Author's Note: Hello my dears! Apologies for the late-ish update, I have been very busy this past weekend and then had the unfortunate luck to fall sick. I've been in a medicinal coma for two days with no will to write. But I have returned with new vigor! What do you guys think so far? Have I caught your interest? I hope so, because I have so much more to share. Again I wish to do the characters justice, but at the same time do justice to my vision so please, bear with me. If I am not making details or scenes clear enough do not hesitate to tell me; I am open to suggestions or critiques because as much as this story is mine, it also belongs to those who read it. So, here goes nothing! Enjoy!
Chapter 4: Sleepovers Are Still Cool
Joey sat on his overflowing suitcase. His weight barely holding the seams close enough together to zip it up. He hadn't been able to choose what to bring on the trip so he just packed everything. Grunting, he got up and continued to rummage around his pigsty to chuck more stuff into a big backpack on the bed. While he packed, he went over his mental checklist of things to get done before leaving: Ask off of work? Check! Pay the bills? Check! Stock the fridge for his dad? Done! Clean up the apartment? Well no, he hadn't actually planned on doing that so whatever..Call Serenity? He'd do that tomorrow. Thinking of her made him miss her. He got to see her and his mom every so often now that he had a car that wasn't a piece of shit but still, it'd be nice to have her come on a trip with him one of these days. He was looking back and forth between two similar sets of swim trunks when his phone chimed from somewhere in the covers. Finding it underneath a dingy pair of boxers he flipped it open to see a text from Tristan.
Bad news dude, I can't go.. :( -T.
Joey's eyes went wide and he typed back.
WHAT? Why not? -J
Some asshole just quit at work, left the rest of us high & dry & strapped 4 time. We have a deadline soon. Being shorthanded puts us back. Boss says he needs me here. -T
There isn't any way u can get out of it? Call in sick? This is gonna be our trip this year! -J
Nah man I can't! Those planes aren't gonna build themselves.. I'm bummed out 2 but gotta stay, u know? -T
That sux bro, I'm gonna miss having my wingman with me. :( -J
Yeah I know.. -T
U should call Becca & see if she can get her $$ back for the ticket. -J
Actually, I was thinkin I could give it 2 Bakura. We had fun when he came 2 Cabo awhile back.. -T
Joey frowned. 'Fun' was a bit of an exaggeration. While the polite albino had been overjoyed at his invitation to join the group he didn't have much fun after he lost his luggage…..and almost drowned in the ocean….and got a really bad sunburn after falling asleep on the beach. Truth be told Joey thought he was king of a wet blanket. A strange, too polite-wet blanket who liked to dabble in dark stuff. Bakura didn't spend a whole lot of time with them after graduation. He'd gotten into college and moved to the other side of Domino. Last time they'd hung out he'd told them how he'd gotten a part time job working for a lady who ran a small shop that specialized in traditional medicine while he finished college. But Joey knew better. He'd passed by that shop enough times to know that the creepy old crone who owned it was a witch-or a.. a wicken! Or was it Wiccan? Whatever, she was bad news and her shop catered to those who dabbled with the Occult. Bakura had always been fascinated with the dark art and even his experience with the Millenium Ring hadn't shaken him of his creepy hobbies. Joey shuddered. He was about to voice his reluctance about inviting him but his phone chimed again.
Just talked 2 him, he said he'll go. -T
"Wait! Whaa? Aw dammit!" Joey flung himself on the bed, disturbing his piles yet to be stuffed in the backpack. His phone chimed repeatedly and he brought it to his face so he could see who it was. He saw it was a group message. "Guess word travels fast.." He jumped in the conversation.
Sup guys! Heads up, I'm not gonna make it this time. -T
Oh no! What happened? Why aren't you coming? -Teá
WHAT! No! You have 2 come! Have u told Joey? -Y
Yeah he just did. This is CRAP man. :( -J
Sorry guys, I can't get out of work otherwise I'd be packed already! We're shorthanded & I could use the $$. -T
This sucks! The Dynamic Duo won't be running rampant this time! /3 -Teá
Sorry Tristan, it's not gonna be the same w/out u! -Y
So what about ur ticket? I think its too late 4 a refund… -Teá
I asked Bakura if he wanted 2 go in my place. Unless u guys wanna ask someone else? I kinda already told him...-T
Oohh, well if u already told him it would be rude 2 ask someone else… It's okay with me!-Teá
That's cool w me 2! I haven't seen him in awhile & he likes Egyptian history so it should be fun! -Y
-_- -J
Joey? What's wrong? U don't want Ryou 2 go? -Y
Ehh not that I don't want him there, he's cool & all but he's kind of...whiny? And he's ind of jinxed! Remember Cabo? I'm not lookin for a repeat of that adventure.. -J
Relax bro, I'm sure it will be fine! -T
Yeah Joey, be nice! He just had some bad luck on that trip, that's all. He's still fun to hang out with. But I'm going on record now that we make him leave the spirit board at home! -Teá
Agreed on that part! Teá's right, it will be fun. He's always been a good friend to us so try to be nice Joey? Please? -Y
Geez guys, way 2 make me feel like a jerk. : -J
Ur not a jerk! I get what ur saying, but let's look on the bright side! We'll be hanging out with an old friend who we haven't seen in a long time in EGYPT! -Y
What he means is that ur not a COMPLETE jerk. :P I'm really excited to be going back too! -Teá
LOL! Man she's got u pegged! -T
SHUT UP WOMAN! I'LL SHOW U WHO'S A JERK! -J
GUYS ur not helping! Let's all be nice & have a good time kay? Joey u & Ryou come stay the weekend at my place so we can all carpool to the airport Monday morning. Cool? -Y
Yeah cool! What time should I be over? -J
Be here at 8 pm tomorrow! Grandpa is making tempura! :D -Y
Oooooh! I'm jealous! I 3 ur Grandpa's cooking! -Teá
DUDE ME TOO! Save me some! -T
Not a chance! Yuug & Bakura will be lucky if there's any left 4 them! HA! -J
Hahahahaha! I'll make sure to get in there first then! Don't worry Tristan, I'll try and save u some! -Y
Yug ur the best! Gotta go guys, back 2 work! Have fun & someone get a video of Drunk Jo this time! -T
Bye Tristan! Bye guys! See in a few days ;) -Teá
I'll call Ryou & tell him to come over. Teá, will u tell Rebecca to change the name on Tristan's ticket? -Y
No prob! -Teá
Thanx! Bye guys! -Y
See ya! -J
Joey closed his phone and stretched out on the bed. Well, he supposed it shouldn't be that bad to have Bakura come. But he agreed 100% that he was leaving his creepy occult crap here in Japan. He sat up and finished packing before collapsing back on the bed and falling asleep.
Rebecca woke to her phone ringing from the bedside table. The clock that sat there showed it was 3 am. She fumbled around for her glasses and looked at the caller ID, sitting up at the sight of her grandpa's global phone number. Turning on the lamp, she clicked the answer button.
"Gramps? You okay? Why are you calling me this late?" She yawned out.
"Rebecca, I'm sorry to wake you but this is urgent." His voice sounded grave; it caught her off guard.
"What's wrong?"
"Something terrible has happened...and I must ask you not to come to Egypt." He said solemnly.
Rebecca shot up and set her feet on the ground. Her mind was fully awake now..
"Gramps what do you mean don't come? I already paid for the tickets. What happened?!" She listened as he explained that the site had burned down. She paled and rushed to open her computer, pulling up articles of the incident in the Valley of the Kings. She quickly read through them, still trying to process what he was telling her. He wasn't lying. There were aerial pictures of smoke still coming from the work area. And the pyramid! There wasn't any sign of it other than a huge pit of sand where it used to sit. It looked like someone had buried the middle of the Valley in a fresh layer of sand and stone. She was devastated about the dig being destroyed. All that history about the Pharaoh! Sadness tugged at her heart upon realizing that the proof of his story was most likely gone forever. Would any of their findings be salvageable? Possibly. There was no doubt that the loss of the site was a huge blow to their company, but they had other projects. They'd be fine. But what about the people? Their staff?
"Is everyone okay though? It just says that it might have been an attack or freak accident of some sort and that the pyramid fell in on itself. There's no word on casualties.." She grew worried when it took him several seconds to answer.
"We have about ten injured, two who are currently in the Emergency care. No deaths accounted for yet but…" His voice wavered, "But that is not why I asked you not to come. The public does not know all of the details. Even I do not know what truly happened, I was already back in our trailer when it happened. I saw nothing but...We were attacked by someone; we don't know who or why but they stole into the pyramid and took something before destroying it. They also got away with an artifact we had recovered from the pyramid. And after speaking with Miss Ishtar, I believe we may have a hostage situation on our hands. Her younger brother, Marik, has been taken."
"Oh my god!" Rebecca gasped, hand flying to her mouth. Artifacts stolen is one thing but kidnapping? By who? Who would kidnap a curator's sibling? What is going on? Her mind reeled and her hands were starting to tremble as suspicion dawned. She didn't know Marik that well but he'd been nice enough to her. And in rare moments he'd told her a little about the power the Items had and why people wanted them so badly….It made people crazy. To launch an attack on an archeological dig? That qualified as crazy. The only type of people who would do something like this were those who knew of the Nameless Pharaoh's power...and the existence of the Millenium Items.
"Rebecca, please, do not get on that plane. If what Miss Ishtar says is true then these are not our average enemies. I fear they will return. You and your friends will be in danger!" He spoke with fervor, but she was shaking her head.
"Grandpa this is my problem too! I have to come, don't you see? I can help! If not with the dig I can certainly help with finding Marik. They took the Items right? They must have known he used to be an Item wielder, just like Yugi….just like YUGI! I have to call him! He might be in trouble! I'll be on the next flight out. Be careful Gramps, be there soon!" She didn't give him a chance to protest as she hung up the phone and bolted from the spare room in Teá's apartment. Barging into the room down the hallway she flipped on the lights and shook Teá awake.
"Hey! Rebecca, what the hell?! What are you doi-" She sat up and stopped catching the look on Rebecca's face.
"Pack your bags! We've got to go now! I'll explain on the way!" She hadn't even finished speaking before she was walking back to her room to change and pack her things. Teá looked confused but obeyed. The seriousness in her tone was enough to keep her questions at bay as she pulled on some workout pants and a tee. Both girls hustled around the apartment with amazing speed-packed and ready to go in 20 minutes.
"Alright, I'm ready. Care to explain why we're rushing now?" Teá asked, hands on her hips.
Rebecca nodded, "Yes, but first, I need to make a call." She whipped out her phone and punched in the number. It rang a few times before a familiar voice greeted her.
"Yugi, we have a problem. How fast can you get to Cairo?"
Knock Knock Knock.
"Nah man, they're not gunna hear dat! Bang on it like dis.." Joey's voice was muffled through the wood.
KNOCK KNO-KNOCK KNOKNOKNOCK BOOM BOOM BA BA BOOM. "HELLLOOOOOO!" Joey continued to pound on the door.
"Joey I think they can hear just fine.." Ryou's soft British accent floated through the door as Solomon came around the corner. He rolled his eyes and meandered over to the stairs and yelled.
"Yugi, your friend's are at the door! WHOA now, slow down!"
He scurried out of the way as his grandson came bounding down the stairs to pull open the door for his friends. Joey and Ryou both stood with huge grins on their faces and loaded down with luggage. They both greeted him and Yugi yelped as Joey yanked him into a bear hug and noogied his hair. Solomon watched tenderly as they joked and roughhoused in the doorway. He knew he wasn't getting any younger but he could rest easy knowing his grandson had such good friends to look out for him, and that he was happy.
"Alright boys, c'mon in now, I need your help in the kitchen if you expect to eat tonight!" He chuckled as they scrambled to grab the bags and get inside. They chucked their luggage in the living room and got to work.
Joey leaned back on the couch, patting his rounded stomach distended from over-eating. Ryou lay on the floor, lounging with his hands behind his head and his eyes already starting to droop. Yugi sat in the loveseat flipping through channels on the t.v. looking for something to watch.
"Uughh why did I eat so much?" Joey moaned out, his face gave away how uncomfortable he was.
"Well just a thought here, but you didn't have to eat that fourth plate, you know." Ryou mumbled sleepily.
Joey knocked a pillow down onto Ryou's stomach and stretched out fully on the couch. Ryou giggled and moved to his side so he could shake himself out of his oncoming food coma. He watched as Yugi settled on a game show rerun marathon. He got a little nervous but opened his mouth anyway.
"I just wanted to thank you guys for inviting me along. I know we don't spend a lot of time together, but I do appreciate you including me. I miss always having friends around." A light blush colored his cheeks. He wasn't really one to share feelings and he suddenly felt awkward.
Yugi looked over and smiled at him.
"You don't have to thank us Ryou, we enjoy you hanging out with us. I'm glad you're coming. Besides, who else would help me force the gang into watching a scary movie?" He laughed as Joey gave him a dirty look.
Ryou felt better and chuckled too. Horror films were a guilty pleasure of his, and he didn't know who else other than Yugi who would brave a dark theater and sleep with all the lights on afterwards with him. Joey and Yugi went back and forth about the newest film coming out this Halloween and if they should all go see it. He really had missed them. It had been a few months since he last ran around with them. Thinking about it now he realized just how lonely and private his life had been before they had come into the picture. Having the few friends he did made such a difference...He felt indebted to them. Especially Yugi. No one understood as well as he did the burden of carrying a Millenium Item. Being possessed by another spirit wasn't exactly a common trait shared among people. Being possessed by one hell-bent on chaos and destruction was even less so. But Yugi never blamed him for the things that had happened. He didn't even hesitate to reach out when Ryou started having nightmares and distancing himself from the group. They forgave and forgot like it had never happened, treated him like he hadn't almost hurt them all and had brought him back out of the guilt and fear that he couldn't let go of... The spirit of the Ring had almost destroyed him, but they had saved his life. Sitting here, laughing with them… he felt very lucky indeed.
"Seriously Yuug, I'm not goin! I'm not scared, I just think we should do sumthin else instead!" Joey couldn't look at either of them. He closed his eyes as his face started to heat up.
"Oh c'mon pal! We'll come back to the house and watch funny movies so it doesn't seem that scary! It'll be fun!" Yugi cajoled, trying to keep a straight face as Ryou crept around behind the couch.
"That's not da point! Why don't we just dress up and run around downtown? Getting drunk and cuttin a lil' rug ain't never hurt before.." He grinned, his eyes still closed. He was already imagining all the skimpy outfits chicks would be running around in. Downtown good…
Yugi was trying to keep it together, waiting for the inevitable fear beatdown they were about to get.
"Hahaha you're not fooling anyone Jo! Just admit it, you're scared to watch-"
"I'm NOT scared! We go the damn movies all the time so why not go ouAAAGGHHH!" Joey leapt about a foot off the couch as Ryou popped over the back of the couch screeching like a banshee. They both busted up laughing as Joey somehow landed on his feet and had flown to the other side of the room, chest heaving and face red.
"DAT'S IT! You're both DEAD!" Joey leapt over the coffee table and launched himself at them.
They both 'eep-ed' and bolted over furniture to get away. Joey chased them all over the living room for a few minutes before catching both and tackling them to the ground. Yugi and Ryou struggled to get out of his grip when they saw his fingers snaking down their sides. Joey was serious. It was tickle-revenge time.
"No! No! No! Don't! HAhaha! We're sorry! AH!" Ryou clawed at the carpet, but Joey sat on his back. Yugi somehow managed to squirm out of his hands only to get caught around the middle with Joey's long legs.
"OOMPH! We're just kidding! Hahahahaha-NO! Please! We give we give!" Yugi was already out of breath, he was sure he'd pass out if he got tickled.
"Joey please! Aren't we a little old for this?! Ahahaha! NO! Stop iiieeEET!" Ryou made a noise he was sure wasn't human as Joey squished him with his butt.
"AWW NO! You're both gonna get it now!" He showed no mercy as his hands dug into their sides. They both screeched with laughter and struggled but to no avail. After several moments Joey let up and they just laid there gasping for breath. Yugi wiped tears from his eyes and shakily rolled away still giggling. Joey moved off of Ryou and laid sprawled on the floor between them. Ryou didn't even move, he just lay there focusing on getting air back into his lungs.
"That'll teach ya to scare me…" Joey grumbled out, sending Yugi into another fit of giggles.
Solomon chose to crack open the downstairs bedroom door open at that moment.
"Alright boys, try and keep it down please, it's past this old-timer's bedtime you know."
"Sorry Grandpa, we'll be quiet from now on. Goodnight!" Yugi sat up and waved him back into his room.
He looked over at his two exhausted buddies and couldn't help another chuckle slipping out.
"C'mon guys, I have all the sleeping bags and pillows upstairs. Let's crash out here so we can watch a movie or something." They nodded and followed him upstairs.
They ended up making a huge comfy pallet on the living room floor and passing out halfway through Lord of the Rings.
Solomon woke them up after they slept past noon and sent them to the store to pick up some last minute travel things he'd need for the trip. After taking a detour to Burger World, and another at the Arcade they made their way back into the house. Joey was laughing at Ryou's story of a girl who had come on to him at the grocery store (which he embarrassingly dropped a box of sweets and stuttered so bad she fled) when Yugi's phone rang. He checked the caller ID and answered.
"Hey Rebecca, what's-" His smiling face went slack. "What? I don't know, why?"
Joey and Ryou watched, their laughter slowly died as Yugi's face went from confused to shocked to grave the longer the conversation went on.
"You're headed there now? Alright, I'll make a few calls….No, they're here with me. Yeah I hear you, I'll be careful. Yeah, see you soon." He hung up and turned to the guys.
"Yo Yuug, what's wrong?" Joey put a hand on his arm, concern on his face.
"Something bad must have happened in Egypt. Rebecca didn't give me any details. She just said get there as fast as we can and to watch our backs. She and Teá are already getting on a plane." He started scrolling through his contacts list.
"It's too late notice to change our flight now. Who can you call who would do us a favor?" Ryou asked.
"I've got a couple of people who might pull some strings for us in mind, neither of which I'm excited to call, but she sounded urgent. Can you get my Grandpa in here Joey?"
He nodded and headed to the shop front to get Solomon. Yugi found the number he was searching for and was about to press 'call' when a text from Rebecca popped up.
Turn on the international news!
He frowned and went to the living room, Ryou hot on his heels. He flipped through channels till he found the right one. They watched for several moments as different segments were discussed. Joey and Solomon walked in as a story of a possible terrorist attack on the Valley of the Kings filled the screen. Silence filled the room as pictures of Professor Hawkins and Ishizu Ishtar popped on the screen, followed by video of the smoke-filled dig site. Yugi felt sick. He didn't even wait to hear the rest of the details as he punched in the number. He held the phone to his ear and hoped to high heaven that Kaiba came through for them. They needed to get to Egypt. Right the hell now.