Disclaimer: I do not in any way own anythinf except for the idea of this story and the world in which the "dream" takes place.
SUMMARY: Ever wonder what would happen if your dreams were real? What if they started to change and blur the lines of reality around you? Mutou Yuugi finds out just what happens, and why most humans try to think of dreams as just that: dreams of another reality, far from our own, or simply as things from our imagination. Turns out they were wrong. Dead wrong.
Prologue: Another Dream, Another Reality
It started as just another day for most in Domino, still sleeping peacefully as the dawn was becoming more pronounced. But, as is with every morning, it wasn't so normal for one teenager. In the bedroom window of Mutou Yuugi could be seen the said occupant, tossing fitfully in a deep sleep. Now, most would just shrug it off as simply having a nightmare and leave well enough alone. But of course, there wouldn't be much of a story to that now, would there? No, unfortunately for Yuugi this wasn't just a nightmare, and by all means, it wasn't simple. Of course, simply telling of it wouldn't be much to keep one's attention, so we'll just take a peak inside this dream.
Running, always running it seemed. But that wasn't such a bad idea to the teen as he glimpsed back over his shoulder at just what he was running from. Cloaked figures, several of them, mounted on frightening versions of horses. They were always there, and always after him. But this time, they seemed to be gaining on him a lot faster than before, and he wasn't as close to waking this time.
"Ra, please let me wake up now. I know this is just a dream, but I don't want to see what happens if they catch me.."
Unfortunately for Yuugi, his prayers seemed to go unheard, as he tripped on a rock in the path. Crying out in surprise, and also slightly from landing on his face, he quickly scrambled to his feet, only to come face to face with those who had been after him.
With a dark smirk, one of them lowered his hood, revealing white hair and cold red-brown eyes.
"R-Ryou?" In an instant, Yuugi realized that this wasn't Ryou at all, as he was forcefully lifted into the air by a strong hold on his neck.
"I don't know what you just called me boy...but my name is Bakura. And now, you belong to us.. After so many days of running away." Yuugi's eyes widened. The dream had lasted many days, but it always started in the same place, at the same time. What Bakura said just couldn't be true, unless they were aware of how many times he dreamt of running from them.
Another of the hooded people walked over to Bakura, lowering his hood as well. This one had cold lavender eyes and impossibly spiked hair. "Bakura, you might want to let the kid down, I don't know how he's still breathing with your hold on him.." He smirked darkly.
Bakura glanced from his companion to Yuugi, then lowered said teen to the ground, just slightly loosening his hold on his throat.
Now without the ability to run any more, Yuugi had the chance to really survey his surroundings. They were on a well-used dirt road, cutting through a small valley. On either side of them were extremely thick trees. Yuugi silently prayed for a distraction, and for the white-haired man to release him, so he could make a break for it. The trees looked safe enough. Well, safer than where he was now. Scanning the road ahead of them, he noticed that there was a small city or village near by. But not near enough that he could reach it before they could catch him again. He mentally sighed, almost admitting defeat. A noise to the left caught his attention, and he slightly turned his head to look. His captors seemed to have almost forgotten about him, and were having a hushed conversation between themselves. Not that it would have made any difference to Yuugi if they had been speaking louder; they were talking in another language now.
A sudden cry from one of those still on a horse drew all of their attention. There was a blade sticking out of the now dead man's chest, and another flew from the trees to strike one more of their party. Yuugi's eyes went wide, and from the surprised sounds that Bakura and the other had made, Yuugi guessed they did the same. Bakura's grip on him lessened, but before Yuugi had a chance to get away, the other had taken a tight hold on his arm. Yuugi glanced up at the two in fear and confusion, earning a warning glare in return. Bakura left his position to run towards the surviving members of the group, drawing a pair of long swords from seemingly nowhere. The other, as if sensing Yuugi's confusion explained, slightly.
"Bakura is a master of Shadows. And those weapons of his are perfect examples of what his magic can do."
Yuugi frowned just slightly. Magic didn't exist, did it? Well, this was his dream, so he figured it was possible. Speaking of dream, he began wondering just why ha hadn't woken up yet. A sudden gust of wind pulled Yuugi from his thoughts, as a figure seemed to just walk out of the wind. He felt the grip on his arm tighten painfully. Hearing footsteps behind them, Yuugi glanced over his shoulder, past his captor. Another figure had also come up to them, this one looking much like his captor, but his hair wasn't as wild.
"Release the boy, Marik." Yuugi looked up at the one holding his arm. So his name was Marik.
"And why should I Malik? You must know that I won't."
The other blonde, now dubbed Malik smirked. "You always were stubborn, eh? Very well then. If you won't, we'll just have to make you."
Marik smirked. "We? I think your friend will have his hands full with Bakura."
Yuugi turned towards where the other had been, to see that he indeed was facing Bakura. He nearly did a double take as he recognized the other almost instantly as his friend, Bakura Ryou. 'No way…this just keeps getting more strange.'
He heard the one called Malik laugh. "Now Marik, who said that I was talking about him?"
Yuugi felt a chill suddenly come over the area, and vaguely noticed that Marik had as well. He held back a gasp of surprise as a third person walked out of nowhere up to them, sporting the same tri-colored hair as himself.
"I didn't think that you'd actually leave the comfort of your palace to come out here, Pharaoh." Yuugi could almost feel the smirk that had formed on Marik's face.
"Then I guess you would be wrong Marik. Now, why don't you and Bakura take what's left of your men and leave while you still can." Yuugi stared at the newcomer with awe. He was almost certain that if Marik hadn't been holding his arm do tightly he could have melted at his voice.
He noticed that Ryou had joined Malik behind them, and Bakura was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's the Tomb Robber, Marik?"
Marik shrugged lessening the grip on Yuugi's arm just slightly. "Beats me Pharaoh. But, as they say.. He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day."
With a dark smirk, he pushed Yuugi forward hard, hitting him in the back of the head. Crying out slightly, Yuugi closes his eyes for the impact of falling on his face for the second time. When it didn't come, he opened his eyes to see the blurry image of the one Marik had called Pharaoh, before completely losing consciousness in the other's arms.
Atem smirks just slightly, picking Yuugi up. He turned to Malik and Ryou with a nod. "Let's go back now."
They nod in agreement, and the same wind picks up, taking them with it.
"Welcome Yuugi, I've been waiting for you."