Chapter 7: Along Came a Spider…
Ugh…! Stupid cop!
The man cursed under his breath as he ran, soon slowing down his pace as he noted he had lost the detective that had been chasing him.
Just gotta lay low…
He noted a building not too far from him, its burger mascot on top giving a welcoming look.
He smiled at this.
You know… I deserve a treat after all the crap I've been through.
He made his way over, jamming his hands in his pockets.
Then after… I'll cause some more trouble.
That'll show them all for messing with Tetsuo!
oooooo
Hm…
Jonouchi couldn't stop staring at someone who had entered the restaurant. He didn't seem that off putting but… the energy about him…
He looks like trouble.
He eyed Yugi and Natsuki before feeling around in his pocket, grabbing onto his house key.
Just in case.
He perked up as he saw another man enter. He was dressed in a trench coat and had a very determined look in his eyes.
Now, what have we here?
The man went up to the manager, whispering something to him, before the others were called over.
"Hey." Jonouchi whispered to Yugi and Natsuki, pointing to the scene. "What do you think's going on over there?"
Natsuki sighed.
"Whatever's going on, shouldn't involve us-"
Before she could finish speaking, Yugi and Jonouchi were already heading over to where the others were.
Natsuki huffed, puffing her cheeks out before storming after them.
Why does no one ever listen to me?!
"An escaped convict!?" Miho yelped as Anzu tried to cover her mouth.
Yugi and Jonouchi exchanged a concerned look. Immediately, they pulled Natsuki closer, making sure she was in front of them.
"You have to be kidding me…" Honda murmured. "Here?"
The detective sighed.
"Unfortunately, yes. He's extremely dangerous and a master of disguise. He could be anyone in this restaurant."
"What about identifying marks? Habits?" The manager asked, raising an eyebrow. "He can't hide that well can he? I expected Domino's finest to do better."
I mean… the guy has a point. Why is he involving Anzu and them? Now we're involved too… Natsuki thought.
The detective looked through his notebook.
"He had a mark on his leg from when a guard hit him a few nights ago during another robbery... But the most telling trait is he has a severe egg allergy and was hospitalized for it a few times when he was in prison." He explained.
Anzu looked around, walking ahead, eying each of the customers. There were only a handful but she noted a few eating earnestly… An idea came to her mind.
"Well!" She said loudly. "We'll know who he is right away then!"
"Anzu, don't!" Yugi tried to interrupt. "This is dangerous-"
"It's okay, Yugi!" She continued on, ruffling up his hair. "He can't do a thing when in a few minutes he'll be feeling the effect. Our burger buns use a lot of eggs and we also serve some with fried eggs on top. It's actually pretty hard to keep away cross contamination!"
She's… She's crazy brave…
Anzu crossed her arms, a grin coming to her face as she noted one customer in the corner starting to breathe heavily. She pointed to him as she turned to the detective with an unamused look.
"You're welcome."
The detective was dumbfounded before hurrying over… just as the man tried to bolt for the door. Immediately, he grabbed onto him,as they struggled.
"LET GO!" His wig and glasses fell away, revealing his true face. "JUST CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
Anzu bit her lip, her shoulders shaking.
"Anzu..?" Yugi looked up at her.
"What an idiot." She said, as the manager went to try to assist the detective. "Our burger buns are made a hundred percent with wheat flour and we don't serve fried eggs. I lied."
"So, what if he hadn't then?" Natsuki asked. "What were you gonna do then?"
Anzu laughed, shaking her head, giving a shrug.
"Honestly, I don't know. It was just-"
Yugi tuned out the conversation, looking to where the struggle was happening.
The manager was looking right at him, his eyes narrowed into a glare.
"Take a step back…"
Huh?
"Grab your sister and move."
Yugi swallowed hard, taking a few steps back, grabbing Natsuki by the arm, pulling her with him.
She looked at him with an annoyed look.
"What's your deal?
"Something… doesn't feel right…"
Yugi's eyes widened as he saw something appear behind the struggling group. Wisps of shadow gathered about behind them, taking on the form of a being that was humanoid. It had horns protruding from the top of its head and long wild dark red hair flowing behind it. Its body was… in pieces. It had limbs but none were connected to the torso. The only part attached was the head. It was adorned in black armor that was accented with golden designs. The centerpiece was the Eye of Horus that was adorned on the chest plate… matching the single eye that peered out from the mask the creature wore.
The eye glowed with a yellow aura… sending a chill down Yugi's spine… and Natsuki's.
She grabbed onto her brother's arm, her body trembling.
The creature chuckled, raising a hand and pointing a clawed finger at them.
"At long last… I finally found you… Chosen of the Pharaoh." The creature spoke, its voice distorted. "I shall take great pleasure… in bringing you pain… and your demise."
"What…?" Yugi whispered.
Before either could react, the creature raised their hand to the sky, a spell that was golden in color spreading throughout the restaurant.
The color from the area faded entirely, turning everything black with highlights of gold, hieroglyphs decorating the walls along with images of various monsters. The people around them all froze in place… all having become made of stone. All except Anzu and the manager.
Anzu gasped, looking around her.
"W-What the-!?"
The creature placed a hand on hand on the manager's shoulder, disappearing from sight… the manager's eyes taking on a yellow glow… the Eye of Horus now present in his left eye.
"Such an easy host…" the manager spoke… his voice mixed with the creature's. "He may be an honest man now… but the darkness in his heart is still very much there." He grinned… grabbing the gun from Tetsuo… and taking Anzu into his arms, holding the gun to her head. "Now… How about we get to business?"
Anzu gasped, trying to struggle but unable to get away, freezing as the gun was pressed further into her head.
"Anzu!" Yugi and Natsuki yelled, their eyes wide in terror.
"Now, now, no sudden movements." The manager warned. "You wouldn't want this pretty young lady to have a hole in her head now, would you?" he chuckled. "I must say… I have to admire the modern era for its inventions. So easy to kill someone these days…"
Yugi clenched his teeth, a growl starting to build in his throat.
"Leave Anzu out of this! It's us you want, isn't it?"
"Yes… though… not to say she doesn't have her part…" The manager eyed Anzu. "I can see it in her… but unlike you two, she has no idea…"
"W-What…?" Anzu whispered.
"Nothing to worry about, my dear." The manager undid the ribbon in her hair, blind folding her with it. "There we are… They say when humans lose their sight they also lose their ability to scream. Isn't that just fascinating?"
"Anzu..." Yugi's hands were trembling now, slowly balling into fists.
The manager sat her down in one of the booths, golden chains coming around her wrists and ankles, immobilizing her entirely.
"Now… one last piece." The manager eyed Natsuki. "Then that should lure him out."
Yugi moved to have Natuski right behind him… only to be knocked out of the way by the manager, slamming into a pillar, the man scooping Natuski right up into his arms.
"Got ya." He chuckled. "Hello there, little one."
Natsuki let out a shriek, struggling against him.
"PUT ME DOWN! LET GO!"
"Sorry, I'm afraid I can't do that." The manager chuckled. "You don't have the authority… and you never did even back then, Jackal Pup."
Natsuki growled… biting down hard on the manager's hand.
He didn't even flinch. Instead… he just laughed.
"Aww… how amusing." He brought her to the booth Anzu was in, setting her down beside the girl, chains coming her limbs as well. "There… nice and comfortable."
Yugi looked at Natsuki and Anzu, his eyes wide in horror at the state they were in.
Anzu… Natsuki…
The manager sat beside them, gesturing to the bench adjacent to them.
"Any time now… Why don't you join me? Maybe we could talk over a drink."
He snapped his fingers, a bottle of wine appearing on the table along with golden chalices. He grinned, eying the puzzle.
"I know you're here… His loved ones are in danger… Come on… I just want to play."
What… What do I…?
"Be still."
Yugi froze, his eyes going lifeless.
"He's always been a disgusting creature… Preying on the weak… and enjoying the torment of them. I promise… no harm will come to your loved ones… All I ask… is you put your trust in me to save them."
… Help them… That's all I ask.
"Then it shall be done."
The puzzle began to glow as Yugi bowed his head, his hands coming around the Millenium Puzzle. The Eye of Horus etched itself onto his forehead as the boy grew in height, a golden aura surrounding him.
Natsukis' eyes were wide… as the manager smiled at this sight.
"And so he appears." He chuckled. "The game king himself."
Yugi smiled, his eyes opening… revealing red irises as he approached the table, sitting across from the manager.
"Those who seek to harm those under my protection shall suffer greatly. That is my word and my word is my bond." He said, crossing his arms, narrowing his eyes. "So, it's game time."
The manager chuckled.
"Words I haven't heard in thousands of years. Very well, boy."
No… What are you doing to him? Get away… Please…
Natsuki shook her head.
"No…" She whispered.
Yugi held a finger to his lips, locking eyes with her.
Just trust me, Little Jackal Pup. I'll save you…
Yugi turned to the manager.
"Now… The rules for this game are simple. I don't feel like wasting my precious time on you and your disgusting powers... " He held up both hands. "Out of all these ten fingers, you can only use one. Once the game begins you can do anything you like… What do you choose?"
The manager laughed.
"You've lost your touch." He pointed the gun right at him. "I choose the pointer finger, of course."
He chuckled.
"I choose this." He held up his thumb. "You can do anything you want, even fire the gun. We'll see what happens, hm?"
"And when you lose, everyone here will die."
"Hm… I suppose that's only fair. If you cheat, I feel sorry for you and your host." Yugi chuckled, sneering. "Now… Game… Start."
This thing's crazy… I knew that thing was no good… He's gonna get us all killed… Natsuki struggled against the chains binding her, shaking her head.
"Looks like you're scaring the girl. She doesn't have much faith in your power, does she?"
"The child will learn in time. Your concern is me, not her." He narrowed his eyes. "So… what's your next move?"
The manager sneered, pointing the gun directly at him.
"Game set."
Yugi motioned to a single candle in the center of the table.
"If you're going to kill me now, at least let me light one for your victory then."
… What is he planning? Natsuki internally questioned.
He leaned forward, producing a lighter… Natsuki recognized it as one of Akira's from his altar. She would never miss the distinct star design on the front.
AND YOU STOLE FROM MY DAD!?
The manager, in the meantime, began pouring himself a glass of wine… watching him carefully.
Yugi lit the candle, smiling as the flame seemed to grow in size.
"Now… You can have this." He chuckled, standing up… dropping the lighter, directly on the manager's hand.
He growled, glaring at him, looking at the lighter… The goblet was already running over, the wine pooling at his feet.
"You little…"
Yugi laughed, his eyes lighting up with amusement, as he moved to the other side of the booth.
"Let's go ladies…" He snapped his fingers as the gold chains fell away. He pulled Natsuki away first, shoving her behind him, before moving to grab Anzu.
The manager snarled.
"I'd love to see you fire your gun. You and your host would burn to death in an instant." He chuckled. "I think that'd be quite the fitting end for you…"
"You… You little cheat…"
"Did I?" Yugi asked in mock surprise as he helped Anzu to her feet. "Hm, the game's still going. I made my move, you're wasting time calling names. I should say I expected better… but a filthy parasite like yourself doesn't have class."
The manager snarled, his left eye taking on a bright glow… before he smiled, chuckling.
"Ah… I look forward to our next game…" He eyed Natsuki. "And you… little one… let the name of Zorc Necrophades never leave your mind."
He grabbed the lighter off his hand, looking Yugi right in the eyes.
"Go ahead… finish the game."
Yugi narrowed his eyes, the eye on his forehead glowing brightly.
"The shadow game reveals a person's truest desires… This man's true desire was to resume where he left off but never had the guts until you stepped in…" He pointed to him. "The Door of Darkness… Opens."
A beam of golden light pierced through the manager's body, the creature being blasted right out of him, flames coming around wisps of shadow that whirled around the creature.
"Well played… Pharaoh. Till we meet again."
There was a bright flash of light before everything went dark.
"W-What the!? He passed out!"
Natsuki's eyes snapped open.
She was back where she had been before. Everything was back to normal… except the manager was passed out on the floor, the crook was being detained by the detective along with Jonouchi and Honda… and Anzu was right beside her, no longer blind folded.
"What…?" Natsuki whispered, she looked at Anzu. "We're back…?"
"W-Would seem so…" Anzu looked around. "What just happened?"
"I'm not sure.." She looked over to where Yugi was.
He was leaning against the pillar, looking at her… those red irises still present.
"One second…"
She walked over to him, pulling him behind it.
"What? No thank you?"
She growled.
"You almost… got us… killed…!"
Yugi frowned in disapproval.
"Would you have preferred that I let Zorc have his way?"
"You know what I'd have preferred." Natsuki pointed to the Millenium Puzzle. "I know what you are. You're just like him. You're some… ancient demon that we unleashed!"
"Harsh… But… I can't blame you. Though I will be clear… I am nothing like him."
Natsuki's heart raced. She raised her hand, going to strike.
"Get… OUT of my brother-!"
His hand caught her's easily, his eyes narrowed into a fierce glare. He leaned in.
"You best learn to open your mind, little one."
He closed his eyes… as Yugi started to come to, baffled at the position he was in.
"Mn…?" His head pounded as he looked up, confusion in his eyes. "Nat…?"
Natsuki trembled, bringing her arms around him tightly.
"You're back… You're back…"
"Where'd I go…?"
Natsuki shook her head. She was trying to make sense of it… but nothing was coming up.
She looked down at the puzzle, eying it with disgust, before burying her face in his shoulder.
"I just wanna go home…"
Yugi hugged her tightly.
"Shh…"
It was all hazy to him. He wasn't sure what happened between seeing his sister and Anzu being held captive… but at least he could rest easy seeing them both safe.
I don't know how that came to be… but I don't care.
Natsuki and Anzu are unharmed.
That's all that matters right now.