Yuugiou: Capsule Monsters - Beyond Legends
AU. In a world where humans and creatures live alongside each other, many legends have been formed. Now a young male, Yugi Mutou, plans to make himself known. One difference sets him apart: The Millennium Puzzle and the spirit of a Pharaoh on his side.
Chapter 2 - Journey
Yugi stood before the counter in the Game Shop in possession of his grandfather, awaiting the elder's return, to discuss Yugi's decision further. A handful of times had he been eager to venture out into the wide world around him, the result of every attempt had dragged him back to the town of his home, his family. This time, Yugi had promised himself that he wouldn't return until he had fulfilled his quest, whatever it was; the answer would come to him. His grandfather returned to the room, undersized much like Yugi; they had always assumed that it had been his grandfather whom had given Yugi his height. His spiky hair largely rested beneath a bandana, a handful of spikes falling in a similar fashion to Yugi's.
"Yugi, are you sure you want to venture out again? Every time you leave, you return here. Maybe it's a sign, maybe its best you remain" he began with a sigh.
"No. I've been relying on you far too long. If I don't leave your nest now, I never will" Yugi protested. "I know it might get lonely, but I won't be gone forever".
"Alright then" his grandfather - Sugoroku - sighed again.
"I promise. I'll be back, but I'm going to remember why I wanted to travel. You said it yourself that Fate gave me a mission with this thing" Yugi answered, shifting his left arm forward, both sets of eyes falling onto the Capsule Shooter. "There has to be a reason Fate chose me to hold this. I've never even met anyone else with one. But they exist and they're probably travelling the world to learn what they are".
"You're right. I can't hold you back from what Fate has commanded you to do".
"I'm sorry Jii-san. But I've got to do this".
"It's fine. Travel the world as I did, learn what there is about his place. I'll be waiting right here".
Yugi nodded, each time he had decided to leave the place he had called home for the majority of his life, his grandfather had been standing behind him - after a brief moan about how lonely the place would be without Yugi's youth. All that was left was to pack and he could move on again.
A number of hours later; Yugi stood in the same room before the door, his grandfather facing him, wearing the same guilty expression. Over Yugi's shoulder, a small backpack with the supplies he would need, enough money to stock up again whenever it was required had been collected.
"Don't give me that look" Yugi chuckled. "I told you, if I find my answers, then I'll return here first to tell you what they are".
"Alright then. Just be careful".
"I will be. You know me. I'll see you when I come back. Whether it's when I plan or sooner".
Another nod from his grandfather and another brief farewell from each and Yugi turned to leave his home, opening up the door to the bright late-afternoon of the summer. The streets remained as vibrant as ever, the sun shining down upon the city. Yugi strode along the roadsides, following his usual route out of the city, the same as he had in the morning. Staring at the sky from outside the city's borders, a sense of pride began to build up inside of him.
A presence began to emerge from the Puzzle around his neck, a transparent man almost his twin stood next to him; standing slightly taller than him, his crimson eyes narrower, a number of blonde bangs standing up rather than sitting atop his brow with the others in Yugi's fashion.
"Yugi" he began. "Are you alright to do this now? You've tried before and withdrawn back to Domino".
"No, I'm sure. I know there's no special feeling or an occasion to today, but I want to try. If I rely on Jii-san forever, I'll never learn why I was given this thing, why I unlocked the partners we have from their sleep" Yugi protested. "I don't want to be a burden anymore and I'm not going to miss this chance. The others that found these devices eight years ago must be searching for their answers too".
"Alright then" the spirit nodded, withdrawing his spirit back into the Puzzle; fading before Yugi's eyes.
Yugi preceded forward, his first steps in a new journey to set himself apart from the city of his birth, of his life hitherto. He smiled once again, feeling he could really succeed where he had failed, he wouldn't get homesick; he wouldn't get himself in trouble. One day, his grandfather wouldn't be there and he wouldn't be able to run back to a pair of arms; the constant thoughts of the other individuals chosen, searching for their answers, that was his inspiration. That and to make his grandfather proud. He had travelled the world and learned the answers to questions, now it was Yugi's turn. His thoughts wandered to the types of people that he continued to associate himself with; what histories did they have? What were their personalities? What creatures had they teamed up with? The real question was though: Was there anyone else that had come across the machines?
Maybe he was alone in the choice of the higher powers over the world, maybe this was a way to build his confidence and give him an opportunity to spread his wings. He couldn't posit it all to be a dream; not after eight years. The sense of loneliness crept amongst his heart, a shadow drifting around his warmth. He shook his head; why torture himself with those thoughts? Stills of the past flashed through his head; he had never been alone, even before the Pharaoh's arrival into his life. He began to repeat the message in his mind that he wasn't an outcast, Fate hadn't selected only him, there had to be someone else.
Approximately an hour later, he gazed over his shoulder; the city was gradually sinking into the scenery behind him, eventually to fade as nothing more than a memory. He smiled meekly, proud of himself and at the same time saddened by the thoughts of the people he was leaving behind. He had cared for them so deeply; he still had a mobile to contact them on. But to bring them with him, to be able to have more than memories that would fade away over time and sink into death, that was what he wanted. Would that be all that was left of him when he died, whether it was naturally or at the hands of a vicious monster? Memories and pictures? Nothing more than a name on a headstone? The images snapped him out of his thoughts, shaking his head violently. Doubt had crept into him alongside the loneliness. He cursed himself for the negative thoughts; the Pharaoh would have surely scolded him had he emerged before Yugi had woken again. He stepped forward again, the sun had begun to sink lower to his right; soon the sky would become a bright mixture of oranges and pinks, perhaps every much like a rainbow reaching across Japan, spreading across the globe. He smiled gently at the images of the coloured skies he had witnessed outside of the city before. The past was the past, the path towards the future before his present. He lifted his head high, the smile remaining a part of his expression.
"I won't fail everyone. I'll make it this time" he called wholeheartedly, stepping forward proudly again.
His pace quickened, not through impatience or the need to rush, but out of pure inspiration, the longing to see what the world looked like. He wanted to see; he couldn't continue at a casual pace, he would miss the world he had desired.
Around him, the scenery began to change, civilization fading into meadows, forests, mountains, even a lake. All surrounding him, all the nature his power had been born from. The sky overhead began to adjust by the sun's descending, becoming a sea of orange, slightly resembling a sea of fading blood, clouds becoming oranges and pinks. Yugi had passed into another large open lea, mountains to his left, the sun to his right and nothing visible ahead of him. It wouldn't be long before exhaustion caught up with him, he'd need to rest. But simply lying down and falling asleep in the middle of the empty plain wasn't an option. A shadow began to slip along the greensward, someone was approaching. Yugi's eyes narrowed into a cautious glare, his right hand hovering above the capsules in his belt, advancing in the scenario it was nothing more then a traveller such as himself.
"Hey. Who're you, spiky?" a confident voice came.
Yugi's eyes reverted back to their usual appearance, the prepared antagonism withdrawn. Before him stood a lean blond man. His hair tinted in the light of the setting sun, reflecting the colour, his eyes remained a vigorous hazel. Yugi's eyes fell to his left arm, resisting the urge to gasp at what he found: a Capsule Shooter identical to the one he possessed.
"Me? What about you? How did you get that thing?" Yugi responded, pointing to the machine.
"This?" the man asked, lifting his arm and gazing down at it. "I got it years ago, after a night when people said stars fell. I reckoned it was something from space".
"So you hold those creatures too" Yugi muttered. "Why are you heading towards Domino then?"
"Domino? I head anywhere nowadays. I'm trying to find out why this thing is here".
"So you're searching for the same answer as me" Yugi whispered, analysing the man's words.
"What are you doing out here then?" the man called back.
"Same as you. Looking for answers, wondering why I was given this device" Yugi answered, joy of finding another individual so early welled inside of him, not even a smile to mark it on the surface. "As an answer to your first question; I'm Yugi Mutou".
"Katsuya Jonouchi" the blond replied with a grin.
"I'm glad to meet you, Jonouchi. I was wondering if I really was the only one that had this Capsule Shooter".
"'Capsule Shooter'? Never thought of a name for it before. It'll work though, I was tired of this thing not having a name and having to refer to it as nothing" Jonouchi muttered, staring at the device again. "Hey Yugi, you're pretty cool. Maybe we should accompany each other. After all, we'll have a better chance searching together".
"Okay then. I'll trust you" Yugi answered, the smile starting to surface of his overwhelming relief.
"How about before the sun sets, we have ourselves a little match, see what we each have?" Jonouchi requested.
"Alright. I'll enjoy going up against creatures that don't just lunge at me without reason" Yugi called, smirking at the challenge set.
"Cool" Jonouchi answered, slipping a capsule out of his belt and slipping it into his Capsule Shooter. Pointing it toward the sky, a golden beam of light shot out, forming a creature at the top. "Alright Baby Dragon, we've got ourselves a real fight!"
The light's aura began to shrink, fading into a bright orange scaled dragon; large playful azure eyes staring down at Yugi. The shorter combatant grinned confidently at the creature, at the same time, trying to avoid offending Jonouchi. Instead, he loaded his own capsule, pointing it in the direction of the petit dragon. A matching ray of light shot out, his swordsman leaping out into the battle.
"Celtic Guardian, keep your guard up" he commanded.
The elfin warrior tightened his grip on his sword, glaring at the dragon; Jonouchi had the advantage, but sending his other creature would be suicide. Yugi pointed in the direction of the dragon.
"Celtic Guardian, try and strike it down!" he called.
The warrior leapt forward, sword by his side while he soared up towards the creature. Jonouchi grinned, it was a strategy he had knew all too well.
"Baby Dragon, dodge it. Then attack him back" he instructed.
The small winged-beast shot out of Celtic Guardian's path, leaving him soaring from his leap without any direction. The dragon lowered itself behind him and before Yugi could call anything, a fireball shot from its mouth, slamming into the warrior's back, sending him tumbling violently to the ground. A veil of smoke rose from the ground, rising from the small crater created by Celtic Guardian's collision with the soil. Despite the friendly nature of the battle, Yugi growled in frustration, he hadn't suffered a defeat since meeting with his creatures, he was hoping now wasn't the time for that record to break.
"Celtic Guardian, watch out!" he called desperately.
Jonouchi grinned, yelling for his dragon to fire another attack at the wounded soldier. Celtic Guardian had forced himself to his feet when the fireball began to glow fiercely. Yugi stared in shock, unsure what he could do another than try to dodge, even then, Baby Dragon's speed was far more advanced. The ball shots down towards the elfin soldier, Yugi couldn't say a word; his mind ran through scenarios, unable to find one to save his monster. The Puzzle around his neck began to glow, catching his eyes. Jonouchi caught the light in the corner of his eye, he didn't turn his full attention to it, assuming it to be another creature; he wanted to see the final strike.
"Celtic Guardian, turn your sword!" another voice came.
Jonouchi's focus on the battle broke, that wasn't Yugi's voice.
He turned to his opponent, only Yugi wasn't standing there; the Pharaoh had annexed his role as Jonouchi's opponent. Jonouchi rose an eyebrow, unsure what it was about Yugi that seemed different; they had just met, he couldn't determine what Yugi's standard behaviour in battle was. At the same time as Jonouchi's distraction; Celtic Guardian turned it sword as commanded, the fire slamming into it, sinking into the metal.
"Now, launch a counterattack, strike it down!"
The words broke Jonouchi's focus on his opponent, turning back to the battle between them. Celtic Guardian was already upon his dragon when Jonouchi's eyes met him, swinging his sword down onto the dragon.
"Baby Dragon!" Jonouchi cried out.
The creature squealed when the red-hot steel blade touched it, slashing across without hesitation. Jonouchi stared in disbelief, watching his dragon fall to the ground in the same way as Celtic Guardian had. Another crash and more smoke and parts of the earth rose, he smiled, stepping forward.
"Alright. I can see where this is going" he called, raising his hands up in defeat, grinning. "I surrender".
Celtic Guardian landed by Baby Dragon, holding his hand out for the creature. The movement surprised Jonouchi who watched. Seeing the gesture - one he had never seen nor had ever expected - he could see his dragon also perplexed, reaching out with one of its front claws. Celtic Guardian pulled it up while Jonouchi approached, the dragon yapped happily at the sight of its master. Jonouchi wrapped his arms around the small creature, holding like any pet before turning to the Pharaoh.
"You're not Yugi, are you?" he asked with a smile.
"Correct. I'm just a spirit that lies within Yugi Mutou's Millennium Puzzle. The shadow to his light, he calls me his 'Other Half'" the Pharaoh answered.
"Another Yugi? I should have known there'd be something different about him. Having a Capsule Shooter should have been enough to tell me" Jonouchi chuckled. "So then…what's your name?"
"I'm afraid I don't remember. When Yugi and I met, I couldn't tell him anything about me. At one time, he did call me 'Yami', just a way to refer to me by a name and at the same time what I am".
"Alright then, I'll call you that too" Jonouchi called.
The Pharaoh stared at Jonouchi, just waiting for him to repeat his words, he wasn't sure if he had heard the blond's offer correctly. Jonouchi nodded rather than opening his mouth, causing the Pharaoh to smile. Celtic Guardian vanished in the same light he had emerged from, returning to the Capsule Shooter, the container of its aura shooting out and into the Pharaoh's hand. The Puzzle began to glow once the capsule was returned to its slot, the sight of a second capsule catching Jonouchi's eye. When he looked back up, he could see Yugi staring back.
"Sorry about hurting your dragon, Jonouchi. I didn't mean for us to go that far" he stated, bowing apologetically.
"It's fine. I bet you've killed hundreds of monsters to think up those tactics" Jonouchi laughed, shaking a hand cautiously, hoping his dragon wouldn't slip from his arms.
Together; Yugi and Jonouchi continued to trek across the greensward, eventually coming across the edge of a forest close by. Jonouchi grinned, turning to Yugi wearing a grin.
"How about we find ourselves somewhere to sleep in there?" he asked with a laugh.
"Are you sure it's safe?" Yugi inquired.
"It's fine. I've slept in places more risky than here. We can set up a fire and have something to eat".
Yugi nodded; clearly Jonouchi was a character that wouldn't change his mind. Yugi followed him in through the trees acting as the barrier for the woodland. The sky overhead began to darken, the bright orange of the evening sinking into the midnight blue of night, the moon the only supply of light before the stars would fill the sky with glory.
Once the pair had stumbled upon a clearing they could use, Yugi brought out his Celtic Guardian again, having the warrior use his sword to cut away at a tree's branches for firewood, fortunately without disturbing any of the creatures living in the forest. Jonouchi's Baby Dragon lit the wood to supply the fire Jonouchi had hoped for. Yugi watched Jonouchi over the flames during their meal, their monsters resting inside their capsules once again.
"Jonouchi, I'm impressed. I wouldn't have thought of using our monsters to make a campfire" he called cheerfully.
"I've been travelling for a while; I knew my Baby Dragon had potentials outside of battle. Besides, your Guardian makes things a lot easier. Usually I'd have to go and hunt for some decent wood and find myself fighting more" Jonouchi laughed.
"Jonouchi…how did you come across your Capsule Shooter? I can see why you were chosen" Yugi asked.
"Eh?" Jonouchi sounded, his laughter paused.
"You're so resourceful; you're strong and confident as well. I can see why you had been picked by Fate. You're the perfect person to live alongside these monsters, you've given them some real experience" Yugi answered, beaming the entire time.
"Me? I may be resourceful, but I've never seen a monster lend a hand to the loser of a battle. You've given your Celtic Guardian a heart, it knows compassion. So I think I can understand why you found your Capsule Shooter as well" Jonouchi replied, grinning smugly. "But honestly, I'm not the only person I know to have one".
"What?" Yugi gasped, staring in shock at Jonouchi.
"Yeah. You see, after the night people claim stars fell from the dark sky; my sister and I were playing close to home when we found this sitting there" Jonouchi explained, the memories of that day running through his mind, the images of his sister he had stored in his mind. "Neither of us was sure what it was. My sister was worried about it, I had to be the big brother and protect her. But she was curious as well as scared. We agreed to reach for it together. Just when we touched it; it began to glow, a bright light like the sun. We would have run away screaming, but the light was too intense for us to see which way we would have been heading. There was a feeling around my left arm, the light had split that Capsule Shooter into two and both my sister and I possessed one each".
"Your sister? I wonder what Fate's intention for her was. Why isn't she travelling with you?" Yugi inquired.
"I didn't want her to get hurt. We've seen the monsters that attack, she has a couple of monsters, but they're not strong enough to defend her. I was always worried that perhaps we would get separated or there could be too many monsters for my Baby Dragon to handle. I wanted to protect her, so I promised I would return to her when I got stronger, when I got some answers. With you about, maybe I really can fulfil that promise, we can become a powerful team that no-one can overcome. Yugi, I know it's a lot to ask seeing as we just met, but…I want us to grow together, awaken more monsters so I can return to Shizuka head held high".
"It's fine with me, Jonouchi. I guess I have a similar goal. I promise my Jii-san that I would go home to him when I got some answers myself" Yugi answered, smiling at the prospect of being able to help Jonouchi, he had already found a use. "To get those answers, I've got to grow along this journey, toughen myself up. To be honest, I've tried this journey before. But every time I would run home because I missed the life I left there. With you standing by me, I won't have that desire anymore. I knew the moment I saw you that you could help me grow enough to carry out the journey I had waited for since the day I found my Capsule Shooter".
Jonouchi mirrored Yugi's smile, he too seemed glad that he could help someone other than himself, they both had someone waiting for them, somewhere to return to called home when their journey would end. Jonouchi stretched his arms, yawning widely, Yugi chuckled at the sight; he had never encountered anyone like Jonouchi before. Jonouchi was rubbing his eye, when Yugi gazed up at him again.
"I suppose we should get some rest then, huh" the blond mumbled tiredly.
"Sounds good to me" Yugi answered with a nod.
He pulled the second capsule from his belt, loading it into his Capsule Shooter, Jonouchi stared confused. He couldn't understand why a monster had to be called from its capsule when they were about to sleep. He twisted his head quickly, waiting for a hiding monster to lunge at him. The light in front of him caught his attention, he turned back to find himself staring at a small fuzzy creature with green claws and large yellow eyes holding blue irises.
"What's that?" he asked, pointing at the miniature monster.
"This is my Kuriboh" Yugi answered, wrapping his arms around the hairy creature, looking rather like a young child. "I found him a couple of years ago close to the edge of Domino City".
"''Kuriboh'? Looks like something that fell of a giant cat" Jonouchi mumbled uncomfortably.
Kuriboh growled, reaching its claws out and attempting to scratch Jonouchi in a revenge attack, failing to do so. Yugi chuckled, patting the top of the creature; eventually it ignored Jonouchi and his remark, almost purring to the gentle touch.
"I was thinking that maybe I could use Kuriboh as like a pillow. At the same time, it can spend some time out of its capsule. I haven't really had the chance to bring it out lately" Yugi stated, shifting his gaze from Kuriboh to Jonouchi.
"So I'm some sort of teacher in being resourceful?" Jonouchi laughed, folding his arms over his chest.
"Perhaps" Yugi chuckled. "Kuriboh, you wouldn't mind, would you?"
The creature shook its body, doing its best to reply to Yugi's question, it enjoyed just being around him. It hopped out of his arms and sat upon the ground, Yugi smiled gratefully at it. He lay down gently, resting his head cautiously, Kuriboh purred happily. Yugi's eyes fell closed, drifting into a merited sleep. Jonouchi smiled watching Yugi fading from the world around them.
"You're one of a kind, you are Yugi. I'm glad we could meet. Honestly, I thought you were just some weirdo until I noticed that Capsule Shooter" he muttered, his words merely thoughts aloud. "Together, you and I can make our families and homes proud. This journey, I'm glad I went along with it. We'll become the greatest legends ever. Together, we'll…"
His eyes turned skywards, staring up at the lights of space beginning to reveal themselves in the night sky, the melody he had always associated with Shizuka running through his mind, the sound of piano keys following each other.
"We can fulfil whatever it is you think Fate set for us".
Next time
Yugi and Jonouchi venture into a ravine rumoured to be surrounded by vicious creatures. Yugi is beginning to find his fighting spirit, but at the same time, the duo find themselves in the line of fire. Someone watching over the battle may hold the key to their safety. Will they be ally or enemy? Chapter 3 - "Ravine".
