Anticipation On All Sides
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I guess you can say the antagonists of this fic belongs to DarkScytheQueen, just like the OCs.
When people hear the term "shark", they immediately think of the film Jaws, based off the Peter Benchley novel with the name title, or they think of huge killers in the sea that could actually shoot up from the water a few good feet to grab food before landing back in the cold waters. When people hear "shark" they immediately think cold, dark, soulless eyes and rows upon rows of razor-sharp teeth that could bite a human's limb clear off the body while it's victim would only feel a tug or a nip. What people don't expect when they hear "shark" is a group of cold-blooded Italian mafioso.
The Squalionne Famiglia (1) were a family of mafioso based in Italy led by an older, more experienced member, the capofamiglia (2), Cartalino Squalionne. He was a powerful man, he had connections in many places, had very deep pockets, and had often done some favors for others. Of course, for a Mafia Boss to do a person a favor, he would be expecting a similar act to repay the debt. Cartalino, or "Carta" as he was nicknamed by a special few, did not mind to do some favors here and there, however when the debt to him had not been fulfilled, he punished those who owed him swiftly and mercilessly, very much like a shark.
Years back, he had done a favor to one person in particular in Japan, and he had been trying to collect the debt that was owed, but recently, he had been getting the shaft. Now, normally, he would snap his fingers and the person would either be killed, brutally beaten, have his family abducted and sold for extortion as payment...the possibilities went on. However, for the "privileged people" of the world, namely the rich and famous, he usually gave a very gracious extension. Although, even a shark cannot wait around forever to eat. Speaking of food, Cartalino was enjoying a delicious meal with his family when he got the call from his "associates" in Japan. Excusing himself from the table, Cartalino took the call from his study behind closed doors.
As head of his family and organization, he was already intimidating, but with his features made him even more intimidating. A man in his mid-fifties, Cartalino had a head of thick, graying hair that was tightly tied in the back into a long ponytail. His dark, brown eyes were usually filled seriousness, rarely showing any kind of softness at all, even for his family. He even sported a wicked looking scar that from the right side to his forehead, all the way down past his eye and stopped in the middle of his right cheek. Truly, even if he weren't a mafioso, he wasn't a man many people would want to cross...
"You had better have good news for me, you interrupted a family meal,"
"Forgive me, Boss, but we were very close to-,"
"You've failed?"
"No sir! Well, technically yes, but the fault wasn't ours! Cipriani (3) had the rich man's brat in his sights, practically staring down the barrel of his gun when he lost him!"
Cartalino frowned and turned, now looking out a nearby window of his large and beautiful home, "How did that happen?"
"Before his punishment, Cipriani told us that another brat came in, saved the first one by disarming and then knocking him out. The second brat even took his piece, capo,"
"I see. You mentioned his punishment?"
"Yes sir, a slug through the head. Punishment for failing you and the family,"
The Mafia Boss smiled, "Very good. I am glad to know I have at least two competent men on this job,"
"You mean...sir, are we still working this?"
"I don't know, are you? I wasn't aware that you were off the job for some reason," Cartalino raised an eyebrow, "Why would you think you were?"
"Uh...w-w-well, Cipriani-,"
"Cipriani failed and was punished justly. You two are still on this job, and you are to stay in Japan. Don't bother looking for the brats, knowing him, he's sent them off somewhere safe. Stay in Domino, keep an eye on the older ones and their families,"
"Yes, capo,"
"Good. Now, I'm going to go and hopefully finish my meal with my family. I wish you boys the best of luck. But, before I go...," Cartalino gripped the phone tightly, his knuckles turning white, "...if you ever disturb another family meal again, I will personally deal with you two myself, do I make myself clear?"
"...y-yes sir, crystal,"
"Wonderful. Talk to you boys later," Cartalino hung up the phone and was soon seated at the table once again, "I'm sorry about that, that was a business call,"
Meanwhile...
"What?! Chancellor Sheppard, you can't possibly be serious about this!"
The bald headmaster of Duel Academy had his back turned to a select few of his staff while he gazed at the island outside, "I'm very serious here, Crowler. I'm sorry if you may think that this is an inconvienence for you, but this is very important. He called me personally and said that we have to act as a sanctuary for the boys as soon as they get to the island. They're coming on a helicopter right now, they'll be here in just a few hours,"
The androgynous head of Obelisk Blue grit his teeth, "Sir, you know I hold great respect for our employer, but think about what he is asking of us! This is a dangerous task we're undertaking, and for what? Four walking targets for a bunch of hitmen!" he turned to Miss Fontaine and Professor Sartyr, "Even you two have to agree with me on this!"
The heads of the other dorms were silent and looked away.
"If you don't mind me asking, Crowler," a certain dwarf asked, crossing his arms, "Why are you so jumpy? Everyone at this school's has faced danger at least three times, and it's usually from bizarre, supernatural stuff that no one wants to even mention! What's so different about this?"
Crowler glared at Bonaparte, "Have you ever seen a film trilogy known as The Godfather?! If I am to learn anything from any film in the world, it's that when you interfere with a mob family's business, you're marked for death right off the bat! I'm telling you, if we do this, we could all go to sleep one night and wake up with a horse's severed head laying next to us in our beds the very next morning!!"
Fontaine tilted her head, "I didn't think you were much for movies, Crowler,"
"That's not the point! The point is that-!"
"The point is that they're on their way here, and we are going to do our best to protect them until things settle on the mainland," Chancellor Sheppard snapped, cutting into the conversation. He turned and faced his small group of staff members, "We are the only ones who know about them. When Banner's replacement arrives, we'll inform him on the situation,"
Crowler raised an eyebrow, "Banner's what, Chancellor Sheppard?"
"I wasn't aware that the Slifer Dorm was getting a new Head," Professor Sartyr commented, "Is it wise to tell such a big secret to a newcomer?"
"Normally, yes, but this man had a special recommendation. He was supposed to show up a few months ago, but something personal came up and he had to delay his arrival," Sheppard sighed, "Strange how things change for us in a matter of hours. We're used to Shadow Games and entities from God knows where and all of a sudden, we become Witness Protection for a group of young men who are hiding out from an Italian mob family...,"
"If you ask me, I'd rather stick to the Shadow Games," Crowler murmured, "At least then we'd have some guarantee that we'd actually make it out alive,"
Sheppard couldn't help but chuckle, "Crowler, did I just hear you make a small reference to Jaden Yuki and his talent as a duelist?"
"Uh...no...,"
"Dude, this is so cool!"
"Gotta agree with you on that, Erik, I don't think I've ever ridden in a chopper before,"
"Get to da choppa!"
"...and Jake's off quoting Predator...greaaaaaaaaaat,"
"Hey, that was a great movie! Aliens, soldiers in a jungle, explosions, big ass guns, it was epic!"
Damien looked out at the water below them as the chopper flew over the ocean, heading straight for Duel Academy. He knew that what they were doing was needed for their own safety, he could understand that very well, it's just that he couldn't help but hate the idea a little bit. Sure, he'd love nothing more to get out of a city where a mob boss and his goons knew where they were living, it's just that he hated to leave his sister behind in said city. He must've shown some kind of emotion, because the next thing he knew, Jett was nudging him in the side, making him turn to face him.
"Don't worry about Sonja," Jett said coolly, looking straight ahead, "She'll be just fine. Remember what your sensei said, each of our relationships with our mentors were kept secret from the public. Even if they dug around, the best anyone could find on us is who taught us the game," he glanced to Damien out of the corner of his eye, "Besides, ol' blue eyes said that he understood about siblings, so I think he'll keep a close eye on her just in case,"
"...thanks, Jett,"
"Don't mention it," Jett gave a small wave.
Damien couldn't help but grin. As long as he knew him, jett usually put on a tough, street-kid attitude and appearance, but he was really a softy inside.
"Da da, da da da....da da da da da...,"
"Erik, what the hell?"
"JURASSIC PARK THEME FOR THE WIN!"
Jett and Damien glanced at each other while Jake and Erik continued to screw around.
"Does it scare you that you and I are usually the most serious people?" Damien asked quietly, "I mean, sure Jake can be all serious at times, he's an army brat, he's supposed to be serious at least once, but I think Erik's a lost cause...,"
Jett nodded slowly, "I think he had a few too many shocks and now his brain is fried,"
"Come to think of it, brain is a usual delicacy in some places of the world...," Damien patted his stomach, "God, I'm so hungry right now,"
His friend facefaulted and scooted a little bit away from him.
"What's wrong with you?"
"You may be serious, but you're more morbid than Erik's sensei," Jett muttered, "...and he's a frickin' ghoul!"
"HEY!"
The two of them turned to see Erik look at them, a very annoyed look on his face. He turned and narrowed his eyes at Jett, "My sensei is not a ghoul...,"
Jett held up a finger, "He's into the occult," he held up another finger, "He's pale as hell, like a necromancer who's never seen the light of day in his entire life," he held up a third finger, "His entire deck's based around darkness and the occult...do I really need to go on?"
Erik raised an eyebrow, but remained silent, he just kept staring at Jett. The street-wise teenager slowly turned his head to Damien, "If he starts saying 'redrum' over and over again, I'm throwing him out the damn chopper,"
Kilnorc: I'll admit, this is a blah chapter, but don't worry folks, future stuff's gonna make up for it!
(1) Squalionne Famiglia - Name is derived from "squalo" which, from sources I trust, mean Shark in Italian. The head, Cartalino, his name is derived from "card" in italian, which I've learned is "carta di giuoco". So, the entire name is a vague translation of "Card Shark"
(2) Capofamiglia - means "boss" in the mafia (info from Wiki)
(3) This name is a reference to Tony Cipriani, a character in the Grand Theft Auto series.