"Ow, you're a lot heavier than you look Kaiba-boi."
Pegasus complained with a cough as he got up slowly, Croquet giving him a helping hand. He hadn't been crushed by a lighting rig but he was feeling smushed none the less. He dusted off his suit with a frown.
"Did you see anyone up there Croquet?"
Pegasus questioned directly.
"No Sir, they used charges that were triggered by remote. Although it is obvious they have a clear sight line on us at this moment."
"Call up the rest of alpha team and have beta meet us back at the hotel. I want the limo, now."
It was clear Pegasus was done for today and he was set on getting out alive while the getting was good.
Croquet was already ushering them off to the side towards the nearest exit and out of the open, his gun drawn and his eyes searching while he was giving concise orders into his cell phone.
Pegasus took a hold of Kaibas shoulder to try and keep him moving with him.
"I think the two of you need to come with me. It's not safe here, let your security search the building and see what turns up while your out of harms way."
"I do sports." Kaiba snarked back at Pegasus, absolutely furious at the situation.
This was horrifically embarrassing to be happening in front of Pegasus, and Mokuba had been in danger as well. He was in very grave danger of blowing a gasket.
He would have ordinarily argued about going with Pegasus, would have wanted to stay and hunt the bastard down himself, but he would not risk Mokuba further, and Mokuba would not go without him in these circumstances.
"Isono, with me, you can coordinate the sweep on the move. Make sure nothing is missed. Come on Mokuba, let's get out of here."
"Yes Seto," Mokuba said meekly, all too aware of what the wildness in Seto's eyes meant.
"I don't suppose the culprit would have known I'd be here today to plan this out. But they certainly don't care if I'm taken out along with the two of you, which means coming with me is something they could not have anticipated."
Pegasus threw some logic at the situation for Kaibas benefit. He knew the dragon master was just itching to find someone to tear into for the insult of threatening him on his own territory.
"If you'd indulge me by spending a few hours at the hotel before going home I'm sure it will give your staff some time to sort this mess out and find the would be assassin."
"We can't have that valuable brain of yours getting crushed before the project is even complete now can we?"
Pegasus almost laughed as he implied Kaiba were only an investment to protect. He was much more than that to Pegasus and by now they both knew it.
The pink limo was pulled right up to the side doors to one of the entrances of the duel dome and five of Pegasus security team were surrounding it with weapons drawn. A black sedan with tinted windows was parked behind it so they would have an escort. Croquet went ahead and held the door open for them and Pegasus ducked inside, though his quick dive for the car had little to do with evading a threat as he turned back to kaiba and Mokuba and held up a bag.
"Ah ha! I knew I left my humbugs in here! Do either of you want one!? We can watch my new funny bunny movie on the way too!"
Pegasus as usual was just a bright little kid in a world of cartoons and candy shops.
Of course Pegasus was right, but Kaiba was riled, badly so, and fit to deal with the assassin with his bare hands for daring to threaten Mokuba, and humiliate him so.
"He's right Seto."
"I know." Kaiba growled through clenched teeth.
He cursed under his breath at the sight of the limo, and had to force himself to climb into it, Mokuba happy enough when there were sweets and cartoons on offer. Funny bunny was a bit young for hi but who cared.
Kaiba settled in a seat, prickly and on edge as if the limo might try to bite him, seething where he was, plotting destruction after this insult.
Pegasus scooted over enough for Mokuba to sit on his side of the cream leather seats so he could watch the tv too. That left Kaiba and Isono on the other side and Croquet up front with the driver. "Don't worry, it's not as if anyone else were around to see your Duel dome almost fall on you. I certainly won't be mentioning it to anyone." Pegasus never really was one to let grumbling dragons lay. He started up the cartoons full blast and sat back, passing the candies over to Mokuba and looking as if he were having the time of his life. Kaiba land was actually a little ways up the coast from Domino city and Pegasus hotel was all the way across town. It was a good forty five minute ride if they didn't hit any traffic. Plenty of time to watch cartoons!
Kaiba glared at Pegasus, Isono beside him making sure to seem invisible to his master while keeping track of the communications going back and forth amongst their security teams as they attempted to hunt down the would be assassin.
The only reason Kaiba wasn't getting upset with Pegasus for the cartoons was that it seemed to be keeping Mokuba happy and relaxed, as much as you could be in this situation. So he sat and seethed, trying to ignore funny bunny, inwardly plotting death for the one responsible for today's debacle.
They hadn't been driving long when Croquet saw fit to make Pegasus aware of another problem.
"Sir, we are being followed by a black sedan. They are moving closer now that we are on the cliff side road."
Pegasus paused in popping another candy into his mouth.
"Only one?"
"It seems that way Sir."
Pegasus continued crunching his candy and waved any concern away.
"Have our escort deal with them if they make a move. And if they don't, track them."
"Of course Sir."
Everything seemed to go back to normal after that. They were being followed, but it didn't look as if anything would come of it. As Domino city got closer however and they were on the last turn of the winding seaside road, the other car did try to pull up. That was when things happened very fast. Pegasus own escort car slammed into the side of the one that was trying to move up beside the limo. There was a brief back and forth between them before Pegasus driver abruptly fell back then rammed them from behind at an angle that sent the other hostile car off the road in a spin of gravel.
Croquets voice came again;
"Our team reports there were guns drawn, but no one got close enough to fire."
Pegasus had just opened his mouth to reply that it was a job easily and well done and that they were bullet proof in here anyways, but a sudden apprehension made him turn to look out the back window.
A large delivery truck had just come around the last curve and was barreling down on them. It went right past their escort and slammed over into the side of the limo making it scrape the metal guard rails on the other side of the road.
The whole vehicle lurched and Pegasus nearly went over onto the floor. In the front Croquet was wrenching the steering wheel to the side from the surprised driver to keep them on the road.
Kaiba was getting distinctly more uncomfortable as it was revealed they were being followed. Not that this monstrosity of a limo was hard to spot of course. But it seemed someone wanted him dead, and badly enough that they didn't care about taking out Mokuba or Pegasus, or even both in the process. He was glad at the report that the following car had been dealt with, but then spotted Pegasus' concern. He knew by now that his sixth sense for things was to be trusted.
He saw the truck the same time Pegasus did and was reaching for Mokuba, as it slammed into them, everyone having to grab onto something to brace themselves. Who the hell wanted him dead this badly!
"I am going to kill someone for this!" He snarled.
Pegasus didn't know who had hired them but this was definitely not just one assassin. And they were determined.
They were rammed again and Pegasus face went from surprised, to angry, to just plain cold in only a few seconds.
"Croquet. They're yours."
The side of the limo was scraping up sparks against the guard rail as Croquet answered with his usual bland voice.
"Thank-you, Sir."
In Japan cars drove on the left side of the road, Croquet sitting in the passenger seat meant he had to open the window and disappeared from them onto the roof of the car. He wasn't about to shoot across their own driver and open a window on the side right next to the van to make them all vulnerable.
There were only three shots fired that Pegasus could tell before Croquet was back sitting neatly as if he had never moved and the delivery van had stopped and veered to the side of the road. He had obviously shot the driver, the passenger, and the engine block for good measure.
Pegasus was straightening the lacy cuffs of his blouse under his suit and slightly avoided looking at the others in the limo for the moment as he said an almost bored,
"Very good Croquet. You've earned another bonus."
"My pleasure Sir."
Pegasus smiled then, he couldn't help it. And it wasn't his usual smile but something almost painful. He turned to Kaiba and Mokuba questioning with a return of more normal concern.
"Seto!" Mokuba cried, now very afraid at this third attempt to end their lives.
Kaiba was hanging on to him, as livid as Pegasus was. When Pegasus told Croquet these bastards were his, he smirked coldly, remembering all too well the ease with which he had killed on the boat.
It was a relief to have the truck dealt with, and some semblance of calm in the limo, though Mokuba was incredibly shaken by everything. Kaiba was just plain mad.
"We should be fine, thank you." He said, not angry at Pegasus, but unable to keep it from his tone.
"I do share your sentiments Kaiba-boi, the paint job on my limo is simply destroyed! And you know how long these things take to be repaired, I'll be stuck with some ugly rental thing for the rest of the week! Honestly, you'd think they'd at least have the common decency to wait until we got back to the hotel if they wanted to die so badly."
Pegasus was now brushing some invisible lint off the arm of his jacket and looking his best version of put out. He didn't like outright killing people, but they weren't in a position to take prisoners.
"Tell me, who did you mortally offend this week?"
Pegasus leveled an accusatory glare over at Kaiba as he recrossed his legs. The younger CEO and his brother were now both sitting across from him with their bodyguard Isono, leaving Pegasus alone facing backwards in the large car.
"None of my enemies are stupid enough to try an open attack in broad day light, and in a public place no less."
Their drive from Kaiba Land was more than half way over now, they were just coming into the more built up area of Domino city. Suburbs and small strip plazas, they were just passing the first school.
"It would seem someone is extremely determined to make a very public example of your demise."
Upset as he was, Mokuba wasn't at all happy with Pegasus ripping into Kaiba, and was even feeling uncomfortably afraid of him like he hadn't done since Duellist Kingdom. It was probably why he started to yell back at him.
"Seto hasn't done anything! We've been working hard on the dome together. I don't know who wants to kill him, or us, but its not because he's a bad guy, so leave him alone!"
"That's enough Mokuba." Kaiba said sharply.
He took a moment to compose himself, wound up as tightly as his brother, but losing his temper was not going to help anything.
"I think someone wants to see me humiliated and then dead. They don't seem to care how. I am at a loss as to who might hate me this much."
Pegasus had turned the cartoons off and the silence was tense and grating. He put on his usual smooth and charming mask to try and settle Mokubas ruffled feathers.
“I must apologize Mokuba, I didn’t mean your brother would purposefully put you in this sort of danger. I was only trying to inquire if he’d had any obvious threats from a known source recently. He often doesn’t even realize how abrasive he is to others and he may have offended someone without even realizing. You never know what some people are capable of if you rub them the wrong way.”
Pegasus was hoping for a better more thoughtful response this time that might shed some light on who they were dealing with. Unfortunately further conversation was made impossible. The silver haired CEO turned his head at the sound of screeching breaks and honking horns.
“Down, now!”
Pegasus ordered as he tugged at Kaibas shoulder, hard, and shoved him down and away from the door.
The limo had a green light at the first busy intersection of the city but from out of nowhere a large SUV was coming at them from the left. There were bare seconds between the warning sounds and the heavy crunch and impact as the two vehicles collided, the SUV t-boning the left side of the limo and plowing it right across the other lane into a cement light pole, hitting other cars too that crumpled and went careening out of the way. Glass and metal exploded through the interior of the limo marring every pretense of luxury and safety the vehicle had provided.
When the world stopped being drowned by the roar and scrape of crushing steel and shattering glass and they had finally lurched to a stop, their unwelcome friends in the black sedan were already pulling up outside directly across from Pegasus own stopped escort car. The brief silence held an ominous weight that one could almost taste. Guns were being drawn.
The entire left side of the limo had been crushed, the divider between the front seat and the back was bulletproof glass, thoroughly shattered but still holding together, and along the veins ran the blood of both Croquet and the driver. Neither of which seemed to have survived the crash from the extra impact with the lamp post.
Pegasus himself, also seated on the left side of the limo, was half leaning on his side along the bench, still facing backwards. His right leg was trapped by some pieces of the badly crushed in door and as he raised his head from his ducked over position, the hand he wasn’t leaning on went for his stomach. Something wasn’t right, he felt the wetness of his own blood before he saw it, not daring to look down. He took a shuddery breath, he was still breathing, that was good, but his fingers wrapped around the sharp metal bar that had pierced right through him. He was pinned in place like a pale moth on a specimen board.
He was in shock, he couldn’t feel it yet. His eye searched through his tangle of silver hair for Kaiba and Mokuba instead.
Outside the gunfire opened up like rain on a tin roof. The limo giving them little protection now if the assassins were careful enough with their aim.
Pegasus words were weak and almost slurred as if he had been on an all night bender. He was starting to go numb to everything, it was all slowing down.
A heavy body hit its back up against the right side passengers window blocking any exit. It made Pegasus jolt and choke with pain at his own movement.
There was blood against the glass and a wicked growl coming from the man outside as he slid down.
“…Kemo … shit…”
Was all Pegasus could get out before the gunfire on one side stopped. Pegasus side. A piercing howl cut through the air of the Domino city streets, dispelling any sense of normalcy from the bright sunlight and pavement. Every citizen within earshot froze with primal fear at the chilling haunted sound. Blind loyalty had sent Kemo to try and reach his master and the scent of his blood on the air had roused the rest of his pack.
Pegasus closed his eye and hung his head. Teeth clenching pain and vertigo washed over him along with a heavy feeling that was dragging him into darkness. He fought it with stifled panting breaths as another howl outside joined the first, and another, and the gunfire that had stopped suddenly picked up along with gut wrenching screams.
There were three other wolves out there now besides Kemo, and clearly no one was packing silver bullets.
Pegasus complained with a cough as he got up slowly, Croquet giving him a helping hand. He hadn't been crushed by a lighting rig but he was feeling smushed none the less. He dusted off his suit with a frown.
"Did you see anyone up there Croquet?"
Pegasus questioned directly.
"No Sir, they used charges that were triggered by remote. Although it is obvious they have a clear sight line on us at this moment."
"Call up the rest of alpha team and have beta meet us back at the hotel. I want the limo, now."
It was clear Pegasus was done for today and he was set on getting out alive while the getting was good.
Croquet was already ushering them off to the side towards the nearest exit and out of the open, his gun drawn and his eyes searching while he was giving concise orders into his cell phone.
Pegasus took a hold of Kaibas shoulder to try and keep him moving with him.
"I think the two of you need to come with me. It's not safe here, let your security search the building and see what turns up while your out of harms way."
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This was horrifically embarrassing to be happening in front of Pegasus, and Mokuba had been in danger as well. He was in very grave danger of blowing a gasket.
He would have ordinarily argued about going with Pegasus, would have wanted to stay and hunt the bastard down himself, but he would not risk Mokuba further, and Mokuba would not go without him in these circumstances.
"Isono, with me, you can coordinate the sweep on the move. Make sure nothing is missed. Come on Mokuba, let's get out of here."
"Yes Seto," Mokuba said meekly, all too aware of what the wildness in Seto's eyes meant.
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Pegasus threw some logic at the situation for Kaibas benefit. He knew the dragon master was just itching to find someone to tear into for the insult of threatening him on his own territory.
"If you'd indulge me by spending a few hours at the hotel before going home I'm sure it will give your staff some time to sort this mess out and find the would be assassin."
"We can't have that valuable brain of yours getting crushed before the project is even complete now can we?"
Pegasus almost laughed as he implied Kaiba were only an investment to protect. He was much more than that to Pegasus and by now they both knew it.
The pink limo was pulled right up to the side doors to one of the entrances of the duel dome and five of Pegasus security team were surrounding it with weapons drawn. A black sedan with tinted windows was parked behind it so they would have an escort. Croquet went ahead and held the door open for them and Pegasus ducked inside, though his quick dive for the car had little to do with evading a threat as he turned back to kaiba and Mokuba and held up a bag.
"Ah ha! I knew I left my humbugs in here! Do either of you want one!? We can watch my new funny bunny movie on the way too!"
Pegasus as usual was just a bright little kid in a world of cartoons and candy shops.
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"He's right Seto."
"I know." Kaiba growled through clenched teeth.
He cursed under his breath at the sight of the limo, and had to force himself to climb into it, Mokuba happy enough when there were sweets and cartoons on offer. Funny bunny was a bit young for hi but who cared.
Kaiba settled in a seat, prickly and on edge as if the limo might try to bite him, seething where he was, plotting destruction after this insult.
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"Don't worry, it's not as if anyone else were around to see your Duel dome almost fall on you. I certainly won't be mentioning it to anyone."
Pegasus never really was one to let grumbling dragons lay. He started up the cartoons full blast and sat back, passing the candies over to Mokuba and looking as if he were having the time of his life.
Kaiba land was actually a little ways up the coast from Domino city and Pegasus hotel was all the way across town. It was a good forty five minute ride if they didn't hit any traffic. Plenty of time to watch cartoons!
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The only reason Kaiba wasn't getting upset with Pegasus for the cartoons was that it seemed to be keeping Mokuba happy and relaxed, as much as you could be in this situation. So he sat and seethed, trying to ignore funny bunny, inwardly plotting death for the one responsible for today's debacle.
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"Sir, we are being followed by a black sedan. They are moving closer now that we are on the cliff side road."
Pegasus paused in popping another candy into his mouth.
"Only one?"
"It seems that way Sir."
Pegasus continued crunching his candy and waved any concern away.
"Have our escort deal with them if they make a move. And if they don't, track them."
"Of course Sir."
Everything seemed to go back to normal after that. They were being followed, but it didn't look as if anything would come of it. As Domino city got closer however and they were on the last turn of the winding seaside road, the other car did try to pull up.
That was when things happened very fast. Pegasus own escort car slammed into the side of the one that was trying to move up beside the limo. There was a brief back and forth between them before Pegasus driver abruptly fell back then rammed them from behind at an angle that sent the other hostile car off the road in a spin of gravel.
Croquets voice came again;
"Our team reports there were guns drawn, but no one got close enough to fire."
Pegasus had just opened his mouth to reply that it was a job easily and well done and that they were bullet proof in here anyways, but a sudden apprehension made him turn to look out the back window.
A large delivery truck had just come around the last curve and was barreling down on them. It went right past their escort and slammed over into the side of the limo making it scrape the metal guard rails on the other side of the road.
The whole vehicle lurched and Pegasus nearly went over onto the floor. In the front Croquet was wrenching the steering wheel to the side from the surprised driver to keep them on the road.
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He saw the truck the same time Pegasus did and was reaching for Mokuba, as it slammed into them, everyone having to grab onto something to brace themselves. Who the hell wanted him dead this badly!
"I am going to kill someone for this!" He snarled.
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Pegasus didn't know who had hired them but this was definitely not just one assassin. And they were determined.
They were rammed again and Pegasus face went from surprised, to angry, to just plain cold in only a few seconds.
"Croquet. They're yours."
The side of the limo was scraping up sparks against the guard rail as Croquet answered with his usual bland voice.
"Thank-you, Sir."
In Japan cars drove on the left side of the road, Croquet sitting in the passenger seat meant he had to open the window and disappeared from them onto the roof of the car. He wasn't about to shoot across their own driver and open a window on the side right next to the van to make them all vulnerable.
There were only three shots fired that Pegasus could tell before Croquet was back sitting neatly as if he had never moved and the delivery van had stopped and veered to the side of the road. He had obviously shot the driver, the passenger, and the engine block for good measure.
Pegasus was straightening the lacy cuffs of his blouse under his suit and slightly avoided looking at the others in the limo for the moment as he said an almost bored,
"Very good Croquet. You've earned another bonus."
"My pleasure Sir."
Pegasus smiled then, he couldn't help it. And it wasn't his usual smile but something almost painful. He turned to Kaiba and Mokuba questioning with a return of more normal concern.
"Everyone alright then?"
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Kaiba was hanging on to him, as livid as Pegasus was. When Pegasus told Croquet these bastards were his, he smirked coldly, remembering all too well the ease with which he had killed on the boat.
It was a relief to have the truck dealt with, and some semblance of calm in the limo, though Mokuba was incredibly shaken by everything. Kaiba was just plain mad.
"We should be fine, thank you." He said, not angry at Pegasus, but unable to keep it from his tone.
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Pegasus was now brushing some invisible lint off the arm of his jacket and looking his best version of put out. He didn't like outright killing people, but they weren't in a position to take prisoners.
"Tell me, who did you mortally offend this week?"
Pegasus leveled an accusatory glare over at Kaiba as he recrossed his legs. The younger CEO and his brother were now both sitting across from him with their bodyguard Isono, leaving Pegasus alone facing backwards in the large car.
"None of my enemies are stupid enough to try an open attack in broad day light, and in a public place no less."
Their drive from Kaiba Land was more than half way over now, they were just coming into the more built up area of Domino city. Suburbs and small strip plazas, they were just passing the first school.
"It would seem someone is extremely determined to make a very public example of your demise."
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"Seto hasn't done anything! We've been working hard on the dome together. I don't know who wants to kill him, or us, but its not because he's a bad guy, so leave him alone!"
"That's enough Mokuba." Kaiba said sharply.
He took a moment to compose himself, wound up as tightly as his brother, but losing his temper was not going to help anything.
"I think someone wants to see me humiliated and then dead. They don't seem to care how. I am at a loss as to who might hate me this much."
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“I must apologize Mokuba, I didn’t mean your brother would purposefully put you in this sort of danger. I was only trying to inquire if he’d had any obvious threats from a known source recently. He often doesn’t even realize how abrasive he is to others and he may have offended someone without even realizing. You never know what some people are capable of if you rub them the wrong way.”
Pegasus was hoping for a better more thoughtful response this time that might shed some light on who they were dealing with. Unfortunately further conversation was made impossible. The silver haired CEO turned his head at the sound of screeching breaks and honking horns.
“Down, now!”
Pegasus ordered as he tugged at Kaibas shoulder, hard, and shoved him down and away from the door.
The limo had a green light at the first busy intersection of the city but from out of nowhere a large SUV was coming at them from the left. There were bare seconds between the warning sounds and the heavy crunch and impact as the two vehicles collided, the SUV t-boning the left side of the limo and plowing it right across the other lane into a cement light pole, hitting other cars too that crumpled and went careening out of the way. Glass and metal exploded through the interior of the limo marring every pretense of luxury and safety the vehicle had provided.
When the world stopped being drowned by the roar and scrape of crushing steel and shattering glass and they had finally lurched to a stop, their unwelcome friends in the black sedan were already pulling up outside directly across from Pegasus own stopped escort car. The brief silence held an ominous weight that one could almost taste. Guns were being drawn.
The entire left side of the limo had been crushed, the divider between the front seat and the back was bulletproof glass, thoroughly shattered but still holding together, and along the veins ran the blood of both Croquet and the driver. Neither of which seemed to have survived the crash from the extra impact with the lamp post.
Pegasus himself, also seated on the left side of the limo, was half leaning on his side along the bench, still facing backwards. His right leg was trapped by some pieces of the badly crushed in door and as he raised his head from his ducked over position, the hand he wasn’t leaning on went for his stomach. Something wasn’t right, he felt the wetness of his own blood before he saw it, not daring to look down. He took a shuddery breath, he was still breathing, that was good, but his fingers wrapped around the sharp metal bar that had pierced right through him. He was pinned in place like a pale moth on a specimen board.
He was in shock, he couldn’t feel it yet. His eye searched through his tangle of silver hair for Kaiba and Mokuba instead.
Outside the gunfire opened up like rain on a tin roof. The limo giving them little protection now if the assassins were careful enough with their aim.
“… Out, get out! The gas tank!… if they hit…”
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Pegasus words were weak and almost slurred as if he had been on an all night bender. He was starting to go numb to everything, it was all slowing down.
A heavy body hit its back up against the right side passengers window blocking any exit. It made Pegasus jolt and choke with pain at his own movement.
There was blood against the glass and a wicked growl coming from the man outside as he slid down.
“…Kemo … shit…”
Was all Pegasus could get out before the gunfire on one side stopped. Pegasus side. A piercing howl cut through the air of the Domino city streets, dispelling any sense of normalcy from the bright sunlight and pavement. Every citizen within earshot froze with primal fear at the chilling haunted sound. Blind loyalty had sent Kemo to try and reach his master and the scent of his blood on the air had roused the rest of his pack.
Pegasus closed his eye and hung his head. Teeth clenching pain and vertigo washed over him along with a heavy feeling that was dragging him into darkness. He fought it with stifled panting breaths as another howl outside joined the first, and another, and the gunfire that had stopped suddenly picked up along with gut wrenching screams.
There were three other wolves out there now besides Kemo, and clearly no one was packing silver bullets.
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