Silently we walk along the streets of New Domino City, Okita, Liquid and I. We're not wearing our Arcadia uniforms, just regular clothes—a black t-shirt with a single-wheeled motorcycle, called a Duel Runner, which is painted white and it has a man with spiky yellow hair standing next to it wearing a white coat with blue stripes, as well as black pants and under him reads, "The King!" he's somewhat familiar to me, but I can't put my finger on it. I also wear a pair of blue jeans and red and white tennis shoes, and a pair of mirror-lensed sunglasses. Okita and Liquid wear matching blue t-shirts with absolutely no design at all, blue jeans and black tennis shoes. We each wear backpacks; mine is black and has the logo of a dragon (A/N: It's pretty much the body of the Crimson Dragon), while Liquid and Okita's are red with the Arcadia Movement logo, which is the capital letters "A" and "M" coloured red and surrounded by greyish-green. Our backpacks contain our respective Duel Disks, and we each wear our decks in deck holders on our belts.
"Like our Arcadia Movement backpacks?" Okita says jokingly.
"Way to be undercover, James Bond." I say with a slight grin, despite having no clue who James Bond is besides a fictional spy. "Very inconspicuous."
I'm not sure how I warmed up to these two so quickly, but somehow these two have become like brothers to me… well, technically they're the only two people I know at the moment—and I mean actually know.
However… I've received some sort of clue to my past… well, not necessarily received as much as just now noticed. Overnight I discovered a golden oval locket on a golden chain hanging around my neck; I flipped it open and inside lay a picture of a small girl with long brown hair and large blue eyes and freckles… she practically looks like a female version of me. Across from her picture, the words "To the best big brother, love Annie" are engraved opposite her picture.
"Hey, how inconspicuous are we supposed to be exactly?" Okita says mockingly, jabbing me with his finger and interrupting my thought process. "YOU'RE the one who went through a complete overhaul to be in a disguise. I wouldn't have been surprised if you dyed your hair."
"Why would I do that? I barely even know who I am, so I doubt anyone else does, besides you guys." I reply with a slight smirk, playing dumb.
"Oh, here we are!" Okita says, pointing toward a large stadium, known as the Kaibadome. It's about fifty feet tall with multiple windows and is grey in colour. Loud cheers can be heard coming from the stadium; we have to get in there, I'm assuming, but standing between it and us is a security gate and a bunch of guards in gray uniforms with white helmets with a blue stripe on it. "Looks like we're gonna have a bit of a problem… any ideas?"
"Oh, I've got one!" Liquid says excitedly. "Do any of you have a machete and a hockey mask?"
"Baka!" Okita says, Gibbs-slapping him. "Trying to go Friday the Thirteenth on them isn't going to work! What about you, Shogo?"
"Hmm… give me a minute," I say quietly, slipping away from them. I move toward the shadows, surveying the area, and then I see the perfect entrance: A warehouse is connected to the stadium; there's no alarm, and the door is seemingly unlocked. I give it a quick jiggle, and yes! It's unlocked! I turn my head to them and motion for them to come here. "Over here!"
The two jog over to me and Liquid says, "…What're we supposed to be looking at?" He doesn't seem to get it.
"The door to the warehouse is unlocked," I reply irritably. "The warehouse connects to the stadium you moron. We can get in through the warehouse, baka!" I Gibbs-slap him.
"Damn, man you don't gotta be that harsh!" Liquid says harshly, rubbing the back of his head. "But I get it. That's actually a very good plan, my man."
"Um, guys, not to interrupt a possible budding bromance here, but we're supposed to be at our assigned positions now," Okita says nervously.
"Shit!" I say, throwing open the door. "Let's move, you wussies!" We run into the warehouse, which is dark and smells kinda musty. I pull a flashlight out of my backpack and flip it on, and a bright beam comes from the blue cylinder, revealing a fairly empty warehouse with a few large boxes strewn randomly about. The boxes don't look too heavy, but either way they don't seem to be a problem. Some of them are rather dusty.
"Man, how old do you think these are?" Okita says, blowing dust from one of the boxes. "Whoa, this is from twenty years ago! I didn't think they'd still be keeping this stuff…"
"Uh, Okita? I think it's evident why it's still here." I say, aiming the flashlight beam at the boarded-up windows. "This place is abandoned."
"Good point…" Okita says stupidly, taking lead of our little group. He stops for a moment and holds his hand up, motioning for us to stop. "Did you hear that…?" he whispers.
"Hear what?" I reply quietly.
"I could've sworn I heard something…" Okita says. "But keep quiet."
…And just then, Liquid kicks a box by accident. "Crap!" he says somewhat loudly.
"HEY! What're you doing in here?!" a gruff, male voice yells. "This is restricted! Leave immediately or face the consequences!" There are two guards in their grey uniforms standing in the doorway, aiming flashlight beams at us.
"Baka! I told you to be quiet!" Okita hisses at Liquid, Gibbs-slapping him on the back of the head. "This isn't good… perhaps the best course of action would be for two of us to stay behind while another goes to aid Ms. Izinski…" Okita ponders this for a moment, then glances at Liquid. "Shogo, you go on ahead. We'll make quick work of this. If we're not back by the time the signal is given, start without us."
"You sure?" I ask, somewhat worried for my friends. "I could probably take them both at once…"
"I know you're a strong duelist, Shogo, but trust me," Okita smirks a little. "We've got this. Now go!"
"Wait! Just one question," I say.
"Yeah?"
"…What's the signal again?" I ask stupidly, having already forgotten.
"WHAAAAAT?!" Liquid and Okita yell simultaneously, falling down anime-style.
Well, we've gotten the signal sorted out—the entire stadium will shake for about thirty seconds straight, and that will be our cue to get into position.
…Still don't exactly know what I'm doing, let alone my position, I suppose I should've actually paid attention during Sayer's briefing. However, after fleeing the warehouse at Okita's command, I emerge to the sunlight beating down on my like a giant spotlight. Butterflies are in my stomach as I scan my surroundings: I came out into a large space with concrete floors. Several other warehouses are placed here and there, however these seem to have been used more recently. They are all the same monotonous shade of grey. All over, as I remember how Okita told me that the Kaibadome is prided as "the cleanest place in all of New Domino, after the Arcadia Movement itself," I have found that this area is littered with trash, like Snickers wrappers and Mountain Dew bottles.
Finally, the Kaibadome, which is the epitome of dueling for New Domino—well, I assume it is, because I quite honestly didn't even know the name of the city until Liquid told me—towers over me. Its colour isn't quite as grey as the warehouses, about two or three shades lighter, almost silverish, and every so often raucous bursts of cheers and applause can be heard coming from it.
But what stands out is that, despite the undoubted likelihood of having thousands packed into the stadium, there are at least a hundred people in business suits milling about in this area; honestly I wouldn't expect them to stay out here, seeing as how dirty it is.
And I absolutely hate that I'm going to have to wade my way through them to get to what I'm assuming is my position; the two mentioned something about being inside, so I'm just gonna take a wild guess and say that I'm supposed to be in the lobby to cover Akiza if she needs it.
As the people scuttle like crabs across the area, I weave through people with great agility, more so than I imagined I have. Every so often I have to mutter an apology to some businessman who bumps into me and gives me a glare, even when it's their fault. I make my way to the large gray door that—I'm assuming—is the entrance to the lobby. This part of the area is much cleaner than the rest of the little plaza area, so I'm assuming that it has to be the lobby, appearing to be much more well-taken-care of.
Like most other doors, I'm assuming that this one is a sliding one… now I've just gotta find the sensor… "…C'mon, get on with it, ya damned door!" I practically yell after at least ten failed attempts to open the door. My final attempt—probably about fifteen times after I curse at the door—entails me slamming shoulder-first into the door.
"Hey, kid!" a loud male calls. I turn to see a man in a security guard's outfit walking toward me. He's got tan skin and black hair that is somewhat spiky, primarily the front part, and he has prominent eyebrows that practically cover his dark brown eyes. His Security outfit is barely discernible through his black button-up overcoat. A small nametag on his chest reads "Trudge". "What're you doing?"
"Trying to get through this door," I say, as if it's self-explanatory, which it pretty much is.
"Okay, why are you trying to get through this door?" he asks exasperatedly, rephrasing the question.
…So now I have to come up with a lie right on the spot, eh? Well, let's try this one: "I'm with Akiza Izinski, the duelist from the Arcadia Movement. I had to return to the Arcadia building to get something she left behind, and now I need to return it for her," I lie. My pulse races and I'm beginning to think that he's not buying it…
He seems to buy it. "Alright then," he says, then gives me a slight grin. "You know you have to press this button to open these doors, right?" He presses a button, and much to my embarrassment, the door slides open with ease. He then points to a sign above said button, which says, "Push to open." He laughs a little. "You can read, right?"
"Yes, sorry," I say quickly, bowing my head in embarrassment. "Thank you, sir." I add before rushing inside.
The waiting area is, suffice to say, cozy. The walls are painted a deep tan colour, with matching couches and tables. A few dark wooden bookcases line the walls, all filled with several books on dueling and various combinations that can be used. A warm fire blazes in a fireplace across the room, and a few people are milling about—I spot a glimpse of crimson hair and immediately her image pops into my mind: Akiza.
Even from that brief moment she was in our room, I can remember every detail about her—I suppose when you don't have much of a memory, there's a load of room to keep stuff like that.
I remember the heart shape of her face, the small gathering of freckles on the bridge of her nose, the deep brownish green of her eyes... wait what? What am I talking about?
Seriously, why was I just recalling her facial features? Her beautiful facial features... no! Stupid, stupid, stupid! I smack myself on the forehead several times. I'm on a mission here!
What was I doing again? Oh, yes, supposed to be helping Akiza win. Now, how do I do that?
...I have no idea for sure, but I'm assuming that even when I had a memory, I wasn't exactly good at remembering things. I'm sure that Sayer had given us some other specifications, but I-thankfully-wasn't the one in the group taxed with remembering that.
That was Okita's job, so I assume I should just wait for them...
'Follow her.' Taizen's voice rings in my head like a church bell. 'Follow Akiza; she may need your help.'
'What with, Taizen? She's just going to duel somebody.' I protest; I'm not sure why, but during that moment our eyes met, I had felt slightly uneasy around her...
'I am here to guide you.' Taizen responds, and then adds in a sage-like voice, 'Do as I say.' (1)
I sigh, because I know that Taizen will probably give me hell if I don't do it, and look for the flash of crimson hair.
I find the flash several minutes later, after scanning the waiting room with eagle-like eyes-a benefit of having a dragon for my guide, I suppose. I follow after it, gaining quickly. She seems to be in no hurry.
'Remember, your cover is you're here to deliver something to her. Stick to it.' Taizen says quietly.
'I think I know what I'm doing, Tai.' I reply, still walking. '…Wait, what am I supposed to give her?'
'Oh crap.' He says, and I can feel him pale. 'Uh… give her one of those flowers! Say it's for good luck!'
'Flowers?'
'Do it now!' he says quickly, almost frantically. 'There, in that planter over there!'
'Oh!' I cry, practically jumping toward the large clay pot that holds several flowers-primarily roses. I apparently made a rather big deal of that, judging by the stares of the people milling about the room-including a rather murderous one from Akiza. After a few seconds, most of the stares stop and I pick a few of the flowers.
"What are you doing here, you idiot?!" Akiza hisses, storming over to me."I thought you and your lackeys were supposed to wait outside!"
"I don't know about waiting outside, but I'm here now so it might be best if you play along, princess!" I return, my voice dripping with venom. I hadn't expected to snap at her like that, and judging by the way she recoils a little, neither did she. In an attempt to regain my character-I'm assuming that at one point I was a brilliant actor-I put on a complacent smile and hand her the roses. "These are for you, Miss Izinski." I say in a kind voice.
She stares at them apprehensively, as if I were handing her a snake that may or may not be poisonous, but cautiously, carefully, she takes the flowers. She turns a slightly icy, yet slightly friendly gaze to me. "That was quick thinking."
"Only the prettiest for such a fair lady," I say in a falsely sincere tone of voice-so sincere even I believe it.
And I don't want to believe it. I've already been thinking about this girl, more than I want to. She is an unnecessary distraction, an unwelcome intruder in my mind.
"Thank you," she says, blushing rather noticeably.
...Damn, my acting is AMAZING!
Akiza leans in slightly and kisses my cheek. Please tell me she's just playing along... please tell me she's just playing along!
'Don't say I never did anything to help you get laid,' Taizen whispers, and I can practically hear the smirk of satisfaction in his voice.
'Where's the kindly old Dumbledore personality?' I ask softly, wondering where his original non-crazy facade went.
'Probably still in the Spirit World. In case you haven't noticed, I am extremely crazy.'
"AKIZA IZINSKI AND YUSEI FUDO, PLEASE REPORT TO THE DUELING FIELD. AKIZA IZINSKI AND YUSEI FUDO, REPORT TO THE DUELING FIELD. THAT IS ALL."
"Good luck," I say to Akiza, offering her a somewhat genuine smile, which she returns. She goes through a sliding door and disappears.
'So... what am I supposed to do now?'
'Watch these subliminal messages I send you!' Taizen yells happily. And with that he starts beaming images into my head...
Me and Akiza making out. Children with my eyes and Akiza's hair. Akiza and I-no, no, I'm NOT going to tell you about that! When you're older! Don't argue with me, I'll tell you when you're older!
'How'd you like those images, buddy?'
'FUUUUUU-'
Alright everybody, just had to end it there. I know it's probably not exactly a great ending but I decided to split this into a two-parter! Ian and I-say hi to the internet peoplez, Ian.
Ian: Hai internet peoplez, I'm Ian.
Anyway, Ian, my co-writer and good buddy, and I decided that you all deserved a chapter up, even if it's rather short. You guys deserve a chapter after almost exactly three months... sorry about the delay, by the way; some rather personal issues kept me from updating.
Ian: He's whipped! *Whip-cracking noise*
...Anyway, I hope you guys don't mind watching a murder, because now I'm going to put Ian's ass on the chopping block.
Ian: Remember! Favourite, follow, subscribe, review, love! *Running away*
Take care, brush your hair and we'll see ya when we see ya! PEACE! *Raises axe* Get back here, Ian! *Runs after him*