S: Hey everyone, Chapter Two! Wow, I'm on a roll… kind of scary when two chapters in two months is my idea of a roll…. Although considering it took me a year to get HNLL Ch. 3 up, I suppose it qualifies…
Onyx: Are you quite finished?!
S: I suppose so. Anyone want to do the disclaimer?
(Kuriboh glides past carrying a sign that reads 'Disclaimer See Chapter One," being chased by Mokuba)
S: Okaaaaaay…… answers that….
(Yami Bakura randomly leaps out of nowhere again) And if any of you pathetic, weak mortals –
S: Uhh… Bakura?
B: (menacingly) What?!
S: You said that last time.
B: MY THREAT STILL STANDS!! (laughs manically until Onyx shoves him into a porthole to the Shadow Realm)
Onyx: Well, that's that. (casually dusts off her hands and walks away, ignoring her light's disbelieving stare)
S: Oh, he's gonna be pissed at her!!! Well, the sooner I roll the story the sooner I can leave and escape the wrath of the insane semi-albino Yami. (rolls story) Have fun peoples!
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LIVES TO LIVE
Chapter Two: Dilemma
Yami just shook his head at the blue-eyed duelist. "May I suggest that we move to a somewhat less hazardous location before we continue this conversation?"
"Fine, fine, follow me. And you," here Seto turned to the Celtic Guardian, "get your sword. I don't want unattended weapons lying around the house." Turning on his heel, the CEO marched up the stairs without another word. Mirai, looking alarmed, scrambled after him immediately, while Yami and Yuugi followed at a more leisurely pace, trusting the two older monsters to follow.
Arching one eyebrow, Damus waved one hand causally towards the back of the house, silently summoning both sword and staff from their positions in the back room, although he left the helmets on the table. He waited politely until the Celtic Guardian had sheathed his sword before the pair set off up the staircase after the three duelists and the young mage.
"It is so strange, Celt… being here in this world, and seeing the Master as an ordinary man."
"I know. Being here again does feel strange… but… right somehow. Like we're supposed to be here."
"I understand exactly what you mean." Stopping short on the stairs, the mage gazed blankly into thin air, apparently lost in thought. After a moment, he blinked, shook his head, and continued on.
"Anything?" Celtos queried.
"The only dark signatures I can pick up are my own, Mirai's, Saggi's, and Kuri. I think there are more of us still coming through, though. There are a few other signatures very close to this realm that were not here a half an hour ago."
"I'll keep my ears open." Pressing a brief, feather light kiss to the Mage's cheek, the elf turned and bounded back down the stairs. "I'll look around. Give my apologies to the Masters." A faint, crisp nod was his only answer, and the two quickly headed in their separate directions.
Damus slipped quietly through the open door of the library and moved to stand behind the sofa where his two masters were seated. Seto, kneeling on the floor on the other side of the coffee table, was working feverishly on his laptop, and did not even glance up to acknowledge the monster's presence. Yami and Yuugi, however, turned to look at him, and Yuugi's questioning glance prompted Damus to explain that his friend had gone to look for more monsters. Mirai, who had plucked a book off one of the many laden shelves, was sitting upside-down in a leather armchair, her feet sticking into the air and her blonde hair pooling on the floor beneath her as she focused on her book, humming softly. Damus angled his head to read the title of the heavy, leather bound volume: Aesop's Fables.
Before he could question her choice in reading material, the door flew open again and Mokuba burst in, trailed by a squealing Kuriboh, the former of which was waving a heavy envelope and shouting Seto's name.
"Seto! Seto! Look what came in the mail!"
"Mokuba, what – " But the ivory-colored envelope was already being shoved into his long hand.
"Look at it, big brother! It's an invitation to a Duel Monsters Tournament!"
Frowning slightly, Seto slid one finger under the flap of the envelope and easily tore it open, spilling the invitation into his hand. Printed on heavy card stock was an image of the Dark Magician facing off against the Blue Eyes White Dragon.
"For the masters of dueling of Domino city," he read carefully. "An invitation is extended to you to attend a prestigious Duel Monsters tournament…" Brilliant blue eyes widened with shock as he finished, "one week from today!"
Yami cursed in Egyptian, Yuugi looked up in amazement, Damus turned to stare, and Mirai fell from her chair and landed on the floor with a yelp. "One week?" Yuugi echoed, aghast. "But – without Damus and Mirai – my deck – my strategy –" A dark look from Damus made guilt flash across his young face, for Celtos' name had not entered his mind at all. Yami shot his lighter half a warning glance before turning back to Seto.
"Is it possible, Seto, that you can repair this… mishap within the week?"
"I can – " Seto was cut off as Kuriboh, in a desperate bid to escape Mokuba's grasp, collided painfully with the back of his head. "If I am allowed to focus on my work without floating kiwi fruits crashing into me!!!"
The Kuriboh fled from his shouting with a frightened squeal, leaving Mokuba to call an apology as he dashed out the door after it.
"Seto, we have no way to get them out of here," Yuugi pointed out. "We can't exactly have full-fledged Duel Monsters marching up and down Main Street, even in Domino City…"
"What about a car?"
"I am not riding in one of those metal contraptions, Master, unless I am ordered and threatened with death!"
"If you insist, Damus, I will not pressure you."
"Big brother, can't they stay here until you get it fixed?" Mokuba's shout was quite clear even through the wall. Apparently the younger Kaiba had been eavesdropping from behind the door.
"I am NOT," growled Seto through clenched teeth, "babysitting a flying hairball and an incompetent cheerleader of a magician – "
Damus was on his feet before the last syllable could leave Seto's mouth, the sharp points of his staff leveled at the CEO's pale throat. Yami was instantly at his monster's side, tugging futilely at the purple-clad arm. The look in Damus' eyes was murderous. "If you speak one more ill word of my sister – "
"Dark Magician, stand down!" Only the fierce bark of Yami's voice halted him from completing his threat, although a few sparks of purple-black magic flashed from the end of his staff as he stepped away.
Seto's eyes were wider now than anyone present had ever seen them; he looked afraid for his life, even though the dark mage had moved away.
"Seto," offered Yuugi gently, "remember what Yami and I keep telling you about the Heart of the Cards? How you can't abuse your cards, and have to respect them? This is kind of what we're talking about."
"I…. see," came the slow answer, as the young man slowly relaxed again, although sparing his uneasy gaze for the still-fuming mage. "If I can be allowed to work on a way to repair this, can you two figure out a way to get your monsters out of here?"
Yami grimaced slightly and nodded his head. "We'll work on it."
=== == === == === == === == Later === == === == === == === ==
"Of course!" Yuugi exclaimed half an hour later, nearly dropping the glass of soda he had been holding. Damus and Celtos looked up instantly, both blinking expectantly. Yami was somewhat slower in reacting, largely because his head was still bent over the design specifications of the holo-projector that Mokuba was attempting to explain. Celtos, kneeling at the short side of the glass-topped coffee table, frowned slightly at his younger master, who was now laughing so hard he was nearly falling off his chair.
"Aibou?" Looking confused, Yami raised his head after a moment, a frown creasing his brow. "What do you find so amusing?"
Damus, who was lounging at the other end of the table, met Celt's eyes across the expanse of glass. When the amber-eyed elf shrugged, they too turned his gaze to the still-laughing duelist. A short distance away, kneeling under the fronds of an immense potted palm tree, the Mystical Elf, by the true name of Amystria, was chanting softly under her breath, apparently deep in her usual meditation. Mirai, looking confused, was examining the television in the corner cabinet, set to a heavy-metal music video but set to MUTE. The rouge Kuriboh, finally captured by Celtos, was sitting on top of said cabinet, blinking owlishly down at the blond she-mage and cooing softly. Leaning against the doorframe of the room, still clad in his glittering cobalt and gold armor, was the Black Luster Soldier, his deep autumn hair gleaming in the light, the point of his lethal blade resting against the ground as he rested one hand on the hilt. Behind his helmet, his dark eyes were quiet, but there was no doubt he was listening to every word and chuckle coming from the center of the room.
Now sitting on the floor, still struggling with his chuckles, Yuugi finally managed to gasp out, "It's - so - simple!"
"You will perhaps enlighten us, my Master, as to what is simple?" Damus posed the question with one elegantly arched eyebrow.
"How to get you out of here! It's so simple!" Regaining himself, the young duelist sat up and snatched the specs sheet off the table and away from his dark half.
"Oh!" Sitting up sharply, Celtos narrowly avoided cracking his kneecaps into the table. "Of course! You are right, Master Yuugi, it is simple."
"Aye, confusing us does seem to be simple," offered Damus, scowling.
"I'm sorry, Damus, Yami… the holo-projectors! Don't you see?"
Comprehension dawned on both faces in a moment, eyes widening and brightening. There was a moment's pause before Mokuba laughed a little.
"We should have figured that out sooner."
Conversation ended at that point as Mirai inadvertently turned off the mute, leaving the volume at maximum.
TO BE CONTINUED….
Five reviews if you wish me to continue!!!