"Master, it's way past your bed time." said Keith.
Though the sun had risen it was blocked out by the storm that had been roaring on for days. And somewhere deep beneath the surface of Domino City Prince Vlad sat on his throne waiting to see how big an impact he had made on the city so far.
"A cloud of fear hangs over Domino City. Every day more and more people are vanishing left and right. And to make matters worse the record breaking storm continues it's fierce downpour… Coming up next, a strange occurrence last night at the Domino suspension bridge."
Prince Vlad pressed the pause button on the DVR remote. Though he was amazed how far science had advanced over the years since his absence he wasn't interested in contemplating it at the moment.
"Wheeler won that duel out of sheer luck Master. It's nothing worthy of your attention… Besides, it's not like Ms. Valentine was irreplaceable." said Kaiba.
Prince Vlad's eyes didn't leave the TV.
"You like? It's a plasma screen… You know, as in blood." said another one of his vampire servants.
He pressed the zoom button on the remote. It became clear what he was really so interested in.
"Oh… The girl… You have been in the grave a long time Master…"
"Her hair is like a cascading waterfall… Her eyes look like they can pierce the black abyss that is my soul… Her skin looks as sensitive and delicate as a crimson rose… Last night I could smell her blood… It was an unearthly sweetness I have never known before… What is her name?"
"I believe she's the dueling chihuahua's sister."
"A name Seto Kaiba… A name!"
On his master's orders Kaiba ran a quick search through his company's database. He kept information on every known duelist in the world and anyone they were involved with, that way he could always stay one step ahead of the competition. But now he used it to help his master find good servants.
"Her name is Serenity Wheeler."
"As in peace… Reminds me of my coffin." he said with a wicked grin on his face.
"AAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!"
Joey Wheeler woke up in Pegasus' penthouse.
"Joey! I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Serenity? What happened last night?"
"You and Tea were kidnapped by Prince Vlad's men, and then you and Yugi had to duel for your lives. Luckily we managed to get you both blood transfusions." said Duke.
Joey had completely forgotten. The whole reason he screamed when he woke up was because the last thing he remembered was falling off the suspension bridge tower, right after he defeated…
"Where' Mai!?"
"I've got her locked up downstairs. But she won't reveal Prince Vlad's resting place." said Pegasus.
"That reminds me, how do you cage a vampire?" asked Tristan.
"Simple, silver bars laced in garlic with a big crucifix on every side of the cage."
"Mr. Pegasus… Is there any way we could cure Mai?" asked Serenity.
"Sure, we can drive a stake through her heart."
Everyone was silent.
"Uh wouldn't she be… you know." Yugi made the kill gesture.
"Dead? Yes, but then she'd be cured."
"Okay… Is there any other way?"
"Well… We could cut off her head, stuff her mouth with garlic, and burn her body."
"… Listen to your words." said Tea.
"Is there any cure that ends with the vampire alive?!" asked Joey.
"… Most people don't want the vampire alive."
"But this is Mai we're talking about!" said Joey.
"… There might be a way… Come with me."
They all followed Pegasus to the room in the penthouse that had all his research.
"If there is a way to cure a vampire without killing them it will be in one of these volumes… Okay everyone, grab a book and get busy."
Some of the volumes were about vampires in general; some of them were about specific vampires. But the most fascinating things were Pegasus' findings from his Romanian expedition. There was everything from wood carvings to old tomes that told the story of Prince Vlad and his quest for power.
"This is Prince Vlad?" asked Serenity.
In the painted portrait he didn't look like a vampire. He had silky dark hair, a serious facial expression, and a strong body. He actually looked kind of charming.
"That was prior to his transformation." said Pegasus "True in life he was a most charming individual, but that's just proof that a pretty face can hide an evil mind. He sought vengeance on the Muslims for his father's murder, but it wasn't enough… no amount of lives could contain his bloodlust… Now he is cursed to walk the earth forever… neither alive nor dead… A lost soul so evil that God could never forgive him."
Yugi looked at an old wood carving that showed Prince Vlad battling the monsters used by Atem's descendants. Yugi could hardly believe he had made it this far without Atem. He had defeated two vampires already, and not just any vampires, they were two of his biggest rivals. Before he departed Atem told Yugi that he had faith in him… But could he defeat someone like Prince Vlad?
"Pegasus… Does it say what it was like to face the Prince in a Shadow Game?"
"It was only ever said that they never wanted to experience it again…"
Yugi didn't defeat Pegasus at Duelist Kingdom, he was nearly dead as a result of the strain caused on him by being in the Shadow Realm while using the mind shuffle. He didn't defeat Marik at Battle city, he was watching on the sidelines with his soul on the line. While Kaiba and Atem were battling Dartz Yugi's soul was trapped in another dimension waiting to be fed to the Leviathan, and it was Atem who defeated Zorc the Dark One upon learning his name… But now Atem was gone… Yugi was all alone.
"Wait… I think I found it!"
They all gathered around the translated journal of Atem's descendant.
"Praise be to God! When we slew the devil's offspring his victims were freed of his curse. They all knelt down and gave thanks to the lord for their deliverance. A clear sign that they are free, they no longer shun the likeness of the lord. Now that our sacred mission is complete I can return home and join my beloved."
"So… What does it mean?" asked Serenity.
"Simple, we just hunt down Count Jerkula, and blow him to kingdom come!" said Tristan.
"AAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! THE HORROR!!! THE HORROR!!!"
"That sounded like Mai!" said Joey.
One of Pegasus' men came in.
"Sir, our little test subject is turning pale."
"She is a vampire."
"I meant more so then usual."
They all went down into the basement of the building where Mai was locked in a cage of silver bars laced in garlic. On all four sides in front of the cage was a big crucifix. Mai was lying on the ground in the cage, she looked as though she was in pain. When they entered she stared through the bars of her cage at Joey.
"Why do you torment me Joey? … I thought you cared…"
"Trust me Mai, we're trying to help you."
"THEN FEED MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!" she screeched.
"Of course…" said Pegasus "Whether they like it or not vampires need to feed on the blood of the living in order to survive… If we don't get her some blood soon she'll start to age until she turns to dust. Someone bring her one of our spare blood packs."
While they were waiting Mai continued to writhe and twitch.
"So… thirsty… burning up inside… I CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE!!!"
When Pegasus' boy came back with the blood pack, everyone was reluctant to get too close to Mai.
"I'll do it." said Joey.
Joey walked slowly over to the cage, then he knelt down in front of it.
"Please… have mercy on a poor soul…" said Mai.
Joey held out the blood pack. When Mai saw it she jumped at him with excitement, but Joey pulled it away and Mai couldn't reach outside the garlic laced bars.
"Prince Vlad's hiding place… Where is it?" he asked.
"Can't you see…" said Mai on her knees "The decision isn't mine to make…"
Suddenly her eyes looked a lot brighter and her voice sounded more sinister.
"I am his vessel."
Joey could see this wasn't going to work. He tossed the blood pack into the cage and Mai leapt eagerly at it. She tore it open with her fangs and started to suck it dry, the sight of it repulsed everyone. When she was done she turned and looked at Joey.
"Joey… You complete me."
(To be continued)
So that's the trick, Cut off the head and the body will die
Look out Serenity, he's got his eyes on you
Stay tuned for
Chapter 8: The oldest trick in the book