Seto's POV

I had been working on this... riddle... ever since Derp's attack. Well, of course I had to place a temporary peace enchantment over the house, but it should wear off soon.

The riddle. It has been bothering me so much, I swear I have had to drink at least 3 energy potions (Red-ilious Bull-ocios) as my paranoia just won't let me sleep.

Ian's riddle, I call it, is the key to stopping Derp once and for all. Of course, I haven't been able to use much of my magic because I've been draining it all to-

...

Maybe I should just keep that a secret for now. Let's just say it's a very difficult spell that takes a lot of time, energy, and magic. That's okay though, as I don't need it to solve Ian's riddle. I just need to focus.

You see, I have a theory about Derp. Every thing he has must have it's reason. The shrill voice, the awkward eyes, the black mist, they're all there for a reason. They must be.

I closed my eyes to try and focus on the riddle. I had to solve it, or who knows what else may happen. What do they all have in common? A voice, shrill enough to shatter glass. I guess that just breaks glass, or anything delicate really. Awkward eyes? I have no idea. It must make it difficult for him to see, with them both pointing in opposite directions and all. The black mist. I swear it coated the floor and would seep through the air. My body shuttered at the thought of it. I swear, it filled the room. I'll admit, it made it rather difficult to properly see where I was aiming at. I guess that helps Derp attack, but wouldn't it effect him as well? Doesn't that ma-

My thoughts were interrupted by someone knocking on my door.

"Hello? Seto? You in there dude?" It was Ian.

"Yah, one sec." I responded with a grunt, pushing myself off the bed. I'll solve it later, I guess. I opened the door causing it to make a strained creak. I motioned for him to follow me and sit on the floor, and he complied with a nod.

"So, what's up? How are you recovering from yesterdays... events?" My voice rang with true curiosity. I wanted to know how he was after Derps forced transformation. Maybe It will help with the riddle.

Ian seemed a little spaced out. "Kinda shaken, to be honest." He leaned back, as if he was exhausted from just sitting. "Just told Jerome, Mitch, and Jason about my life. They took it well, but I dunno about how they may act later."

I wasn't surprised. The choice was logical, and helpful to his cause.

"How was the whole Derp episode? How did it feel to you? Did you see anything?" I questioned, rushing to get answers.

Ian thought for a moment before responding. "Now that I think about it, no. There wasn't much to see. No visions or messages." He paused. I looked at him contently, motioning for him to go on. "All that was there were shimmering lights, seemingly reflecting off of nothing, and everything. All the while, I was surrounded by a haunting feeling of... loneliness..." Ian's mind was way in space now, his words slowly drifting into silent whimpers.

I let him be, as his seemingly useless information may have helped my research. My body lied back onto my bed, eyes closed to think. The sounds of Ian returning upstairs could faintly be heard, just a barely audible sound masked by my thoughts. I was so close to solving it when a crash came from upstairs, shattering my thoughts. My eyes sprang open as I bolted up. I couldn't run fast enough, as the fight was already well began.

Ian's POV

Seto seemed curious about Derp, so I just told him whatever I saw, then wandered back upstairs. My thoughts were rather jumbled, so filled with reminders of the past that I was surprised functionality was still possible. When my eyes finally registered the scene playing in front of me, I swear it needed a reboot. Jason & Adam were waving at me to hide, while motioning their head towards the couch, where Mitch & Jerome were calming a stressed and obviously angered Ty.

"It's not your fault Ty. You didn't know what would happen." Mitch's words were ignored as I tried to sneak away.

"No, I sh-should have l-listened to Ian. Then Quentin would still b-be here." The weeping Ty looked torn up. He must really be blaming himself.

It was Jerome's turn now.

"Just relax buddy. It's in the past, and there's nothing we can do to try and change what happened." His words drew a breath from Ty, making the now calmer man look up.

I was almost out.

"You're right guys. It's not my fault." He stood up, and turned around to face me. I must not have been quiet enough. "It's his."

"Wait, wha-" Ty leapt at me, pushing me to the ground. His face was so full of hatred it made me want to cower in fear of his ever growing shadow. Punches were landing left and right. I think my nose was bleeding, but I couldn't tell over the pain in my ribs. Screams could be heard from all around the room, some sounding like Seto's. Too bad he can't currently use magic.

Eventually Mitch and Jerome pulled Ty off me. He continued to fight them, struggling to be freed, but stopped and relaxed once I stood up. Adam appeared at my side.

"You okay bud?" He asked, voice sewn with worry.

"Yeah, I just need to sit down." I replied while coughing up blood.

Adam practically carried me to the couch, and let me collapse onto it. After a couple minutes I watched as a now much calmer Ty was released. He walked towards me smiling, then when he got close enough his grin disappeared, only to be replaced with a smirk as his fist flew through the air. It landed on my face, both smashing my glasses and knocking out my weakened form in the process.