Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Gorgeous Carat (YGO version) ❯ The Dragon of Maghreb Part 5 ( Chapter 12 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lsama-no-miko 
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mystery / Romance / Suspense / Drama | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 03.17.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 162 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mystery / Romance / Suspense / Drama | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 03.17.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 4.0K | Visits: 162 | Status: Work In Progress
Gorgeous Carat (YGO Version)
By Sakura (aka L-sama no Miko)
Chapter 12: The Dragon of Maghreb Part 5
The brunet sighed again, the bloody whip hung limply at his side. In spite of the immense pain and fatigue he was feeling, the white haired man continued to glare at his former friend, still hanging from the dungeon wall.
“I’ll have you know I really didn’t want to do this, Bakura,” Ezhdar said, “But as long as you keep on being asinine, I’m afraid I’ll have to keep hurting you.”
“Piss off!” spat the thief, “I may have been an idiot for thinking you were my friend, but there’s no way in hell I’ll do anything for you! Go find some other fool to solve that code!”
The taller man just chuckled. “Why did you think I had you come all the way from Paris?” he asked. Noir glared at him again, but did want to hear this villain out.
“You meant a lot to me,” the white haired man admitted, disappointment clearly audible in his voice, “I thought we were more than friends, more than brothers.” ‘My childhood was complete crap,’ he remembered, ‘I had nothing, not even a home.’
“If it was you who asked, I would do anything. That’s what I believed. ‘Our gang… we looked out for each other. That was the only time I was able to let go and be the real me. Only you…Ezhdar.’
“Now you’ve gone and betrayed me! I’m warning you, if anything happens to Yugi…”
“I was right,” the brunet said smugly, “He really means a lot to you doesn’t he? It’s not like you to be so close to one of your toys. Perhaps I should have given you some of that opium too.”
“You bastard!” the thief bellowed, yanking on the chains in an attempt to strike at the taller man.
“Even if you did escape, my dear Bakura, it’d be too late. I’m certain one of my best assassins has already made your precious Yugi into a nice cold corpse by now.” Noir growled and pulled against the chains again, causing the rusty metal to cut into his wrists and make them to start bleeding. “And if by some chance the boy were to still live, he’d suffer from the withdrawal. It really surprises me that you’d be so concerned for someone else.” The brunet forced his chin up with the handle of his whip so they could look eye to eye. “Maybe that’s why I wanted to steal him from you.”
“Once I get out of here, you. Are. So. Dead,” the thief said icily, the air surrounding them dropping several degrees with the thief’s irate words.
There was a crack followed by a swish. Noir winced in pain as the whip made contact with his already sensitized flesh. “It was those lovely eyes,” purred Ezhdar, “Of course you’d understand all about that, wouldn’t you?” Two more cracks and to more pained groans followed that statement. “Taking away your friendship and confidence won’t be enough. You’re too wrapped up in those. I’ll make you see that if you want to use someone, you make them submit! I’ll make sure that’s drilled into that pathetic brain of yours, even if it’s the last thing you learn!”
After several moments of whipping him, the blue eyed man paused to regard his handiwork. A look of annoyance appeared on his usually stoic face when he saw that the chocolate eyes still held defiance. “You’ve really grown, Bakura,” he said slightly impressed that the man had lasted this long. “The great Phantom Thief causing such a fuss on Paris’ dark streets. Even more than a fuss than I. Look at you now, reduced to a bleeding mass of flesh, here in my home.
“Piss… o…”
“Time to face reality. You will behave, because if you don’t… well let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty for your precious friends.”
“You… bastard!” he spat, getting even more tired now, “You had this planned all a long didn’t you! What are you planning to do with them now?”
“So you finally figured it out have you? Now that you have, I want you to say you’re mine. Your intelligence is very necessary for me. That’s all you have to do. Once you say you’re mine, your friends will be on the first ship back to Paris.”
“Bastard…”
“I do not like meaningless deaths, however, I do not like to wait, Bakura.”
*********************************************************
Elsewhere in Ezhdar’s mansion, several of Noir’s men and Malik were being kept in what appeared to be some kind of storage room.
“Oi!” bellowed Rex, banging on the locked heavy door. “Let us outta here!”
“I want some food!” whined Weevil, earning a glare from the two toned brunet and the others.
“Just what’s going on here?!” demanded Rex, slumping against the unrelenting door.
‘Noir…’ the blond Egyptian said, utterly concerned for his master’s safety.
“Malik?” called a voice from the other side of the door.
Said blond shoved Rex aside and peered through the bars on the door. Standing before the door was a little blonde girl dressed in a sailor outfit. “Rebecca!” he called, surprised that he’d forgotten about her due to all the commotion earlier.
“Hey it’s the brat!” Rex said, quickly getting over his irritation at being shoved. “Way ta go brat, ya didn’t get caught!”
“Is Noir or Yugi with you?” Malik asked, silently praying they were safe.
“Nope,” she replied sadly, “I looked all over too. I can’t find them.”
“We’re doomed, especially if one brat can’t do anything,” Weevil wailed.
“You shut it bug-eyes!” spat the girl, “I’m one of Noir’s gang too!” She turned to leave.
“Rebecca!” Malik called, but the girl ignored him and started running off.
“You guys wait there! I’ll look for a way out!”
“Don’t be stupid girl!” Malik yelled back. “Just hide until Noir comes back! Rebecca!” But it was too late the girl was already long gone.
“Yeah right,” muttered Weevil, “Like he’s really gonna come back for us.”
Malik whirled around and grabbed onto the mint haired boy’s jacket, making him choke. “Just what did you mean by that Underwood?!” he hissed dangerously.
“I-I was j-just saying that if Boss was okay… we… we wouldn’t be here. I-It’s been forever since they shoved us in here,” stammered Weevil.
There was a resounding smack as Malik’s fist struck the boy’s face. “You are not to say such terrible things!” he said, throwing him to the ground in disgust. ‘I can’t take this waiting,’ he thought, starting to pace back and forth. ‘It’s torture! Where are you Noir?! Were on Earth did you go?!’
*************************************************
“Afendi,” called a beady eyed man approaching a young spiky haired man as he stepped from the train, “For a small fee, I’ll take you to where you wish to go in my cart.”
The foreigner looked at the man briefly then smiled warmly. “Thank you,” he said, handing the man his bag. “So where is your cart?” he asked after seeing the only visible cart leaving the train station. Turning around he saw the man running in the opposite direction. “Hey you! Stop thief!” he yelled, dashing after him.
Several minutes later, Atem dusted himself off, the would be thief lying unconscious in the road. “Geez, can’t let your guard down for an instant,” he muttered to himself, picking up his bag. ‘Now, if that intel was right, Mai Valentino ran to here after a friend broke her out of the Paris jail.’ The private detective sighed. ‘It’ll probably end up being yet another dead end… though something feels different this time. I’ve got a hunch that this is where it all started..’
The sounds of a couple of children happily running down the streets caught the man’s attention and he stopped to watch them, a sad and wistful smile coming onto his face. ‘How long has it been since you died, Miho? It doesn’t matter though, soon… yes very soon I’ll get those bastards who killed you. Your oniisan will get your revenge, little sister.’ Shaking off the terrible memories, Atem once again started off through the maze like streets in search of a place to stay and set up base. ‘White skinned women attract a lot of attention down here, so if she’s here, then it’ll be pretty easy to track her down.’
**************************************
After securing lodgings, Atem started his investigation on Mai. He had spent over an hour wandering the maze that was Fez, the spiky haired P.I. paused to rest. Looking around, he noticed that he was standing in front of a huge mansion right out of Burton’s Arabian Nights. He let out a sharp whistle of awe at the sight. “Wow, it’s just like the Arabian Nights!” Suddenly he got an odd feeling as he continued to admire the mansion. ‘This place...’
“Monsieur Detective?!” called a child’s voice, “Is that you Monsieur Detective?!”
Looking down slightly, he saw a little blonde girl in a sailor outfit running over to him. His eyes widened in surprise, recognizing her. “Rebecca?! What on earth are you doing here?!” He then let out a gasp then a low growl, arriving at the most logical conclusion. “That corrupt loan shark sold you didn’t he?! That bastard!”
Rebecca shook her blonde head emphatically. “You’re wrong!” she said, starting to tug on the man’s arm.
After explaining things, Rebecca clung to the spiky haired man as they snuck around Ezhdar’s mansion.
“So you’re saying that Bakura and Yugi have gone missing from this house, and that Malik and everyone else are locked up in room underground? I understand, Rebecca, but where does this Ezhdar guy fit in all this?” ‘And why does Mai’s trail stop here? It makes no sense.’
“I d-don’t know,” the girl said, trembling at the man’s name. There was something scary about him. “Bakura said he was his best friend.”
“His best friend huh?” Atem frowned, the uneasy feeling from earlier returning, this time stronger. ‘Something’s not right here.’
“Malik’s down here,” Rebecca said, pointing to a set of stairs leading to what looked like an underground cellar. Nodding, the detective cautiously went down the stairs and began to work at the lock. After a few moments, the door squeaked noisily on its hinges, causing Malik and the others to gasp as it opened.
“One of a detective’s secret tools,” Atem said, rather pleased with himself, “a piece of wire,” he continued, holding up a small piece of wire.
“I thought that was a burglar’s,” Rebecca muttered under her breath.
“Atem Khemet?!” Malik spat in a combination of shock and disgust upon seeing their savior. “Just what in the nine hells are you doing here?!”
“No time to explain,” he said yanking the Egyptian from the storeroom, “Just be grateful I ran into the kid here.”
After several minutes of nerve wracking skulking around the mansion, they finally made it safely to the main entrance to the estate. Atem glanced around a few times then let out a breath of relief. “Good, no guards. Everyone, we’ll leave one at a time. If we go all at once, it’ll attract too much attention.” They nodded and followed the detectives instructions until only he, Rebecca, and Malik remained. “Okay, it’s you and Rebecca next. Go on kiddo,” he said to the girl a few seconds after the last of the men left. The girl looked at Malik, unsure but nodded at the Egyptian’s smile and dashed from the mansion.
Atem turned to the blond to tell him it was his turn to leave when said Egyptian dug his heels into the ground. “I’m not leaving!” he said defiantly. “Not without Bakura. I know he’s got to be in there somewhere. I’m not going to run off! I’m one of his followers!”
“Malik!” Atem scolded, pulling on the blond.
Seeing that her Malik-nii-chan wasn’t following, Rebecca had run back to the mansion just in time to hear Malik’s refusal. “Um…” she began quietly, “I think I know where he might be.” Both of them looked at her. “There’s a big forest in there with lots of trees. I was playing in there and I saw this really old house there. I couldn’t find the way in because there were too many trees there.”
“Rebecca,” Malik said kneeling down to look at the girl in the eyes, “Do you think you can remember the way? I think we should check there.”
“I… I think so,” she said, not liking the prospect of having to go back into that evil man’s place. Smiling gratefully, Malik then took the girl’s hand and the two started back deeper into the estate.
“H-Hey! Just wait a damned minute!” Atem protested, but soon gave up once they had almost vanished from view. “Young people these days,” he muttered, then dashed after them. “I’m not about to let some other guy get his paws on my dear little black cat.” ‘Note to self, make sure you look into this Ezhdar guy while you’re here.’
***************************************************
The white haired thief sat slumped against the dungeon wall, too tired to stand up. Ezhdar had finally gotten tired of whipping him, and left the cell leaving the wounded man to ponder his current situation.
“I’ll have to say, I prefer to be the one doing it not taking it,” he said to no one in particular. He let out a cry of pain as he shifted in an attempt to get more comfortable. “I could really use a cigar right now. No huh? Didn’t think so.” After a few more moments of abject silence, Noir started talking again, anything to take his mind off the pain of his healing body. “You’d really sell your soul wouldn’t you Noir?” He let out a mirthless laugh. “Couldn’t be helped I guess.” ‘I’d do anything to keep those lovely amethysts safe.’ He let out another caustic chuckle at that thought. ‘Some protector I turned out to be. I can’t even keep myself safe.’
The thief’s head jerked up at the sound of the door creaking open. “Hey Ezhdar,” he called, “You win.” ‘Boy my pride really did run out on me,’ he mused bitterly. “I’m yours, just don’t you lay a finger on them!”
There was the sound of rushing footsteps and he suddenly found himself with a lapful of tanned skin and blond hair. “Hey! Watch it! I’m still hurting here!”
“Noir! Thank the gods I found you!” cried the bundle in his lap.
“Ma… Malik?!”
The Egyptian quickly swiped a hand over his eyes, desperately trying to hide the tears. “Thank goodness you’re alright! I knew you were the best boss ever! The only one I’d risk everything for.”
“As glad as I am to see you right now,” Noir said wincing at the blond’s fierce hugging. “But I’m not exactly in the best shape here.”
“As moving as that was,” said a spiky haired man from the doorway, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “But we really should get a move on, don’t you think?”
Squinting due to the sudden change in illumination, it took several moments for Noir to recognize this newcomer. “Atem!” he groaned, annoyed at being caught in a situation like this by that man. “Let me guess, you chased me all the way to Morocco because you missed my charming wit.”
Chuckling, the P.I. started working at the thief’s chains. “As much as I’d like you to think that, I’m afraid it’s just a coincidence running into you here.” He let out a low whistle at the various bruises and welts all over the thief’s body. “Whoever did this, really did a number on you. Think you can walk?” he asked once the last chain had been unlocked.
“Yeah… I’ll manage.”
Nodding, the slightly shorter man helped Noir to stand. “So where’s Yugi? I was dead certain he’d be with you.”
The white haired man said nothing, just let Malik and the detective lead him out of the dungeon and dilapidated house. Seeing that this wasn’t the time for pressing further, Atem just let it slide.
“And where could you all be going at this time of night?” a tall brunet said coming from the trees, brandishing a gun at them.
“Ezhdar!” spat Noir.
‘That’s Ezhdar?!’ Atem said, getting an eerie feeling from that single blue eye of his.
“Since you hate me so much, my friend,” the brunet sneered, “I’ll send you to meet your precious jewel.”
‘Icy blue eyes… chestnut brown hair…That guy’s!’ Atem thought, finally recognizing the man before them. However, there was no time to confirm his suspicion for there was a loud popping noise and Noir staggered backward, clutching his shoulder.
“Noooo!!!!” screamed Malik.
“Stay away Malik!” commanded Noir. “Hold him back! Ezhdar’s only aiming at me!”
“I won’t miss next time,” said villain said, cocking the gun again, “It’ll be your head this time. Goodbye Bakura.”
The explosion they heard was not the gun striking its intended target. The weapon had indeed fired but, at the last possible moment, a spiky haired blur had knocked Ezhdar’s aim off course and the bullet had struck a keg of gunpowder that had been stored away in the house.
“What the?!” the brunet said, confused as to just what had happened, not realizing that Atem had attacked from his blind side.
“Now!” shouted the detective, grabbing hold of Malik, “Let’s get out of here!”
The blond grabbed onto Noir and they all ran for their lives as the fire from the gunpowder leapt from tree to tree and all throughout the vast mansion.
Meanwhile out on the street, the fire and previous explosion had caused quite the crowd to gather at the front gate.
“What’s going on?” asked one person. “What was that explosion?”
“Ezhdar’s mansion is burning!” exclaimed another, “It’s horrible! Like a great sea of flames!”
“Got what he deserved then,” a third spat, with a dark chuckle, “That’s what you get for dealing with shady business.”
Several of the people began to chant, “Burn! Burn! Burn!”
Grateful for the mob, Atem, Malik, and Noir were able to use it as a distraction and escape the raging inferno. Suddenly, the white haired thief collapsed once they had cleared the rioting locals.
“Noir!” cried Malik as he ran to his master and felt for a pulse. “He’s got a fever!” he said worriedly.
“Malik, Rebecca,” he said noticing that the blonde girl had managed to find and remain at the meeting place he’d told her to go to after locating the abandoned house. “Help get him on my back.” Nodding, the Egyptian quickly obeyed and with little difficulty managed to drape the unconscious thief on the spiky haired man’s back.
“There won’t be another ship for a while,” the detective said as they started heading for his hotel. “And I’m sure this isn’t the end of that Ezhdar guy.”
****************************************************
Meanwhile, said brunet was running through his rapidly falling mansion, trying to locate Noir and a way out. “Lord Ezhdar!” called one of his more loyal thugs. Realizing where he was, the brunet ignored the man and dashed into his study just in time to see the scroll he’d shown to Noir only days earlier burn to ash. “Lord Ezhdar!” the man called again, “We must escape! Please hurry!”
Just then a man leapt out of the shadows, a scimitar raised above his head, ready to strike the brunet. “DEATH TO ALL WHO’D VIOLATE THE TREASURE!!!” he screamed in a heavy French accent.
“You’re the one who put the gunpowder there!” the brunet said, leaping out of harm’s way only to be knocked off his feet by a falling beam.
“It is forbidden for anyone other than our kinsmen to touch that scroll,” the attacker spat, “Those who covet the treasure commit a great sin against God. It is His will that it should burn along with a sinner like you.”
“You’re one of the Knights Templar,” Ezhdar said, unable to move due to the approaching flames.
“That is correct. It is our most sacred duty that we make sure none lay hands on God’s treasure. Especially scum like you.”
There was a popping sound and the man fell backwards, dead. Ezhdar rose, smirking, the still smoking gun at his side. “Amen,” he spat derisively. “Thanks to your people, it made it even more important that I get a hold of Bakura.”
****************************************************
Elsewhere in Fez...
“Didn’t your parents tell you it’s impolite to peep into people’s homes?!” an old man scolded the children staring into his window. “Kids these days,” he muttered.
“Crazy old coot,” spat one of the boys before running off.
“You did it now, Old Soguroku’s mad now!” said another, following his friend.
“Now, do you see what I meant,” Soguroku said wearily as he sat down at the low table. “Now we’ve got to deal with every nosy neighbor because of this.”
The strawberry blonde girl ignored him, used to his complaining and went over to the boy lying on her bed. “It’s because he’s so pretty,” she said as she replaced the washcloth on his forehead. “It’s like he stepped right out of a European painting. You know, like the ones of angels.”
“Hmph,” scoffed, “You and your fancies, Shizuka. He’s just like any other foreigner. Annoying white ants.”
“Grandpa!” the girl protested, “Oh! He’s waking up!”
The boy blinked his eyes and let out a pained groan when he struggled to sit up.
“Easy, boy,” the old man said coming over, “That knife cut isn’t too deep, but there are plenty of bruises all over.” The spiky haired boy looked at them as if they had suddenly both grown three extra heads. “Just how did a foreigner like you end up so beat up anyway?”
“Why? What?” the boy asked again, still confused. “Who… I… don’t remember… a thing,” he said, glancing about frantically for something, anything that would spark a memory.
~TBC~
Sakura: Betcha I’ve forgotten about poor Yu-chan didn’t you, minna?
Yami: I was hoping you had.
Sakura: Who asked you pharaoh?! Anyhoo, you know the drill. You leave me lots of reviews, I post the next part quicker. Got it? Good. Jya ne!!
By Sakura (aka L-sama no Miko)
Chapter 12: The Dragon of Maghreb Part 5
The brunet sighed again, the bloody whip hung limply at his side. In spite of the immense pain and fatigue he was feeling, the white haired man continued to glare at his former friend, still hanging from the dungeon wall.
“I’ll have you know I really didn’t want to do this, Bakura,” Ezhdar said, “But as long as you keep on being asinine, I’m afraid I’ll have to keep hurting you.”
“Piss off!” spat the thief, “I may have been an idiot for thinking you were my friend, but there’s no way in hell I’ll do anything for you! Go find some other fool to solve that code!”
The taller man just chuckled. “Why did you think I had you come all the way from Paris?” he asked. Noir glared at him again, but did want to hear this villain out.
“You meant a lot to me,” the white haired man admitted, disappointment clearly audible in his voice, “I thought we were more than friends, more than brothers.” ‘My childhood was complete crap,’ he remembered, ‘I had nothing, not even a home.’
“If it was you who asked, I would do anything. That’s what I believed. ‘Our gang… we looked out for each other. That was the only time I was able to let go and be the real me. Only you…Ezhdar.’
“Now you’ve gone and betrayed me! I’m warning you, if anything happens to Yugi…”
“I was right,” the brunet said smugly, “He really means a lot to you doesn’t he? It’s not like you to be so close to one of your toys. Perhaps I should have given you some of that opium too.”
“You bastard!” the thief bellowed, yanking on the chains in an attempt to strike at the taller man.
“Even if you did escape, my dear Bakura, it’d be too late. I’m certain one of my best assassins has already made your precious Yugi into a nice cold corpse by now.” Noir growled and pulled against the chains again, causing the rusty metal to cut into his wrists and make them to start bleeding. “And if by some chance the boy were to still live, he’d suffer from the withdrawal. It really surprises me that you’d be so concerned for someone else.” The brunet forced his chin up with the handle of his whip so they could look eye to eye. “Maybe that’s why I wanted to steal him from you.”
“Once I get out of here, you. Are. So. Dead,” the thief said icily, the air surrounding them dropping several degrees with the thief’s irate words.
There was a crack followed by a swish. Noir winced in pain as the whip made contact with his already sensitized flesh. “It was those lovely eyes,” purred Ezhdar, “Of course you’d understand all about that, wouldn’t you?” Two more cracks and to more pained groans followed that statement. “Taking away your friendship and confidence won’t be enough. You’re too wrapped up in those. I’ll make you see that if you want to use someone, you make them submit! I’ll make sure that’s drilled into that pathetic brain of yours, even if it’s the last thing you learn!”
After several moments of whipping him, the blue eyed man paused to regard his handiwork. A look of annoyance appeared on his usually stoic face when he saw that the chocolate eyes still held defiance. “You’ve really grown, Bakura,” he said slightly impressed that the man had lasted this long. “The great Phantom Thief causing such a fuss on Paris’ dark streets. Even more than a fuss than I. Look at you now, reduced to a bleeding mass of flesh, here in my home.
“Piss… o…”
“Time to face reality. You will behave, because if you don’t… well let’s just say it wouldn’t be pretty for your precious friends.”
“You… bastard!” he spat, getting even more tired now, “You had this planned all a long didn’t you! What are you planning to do with them now?”
“So you finally figured it out have you? Now that you have, I want you to say you’re mine. Your intelligence is very necessary for me. That’s all you have to do. Once you say you’re mine, your friends will be on the first ship back to Paris.”
“Bastard…”
“I do not like meaningless deaths, however, I do not like to wait, Bakura.”
*********************************************************
Elsewhere in Ezhdar’s mansion, several of Noir’s men and Malik were being kept in what appeared to be some kind of storage room.
“Oi!” bellowed Rex, banging on the locked heavy door. “Let us outta here!”
“I want some food!” whined Weevil, earning a glare from the two toned brunet and the others.
“Just what’s going on here?!” demanded Rex, slumping against the unrelenting door.
‘Noir…’ the blond Egyptian said, utterly concerned for his master’s safety.
“Malik?” called a voice from the other side of the door.
Said blond shoved Rex aside and peered through the bars on the door. Standing before the door was a little blonde girl dressed in a sailor outfit. “Rebecca!” he called, surprised that he’d forgotten about her due to all the commotion earlier.
“Hey it’s the brat!” Rex said, quickly getting over his irritation at being shoved. “Way ta go brat, ya didn’t get caught!”
“Is Noir or Yugi with you?” Malik asked, silently praying they were safe.
“Nope,” she replied sadly, “I looked all over too. I can’t find them.”
“We’re doomed, especially if one brat can’t do anything,” Weevil wailed.
“You shut it bug-eyes!” spat the girl, “I’m one of Noir’s gang too!” She turned to leave.
“Rebecca!” Malik called, but the girl ignored him and started running off.
“You guys wait there! I’ll look for a way out!”
“Don’t be stupid girl!” Malik yelled back. “Just hide until Noir comes back! Rebecca!” But it was too late the girl was already long gone.
“Yeah right,” muttered Weevil, “Like he’s really gonna come back for us.”
Malik whirled around and grabbed onto the mint haired boy’s jacket, making him choke. “Just what did you mean by that Underwood?!” he hissed dangerously.
“I-I was j-just saying that if Boss was okay… we… we wouldn’t be here. I-It’s been forever since they shoved us in here,” stammered Weevil.
There was a resounding smack as Malik’s fist struck the boy’s face. “You are not to say such terrible things!” he said, throwing him to the ground in disgust. ‘I can’t take this waiting,’ he thought, starting to pace back and forth. ‘It’s torture! Where are you Noir?! Were on Earth did you go?!’
*************************************************
“Afendi,” called a beady eyed man approaching a young spiky haired man as he stepped from the train, “For a small fee, I’ll take you to where you wish to go in my cart.”
The foreigner looked at the man briefly then smiled warmly. “Thank you,” he said, handing the man his bag. “So where is your cart?” he asked after seeing the only visible cart leaving the train station. Turning around he saw the man running in the opposite direction. “Hey you! Stop thief!” he yelled, dashing after him.
Several minutes later, Atem dusted himself off, the would be thief lying unconscious in the road. “Geez, can’t let your guard down for an instant,” he muttered to himself, picking up his bag. ‘Now, if that intel was right, Mai Valentino ran to here after a friend broke her out of the Paris jail.’ The private detective sighed. ‘It’ll probably end up being yet another dead end… though something feels different this time. I’ve got a hunch that this is where it all started..’
The sounds of a couple of children happily running down the streets caught the man’s attention and he stopped to watch them, a sad and wistful smile coming onto his face. ‘How long has it been since you died, Miho? It doesn’t matter though, soon… yes very soon I’ll get those bastards who killed you. Your oniisan will get your revenge, little sister.’ Shaking off the terrible memories, Atem once again started off through the maze like streets in search of a place to stay and set up base. ‘White skinned women attract a lot of attention down here, so if she’s here, then it’ll be pretty easy to track her down.’
**************************************
After securing lodgings, Atem started his investigation on Mai. He had spent over an hour wandering the maze that was Fez, the spiky haired P.I. paused to rest. Looking around, he noticed that he was standing in front of a huge mansion right out of Burton’s Arabian Nights. He let out a sharp whistle of awe at the sight. “Wow, it’s just like the Arabian Nights!” Suddenly he got an odd feeling as he continued to admire the mansion. ‘This place...’
“Monsieur Detective?!” called a child’s voice, “Is that you Monsieur Detective?!”
Looking down slightly, he saw a little blonde girl in a sailor outfit running over to him. His eyes widened in surprise, recognizing her. “Rebecca?! What on earth are you doing here?!” He then let out a gasp then a low growl, arriving at the most logical conclusion. “That corrupt loan shark sold you didn’t he?! That bastard!”
Rebecca shook her blonde head emphatically. “You’re wrong!” she said, starting to tug on the man’s arm.
After explaining things, Rebecca clung to the spiky haired man as they snuck around Ezhdar’s mansion.
“So you’re saying that Bakura and Yugi have gone missing from this house, and that Malik and everyone else are locked up in room underground? I understand, Rebecca, but where does this Ezhdar guy fit in all this?” ‘And why does Mai’s trail stop here? It makes no sense.’
“I d-don’t know,” the girl said, trembling at the man’s name. There was something scary about him. “Bakura said he was his best friend.”
“His best friend huh?” Atem frowned, the uneasy feeling from earlier returning, this time stronger. ‘Something’s not right here.’
“Malik’s down here,” Rebecca said, pointing to a set of stairs leading to what looked like an underground cellar. Nodding, the detective cautiously went down the stairs and began to work at the lock. After a few moments, the door squeaked noisily on its hinges, causing Malik and the others to gasp as it opened.
“One of a detective’s secret tools,” Atem said, rather pleased with himself, “a piece of wire,” he continued, holding up a small piece of wire.
“I thought that was a burglar’s,” Rebecca muttered under her breath.
“Atem Khemet?!” Malik spat in a combination of shock and disgust upon seeing their savior. “Just what in the nine hells are you doing here?!”
“No time to explain,” he said yanking the Egyptian from the storeroom, “Just be grateful I ran into the kid here.”
After several minutes of nerve wracking skulking around the mansion, they finally made it safely to the main entrance to the estate. Atem glanced around a few times then let out a breath of relief. “Good, no guards. Everyone, we’ll leave one at a time. If we go all at once, it’ll attract too much attention.” They nodded and followed the detectives instructions until only he, Rebecca, and Malik remained. “Okay, it’s you and Rebecca next. Go on kiddo,” he said to the girl a few seconds after the last of the men left. The girl looked at Malik, unsure but nodded at the Egyptian’s smile and dashed from the mansion.
Atem turned to the blond to tell him it was his turn to leave when said Egyptian dug his heels into the ground. “I’m not leaving!” he said defiantly. “Not without Bakura. I know he’s got to be in there somewhere. I’m not going to run off! I’m one of his followers!”
“Malik!” Atem scolded, pulling on the blond.
Seeing that her Malik-nii-chan wasn’t following, Rebecca had run back to the mansion just in time to hear Malik’s refusal. “Um…” she began quietly, “I think I know where he might be.” Both of them looked at her. “There’s a big forest in there with lots of trees. I was playing in there and I saw this really old house there. I couldn’t find the way in because there were too many trees there.”
“Rebecca,” Malik said kneeling down to look at the girl in the eyes, “Do you think you can remember the way? I think we should check there.”
“I… I think so,” she said, not liking the prospect of having to go back into that evil man’s place. Smiling gratefully, Malik then took the girl’s hand and the two started back deeper into the estate.
“H-Hey! Just wait a damned minute!” Atem protested, but soon gave up once they had almost vanished from view. “Young people these days,” he muttered, then dashed after them. “I’m not about to let some other guy get his paws on my dear little black cat.” ‘Note to self, make sure you look into this Ezhdar guy while you’re here.’
***************************************************
The white haired thief sat slumped against the dungeon wall, too tired to stand up. Ezhdar had finally gotten tired of whipping him, and left the cell leaving the wounded man to ponder his current situation.
“I’ll have to say, I prefer to be the one doing it not taking it,” he said to no one in particular. He let out a cry of pain as he shifted in an attempt to get more comfortable. “I could really use a cigar right now. No huh? Didn’t think so.” After a few more moments of abject silence, Noir started talking again, anything to take his mind off the pain of his healing body. “You’d really sell your soul wouldn’t you Noir?” He let out a mirthless laugh. “Couldn’t be helped I guess.” ‘I’d do anything to keep those lovely amethysts safe.’ He let out another caustic chuckle at that thought. ‘Some protector I turned out to be. I can’t even keep myself safe.’
The thief’s head jerked up at the sound of the door creaking open. “Hey Ezhdar,” he called, “You win.” ‘Boy my pride really did run out on me,’ he mused bitterly. “I’m yours, just don’t you lay a finger on them!”
There was the sound of rushing footsteps and he suddenly found himself with a lapful of tanned skin and blond hair. “Hey! Watch it! I’m still hurting here!”
“Noir! Thank the gods I found you!” cried the bundle in his lap.
“Ma… Malik?!”
The Egyptian quickly swiped a hand over his eyes, desperately trying to hide the tears. “Thank goodness you’re alright! I knew you were the best boss ever! The only one I’d risk everything for.”
“As glad as I am to see you right now,” Noir said wincing at the blond’s fierce hugging. “But I’m not exactly in the best shape here.”
“As moving as that was,” said a spiky haired man from the doorway, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. “But we really should get a move on, don’t you think?”
Squinting due to the sudden change in illumination, it took several moments for Noir to recognize this newcomer. “Atem!” he groaned, annoyed at being caught in a situation like this by that man. “Let me guess, you chased me all the way to Morocco because you missed my charming wit.”
Chuckling, the P.I. started working at the thief’s chains. “As much as I’d like you to think that, I’m afraid it’s just a coincidence running into you here.” He let out a low whistle at the various bruises and welts all over the thief’s body. “Whoever did this, really did a number on you. Think you can walk?” he asked once the last chain had been unlocked.
“Yeah… I’ll manage.”
Nodding, the slightly shorter man helped Noir to stand. “So where’s Yugi? I was dead certain he’d be with you.”
The white haired man said nothing, just let Malik and the detective lead him out of the dungeon and dilapidated house. Seeing that this wasn’t the time for pressing further, Atem just let it slide.
“And where could you all be going at this time of night?” a tall brunet said coming from the trees, brandishing a gun at them.
“Ezhdar!” spat Noir.
‘That’s Ezhdar?!’ Atem said, getting an eerie feeling from that single blue eye of his.
“Since you hate me so much, my friend,” the brunet sneered, “I’ll send you to meet your precious jewel.”
‘Icy blue eyes… chestnut brown hair…That guy’s!’ Atem thought, finally recognizing the man before them. However, there was no time to confirm his suspicion for there was a loud popping noise and Noir staggered backward, clutching his shoulder.
“Noooo!!!!” screamed Malik.
“Stay away Malik!” commanded Noir. “Hold him back! Ezhdar’s only aiming at me!”
“I won’t miss next time,” said villain said, cocking the gun again, “It’ll be your head this time. Goodbye Bakura.”
The explosion they heard was not the gun striking its intended target. The weapon had indeed fired but, at the last possible moment, a spiky haired blur had knocked Ezhdar’s aim off course and the bullet had struck a keg of gunpowder that had been stored away in the house.
“What the?!” the brunet said, confused as to just what had happened, not realizing that Atem had attacked from his blind side.
“Now!” shouted the detective, grabbing hold of Malik, “Let’s get out of here!”
The blond grabbed onto Noir and they all ran for their lives as the fire from the gunpowder leapt from tree to tree and all throughout the vast mansion.
Meanwhile out on the street, the fire and previous explosion had caused quite the crowd to gather at the front gate.
“What’s going on?” asked one person. “What was that explosion?”
“Ezhdar’s mansion is burning!” exclaimed another, “It’s horrible! Like a great sea of flames!”
“Got what he deserved then,” a third spat, with a dark chuckle, “That’s what you get for dealing with shady business.”
Several of the people began to chant, “Burn! Burn! Burn!”
Grateful for the mob, Atem, Malik, and Noir were able to use it as a distraction and escape the raging inferno. Suddenly, the white haired thief collapsed once they had cleared the rioting locals.
“Noir!” cried Malik as he ran to his master and felt for a pulse. “He’s got a fever!” he said worriedly.
“Malik, Rebecca,” he said noticing that the blonde girl had managed to find and remain at the meeting place he’d told her to go to after locating the abandoned house. “Help get him on my back.” Nodding, the Egyptian quickly obeyed and with little difficulty managed to drape the unconscious thief on the spiky haired man’s back.
“There won’t be another ship for a while,” the detective said as they started heading for his hotel. “And I’m sure this isn’t the end of that Ezhdar guy.”
****************************************************
Meanwhile, said brunet was running through his rapidly falling mansion, trying to locate Noir and a way out. “Lord Ezhdar!” called one of his more loyal thugs. Realizing where he was, the brunet ignored the man and dashed into his study just in time to see the scroll he’d shown to Noir only days earlier burn to ash. “Lord Ezhdar!” the man called again, “We must escape! Please hurry!”
Just then a man leapt out of the shadows, a scimitar raised above his head, ready to strike the brunet. “DEATH TO ALL WHO’D VIOLATE THE TREASURE!!!” he screamed in a heavy French accent.
“You’re the one who put the gunpowder there!” the brunet said, leaping out of harm’s way only to be knocked off his feet by a falling beam.
“It is forbidden for anyone other than our kinsmen to touch that scroll,” the attacker spat, “Those who covet the treasure commit a great sin against God. It is His will that it should burn along with a sinner like you.”
“You’re one of the Knights Templar,” Ezhdar said, unable to move due to the approaching flames.
“That is correct. It is our most sacred duty that we make sure none lay hands on God’s treasure. Especially scum like you.”
There was a popping sound and the man fell backwards, dead. Ezhdar rose, smirking, the still smoking gun at his side. “Amen,” he spat derisively. “Thanks to your people, it made it even more important that I get a hold of Bakura.”
****************************************************
Elsewhere in Fez...
“Didn’t your parents tell you it’s impolite to peep into people’s homes?!” an old man scolded the children staring into his window. “Kids these days,” he muttered.
“Crazy old coot,” spat one of the boys before running off.
“You did it now, Old Soguroku’s mad now!” said another, following his friend.
“Now, do you see what I meant,” Soguroku said wearily as he sat down at the low table. “Now we’ve got to deal with every nosy neighbor because of this.”
The strawberry blonde girl ignored him, used to his complaining and went over to the boy lying on her bed. “It’s because he’s so pretty,” she said as she replaced the washcloth on his forehead. “It’s like he stepped right out of a European painting. You know, like the ones of angels.”
“Hmph,” scoffed, “You and your fancies, Shizuka. He’s just like any other foreigner. Annoying white ants.”
“Grandpa!” the girl protested, “Oh! He’s waking up!”
The boy blinked his eyes and let out a pained groan when he struggled to sit up.
“Easy, boy,” the old man said coming over, “That knife cut isn’t too deep, but there are plenty of bruises all over.” The spiky haired boy looked at them as if they had suddenly both grown three extra heads. “Just how did a foreigner like you end up so beat up anyway?”
“Why? What?” the boy asked again, still confused. “Who… I… don’t remember… a thing,” he said, glancing about frantically for something, anything that would spark a memory.
~TBC~
Sakura: Betcha I’ve forgotten about poor Yu-chan didn’t you, minna?
Yami: I was hoping you had.
Sakura: Who asked you pharaoh?! Anyhoo, you know the drill. You leave me lots of reviews, I post the next part quicker. Got it? Good. Jya ne!!