Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Eight Ringing Bells ❯ Friends And Foes ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Chapter 3
-Friends and Foes

Alcauld and the others went their separate ways after the match, leaving only Valeria and Alcuald walking down the street, painted a glorious orange by the sunset. The streets were mostly empty, save for a few people going out on their final rounds before returning home. Valeria looked at Alcauld, who was deep in thought about the strange occourence during his duel with Yugi.

"...you're worried about something.", Valeria said while looking at Alcauld.

"Hm?", Alcauld jumped at the sound of her voice. Of course he was worried! Maybe he was just overexerting himself during that duel, but still...

"Worried that maybe you'll be challenged more often now?", Valeria said jokingly. Alcauld smiled back at her, making her feel relieved, "Something like that."

The two kept walking down the street, Valeria looking at Alcauld every so often, and him doing the same. After awhile, they finally reached his apartment building. Valeria looked at Alcauld, "Well, I'd better get going then, huh?"

Alcauld looked at her, "You be careful now, alright?"

Valeria shot daggers at him, "I'm not a little girl you know. I'll be just fine by myself." She then hugged him quickly, "Later, Alcauld."

"Later.", said Alcauld as he walked into the building. Valeria sighed happily as she walked down the street to her home. Alcauld was to her like a knight was to a princess. He was always looking out for her. He was so caring, so nice, yet so mysterious. With his past and his mysterous cards, and his long pale blue hair as it flowed in the breeze...

...wait, why was she thinking that!? <Get you mind out of the gutter, Valeria!>, she mentally screamed at herself while she walked towards her house.

Meanwhile, at Alcauld's apartment, Alcauld slowly opened the door and promptly tripped fell over on a pile of cards that was hidden in the darkness. He grumbled to himself as he turned on the light, picked himself up, and removed the M-Warrior #2 that was stuck on his forehead, mumbling about how he really should pick the place up after building a deck. He slowly manuvered around the other piles of cards around the apartment, and walked into his bedroom. Throwing his bag to one side, he took off his shirt and cross and wrapped himself in a blanket. Bits of moonlight were shining down upon his toned frame as he laid on his back, and started to fall asleep.

*********

Alcauld slowly woke up to find himself on the outskirts a ruined city. Slowly getting up, he found out that he still had no shirt on, but the cross was still around his neck. Looking around, he slowly headed into the city.

Within the city itself was only destruction. Cars were destroyed, people were dead, buildings were completely demolished. The only thing that Alcauld could hear was the was soft lamenting of the wind as it blew across the desolate street.

"...where am I?", Alcauld said to no one as he continued walking down the street, the ratting of the chains on his pants being the only sound in the city, save the wind. As he kept walking he tried to find out where he was, and at that moment is when he looked down the street to see an extremly tall skyscraper. Standing as if it were some kind of momument to this apocalypse. Alcauld heard the low rumble of thunder as it slowly began to rain. Alcauld began to run to the building, thinking prehaps he answers lied at that tower.

As he ran he kept seeing the same things, death, destruction, and no survivors. As Alcauld approached the building, ever closer to finding a clue, when he saw himself in the window of a restaurant that wasn't quite destroyed.

Alcauld looked normal, yet he had giant snow white dove wings on his back, the tip of the wings ending just below his knees. Alcauld was taken aback as he slowly touched the new appendeges on his back. They felt as soft as velvet and with them he looked like some kind of angel. Getting an idea, he slowly began tring to move them. With a little difficulty, they slowly began to lift Alcauld above the ruins. Alcauld smiled until he heard a noise coming from the building. It sounded somewhat like church bells. Having lifted himself above the ruins, he slowly began to fly towards the large fallen skyscraper.

After a short while Alcauld landed in front of the large building, flapping his wings as he slowly touched the ground with his combat boots. Saying nothing, he slowly looked up as he saw a horribly corroded statue of a Blue Eyes White Dragon. It didn't take him long to figure out that he was in front of the Kaiba Corporation building, and if he was truly here, then that ruin must have been Domino. The ringing was getting louder, someone was definatly here. He ran into the structure of the once great corporate empire, kicking in the glass automatic doors.

Walking into the darkness, a dim light was drifting down into the building. Not bothering to check out the surroundings, he ran up the stairs, occaisionly floating above a hole or two between steps. After much climbing, he found himself in front of two giant cherrywood doors. The ringing was behind here. He slowly opened the door to find that the place was turned over, and the windows were kicked out. Eight ornate bells were lining the large room, each ringing proudly, yet covered by black cloths. Sitting in a victorian style chair looking at the condemned city through the veil of rain, was a man with long flowing hair tinted to a pale green. He had two large raven wings, and his skin was deathly pale. A twisted black sickle was by the chair, caked blood was on its shimmering black and indigo blade.

"You!", Alcauld said as he pointed a finger at him, "You did this?"

The bells slowly stopped as the man slowly got up, chuckling softly, "No, no, my dear angel." He slowly turned around. As he exposed his face Alcauld's pupils got very small and his eyes widened in horror.

There standing in front of him, grasping the sickle in his hand was himself, grinning malevolently with a black cross around his neck. He held his hand out to Alcauld with a psychotic glint in his eye.

"You did this..."

*********

Alcauld slowly snapped out of his dream, a cold sweat glistened over his flesh. He instantly touched his back, and was relieved when he felt no wings. The soft melody of rain was battering up against the windows as he turned to look at his alarm clock, "Seven." Alcauld mumbled as he got on a dark gray shirt from his dresser, and a pair a baggy dark blue jeans also adorned with chains, "That dream...what did it mean, excatly? Was it about me being a catalyst? Like that voice said?", he thought to himself. Saying nothing he slowly made his bed and started to clean up his apartment.

*********

At Kaiba Corporation, Seto was in a dark blue business suit looking over various charts and such in his office. It was early morning, and it was also more frantic than usual today, as his new tournament was drawing near and everything had to be perfect. Speaking of which, he hit a button on his intercom, "Rui."

Minutes later an angry Gear answered the intercom, "It's. Gear."

"Whatever. Have you and your brother finished the work on my prototypes?"

"Yeah, they're all set and rarin' to be tested. I guarantee you'll like them. If you got a sec, why don't you come down to my lab and I'll show you first hand how it works!"

Kaiba spun around to check something on his laptop, "I'm extremly busy, Rui. Just make sure that they work excatly to my specifications, or else."Before he turned off the intercom, he heard Gear's voice again.

"Chicken?"

Kaiba instantly became furious, "WHAT!?"

"You know, Chicken! I mean if you just too busy to...oh...you know, get walloped by my mechs, then just say so Seto! Sheesh!"

The sound of a office door slamming was heard as Kaiba plowed through his employees and walked into the elevator. Hitting the button labeled 'LL5', he slowly stood there, signs of exasperation already showing on his face. Rui Tokomoshi was the only person who only challenged his rule, and that extremly agitated him to no end. As much as he would like to fire him, he did lose the bet against him. He still remembers it freshly in his mind, as it occoured just after Battle City. He was a simple raver from Tokyo, and with no background whatsoever and with no resume and no references, Kaiba kept ushering him out the door. Yet one day, before Kaiba could unleash his wrath upon him, this raver held something in his hand...

A strange pendant, ancient in appearance with an emblem of a white rose with two swords crossed in combat in front of it. Kaiba loked at him, then the pendant and very reluctantly offered him a job. Ever since then, Gear has had his own lab to himself and seven other hand picked technicians and assists Kaiba in the production of dueling equipment, such as Kaiba's new Duel Disk Beta for the new tournament. Kaiba heard the sharp ding of the elevator as the doors slowly opened to reveal a woman with short green hair scribbling something on a clipboard. She bowed to Kaiba respectively.

"Ah, hello Kaiba, how are you tis morning? I hope Rui's rambuncious behavior hasn't made you too angry today..."

Kaiba ran a hand through his hair as he shook his head, "No, I've gotten somewhat used to that...unique...technician. So, Miss Roikou, where is he in this place?"

Miss Roikou stifled a chuckle as she walked ahead, waving a hand, "Please follow me, Mr. Kaiba.", Kaiba followed the woman as he looked around the lab. The lab was extremly spacious, and all kinds of projects were being performed. As he followed the woman down the labyrinth of chrome and steel, he saw a humongous project of some sort covered by a gigantic tarp. Putting his curiousity aside, he stopped as the woman halted in front of a chrome door.

"Gear is in that room, Kaiba."

"Thanks.", Kaiba said bluntly as he approached the door, which slid open with a hiss. He slowly stepped into a chrome room, which was nothing more than a well lit dome. Gear was in the center of the dome, dressed in a lab coat, and facing away from him.

"You're the one who called me here, Rui. The least you could do is acknoledge me.", Kaiba sternly said as he walked towards Gear.

"I know Seto, don't you worry.", Gear handed him a white dome shaped object with a chrome bracer on the bottom to attach it your arm. Kaiba eyed it with confusion, this isn't what he told him to build.

"Now then, let me show you this puppy.", Gear grabbed another of the Duel Disk Betas and attached it to his arm, he pointed to the small dome at the end of the forearm below his hand, "This dome displays life points, and holds your deck for you, it's now been increased to hold decks up to eighty cards large."

"I've only seen novices use decks that large.", Seto said scoffing. Gear waved a finger at him, "On the contrary Seto! I remember back in Tokyo someone won a local tournament with a one hundred and ten card deck.", Gear then pointed to a slot halfway to the bottom of the dome, "That's your graveyard, by the way.", he slipped an Overdrive from his deck into the graveyard, "At the end of the duel you just push a small button under the slot and the Graveyard slides out so you can put your cards back in your deck after the duel."

Kaiba smirked slightly, "Impressive so far, but I see that all you have is a white lump on your forearm. Where do the cards go?"

"I was getting to that.", Gear then stuck the dome out in front of him, "DUEL!", instantly the left side of the dome shot out at Gear's challenge, followed by a pole, which fanned out into black monster zones and black magic and trap zones, "Oh, if you're wondering about field cards and the fusion deck, they're also in these zones."

"Hm, now how do these go back into the dome after the duel is done?", Kaiba was impressed so far, Gear had really outdone himself. Prehaps his brother was working him to the ground to make these.

"Simple, you just hit another button under the life display.", Gear looked at Kaiba, "Notice anything?"

"Yeah, where are the hologram generators I told you to put in? I don't see them anywhere on here."

"I know. I improved upon your diagrams!"

Kaiba almost strangled Gear for that remark, "You what!?"

Gear grinned, "You see, I figured your hologram ...shooty-outty-thingys are too cumbersome. This little thing has hologram generators in the dome, so people can duel anywhere. Once two people say 'Duel' the dome activates and the match begins. The win and lose record of the matches of a duelist is done like your Battle City awhile back, once again you will be able to track who's fighting who, what their record is, track down where they are in general, blah, blah, blah, you know the rest. Oh, and before you snap, the interal circuitry is excatly like the one in your diagram. Plus these domes are made from the finest metals that your company had to offer me, so they are pretty durable."

"How durable?"

"Well, to test out the durability I turned it on and wailed at it repeatedly with a hammer, a wrench, a pipe, and a sledgehammer, and then the hammer again...plus I dropped a rock on it, but that doen't REALLY quite count."

Kaiba raised a brow at him, "Well, your testing methods are quite unique. For the most part Rui, you outdid yourself."

"One, it's Gear. Two, I know I did. Now you wanna help me try this baby out?", Gear said while putting his deck in the dome.

"I'd crush you."

"Yes, yes I would crush you.", Gear said grinning.

"I have the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.", Kaiba said staring at him.

"I have...all kinds of bad ass mechas.", Gear said, staring right back at him, still grinning.

"We'll prove this after hours.", Kaiba said while walking away.

"Proving the fact I'll crush you!", Gear said while taking his deck out, grasping it like a legendary weapon.

"Get to work on the Betas! The tournament is in three days!"

Gear smirked as he stepped out into the lab, "You heard the guy! Come on people! Let's get to work!"

*************

Alcauld smiled as he observed the gray carpet that had since been swamped by cards. The apartment looked nice and clean, and nothing was really out of place. He grabbed his bag from the sofa and proceeded to walk out the door, yet the moment he opened it Bit was standing there, looking up at him.

"Morning, Alcauld."

Alcauld looked down, "Oh. Hey Bit.", he looked around, "Where's your brother?"

"Oh, he's working right now. However, I'd like to give you something from Kaiba Corporation itself.", Bit handed an envelope to Alcauld, he opened it and held a small piece of paper in his hand.

"What's this?"

"It's an invitation to the new tournament coming up soon.", Alcauld scowled at him, "You know I don't go to tournaments."

"Yeah, but who knows? There's alot of money in this tournament..."

"So? I'm not becoming a duelist who only duels for money. There's nothing good that can come from that."

Bit looked at him, "Well, Valeria's going.", Alcauld looked at Bit intently now, he must have gotten his attention.

"You know, she's just a woman, all and all. If she was all alone and some guys messed with her, where would her 'hero' be?"

"Dammit, don't mess with my head pip squeak.", Alcauld said as he walked past him. Bit followed him down the hall.

"You know I'm right about that. You've seen how other guys look at her.", Bit smirked at that as Alcauld turned around to face Bit. He grabbed him by the back of his shirt and lifted him so they were looking eye to eye, which unnerved Bit, to say the least.

"Okay, you midget version of Einstein, I'll go to this tournament. If I may ask...who else is attending that I should know about?", Alcauld was somewhat angry at Bit for using his feelings like that, but what did he care, it's just one of his friends.

"Well, in addition to Valeria attending, Atsuko said she'd try too."

Alcauld almost laughed at that, "My mother? She plays?"

"She said she was playing quite often until she adopted you. After that she devoted herself to taking care of you and gave up dueling."

"Hm, I see.", well that just shot down everything he was thinking.

"Gear and I are going, Yugi and the others are going as well, as well as many others, so finding a challenge won't be too hard."

Alcauld grinned, "So I see."

Bit nodded, "Anyway, all people attending need to be at the city square at ten in three days. That's the First Day of Autumn, just so you know."

"Got it.", Alcauld dropped Bit and went down the hall as Bit stood there smiling to himself.

"Kaiba's gonna be pleased with my efforts.", Bit said to himself as he walked the other way.

************

"Hello there sir, and welcome to Domino City. We hope you enjoy your stay here.", the stewardess at the Domino City Airport greeted a mysterious man in a long jet black trenchoat with a long black scarf around his neck that danced in the wind. A pair of sunglasses covered his eyes, and many silver crosses hung off of his coat and neck. His emerald hair flowed like water in the wind's gentle embrace. A long, thin black hat adorned his head.

"Ah, thank you very much, madam.", the man smiled at the woman softly as he walked down the hallway of the airport. Looking around, he reached in his pocket and looked at the paper that he found on the street in his hometown.

"I'm in the right place, so it would seem.", the man said to himself while he put the paper away.

"First of all I must find a place to stay for the duration of this tournament...", with that the man walked off down the hallway, becoming obscured in the crowd of pedestrians.

*************

Alcauld walked down the street with his bag slung over his shoulder. It was a cloudy morning and not many people were out on the street yet. As he walked down the road, he thought to himself about the tournament. Prehaps it may not be so bad as he first thought it to be, at least his friends would be there. Turning a corner, he saw a coffee shop on a street corner. A small smile graced his lips as he made his way towards the shop.

"Maybe some coffee will help me relax. I've got a lot to prepare for.", Alcauld muttered to himself as he walked into the shop.

The shop was spacious and dimly lit with lights that rained upon various spots in the shop. It was filled with flora and couches and tables were here and there, some people occuping them. An empty couch was next to the window, a glass table was in front of the couch and the light shone down on it. That would probably be the best place to sort through his cards, he thought to himself as he sat on the leather couch. He reached inside his bag as he got out his folder and his deck, thumbing through it. His old deck had to go, people saw it already, and he never did the same strategy twice. He opened up his folder and began to thumb through his deck and started the work.

About an hour later the coffee shop began to become alive with people. Alcauld held three cards in his hand as their holofoil pictures shimmered in the morning sun. He smirked as he looked at his new and improved deck, ready for the tournament tomorrow. Now he would have to find someone to duel against to test the prototype. At that time, Gear came in the shop dressed in a plain gray shirt and baggy, worn jeans. His goggles were, as always, atop his head as he looked at Alcauld.

"Heya, Alcauld, didn't expect to see you here.", Gear said he did a peace sign at Alcauld.

"Eh, just came for some coffee, I suppose. Aren't you supposed to be working?", Alcauld said as he started putting his deck in emerald colored sleeves.

"We got everything underway for the tournament tomorrow, and it's all run by machine, so we went out for the rest of the day. Anyway, HAVING coffee would help, wouldn't it?", Gear said as he waved a hand to Alcauld's table. Alcauld looked as he didn't even bother to get coffee.

"Hm, guess I got too caught up in my deck building.", Alcauld said as he continued to sleeve his deck.

Gear laughed as he started to walk to the register at the far end of the shop, "I'm gonna score some coffee. You seem busy, so you want me to get you one too?"

Alcauld smiled, "Yeah, a Mocha would be nice. Get me anyone you feel like."

"Okay!", Gear then disappeared into the mass of people as Alcauld continued to ready his deck.

******

"Hmm...", Gear said as he looked at the menu, "What to get...there is French Vanilla...or Carmel Mochas. I guess it just depends on the mood...and my wallet.", Gear said as he looked through his wallet, he didn't really carry that much yen with him, even though wokring at Kaiba Corp. meant for one he could work and not be expelled, as students cannot get jobs, and two, working for Seto got you a preety decent income. As he was thinking, he heard a girl's voice.

"Don't take that, please! My friend gave me that card...", Gear's ears perked up as he walked over to the sound of the voice. Clearing through people, Gear saw none other than Anzu, pleading to a rather large man to give back a card, then man was dreesed in just a white T-Shirt and jeans, and his face was curled up into a michevious grin.

"Heh heh, sorry little girl. A bet's a bet.", The man said as he held a Waboku in his chubby fingers.

"But you didn't say that when the match started!", Anzu said, half losing her temper.

"Heh, 'whoops'. 'Sides, what are you gonna do about it? Everyone here has seen my deck, it's unbeatable! Also, I don't think you'd really take a swing at me either.", The man laughed as he grabbed the Waboku with two hands, about to tear it in half.

"DON'T!", Anzu said as she pleaded.

"Heh, I don't think so.", the man said. Before he ripped it in half, a hand snatched the Waboku almost as quick as lightning. Gear was standing in front of Anzu, dancing the card around his fingertips.

"Now now, sir.", Gear started, "That's not a very nice thing to do to a lady."

The man growled, "You give that back you little punk!"

Gear laughed like a cartoonish hero, "I, the great and totally kick arse Gear hereby challege you, the fat sack of crap, to a duel!"

Anzu gazed at Gear, somewhat chuckling at his antics, but she was still unsure of who he was excatly.

The man roared, "What did you call me, you idiot?"

Gear smiled as he got out a black deck box, tossing it back and forth in his hands, "I'm challenging you to a duel, jumbo. If I win, you give back that girl's card and never come back here again."

"And if I win?", the man said. Gear got out a Jinzo, a Spell Canceller, a Machine King, and all three of his Mechanical Chasers, and showed them to him. Gear's expression turned serious, "Then these will belong to you."

Anzu looked up at Gear, "Who are you? You don't have to do this."

Gear looked back and smiled, "I'm a travelling hero, and isn't it the hero's duty to save the damsel in distress?"

Anzu blushed lightly, then smiled at him, "Just be careful, okay? He's really strong."

Gear nodded, "You can count on me, um..."

"It's Anzu."

"Right then, I will fight this vile fiend on behalf of Lady Anzu!", Gear said once again in his heroic voice, holding his fist out and shaking it with a comical heroic expression on his face.

The man laughed, "So, you...you think you can beat me?" The man lost a little confidence, seeing those cards. He knew what they were capable of but if he ran out on the duel, he'd never live it down.

Gear's expression once again turned serious, "I WILL beat you, and get Anzu's card back. Now let's sit down like man and swine at this table, and get this duel underway.", Gear calmly took a seat, as did the man, Anzu's duel mat was already out as Gear placed his deck on it, he sat the Waboku between the mats.

The man took a seat, "It's Dorn. Don't forget it, punk."

"Four Thousand life, and you get the first move, Dorn. Fair?", Gear said as he drew his hand (Barrel Behind the Door, Cyber Stein, Ring of Destruction, Bat, Barrel Behind the Door). Gear smirked at his hand, if he egged him on, he would end this duel in an instant.

Dorn laughed out loud as he drew his hand (Job-Change Mirror, Ekibo Drakmord, Trap Hole, Gravity Bind, Ushi Oni, Raimei), "I'll set this monster card face down (Job-Change Mirror), and then set two more cards face down (Trap Hole, Gravity Bind). Next I'll play Raimei, hitting you off the bat for 300!"

"Oh. Ouch. I'm hurt.", Gear said in monotone as people started to chuckle.

Gear - 3700
Dorn - 4000

"I'll end my turn.", Dorn said as he smirked at Gear.

Gear drew his card (7 Completed). "Very well, I'll set down these three babies (Barrel Behind the Door, Ring of Destruction, Barrel Behind the Door). Next I'll play Bat (300/350) in attack mode!", Gear set the card on the field, grinning. Anzu looked confused, "You're gonna beat him with that thing?"

Dorn laughed, "I'll have to agree with the girlie on this one, If you're gonna kill me with that, it's already over."

Gear sighed, "I guess there nothing I can do...I'll end my turn.", Gear said defeatedly.

Anzu glared at him, "You're gonna give up!?"

Gear leaned over and whispered into her ear, "Don't worry. Remember, beasts don't bear their fangs until the time is just right."

Anzu whispered back, "What does that mean?"

"It's something an old friend told me. Anyway just look and see, I guarantee that Waboku will be in your hands in two minutes."

Anzu laughed softly, "You got one.", she teased.

"Alright raver-boy. It's my turn, and with it comes the death of your little tin can of a monster." He drew his next card (Hinotama), "I'll play Hinotama hitting you for 500!"

"Wow, more stalling. I'm growing impatent and I'm also getting a great desire for coffee, so can you hurry up and kill me?", Gear said, laughing.

Gear - 3200
Dorn - 4000

Dorn chuckled, "You know what, punk? I'm gonna do just that! I'll tribute my Job-Change Mirror for Ushi Oni (2150/1950)!"

"Okay then, you're dead...NOW!", Gear flipped up Ring of Destruction, "You're just a simple scum bag, so I'll dumb it down for you. Oni goes bye bye, we both lose life equal to his attack, well normally anyway.", Gear then flipped up a Barrel Behind the Door, "That allows me to reflect any direct damage I took to myself and send it right back at you, so you lose 4300."

Gear - 3200
Dorn - -300

Dorn looked in shock, "Wh-what? I-I can't lose. Not that quickly!!!"

Gear took the Waboku from between the mats, "Too bad, now get out of here.", Dorn left in defeat as people cheered for Gear's recent victory. Gear knelt before Anzu and held his head down, the hand rasied to her with the Waboku in it, "For you, milady."

Anzu laughed as she took the card form his hand, "Arise, 'Hero'. Thanks a lot, that card really means a lot to me."

Gear scratched the back of his head as he laughed, "Ah heck. It was nothing, Anzu."

They both stood there for a moment, gazing at each other, until Gear perked up, "Uh...I was getting coffee for Alcauld and myself. Do you you want some?"

She nodded as she smiled at Gear, "I would love that.", Gear waved for her to follow, as they both walked up to the counter.

"Oh, and by the way, you won. That took one minute and four seconds.", Gear said to Anzu as they both laughed.

"So...what is your name, anyway?", Anzu said, a bit curious.

"It's Ge-...well, you can call me Rui.", Gear said, smiling at her, yet having a somewhat pained expression on his face...

*****

"Ohhh...darn, that's no good...", Atsuko thumbed through a box of cards in her home. Sunlight filled through the neat and tidy house, and Atsuko was in a state of panic, trying to get ready for the tournament. She hadn't played in seven years, but that didn't stop her at all. She held a card in her hand, "A Kurama? Ohhh...that's no good either...I have to get better cards. I don't even remember where I put my deck away at." She thought long and hard about where she put that deck as she sat on her couch in her flower decorated living room. The Television was currently displaying the weather, and a brown cat was lying atop it.

"Mya...", said a slender white cat brushed up against her as it began to frolick in a small pile of cards.

"That's it! Oh, thanks Albi!", she ran to a white desk as she opened up a drawer. A white colored box covered with pictures of angels was the only thing in it. She thumbed through it, "Petit Angel, Lucky Trinket...hmm. These cards are really old, They've probably made hundreds of better cards than this. Hmm...I wonder if that shop is still there...", she grabbed her purse and left the house, grabbing Albi and putting her in the large purse as well, "Watch the house Mur!"

Mur looked at Atsuko running out the door from the comfort of his Television perch, "Mya...?"

*****

At the coffee shop, Alcauld flipped through the contents of a magazine to pass the time. He wondered where Gear ran off to as he read something about cars. At that time, Gear placed a cup of coffee on the table as Alcauld looked up at him. A girl with shoulder length brown hair was with him, but more importantly, he had coffee.

"It's a Carmel Mocha, figured you'd like that.", Gear said as he pulled up two chairs. He sat in one as he gestured for Anzu to sit. She smiled as she took a seat with them.

"Who is she?", Alcuald said as he looked at as she looked at Anzu.

"I'm Anzu, I'm one of Yugi's friends. I saw your match with him yesterday, you did really well!", Alcauld looked at her and chuckled lightly, "Well thanks a lot, Anzu. Are you going to the tournament as well?"

She nodded, "I figured I'd try this time around. I've learned a lot from playing with my friends."

Gear nodded, "I'll be fighting in it too. Hey it might be fun, you know?", Gear looked up at the ceiling, "Let's see. Bit's at home, resting up for the big day. I myself am currently doing nothing."

Just then a telephone ring came from Alcauld's bag. Alcauld reached inside it to get out a cellphone. He turned it on, "Yes?"

"Hi, am I speaking to Alcuald Kuroda?", the voice on other side sounded somewhat elderly.

"Yes. What is it?"

"My name is Sugoroku Mutou. I'm Yugi's grandfather, if that helps any."

"I see. What is it Mr. Mutou?"

"Well, Yugi says you been having trouble selling your cards, and I would like to take a look at them. Is that alright with you?"

"Yes, that sounds good, Mr. Mutou.", Alcauld was jumping for joy inside, he found someone to prehaps sell to.

"That's great! Are you familiar with the Kame Game Shop?"

"I've heard of it. My friend bumped into Anzu, so prehaps she can help us find it."

"Oh really? Well, tell her I said hello then."

"I will. Thank you, Mr. Mutou.", Alcauld then hung up, a smile graced his face.

Gear raised an eyebrow, "Hey Alcauld, what's with the...expression that isn't usually like you?"

Alcauld looked at Gear, "Mr. Mutou wants to buy my stuff!"

"Well, that's great! I take it you want me to take you guys there?", Anzu questioned.

Alcauld only nodded as he grabbed his bag, "Yes, if you don't mind. Were you on your way over there?"

Anzu looked at Alcuald, standing up out of her seat, "Actually, I had to go work on my deck a little bit. Mr. Mutou has some really good cards. He also plays himself, if you want to practice against him."

Rui clasped his hands together, "Well, what are we waiting for! Let's go!"

Alcauld smriked lightly as he walked off behind Anzu and Gear, leaving the coffee shop and heading out onto the busy streets of Domino, his cross glowing faintly.

********

Atsuko walked into her local card shop, "Hey grampa!!! Guess who it is?"

"Eh?", Sugoroku peeked out from behind his counter, "Well, if it isn't Atsuko? It's been years!"

Atsuko smiled brightly, "It sure has! I'm going to the tournament and I've been out of the game for a really long time, care to help me out?"

Sugoroku nodded, "Of course, after all. How could I not help the mother of the boy who matched my grandson?", they both laughed as Sugoroku waved his hand to the glass shelves in the counter.

"Take your time now, your son should be here soon, anyway. He wants to sell me some of his cards that he doesn't use.", Atsuko instantly knelt down looking at the rows of cards. Sugoroku chuckled as he looked down at her, "You haven't changed a bit." Atsuko only nodded as she scanned the shelves for anything that caught her eye.

********

Elsewhere, Anzu was leading Alcauld and Gear towards the Kame Game Shop. The streets were alive with people mulling about their business as the warm afternoon sun shown down upon Domino. Alcauld was right by Anzu's side chatting with her about this and that. Gear couldn't hear them, as he was lagging behind.

"Ohhh...wish they'd slow down. I'm not really awake yet. 'Hey Rui. Get to work on those Duel Disks or my Blue Eyes will eat you. Myah.'", Gear said grumpily as he mocked Kaiba's voice, "Feh. Who does he think he is?"

"Rui!", Anzu waved to him, "Don't fall behind now! We're almost there!"

"Gotcha Anzu!", Gear sighed as he tried to pick up his pace, gaining on Alcuald and Anzu slowly.

Soon they came across the Kame Game Store, which was decorated with posters for the tournament. Yugi was outside, sweeping up some of the amber and golden leaves away from the store. Jou was helping out as well, dragging a crate of Duel Moster cards into the shop while Ryou was busy stacking flyers, humming softly to himself. Anzu walked up to Yugi who was too busy listening to the headphones on his head he didn't even notice her. She giggled lightly she looked at the CD player attached to Yugi's side, she turned the volume to it's top level as poor Yugi leapt up, ripping off his headphone and clutching his ears.

"Owww...", Yugi said softly as he rubbed his ears. He looked up to see Anzu looking down at him, "Oh, heya Anzu.", he then looked at Alcauld and Gear standing behind her, "Alcauld!", Yugi leapt up and smiled brightly, "You finally made it! Grandpa, Grandpa!!!", Yugi yelled as he ran into the store at lightning speed, almost bowling Jou over as he frantically tried to keep a crate of booster packs in his fumbling arms. Unfortunately for him, it instead slipped out of his grip and onto his foot, making Jou scream in pain and fall backwards on top of Ryou, who was crushed by Jou and his crate.

"Get off of me you pathetic cretin!!!", Ryou said as his ring flashed, knocking Jou back. The spirit of the ring then let Ryou take control again as Ryou blinked for a second, then aided Jou.

"I'm terribly sorry, Jou! Are you alright?", he said to Jou as Jou laid in a pile of booster boxes.

"Eh, it's okay Bakura.", Jou then noticed Gear, "Heya Gear! Great timin'! Mind helping us with the store?"

Gear nodded as he picked up the booster boxes, "No problem Jou! Let's get to work."

"Woohoo!!!", they both said aloud as they gathered as many boxes as they could as they ran into the shop. Ryou sweatdropped at the sight of them, "Great. Now I have to work with two screwballs?", he sighed as he continued to stack flyers. After a few moments, Ryou was the only one outside as a man a long black trenchoat approached him, his long green hair flowing softly in the wind. Ryou looked up to see him, and was in awe at the amount of catholic style crosses hanging off of his coat and body, there must have been hundreds at least. A long, thin black hat was attached to a leather string, hanging off of his neck. Sunglasses covered his eyes as he looked down at Ryou.

"Is this the Kame game shop?", he asked Ryou. Ryou nodded, "Yes. Are you here to find some cards for your deck?", Ryou asked him.

The man smiled, "Something like that, I plan on being in this part of the city for awhile, actually.", he said while pointing to a hotel, "Thank goodness I found a card shop here. I can practice a little."

"Oh, that's delightful! If you're staying in our neighborhood I suppose it would be polite of be to introcuce myself, I am Ryou Bakura.", Ryou said with pride in his voice.

The man took off his glasses, revealing deep emerald eyes that shined with intelligence, "You may call me Novelle Parley, Ryou, 'tis a pleasure to meet you.", he nodded to Ryou as he walked into the store. The store was lined with shelves upon shelves of duel monster products, games, and other wierd trinkets. He heard an elderly voice call out...

"O ho ho! Don't just stand there, come on in!", Novelle looked ahead to see various people swarmed around a glass counter. No doubt that is where the more expensive goods were at. Novelle nodded to the man as he walked towards the crowd of people. The entire store seemed extremly busy, two men with blonde hair were moving crates back and forth. He saw a woman with long brown hair looking at fairy type monsters in the glass case. She was wearing a white sundress as she moaned in frustration.

"You use fairies?", Novelle said as he looked down at her.

Atsuko looked up, seeing the noble looking man looking down opon her, she blushed a bit, "Um, yes...well, I did." A card was held out to her, "Guardian Angel Joan?"

Novelle smiled, "You seem to have been out of the game for a very long time. This card should help you out quite a bit.", Novelle took off his sunglasses revealing soft green eyes that shined with nobility, "Shall I help you get back into the game?"

Atsuko looked at him, it was like gazing at an angel! She blushed furiously as she mangaged to make out a small squeak that sounded like 'Uh-huh'.

Novelle smiled at her, "Some of the cards you need won't be in this case, I'll see if the owner has a binder we could look at." Atsuko once again made a 'Uh-huh' noise as Novelle walked towards Sugoroku. He stopped halfway as he looked back over his shoulder, "Are you coming?"

Atsuko nodded quickly, "Yes, I'll be right with you!"

****

"Hmm...what rare cards Alcauld...I've only see some of these once...hmm...", Sugoroku was enthralled with Alcauld's binder as muttered words like 'Luster Dragon' and 'Don Zaloog'. Novelle approached them as he eyed the teen. He gaze stopped at the cross as he froze, <I...It couldn't be...> Novelle's stride turned into a dash as he looked at Alcauld, "You."

Alcauld stopped from talking for a second to look at the man, "Hm? What is it?"

"Is that the binding artifact, the Sennen Cross?", Novelle looked at it still while Alcuald and Yugi, who was at his side, looked at him like he was lunatic.

"Sennen...Cross?", Alcauld gave the man a puzzled look.

<Hmm...he still does not know about the cross? And that boy by him...he has the Sennen Puzzle? Hm, It seems I have arrived just in time.> "I'm sorry, please forgive me.", Novelle nodded quickly as he looked at Sugoroku, "Do you have a binder I could look at?"

Sugoroku nodded as he handed him a plain black binder, "Here you go...um..."

"Novelle Parley, a pleasure to meet you.", Novelle walked back to Atsuko as he showed her some of the cards in the binder. Yugi had a puzzled expression on his face, "Sennen Cross? ...did he mean the cross around your neck?"

"Maybe...", Alcauld looked back towards Sugoroku, "Any cards you'd like to have, sir?"

Sugoroku chuckled as the man who matched his gandson called him 'sir, he nodded as he took out a small stack, "Twelve for now, I don't want to take your entire collection. Can I ask you a question?"

"What? You have some Summoned Skulls, Dark Spirits of the Silent, Toon Worlds...I don't need those."

"It's not that, Alcauld. I just wanted to know where you got these."

Atsuko waved her hand from across the counter, "I can explain that! You see, I always got a little white box every so often for Alcauld. When he opened it, it was just full of cards, some of those cards weren't even released yet.", Atsuko then put her hand under her chin, "That's kind of wierd, now that I think of it.", Atsuko then chuckled as Novelle pointed out some other light monsters.

****

It began to get a little cloudy and a bit windy as Ryou quivered a bit, autumn was definatly on its way. He looked ahead to see a man on the horizon. Thin, silky white hair swiled and twisted in the direction of the wind. His clothes were extrordinary, he was wearing tight black clothing adorned with straps and chains forming an odd kind of armor, a shoulder pad was on his right shoulder adorned with three large thick spikes, his eyes were red and his skin was deathly pale, he radiated an aura of fear around him, making Ryou just a little nervous. Jou and Gear were outside, talking to each other until the man walked up to Ryou. Ryou's ring flahsed dimly as Bakura took over, his eyes becoming more dark as his hair became more wild and feral.

The man looked down at who he thought was Ryou, gazing into the Ring around his neck.

Bakura grinned, "See something you like, worm?"

The man smiled, "Oh yes, you won't mind if I just take it!", Instantly the man got out an ornate jagged knife with a bell on the end as he lunged at Bakura's heart, Bakura laughed as he kicked up the very table he was sitting in, lodging the knife in place. The man was in shock as Bakura grinned and grabbed the chair he was sitting in before standing and swinging the chair overhead, crashing it into the man's skull. The man fell as he was slammed into the ground, Jou and Gear running over.

"Holy crap, did you kill him, o' tame one?", Gear said as he nudged him with his boot. Jou looked back at Bakura who turned back into Ryou, "Ryou, you okay man! Those are some good insticts your spirit has!"

"...yes. I just wish he'd do these things more often.", at that moment the man rose from the ground, holding the knife still.

"Heh heh...thought you could kill me? Not likely.", the man looked at the three who were in shock. The mans eyes were crimson from cerebral hemorraging, he should be dead! Sain spun around and kicked Ryou, the thorns on his legs slicing the rope that held the ring on Ryou's neck, Ryou flinging into the ground as the ring fell with a clank onto the concrete. He bowed at the other two men, blood flowing freely from a huge crack in his skull as it dripped onto the ground into a large puddle, "I am Sain of the Saviours, gentlemen... Get me the cross bearer this instant, or I will kill your little friend here...", he picked up Ryou and held the dagger to his neck, an insane look in his eyes, "Go now...won't you?"

"Jou! Don't let him get the Ring! Get it!" Jou kicked up the ring as he caught it in his hand, giving Ryou a quick thumbs up before running into the store with Gear. Sain laughed, "Heh, an amusing tactic lad...now they are all in a confined area, ready for me to slaughter as soon as I get the cross. Your ring will also be in my posession soon enough."

****

Jou and Gear ran into the store, their faces full of fear as Jou was holding the Ring in his hand, "Hey, gramps! We got trouble!"

Sugoroku looked at Jou, "What is it, Jou? You look like something bad just happened, did Alcauld's friend drop something on your foot?", he joked.

Gear waved his hands frantically, "That's the problem! Some guy in black is holding Ryou captive! You see he tried to kill Ryou at first but Ryou went skitso and totally busted open his freakin' skull but he still got up and is holding Ryou with a knife and now we gotta send out a cross bearer!!!"

"WHAT!?", Sugoroku loked out the window to see Ryou with a jagged knife held up to his neck, the man clad in tight black clothing adorned with large spikes, three large spikes on top of his right shoulder. He had long white hair and a psychotic glint in his eye. He cackled as he looked down at Ryou, "Little one, you are FAR too foolish...so very foolish...it's easy to manipulate sheep like you...", the odd man cackled as he dragged the knife across his neck, making Ryou flail a bit as trickles of scarlet ran down the jagged grooves of the knife into a groove of the handle, making Ryou's blood cover his hand and on a small, oddly shaped bell on on the knife's handle, supported by a thin chain.

"Bring me the cross bearer! Or else this boy shall die, and I am certain you don't want to clean up all of his and my blood...", the man then cackled as everyone looked on, helpless on what to do.

****