Disclaimer: See previous chapter.

Chapter 10

"Boss…there's something I don't understand," said one of the men in the corner, counting a pile of money under a dim lamp, "This whole setup is to get back at the Phoenix kid, right? What do you plan on doing?"

Thorn paused in leafing through his old Duel Monster cards, "We're going to have the duel we should have had all those years ago. The rematch I was denied."

"You're going to duel the kid?" Jack raised an eyebrow, "No offense or anything, but you're a bit stale. The Phoenix kid is the champion. You haven't picked up a duel-disk in at least three years. You probably don't have the stamina to keep up with him."

"You're right. I haven't dueled in a while," Thorn nodded, "But I have a friend who's working on that little problem as we speak. In fact…by the time next Saturday rolls around, I should have all the dueling energy I need…and who knows, maybe more. Once I win back my rightful title, I can re-enter the Leagues."

"There are still other dueling giants though," said Smith, "Like Truesdale."

"After destroying Phoenix, Truesdale won't be too much of a problem. After all, he couldn't beat our champion; if I can, Truesdale will be a breeze."

"What if you don't beat Phoenix?" asked Smith. "I mean…of course you will…but there's always the chance."

"A back-up plan is already in place," said Thorn, "Our mutual dealer Shroud was able to meet and give Truesdale an offer he can't possibly refuse. No matter how it turns out, I will be at the top one way or another." He placed his deck down and gave Jack a hard look, "Is everything ready for next Saturday?"

Jack nodded, "All set. Just give us the word and we'll collect for you."

Thorn grinned. "Excellent…"

Zane turned off the duel computer in the private match room of the Kaiba-Dome, scowling. Setting the computer to the maximum difficulty, and setting it duel using a deck of Destiny Heroes, and he still lost. Twice. There has to be a way to do this. He contemplated a third match, but then decided against it. The room reservation was going to run out soon anyways. Throwing the door open, he nearly plowed into the man he surely did not want to see at that moment.

"Trying to pick up dueling tips?" Zane scowled.

Shroud chuckled, "No, not with the way your game turned out. It was close; you got the computer down to what, 50 life-points?"

"What is it you want, Shroud?"

"I'm here to collect on my offer. Still looks like you're having trouble beating Phoenix…even a simulated one. I can help you, but in return you need to assist me."

Zane crossed his arms over his chest and stared down his former manager. "I believe I kicked you to the curb once before, Shroud. I didn't need you then. I don't need you now. I can and will defeat Phoenix on my own terms. Since dropping you, I've reworked my way up through the circuit, and no one who stands before me wins a match. Phoenix shouldn't be too different."

Shroud frowned, "If you're so confident, why don't you just face him already? Trounce him with the whole world watching like you know you want to. …Or is there something else holding you back?"

Zane scowled, "Nothing is holding me back, Shroud. If you haven't noticed, Phoenix doesn't spend his time around the arena like he used to, to even confront him about a match."

Shroud chuckled, "Your plan is to wait to find the kid? If you haven't noticed, Truesdale, Phoenix's days are possibly numbered. If you want to get your last match in with him before something happens to the kid, perhaps you'd better arrange it with his manager. Oh! …Wait, that's right, managers are the ones who set up the deals for their clients, and wouldn't you know, you don't have one. Perhaps I should arrange the duel for you…"

Zane shoved Shroud against the wall. "One thing straight, Shroud: I am my own manager. I'll make my own arrangements to duel. And I certainly don't need you to fix my matches for me."

Spinning on his heel, he stalked off. Shroud muttered something under his breath, but he didn't expect Zane to be able to hear him.

The words made Zane suddenly freeze over inside, but he kept walking, deep in thought.

"Don't wait too long, Truesdale, or there won't be a Phoenix to duel…and you won't be able to arrange anything on your own then…."

"About time someone decided to grace us with his presence," Sartorius called from the other room, as Aster closed the front door behind him, his insides suddenly freezing over.

Aster gulped. Something didn't seem right, and a bad feeling was eating its way through his gut. There was no way Sartorius could see him from Serena's study, and she was out shopping. How did he know it wasn't Serena who walked in through the door just now? He took a deep breath and walked into Sartorius's makeshift office. "How did you know it was me? I didn't say anything…."

Sartorius paused and frowned. "I-I didn't…somehow…I just knew." He shook his head, "I suppose it was a premonition." He gestured at Aster at the door, "I need to talk to you, Aster, and it can't wait any longer." With Sartorius's hand still outstretched, the door swung around and clicked shut.

Aster whirled around and tried the knob. "Sartorius…"

Sartorius's hand was shaking, his eyes wide, "Aster please…this is important, please sit down."

"Let me out, Sartorius."

"I'm sorry…but I can't do that, Aster."

"Sartorius…let me out!"

"I can't. What I have to say is important, and it cannot wait any longer!"

Aster kept his hand firmly on the doorknob, wishing he was not the only other person in the house. Any bit of calm he was trying to maintain flew out the window when he saw the familiar sight. Slightly crazed hair and wild eyes.

"Aster, step away from the door." The cold, forceful voice.

"Not until you get rid of that…that thing! I refuse to have a conversation with you until it's gone! You shouldn't have to lock me in a room just to talk and whatever you need to say doesn't need to be behind a front!"

"Aster…" the wild look left his eyes, "…I-I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me…but please, there is something important I need to discuss…."

Aster narrowed his eyes, "Mhmm. There was something I wanted to talk to you about too, but it seems my problem's already here. I don't want to talk with an alien; I want to talk to you. And until you unlock this door and return to normal, nothing else needs to be said." He crossed his arms, staying firmly at his spot at the door.

"I'm sorry," was the quiet reply. Sartorius covered his face with his hands. Aster noticed the wild hair return to normal. "I-I-I really am. I…I am trying…very, very hard to suppress this…"

Aster frowned, "I thought you said this bit of Light couldn't take over again." He sighed, "And I come back to find that…that thing waiting for me."

Sartorius hung his head, "I didn't think it was possible…but…these…these urge…I have not had one like this before. Not since…well…"

"Not since last year when you used me for a bargaining chip," Aster jiggled the knob again. "Unlock the door, Sartorius."

Sartorius shook his head, "I think the Light is fueled by my emotions…you know how I try to stay…well…fairly calm and emotionless most of the time."

Aster nodded slowly.

"I have been nervous about how exactly to go about speaking with you today. Perhaps…perhaps it took advantage of my...moment of weakness." He looked up at Aster, "I swear to you this won't happen again. I need for you to be able to trust me." He paused, "That is why you've been absent hasn't it? You've probably sensed the uneasiness in me these past few days…."

"I think after all that I've been through with that alien last year, I've developed a sixth sense of whenever it decides to rear its ugly head." Aster looked away, "I've had enough to deal with than have to worry about that freak taking over you again. Let's face it, if that thing wants to take over the world again – or at least try to – you and I both know that there are at least two people it's going to want to take out first, and one of them is standing right here."

"That…that brings me to what I wanted to talk to you about," Sartorius sighed, "Please, Aster. Step away from the door and sit down. I promise – I don't bite."

"The Light's gone?"

"As gone as it can be right now." He waited for his star duelist and friend to sit before he continued, "I know by now you are aware of the threat against you, Aster…."

Aster raised an eyebrow, "Did the hole in my house give it away?"

"Aster, please. I'll get right to the point. I know you won't want to hear this…but I would strongly prefer that you not attend the Kaiba Dome event next Saturday."

"What!" Aster shot up, "Why? I'm expected to be there! I'm supposed to be dueling, remember?"

Sartorius raised his hand, and Aster sat back down, "I know how you feel, but, I have a very strong reason to believe something devastating is going to happen that night."

"Am I going to disappear?" Aster crossed his arms, "I face that threat every time I walk two steps away from this house. If you had your way, I'd be shut up here 24/7 because you're too worried the nearest shadow is going to grab me the minute I'm out of your sight."

"Aster…," Sartorius shook his head, "I know…I know I might seem overprotective, but understand, these visions…I cannot ignore them."

"You're having visions again? How do you know it's not the Light trying to fool you?"

Sartorius resumed staring intently at his lap, "These visions…they've been quite…what's the word I'm looking for…repetitive."

"And they're all about Saturday's big event?"

Sartorius shook his head, "That is uncertain. I am willing to bet that the events from the visions will play out from sometime on that date though. It is the perfect opportunity for someone to try and do you harm. It is quite possibly the biggest public event you will have or have been in attendance to, and there can be countless attack attempts. For your safety, I beg you to not go."

Aster blinked, "…what kind of visions were these? Surely you must think I can take care of myself, Sartorius! I've only eluded your ever-watchful eye for the past two days, and no one's tried to make a grab for me. These people obviously knew where I was because they sent me this letter to my house – which has been uninhabited for weeks." He slammed the envelope onto the desk, "Missing out on quite possibly the biggest duels of my career is pretty much of resignation from the Leagues. If these attackers, whoever they are, wanted to make a pass at me, why didn't they just shoot me or something while I was at my house. It's not like there's a grand security system in place. There's a giant tarp pretending to be a wall. You can't get much more secure than that."

Aster sighed, "Besides, I'm already taking precautions about Saturday. I have a duel-disk inspection with Kaiba Corp tomorrow, and the big man himself said he wanted to go through security arrangements at the Dome."

"'Security arrangements'?" Sartorius repeated, "Sounds like bodyguards. You despise suits."

Aster wrinkled his nose, "I know, but, on the bright side, if they're Kaiba's best, I don't think I have any worries."

Sartorius frowned, "The visions themselves are terribly devastating…I-I'd rather not have to take the risk."

Aster smirked, "Well, it's not exactly your risk to take, now is it? It's mine."

"Aster, please, come to your senses. How can you be sure you'll be absolutely safe? I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."

It was Aster's turn to stare down at his lap this time, before getting up, "You'll have to trust me when I said I'm taking all the necessary precautions. I can't hide from my career. If these people are serious about coming after me, they're not going to give up. And I can't stay behind shelters forever. Even if I don't go to the anniversary event, I'll have to go to the Dome sooner or later, or I'll lose my connections in the Leagues. There can be roaring crowds or just duelists aiming for a practice match, but the threat will always be there."

Sartorius was turned away from him. His hands were up, covering his face like a shield. Aster stood behind, and hesitantly put a hand on his shoulder, "Sartorius?"

Once the hand touched the shoulder, he immediately felt his manager tense. His long hair flared out far worse than Aster had remembered. He couldn't see Sartorius's eyes. "What's wrong?"

"Why…nothing…nothing is wrong," said the cold voice. "In fact, everything is going just right…all according to plan."

Aster backed up a step, his blood running cold. He remembered that voice all too well. "S-Sartorius…"

Sartorius turned slowly around, "Your friend is gone. Now I am in control of his body once again." As he completed his turn, a bright white light radiated from Sartorius, focusing on Aster and slamming him backwards into the nearest wall.

Aster, momentarily dazed, tried to move, but found it impossible. Still struggling, he glared at the alien, "The real Sartorius is still in there, he can fight his way back. You didn't win last time, and you won't this time. I'll see to that."

'Sartorius', or, the Light flashed a greedy smirk. "I don't believe so, boy. Your friend has willingly surrendered himself to my use, and now I am free to continue what you and that other boy tried to stop. Soon the whole world will see The Light."

"No one is going to see the light," Aster snapped, "We beat you once, and we'll do it again. I won't let you reign control over my friend."

The Light laughed, "As if you can stop me. I remember you, how you tried to save your friend the last time. It was a valiant effort, indeed, but you were too weak. I am stronger now than ever before, so do tell, how do you plan to stop me?"

"I don't have to do it alone. I was helped the last time, and they'll certainly do everything to stop you this time too!" Aster said fiercely.

The Light grinned, "Oh, yes…that boy with the Neospacian monsters…he will still be a thorn in my side. But I don't have to face him at all. You are a formidable opponent to him, I remember. Why should I face him when I can have you do it for me?" He watched Aster pause in struggling against his control for a moment, allowing realization to dawn on him, before continuing, "Yesss, you will make a fine soldier for my bidding."

Aster pulled hard against the glowing white bonds, "Don't even think about it. I'll never join you."

The Light smirked, placing his hands on Aster's shoulders, ceasing his struggling. "You don't have a choice. Soon the entire world will see the Light. Society will be born anew, and you will help me to open these blind peoples' eyes. I'm afraid, for you, Aster Phoenix, life as you knew it is over. It is time for you to see the Light!"

Aster shot up as he kicked himself out of his dream. Staring up at the ceiling in the room, he took a few calming deep breaths before glancing at the clock. 2:51am, Sunday morning. He sighed, rubbing his forehead before climbing out of bed. On his way to the kitchen he paused outside Sartorius's bedroom door before moving on.

"Aster?"

He stopped in the doorway. Serena was sitting at the table, a fresh teapot before her. "Are you always up this late?"

She smiled, shaking her head, "No, but it seems whenever I have trouble sleeping, I'm not the only one." She patted the seat next to her, "What's on your mind?"

Aster grabbed a teacup and sat next to her. "I don't know what to do anymore…."

She gave a small smile, "There seems to be a bit of that going around. What's on your mind, Aster?"

He poured himself some tea, "I'm worried about Sartorius." He looked at her, "Have you…I mean…have you sensed anything weird about him lately?"

Serena sighed, "He has been very worried lately, if that's what you're referring to."

"I mean the little buddy he picked up last year. The little buddy of his who ambushed me when I got back this afternoon."

Serena frowned. "Oh." Sighing, she took another sip, "He told me about that earlier. You're not the only one worried about it, Aster."

"It's not so much fear as it is downright horror!" Aster cried, getting up and pacing the kitchen, "We both know what that alien is capable of…and the fact that it nearly succeeded is even more worrisome. And to figure out that it's not even 'dead'…how much more can we take at a time like this!"

Serena watched him pace. This is just like that other time, when Sartorius came down late that night…. "I'm sure he's doing what he can to control it. This can't be easy for him either."

Aster paused to look at her, "I'm more worried about something happening to me, than the Light even retaking control over him."

"Aster, you can't mean –"

"He told me earlier that he thinks the Light is fueled by his emotions. What if something did happen to me, or even you? You can't expect him to be his normal calm and rational self. Think about it, if someone severely injured you, Sartorius may not go off the deep-end, but it might catch him off-guard enough for the Light to take advantage, and then the entire world is screwed."

Serena beckoned him to sit back down, and patted his arm, "Calm down, Aster. Things like that can't be controlled. We can only help what we can control. As long as this being inside Sartorius stays…mostly dormant within him, we must have faith that Sartorius can keep it under control. If not, then we'll just have to deal with it when, and if, the time comes." She stood up, taking the pot and placing it next to the sink. "Come, you should rest up. You've got an exciting week coming up. Saturday's going to be a big day."

Aster followed after her, but stopped at the top of the steps. "Where's Sartorius?"

Serena glanced at the open bedroom door. "…He…he had an errand to run, and said he would be back sometime in the morning. He also wanted me to request that you don't do anything reckless before he returns."

Aster sighed, "Figures. Well, I have a meeting tomorrow, but I'll try not to do anything stupid…at least not until I get back."

Serena smiled, "That's the spirit. See you in the morning."

"As I'm sure you've guessed already, security at the Dome on Saturday is going to be extremely tight," said Seto, "No ticket, no entry. There will be metal detectors in place at every entrance. Based on the letter you received…," he handed the envelope back to Aster, "And based on the similar one that found its way here last night, you will have at least two guards assigned to you."

Aster nodded, "I don't particularly like bodyguards, but I guess if it puts my manager at ease, I'll accept it."

Seto nodded, "Your manager Sartorius and I have arranged that after opening remarks and duelist introductions, you'll go to Duelist Prep Room #2."

Aster blinked, "I don't think I've ever used one of those rooms. I've always hung around just behind the arena watching the matches."

"There's a TV in the prep room that allows you to see what goes on in the arena. You'll have a guard outside the door, and one inside, if you wish."

Aster nodded, "That's fine. It'll make Sartorius happy."

"Sartorius requested you stay in the prep room until your first duel..."

"Do I even get to know who I'm dueling?"

"No one knows who their opponent will be except for the feature match. Or, as Sartorius probably told you, the largest duel of your career. Your opponent knows they are to duel you, but that's it."

"Is it that big of a secret?"

Seto shook his head, "No, your opponent simply likes to keep out of the spotlight. Your 'big match' will be the last one of the night, after all of the surprise match-ups and other events of the night. By then, the hype of the evening will be at its peak, and you'll hopefully get out of the building with both your eyesight and hearing intact."

"So I wait around in the prep room until I'm announced?"

Seto nodded, "The guards have been instructed of the order and match-ups ahead of time. They'll escort you to the backstage entrance to your side of the arena as the match ahead of yours begins. When your duel is over, you'll return to the prep room."

"Am I the only one who gets the special treatment?"

"All of the duelists get the same type of schedule as yours. When they arrive, they'll be put in prep rooms with their possible upcoming opponents. You'll get your own room, Sartorius's request."

"Hey! What are you doing there!"

Seto peered around Aster sitting in front of his desk to the closed door. They could hear a scuffle and people running down the corridor.

"There a marathon going on in the executive offices?" Aster asked, raising an eyebrow. They were both staring at the door now.

Seto narrowed his eyes, then jabbed the button on the office phone, "What the hell is going on out there!"

"Sir, Roland found someone eavesdropping outside your office door, he was dressed like a security guard. I believe they're talking to him in the security office."

Aster turned around in his seat to stare at the office door. "Someone was listening in on us?"

Seto scowled, "This might take longer than expected." He buzzed the phone again, "When is my next appointment?"

"One hour from now. Mr. Mu—"

"Reschedule it for the next available time today."

"But sir! Mr. Pegasus is coming to talk about the 10th Anniversary Event after that time!"

"Move Pegasus to tomorrow's first available time slot."

"Yes, sir…"

"And have that man escorted up here. I want to talk to him."

Yes, Mr. Kaiba."

"Eh…should I leave?" Aster shifted in his seat, "I can come back later…."

Seto shook his head, "No. We still have to inspect your duel-disk, and because of this…annoyance…arrangements for Saturday will have to be changed. It's easier to just sit through this interruption. Besides, this eavesdropper might be someone you know."

Aster frowned, "I don't think anyone I know would be able to disguise themselves as a guard and make their way up here without getting caught along the way."

Seto reached into his desk and pulled out a folder. "I want to know who managed to slip through security and get all the way up here without anyone noticing. There are at least two security stations between the elevator and this office."

They could hear shuffling in the hallway before someone knocked on the door. Roland poked his head into the office, "Mr. Kaiba, we've brought up the man from earlier."

Seto nodded, "I want to talk to him."

"Yes sir." The door opened wider, as Roland and one other security guard led the man into the office. He was dressed similarly to the other Kaiba Corporation security guards; Aster could see how he might have slipped past one of the checkpoints.

One of the guards took the chair next to Aster, moved it towards the door and sat the man in it.

"We were going to have him escorted out, Mr. Kaiba, until you wanted him brought in here," said Roland.

Seto picked up the file and stood in front of the stranger, making comparisons from the face before him to the photographs in the file. "You're a rather smart guy to have been able to sneak yourself all the way up here. Just what were you doing eavesdropping outside my office?"

The man shrugged, "Listening."

Aster studied the man's face. "I've seen his face somewhere." Both Seto and the man turned to face him. "I don't remember where…."

"He put up quite a fight in the security office," said Roland, standing behind the chair.

Seto handed the folder to Aster, "See if you recognize him." He turned to Roland, "Have you checked the employee files?"

The head of security nodded, "He's not an employee. He managed to forge an ID pass to get to this point of the building. We checked against the other offices in the building, and no one had an appointment with this man's description. He still hasn't told us his name."

Aster got up, stood in front of the man and leafed through the papers in the folder, eyeing back and forth photographs in his hand and the man in front of him. Halfway through, he paused. "I think…I think this is the guy. He looks like the man in this photograph."

The man eyed Aster as he stepped between him and the desk, passing one of the photographs to Seto.

"'Zardon Smith'," one of the guards read the name under the photograph, "Are you sure this is the man, Mr. Phoenix?"

"Phoenix?" said Smith, eyeing the teen next to him as he nodded at the guard, "You're Aster Phoenix?"

Aster slowly turned to look at him. "Positive. That's him alright."

"Should we escort this man out, Mr. Kaiba?" asked the other guard.

"Contact the prison, we found their missing lackey…at least, one of them."

"After the struggle the man gave in the security office, the police have already been called," said Roland.

Smith turned his head slightly, looking out from the corner of his eye. Both Roland and the other guard were directly behind his chair.

"We tried to question him, but he wouldn't say anything, except with his fists."

"Why were you listening at the door?" said Seto, "You and your buddies are card thieves, and there's nothing of interest to your gang in this building."

Smith turned slowly to stare at Seto, "On the contrary, there is indeed something of interest here. You obviously know, or knew, what I was up to…and there are two people…in this room even, with one-of-a-kind cards. On one side, you haven't dueled in years, but you're still the only man on this planet with all three playable Blue-Eyes White Dragons."

Seto crossed his arms, "If you're looking for those, you won't find them in here."

Smith turned to the person who seemed to be frozen next to him. "Then there's someone with an entire deck of one-of-a-kind cards…someone my employer is most interested in." Smith's eyes then widened, as if he realized he said something he shouldn't have. He suddenly found drumming the arm of his chair most interesting, keeping at least one eye on the teen next to him.

The phone on the desk buzzed. Aster, glancing over to see who answered the phone, took his guard off of Smith.

Taking advantage of the distracting telephone and before the guards could keep him forced-down in his seat; he lunged forward, catching the young duelist in a tight choke-hold. Smith glanced quickly at the office door before turning back to the guards, ignoring Aster's attempts to get his arm off of his neck.

"The police will be here any moment, I suspect," said Smith, reaching into his suit, and pulled out a rather unnaturally sharp uncapped pen. "But I still have time to make it out. And to assure I make it out, I'm taking your prized champion with me."

"Let him go, Smith," Seto demanded. Both guards moved to block the door.

"I don't think so, Kaiba. My employer is most interested in this kid, and I intend to do my job. Now, if you or your lackeys intend to stop me…," he placed the sharp point of the pen against Aster's neck, "I'd rather not have to defy the boss, but I'll kill the kid right in your office." Tightening his grip on Aster, he dragged him towards the door. "Out of the way."

Roland looked at Seto for instructions, but before he could respond, Aster managed to pry the armed hand away from his neck, "Wait," he gasped out.

Smith glared down at him, "Quiet, kid."

Aster wedged an arm between his neck and the blade, "I said wait. …I'll go with you. Peacefully"

Everyone turned to stare at him. Smith didn't lax his grip, "What are you on about?"

Aster struggled against Smith's grip, "If by going to your boss saves the lives of anyone and everyone else in the Leagues, I'll go."

For a good minute, no one did anything.

Finally, Smith blinked, "I think that's the first time I've ever had a willing hostage…. Alright, kid. Let's go."

"Wait," Aster wrenched himself out of the choke-hold, but Smith maintained a firm grasp on his arm.

"Now what!"

"You and your band of buddies are thieves. You collect one-of-a-kind cards. Aren't you forgetting something?"

"We're not stupid, Phoenix. Your deck of cards will be collected later."

Not quite sure how to react to what was going on, Seto just stood behind his desk, with his arms folded across his chest as he listened to their conversation. He had seen plenty of hostage situations over the years, but none had the hostage act so calmly in the face of peril.

"Are you stupid?" Aster rolled his eyes and pointed with his free arm, "Why bother? My duel disk is right there on Mr. Kaiba's desk. You might as well just take it and be done with it."

Smith stared from Aster to the disk, and back to Aster again. "That's your disk?"

"That's my disk."

"And those are your cards in it?"

"They sure aren't Yugi Muto's."

"…Alright, then. Bring me the duel disk, Kaiba. But don't try anything dumb yourself…," he yanked on Aster's arm, twisting it behind him while pinning the duelist back into his original hold, "Or you'll be cleaning blood off of your nice polished floor."

Seto scowled, but kept his eyes firmly on Smith as picked up Aster's duel disk and made his way, slowly, to the middle of the office. He stopped just short of reaching Smith. "And how do you expect to walk out of here with both this and a hostage?"

Smith stared at the duel disk for a moment, and then slightly repositioned his hold on Aster, "Here," he relaxed his hold on Aster's left arm, "Put it on his arm. He's a duelist, it will look natural. Place it on him as if he was walking to a match…and stop squirming, Phoenix." He pushed the pen blade firmly against the side of Aster's neck.

Seto stepped forward to fasten the disk when he noticed Aster focusing rather intently in lining up his foot under his outstretched arm.

"Hurry it up, Kaiba. If you try to stall until the police arrive, it'll only quicken the kid's death."

Seto fastened the disk – rather loosely – and stepped back. Before Smith could make another move other than pulling back on Aster's arm, it lowered just enough for the disk to slide off, landing directly on Aster's foot.

Aster squeezed his eyes shut, wincing. He slid out on his other foot to get himself closer to the floor. On his way down he felt the knife scrape hard against his neck.

Smith's tight hold on Aster disappeared. He reached down to yank him back up again, but he didn't expect Aster to immediately whirl around and swing the duel disk into his stomach like a baseball player hitting a home run. Seto stepped between him and Aster as he doubled over in pain. The door to the office burst open moments later, two officers hurrying inside.

"Where were you two minutes ago when we needed you?" Aster muttered, slowly getting to his feet.

"This man is one of the escaped prisoners," said Seto, "He was found eavesdropping outside the office."

"Don't worry; we'll take it from here, Mr. Kaiba," said the first officer, "We apologize for any inconvenience he may have caused. Rest assured, this man will be locked back up immediately."

Aster glared at Smith, "He probably knows where his other friends are hiding. He told us he was working for someone. If I had to hazard a guess, his boss is Thorn Turama."

"Don't worry, Mr. Phoenix, we'll get everything out of him at the station," said the second officer, hauling Smith to this feet, and placing handcuffs on his wrists.

Once the officers led Smith out, with the extra Kaiba Corp security officer in tow, Aster hobble-hopped back to his chair.

"You've got some acting skills, Phoenix," said Seto, walking back around his desk to sit down again.

Aster glared back as he put his duel disk back on the desk, "Acting? That hurt! That foot was just mended!"

Roland emerged from a side door in the office with a damp cloth, "Have you played baseball, Mr. Phoenix?"

"At some point I have. Maybe back when I was still in middle school…." Aster took the cloth and pressed it against his neck.

"Are you alright, sir?"

Aster nodded, "I think so. But I've got some advice for you...," he looked Seto right in the eye, "Don't make duel disks any heavier."

Smith sat in the back of the patrol car, scowling as he watched buildings zoom past the window. He raised an eyebrow as they passed the station. "Eh..."

"Quiet back there," the driving officer snapped.

"You past the police station. Some competent officer you are."

"What's your point?" The driver's voice was now completely different.

"…Jack?"

"The boss wasn't too pleased that you got yourself caught like an idiot. He expected you back a while ago."

"He'll forgive me when he hears the dirt I dug up…."

Aster stepped out of the car and walked up the path to Serena's home. He paused at the door, glancing down at his duel disk. Within one month, I've been through hell. …A madman and a gang of dueling thugs escape from prison, someone finds it funny to blast a hole in my house, the Light of Destruction decides to make a comeback, and I nearly get myself killed like an idiot. He placed his hand on the knob and sighed. I don't know how much more I can take….

The door had barely opened.

"I need to speak with you, Aster."

Aster sighed as he finished stepping inside and closed the door. "If that's the Light talking, I have nothing to say to him!"

"Aster, please. The Light isn't here. I'm in the living room. There is something new we need to discuss about Saturday's event."

The pro duelist took a deep breath, crossing the hall and stopping at the entrance to the adjoining room.

"You're late, Aster. We expected you back at least an hour ago."

Aster unconsciously rubbed the scrape on his neck, "…What do you mean by 'we'? And why are you in the dark?" He reached for the switch on the wall and flicked it on.

"Surprise!"

Another chapter done. Hope you enjoyed! More soon! Updates should come relatively quicker now that I'm writing this story out the same way as my Detective Conan story - in a notebook.

Until next time!