind, slowly seeking its way in. The eye of her Millennium Bandanna began to glow. Sharee felt the Bandanna's power pushing against the Rod's. With a small shake of her head, the pressure was gone entirely. Marik stumbled back, eyes wide. Sharee stretched up and her vertebrae cracked.

Odion then realised what had happened and his eyes widened. He drew back. 'How…?'

'This is impossible!' Marik insisted. 'The Bandanna is not a true Millennium Item! It should not act as one!'

Sharee chuckled. 'You're almost right, but five thousand years is a long time. Some things get lost to time – even basic things. Then again, even an edited memory will remember the small things. The Millennium Bandanna is not one of the original Millennium Items. However, it was imbued with Shadow Powers based on Shamee's own natural power. That's enough to block the effects of your Item.'

Marik scowled. 'And how do you know that?'

'Records my father found,' Sharee said. 'The Nameless Pharaoh's Right-Hand was a natural heart-reader. That's why she had the job. When she decided to do this, her heart-reading power was converted into Shadow Power and attached to her favourite accessory along with her soul.' She smirked. 'That last bit's just logic.'

Marik gave her a long look. 'Surprisingly clever.'

'Marik, you seem to have a problem understanding that anyone could be smarter than you so that doesn't mean much.' Sharee pushed her hands into her pockets and rolled her head. 'As for the mind-control powers of the Millennium Rod, are you even aware of the limitations?'

'The only limitations are that it doesn't work on those holding certain artefacts,' Marik stated.

'Yes, but not entirely true,' Sharee said. 'The will-power of a person also defines how much control you have over them. Someone with a strong will won't be held for long. For instance, a member of my family, without some kind of protection, would be held for a few minutes at best, I should think.'

Marik's entire expression became livid. 'You dare challenge the power of the Millennium Rod?'

Sharee scoffed. 'Shut it, Marik. You sound just like Pegasus. He was all "you dare challenge the power of my Millennium Eye".'

Marik visibly forced himself to calm down. 'Maximillion Pegasus had no true understanding of the power in his hands.'

'I'll give you that,' Sharee said. 'I mean, he was trying to bring his wife back from the dead. You know as well as I do that the Millennium Items are not designed that way. If they had been…' She let that one hang.

Marik knew what she was getting at. 'I would be looking at a couple of ancients rather than two teenagers.'

'You would,' Sharee said. 'And you know they wouldn't have been as nice about it as Yugi and me. Your head might even be disconnected from your shoulders at this point.' She paused, allowing Marik to grind his teeth at her. 'But, I have noted something. While you know the ancient scriptures and Shamee and the Pharaoh have no clue where they came from or anything…you have also made a gross miscalculation.'

'I have made no miscalculations,' Marik insisted.

'But you have,' Sharee said. 'You see, the power of the Millennium Items depends on two things: who's holding it and who's being attacked by it.' She dug into her pocket. 'In the end, it was the power of friendship that blocked Pegasus's Millennium Eye.' She held up the Item in question.

'Where did you get that?' Marik asked.

'From the guy you just met,' Sharee said. 'You know, the one that wants all the Millennium Items. He stole it from Pegasus and I took it from him. Your sister told me to hang onto it.' She tucked the Eye back in her pocket. 'As for you. Your second mistake was attacking my family. Nobody stuffs around with the Pertinicles. I'm here to show you why.'

Marik smirked. 'Is that a challenge?'

'It is.'