Chapter Two! Wooo! And the plot thickens~~~! *dramatic music*

The villian gets introduced this chapter!

Isn't that wonderful? *silence* Oh okay. Well I like MOST villians, (*cough* Marik *cough* Bakura) but this one is just ew.

You'll see.

Review my peoples!

Yu-Gi-Oh Prince and the Pauper

Chapter Two: The Plan

Clink. Clink. Clink.

Mariku wiped a spot of sweat from his forehead as he mined for gold in the mines. It was no use; there was none left, not since Lady Tea had ordered the mines to be emptied for her plans. So much for being a royal advisor to Queen Sakura.

She was a traitor.

Mariku would report her if he could, but she was his boss and he needed to follow her orders. His partner, Malik skipped around the mines while he worked.

"Be careful Malik, don't trip." Mariku advised as he kept looking.

Malik giggled. "Don't worry so much big brother! I'm the safest person I know! *Squeak*!"

He suddenly tripped.

Mariku rolled his eyes and walked over to help his brother up.

"What is this?!" A shrill voice screeched.

Fuck. Mariku thought.

That voice could only belong to Lady Tea.

She stomped over to them. Well.. stomped as best as she could wearing that poofy dress.

"What do you two think that you're doing?!"

"I-" Malik said.

"Not working!" She screeched. "What do I pay you for?!"

"You don't pay us madam.." Malik blurted out.

Tea glared at him. "Is that all of the gold in the mine?" She asked, gesturing toward the one piece of gold in Mariku's hand.

"Yes madam.." Mariku said.

"Excellent." Tea said, grinning.

Mariku's nose wrinkled. Grinning didn't suit her.

"Now my plans shall begin!"

"Uh... Lady Tea... what exactly are your plans?" Malik asked.

"Why you little fool haven't I told you before? The kingdom is bankrupt as you have heard."

"Because you emptied the mines.." Mariku muttered.

Tea glared at him. "As I was saying. I am going to go up there and present myself to the Queen and tell her that I would be willing to marry her son!"

"But Prince Bakura is due to marry another." Malik said.

Tea suddenly froze. She glared at Malik. "Who is he going to marry?"

"P-princess Natalie.."

"Making a decision without me?! Who does that queen think she is?!" Tea glowered.

"Uh... the Queen.." Malik said.

Tea slapped him. "All we have to do is capture Prince Bakura and keep him here until Princess Natalie gets tired of waiting. Then I will bring the prince back like a hero and get to marry him then become Queen!"

She then laughed evilly.

Mariku and Malik looked at each other with a blink.

"Prince Bakura.."

Bakura looked up from his desk.

Courtney stood at the door.

"Hello Courtney! You're just in time!" Bakura exclaimed.

"Your majesty.. the Ambassador is here with a gift from the Princess." Courtney said quietly.

"What? Already?" Bakura asked, a bit disappointed.

"Yes... you must go meet him." Courtney said.

Bakura sighed. "Of course."

"We can go back to the village if you want instead." Courtney said.

Bakura blinked. "Really?"

She nodded. "Of course."

Bakura grinned and grabbed his cloak.

Ryou pet a horse slightly. He blinked when he saw a beautiful blonde girl with the prettiest blue eyes riding a horse toward the stables.

Pegasus suddenly knocked him out of the way to tend to the girl.

"Princess Natalie! What a pleasant surprise!" Pegasus practically cooed.

Ryou blinked. Princess? He'd never have a chance...

"Ryou! Take her horse!" Pegasus ordered.

"Yes Mister Pegasus!" Ryou said as he shot up to go get her horse.

He pet it's mane soothingly as he put it in a stable, fastening the gate tightly so it wouldn't run away.

The horse nuzzled his hand.

He giggled.

"His name is Pharaoh."

Ryou squeaked and turned. "Oh! Sorry princess!"

Natalie smiled warmly. "It's alright. He seems to like you. You must be a trustworthy man. I'll trust to leave him with you."

"You can trust me."

Natalie smiled again before leaving.

Ryou sighed in relief, petting Pharaoh. "Wow... your mistress is very beautiful.."'

Pharaoh's eyes seemed to sparkle with mischief as he nudged Ryou.

Ryou blinked.

Then he giggled. "Crazy horse. Here I think I've got an apple here somewhere."

Bakura was walking down the hall when he was suddenly grabbed.

"Let me go!"

"No can do." A deep voice said.

Then he was knocked out by a punch to the face.

Courtney searched around for Bakura in panic.

"Your majesty? Your majesty?"

Meanwhile, Princess Natalie's ambassador was angry. "Where is that Prince?!"

Queen Sakura was trying to calm him down. "I'm sure he's somewhere around.."

"If he isn't here soon we will cancel the wedding!" He exploded.

Princess Natalie cleared her throat. "I believe that is my decision Yami."

Yami blinked. "R-right your majesty."

Courtney walked into the throne room.

Queen Sakura looked at her with a desperate look. "Did you find him?"

"No your majesty.." Courtney said.

"Oh no.."

"I know what happened to him!"

Queen Sakura blinked. "Tea! You're back early!"

Tea smiled. "Yes your majesty. As soon as I heard about the prince's disappearence, I had to investigate! And on his desk, I found this."

She handed a note to Sakura.

Sakura blinked and read the note. She gasped. "It says that he's run away because of the wedding to Princess Natalie!"

Courtney frowned. "But that doesn't make sense... why would she run away?"

"This is an outrage!" Yami bellowed.

Natalie frowned slightly. "Give him a day Yami. Then we will leave if he isn't back." She said quietly.

Yami stared at her like she was crazy. "As you wish... my princess. 24 hours!"

Then they left.

Where could Bakura have gone? Courtney thought. She got a plan to stall so that she could find Bakura.

I just have to find Ryou..