[All material here is FICTIONAL so please keep an open mind while reading, but feel free to comment or correct anything you wish]
Title: A tale of just that!
Pairing/s: Multi, the only currently set ones are Set/Jou, Yam/Yug and Bak/Ryo but others are likely to show up - without warning
Chapters: 20+
Genre: Adventure, romance, humor, angst, AU
Word count: 6,584
Full summary: Atojt is a land plagued by war; by Kings that seek control over the world and men who seek power. Families are torn apart and lives are lost, but the only approach anyone seems to have to the problem would be to point their fingers at someone else. The Rebels are eager to blame the Kings for any unjust, but when their methods seem less than just in themselves people of the four Kingdoms are left to wander. YAOI, AU
Warnings: Yaoi(that's boys with boys), sexual content, violence, angst, abuse(of several natures)
Recap: "Is your friends from this village?" the Northern King inquired further, his head cocking lightly to the side.
"Yes..."
Atemu lifted a brow and peered at the other King curiously.
"I will be accompanying you." the Northern King stated in a strong, the decision is final, way. Atemu nodded slowly and Yugi frowned slightly before doing the same as the other spiky haired male had done, nodding.
A tale of just that!
Chapter three, The ferocious deadly beast and his purr.
::start::
"Eastern King supporters... is he sure that is correct?" The blue eyed king addressed Atemu directly, ignoring the small villagers presence.
The group had quickly began toward the forest where the attack was supposedly happening at the very moment.
"Are you...?" Atemu questioned Yugi with a gentle tone.
Yugi nodded furiously "Yes! That's what Joey said to tell you... Rudiz - the boy from the group being attacked - told us that was what he believed."
"But, this is Northern lands." Captain Zi murmured.
"It is." The Northern King agreed.
Atemu frowned. He could see no reason for a group of his own supporters to be in the Northern lands without his knowledge. Although he was quite relieved that the Northern King hadn't taken it for what he would have believed he would. The presence of another King's supporting group would usually bring suspicion of an attack. Specifically from the North King, since Atemu had shown up claiming to wish for a form of alleyship.
He was quite surprised the taller King hadn't already turned on him, angry with fair reason.
"Th-they could have been forced here..." Yugi mumbled nervously. He wasn't sure about just who these people were or what their reasons were for being in his village but he did trust them. Specifically Atemu. The other men made Yugi a bit nervous and uncomfortable but he believed they were good men. If Atemu was on good terms with them they must be; or so that was Yugi's logic on the matter. "They might have been chased here by the rebels...?"
"It is a possibility."Atemu agreed with the boy.
"We don't have the time to discuss this any further." The Northern King interrupted and once more began walking toward the forest.
"Captain! Captain Zi!" a gruff voice interrupted the two Kings and Yugi's progression toward the forest that surround the small village this time. The voice belonged to a tall broad man clad in similar silver armor as Captains Zi. The large man wasted no time in rushing to the man he had called to. The two shared a brief hushed conversation before Zi turned his attention to his King.
"My Lord..." he bowed once respectfully then began relating the message to his King once he had neared enough for privacy "The seer has warned of another attack on the capital in the near future, she has requested your return immediately."
The Northern King's face fell for only a fraction of a second before he masked the disappointment. "Very well, Captain Zi-"
"May I inquire if there is anything wrong?" Atemu interrupted, his brows were pulled together in concern.
The other King took only a moment to consider answering the shorter man. "There is an important issue back in the Capital, one I cannot ignore, therefore I will be taking my leave now..."
"I see, that is unfortunate... we will have to meet again some time." the Eastern King answered politely.
"Hn, I will be leaving Captain Zi here to sort out the issues with the rebels." Atemu understood very well what this meant, he was leaving Captain Zi to handle things in his stead and that would mean if Atemu wished to discuss anything further he would have to settle for the Captain for the time being.
"I understand."
Yugi tilted his head curiously in confusion but he didn't interrupt.
"Zi..." the brunet turned his attention back to his Captain, his voice lowering. "You know well the business we came here for, let nothing stop you from completing your mission. In addition there is a Dragon Summoner with a dragon the opposite in color to mine, bring him to the Capital regardless of the cost."
"My Lo-" Zi started but was cut off by his King.
"Do not fail."
"Understood, My Lord."
"Atemu..." Yugi whispered nervously. After the interruption with the strange man in armor his uncomfortable level had peaked.
"Well, we must be going... I wish you a safe journey home." he nodded toward the Northern King and turned on his heel to once more continue toward the battle in the forest.
"Home...?" Yugi was surprised, a bit alarmed and thoroughly confused but he didn't pry any further. He quickly began following after the taller man.
Captain Zi wasted no time himself in following the two.
Several steps into the forest and Yugi had quickly taken the lead, taking the two men that quietly followed him obediently to the battlefield. The all over mood was not a happy one, the trio was somber but hysteric with their run toward their goal. They didn't have the time to linger.
Several steps futher and they were greeted by several men dressed much like Captain Zi. The men were silent but ran swiftly catching up to the trio from behind. The only sound they offered was the gentle clicking of metal on metal from their armor. The calm silence from Zi lead Yugi to believe he had known of their upcoming arrival. While Yugi was relieved they have more help, he was also quite nervous as to who exactly the men were.
Atemu didn't have much of a reaction. He glanced over his shoulder at the men but relaxed fractioinally after noting who they were. That lead Yugi to believe he hadn't expected them but knew more or less that they meant no harm to them.
So Yugi was the only clueless one.
He managed a half-hearted huff at the annoying realization but he didn't linger on it.
Joey and Tristen were in trouble, he knew it, and Rudiz was likely to be in the same predicament as well as the rest of the Eastern King supporters. His brow furrowed with worry and he increased his already break-neck pace.
A Tale Of Just That!
"Wheeler... just what the hell is that?" Hirutani sounded nervous; shaken from the sudden appearance of the strange creature.
Red Eyes hissed at the large human, his tail slapping the ground in a threatening manner, after he'd slid from Joey's arms. Sharp teeth were revealed to the Rebels as Red Eyes crouched onto the ground in a ready-to-pounce aggressive stance. The older men began shifting nervously under the dragon's scrutiny.
"J...Joey?" Tristen called from somewhere within the crowd of men, his voice was weak and coarse. Joey's honey eyes began searching the mass of men hysterically at the sound of his best friend's strained voice.
"Tristen?" Joey called back.
"Wheeler." Hirutani demanded his attention back, his aged scarred face was tense.
Joey didn't offer the man so much as a glance as he finally depicted his friend's beaten body out of the mass of people. The brunet had managed to climb back to his feet, but he didn't look like he was going anywhere on his own anytime soon. "Tristen..." the blond's voice was strained too, but less with pain than with his raw emotion toward dragging his loyal friend into yet another life or death situation.
It wasn't the first time Tristen had been beaten to near death.
It was also far from the first time Joey had been the one to put him in a position that would threaten his life.
"Hirutani..." Joey started turning his attention to the man seeking it.
"I wouldn't have thought you to be a traitor... nor a King lovin' bastard!" Hirutani snarled; his arm slashed the air beside him in a dramatic sweep. "I'll tear ya apart along with 'em!" his eyes were tense ruthless eyes that promised the truth in his words. He jabbed his thumb in the direction of Tristen "'im too! 'nd all these bastards! Ya hear... I'mma send ya'll to the after life! Backstabbin' sonava bitch!"
A loud squeal answered the large scarred man's threat.
Red Eyes threw himself forward, his small serpent-like body seemed to glide over the ground as he crossed the space between Joey and Hirutani. He seemed to slither his way to eye level with Hirutani and twisted his thin body in midair. With a painful slapping sound his tail whipped across Hirutani's cheek. The large human's head snapped to the side with the force of the attack. Blood dripped down his jaw generously.
"Myee!" the black dragon squealed out and landed back onto the ground with a huff.
"R-re...Red Eyes!" Joey's honey eyes were wide with the shock of seeing his long time missing dragon friend perform such an act.
Crimson shimmering eyes glanced back to him only a moment before Hirutani reacted to the assault from the dragon. His large leather boot covered foot stomped down on the slender reptilian body of Red Eyes. The dragon squealed in surprise and pain and attempted to wiggle free from the large foot that continued to crush his small frame to the hard ground.
"Eee..." the small creature struggled with all it's might, his tiny body not offering much resistance to the heavy force crushing down on it.
"Red Eyes! Bastard, let him go!" Joey growled and launched himself forward. His beaten body demanding he stop, but he ignored it.
"Hold it right there, Wheeler!" another man's voice interrupted. "I think you need to calm down and remember your position." Joey eyed the man warily, his attention snapping fully to the man when he noticed why he had been calling to him. The man had been one Joey had met before, one of the Rebels he never got along well with, but it wasn't who he was that had Joey ceasing all movements toward Hirutani. It was the large thick knife he held to Tristen's throat.
The brunet groaned.
Red Eyes screeched, demanding the large human to release him, but he was ignored by all but Joey. "Let him go Hirutani..."
Hirutani's foot pressed closer toward the ground with the dragon's thin frame crushing as it went. A loud pained heart-breaking cry was ripped from the small reptilian creature's body as the life was nearly squeezed from his small body.
Hot tears lined Joey's honey eyes as he screamed his Dragon's name repeatedly. "Now now, Wheeler, easy..." the man with the knife to Tristen's throat snickered amusedly. "Wouldn't want somethin'... bad to happen to Taylor, right...?"
Joey found himself in a position he or nobody would ever want to be in. Two of his dear friends lives dangling before his eyes with him unable to do anything about it but watch. Was he really so useless that he couldn't even help the friends in front of his eyes and yet he expected to go travel around the world, find, and rescue his Mother and Sister?
A Tale Of Just That!
Even if he had been asked Yugi wouldn't have been able to even guess at how long the group of men were running through the forest. Yugi's body was long since exhausted and ready for a break, but he didn't consider it. Joey, Tristen, and several people needed their help. It might already be too late, but Yugi refused to think something like that, and pushed himself forward even harder. He would not let anything happen to his precious friends.
It was times like these that Yugi wished he knew the forest as well as Joey, who could probably found them a short cut that would have cut their travel time down by half.
"We're almost there...?" Atemu questioned, although Yugi wasn't too sure if it had been a question.
The sound of screams echoing off the surrounding trees confirmed the Eastern Kings inquiry to be true.
The cries of pain only had Yugi pushing himself to run faster. Quickly he doubled his pace, regardless of all the tree roots and plants that tried to trip him each step. A few more steps and Yugi found the number of people that had surrounded him had increased drastically. The new comers weren't like the ones who had joined them on their journey to find and help Yugi's friends but were what seemed to be the victims that had scattered from the focal point of the attack. Most of the people were hiding, running or searching for some form of safety. While the the rest lay dead or dieing.
"Atemu...!" Yugi glanced over his shoulder just in time to see the man he called upon easily match his hysterical pace before passing him.
It wasn't a moment later before the group found themselves at their destination.
Dozens of large men were scattered around the area while a few of what was likely to be their comrades laid near their feet. Half in size was the still living population of what could only be the group Yugi and Atemu had come to save. Several times the amount of the assumed rebels was there men, women and children's bodies laying lifeless on the ground. While the remaining population was of the wounded.
Yugi instantly felt a rush of nausea as his large violet eyes took in the bloody sight. His breath hitched "Jo...Joey!" The blond was curled on the ground in an almost indistinguishable heap. He looked badly beaten and didn't respond to Yugi's call.
"Yu...Yugi?" another voice answered his call after a heart-wrenching silence. Yugi's eyes quickly depicted Tristen's beaten form from the numerous others. He stood, just barely, his arm was weeping dark crimson blood profusely. The wound was likely dealt by the man that stood near the brunet with a blade clenched tightly in his fist. He didn't look in the best of shape himself, with bruised face, but was nothing compared to Yugi's two friends.
"Just who are you... friends of Wheeler and Taylor?" a large scarred man, Yugi didn't recognize, asked. He stood dangerously close to Joey.
"Are you the Rebel Hirutani?" Atemu questioned with narrowed eyes, he already had little patience for the man after seeing what trouble he was causing.
"If I am?"
"He is, he's the leader Hirutani..." Joey forced himself up and halfway off the ground where he had curled around Red Eyes.
"And who are these, ya lil shit? Friends? Have they come to save ya?" Hirutani hissed and kicked the blond teen in the side. Joey whimpered and nearly collapsed.
"We are." Atemu stated with a menacing darkness in his tone as he glared at the large man.
"Then we'll just hafta-" a high pitched squeal interrupted whatever Hirutani had been planning to say. The large scarred man glared at Joey and the little dragon he had curled himself around to protect.
Yugi's attention was also drawn to the little creature that laid in Joey's protective curl but before he could ask Joey what the cute little creature was Atemu spoke up and answered the question that was yet to be asked. "Is that your dragon, Joey? Did you summon him?"
Joey nodded slowly "Yeah... he's Red Eyes... but I didn' summon him..."
"A dragon?! That puny lil thing?" Hirutani laughed and many of his following rebels did the same.
"Wow, Joey, you're a Dragon Summoner...?" Yugi's voice was astounded.
"He didn't summon it... it just came here... and tried to help us..." Tristen spoke with a shaky voice his head bowing slightly at the memory.
"Enough talk!" Hirutani roared and went to kick Joey again but hesitated when the little dragon wrapped in the blond's care hissed threateningly and lifted slowly off the hard dirt ground. It's movements were slow, shaky and clumsy so he didn't seem too intimidating but luckily he didn't have to stand against the large man himself.
"Yes, enough talk! I have heard quite enough indeed..." it was a relatively new voice to the conversation, someone Yugi could have forgot was there had he not spoken, Zi. "So you are the nuisance Hirutani? The Rebel leader...?" when he only received a grunt in response and all eyes were now on him he proudly exclaimed "I am Zi, Captain of the Northern King's royal army, and I am here to take care of this problem."
The surrounding Rebels, Supporters, and everything in between stared at him. All wore shocked expressions except one particular king, Atemu, and the large group of men that stood behind them.
"Captain of the Royal army? Well looks like today will be much more of a success than we had thought, men!" Hirutani cheered and his followers did the same.
"You will only be successful in finding yourself in the Capital's prison!" Captain Zi roared and cheers echoed him from the men that stood behind him.
"Captain... Capital... Yugi... what's...?" Joey frowned and looked to the shorter teen for an answer but when the tri-color haired boy only stared confusedly at Zi Joey assumed he knew no more than he did on the matter. Joey then glanced at Hirutani and noted the much older man was preoccupied with the Royal army Captain so he quickly slipped Red eyes and himself away from the large man and closer to safety.
Joey now stood by Yugi. "Yugi... who are these people..?" he asked in hushed tones.
"I... they're some people Atemu know..." Yugi whispered back.
"Huh? But... that guy in the armor is from the Royal Army.. right?"
Yugi didn't seem to know what to answer. He didn't have to bother with an answer though, as Atemu interrupted the men that were tossing threats and 'promises' back and forth. "I would advise you Rebels to step down... if you choose not to I will have to take matters into my own hands as well."
Zi and Hirutani turned their attention to the shorter man. Zi seemed neutral to the interruption, undisturbed by the secretive king. Hirutani, however, looked the opposite. He looked ready to attack and rip Atemu apart as well as anyone else that spoke up or even looked at him strangely. "Just who the hell do you think you-"
"I am Atemu, the Eastern King."
The surrounding people innocent or not were once more put into a shocked silence. All except Zi and his following men. "You see, Rebels," Captain Zi barked, spitting the title 'rebels' with more venom than would be expected from such a noble looking man. "you have the King of the very people you are trying to slaughter here in your presence... I hope this realization will bring you to your senses... if not I fear for your very lives..."
"Wait... Atemu's a King..?" Joey glanced at Yugi who still wore a matching expression to his own.
"So the North and East Kings have allied..?" Hirutani questioned his expression was hard to read. He seemed anxious, angry, upset, confused and so many other emotions that seemed to dance over his old scarred face.
"That is not of concern right now!" Atemu announced loudly.
"It doesn't make much a difference to me! In the end we're goin' to wipe out all you Kings 'n followers anyway!" Hirutani cheered and his men echoed him. It was then that the real battle began. The Rebels lifted their weapons and cried their battle cries as they threw themselves forward and into a heated attack against the King and the Royal army.
The numbers still favored the rebels but the armor clad men didn't seem obliged to lose the battle in the least. They had strong armor and weapons on their side as well as skill; they had obviously been taught well of the way of battle.
Where the rebels wore rags, fought with any weapon their hands could touch and fought sloppily the Royal army fought with polished armor, finely forged weapons, and fought with practiced skill as if each man had done this a million times before.
Joey didn't doubt they had.
Shouts of anger and cries of pain and anguish echoed in Joey and Yugi's ears. The two found themselves struggling with the decision to join the fight or to stay out of the Army's way.
At some point during the fighting Tristen had managed to work his way over to his friends side. He looked just as beaten as Joey. "What... are we going to do?"
"We should-"
"Stand back, we have this handled." Atemu cut in, he glanced over his shoulder to offer the three teens a small smile then threw himself into the fight.
The battle ended quickly after that. Atemu had rushed forward and went strait for Hirutani .The man was no match for the Eastern King's physical and magical combo attacks that left him beaten on the ground. Other battles between the Rebels and Royal Army ended similarly.
After a good hour or so of fighting casualties littered the ground; for every eight Rebels their was a Royal Army man casualty. The Rebels had attempted, especially Hirutani, to drag Joey, Tristen and Yugi into the battle but someone interfered nearly every time. Less then half a dozen times did Joey or Tristen actually have to throw a punch.
"Are you alright?" the King questioned when the last Rebel had been shackled and taken prisoner by the Royale Army. Zi was busy barking orders and directions to his men. He had left the battle without a scratch. Atemu however had been facing a much tougher opponent and so had found himself with a small nick on his cheek.
"We should ask you that!" Yugi cried and leaped forward.
"I'm sorry..." Atemu frowned and glanced away.
"Why?!" the shorter teen cried, his face was teary eyed mess. His cheeks were red and puffy, as was his eyes, with tear stains covering them. "You-" Yugi looked at the ground to try and control himself. It wasn't everyday he witnessed something like the battle that had just taken place. It was too much to take in at once. "I'm... sorry!" the small teen trembled and covered his face. He was an emotional mess.
"No, I'm sorry for not telling you who I was sooner..."
"I don't care about that!" Yugi cried again and clasped his hands together tightly over his pounding heart.
"I'm glad..." the King sighed. The corner of his lips lifted into a gentle smile to Yugi. The smaller male slowly returned the smile.
"I'm glad your okay..." the teen's smile widened slightly and he seemed to brighten up a bit.
"I'm glad you are well too." Atemu smiled ever warmly and softly touched the boy's hair in a reassuring manner.
"I-"
Joey cleared his throat noisily to gain both the tri-spiky haired boys attentions. Tristen grinned toothily as did Joey.
Although Joey knew he should be a bit more than a little upset to find out that Atemu was a King he couldn't help but feel a little at peace at the moment. Maybe it was the near death experiences as well as knowing that the man - who was also a King - had saved Tristen, Red Eyes, his and many other peoples lives that lulled him into a relaxed state.
"Eastern King!" Captain Zi interrupted the teens. "We have finished capturing all the prisoners... I will leave the Lirth group to you..."
"Yes... thank you." Atemu nodded to the armor clad men.
"There aren't many of them left but we already have our Healers on their way... they should arrive here shortly. Also you may wish to head back to your own domain afterward... the war seems to be getting worse by the day. If you truly wish to ally with the Northern King you will have to survive and be strong... not to be rude but... otherwise he will have no use for you and you will only hinder our Kingdom."
Atemu frowned "I see... then I will make my leave when the Lirth group has regained it's health and is ready for departure."
"Wa-wait..!" Yugi hesitated. "Um..."
"It was nice meeting you but my Kingdom is in need of me so I will have to leave as soon as possible."
"Wait... Northern... Eastern... what the hell?" Joey cut in, his daze from earlier forgotten.
"I am the Eastern King... but your in the Northern King's domain... I wish to ally with him." Atemu explained carefully.
"But..."
"The Northern lands have been going through a lot lately... Power struggles, internal and external wars, power altercations, financial issues, and-" Atemu continued while Zi nodded in agreement but Joey interrupted any further explanation.
"What does all that mean?!"
"It means-"
"Our King, the Northern King, has been on the throne for three years now. In these passed three years there have been countless complications with the Northern domain; including and excluding the continuous war. King Kaiba has been working to restore his lands for these passed years but there is still so much to be done. King Atemu is seeking ally-ship with King Kaiba." Captain Zi answered in Atemu's place who merely nodded before furthering along his own explanation.
"Many people all over the world don't know the details of the world or it's condition with the on going war. To explain it simply there are four domains in this world: North, East, West, and South. For each domain their is a ruling King: King of the East - myself," he paused and gestured to himself before continuing. "King of the North - King Kaiba, King of the West and the King of the South."
"The four domains have been at war for a long time now, over one hundred years..." Zi sighed.
"I believe that the Southern and Western Kings have already allied and are planning an attack on the Eastern and Northern Kings." the Eastern King's expression was sullen as he spoke.
"So... our King is... King Kaiba, the Northern King?" Yugi questioned and tilted his head wasn't something he often talked about.
"Yes." Atemu nodded.
"So why are you and our King at war with the other Kings?"
"The war originated from the desire of power... but it has been hundreds of years since it's start and all it has managed is blood shed. I have grown wary of the constant war and so I plan to finally stop it." the Eastern King answered seriously.
"What about the people taken from their homes against their will?" Joey joined the conversation but the question was directed at Captain Zi.
"Huh? I'm sorry... what do you mean?"
"My sister and mother were taken from our home against their will! Did your shitty King have anything to do with that? The men that took them had been involved with the King!" the blond teen had waited long enough and so when he spoke it was with a sharp angry voice.
"I have heard nothing of such an incident!" Zi hissed angrily. "It was likely the work of rebels, who used our good King's name... unforgivable filth." the armor clad man spat with unadulterated anger.
"Hirutani said..."
"That man could have been the one behind it! It wouldn't come as much of a surprise, since by spouting such lies he could gather more support and would come closer to his goal to take out the Kings." Zi still seemed angry but he was being patient.
Joey's hands clenched into white-knuckled balls as the information sunk in rather quickly.
"Bastard..." he heard Tristen mutter beside him.
"Then let's beat the shit outta him until he decides to tell us teh' truth!" the Dragon Summoner yelled loudly his fist lifting to clench threateningly in front of his chest.
"Please calm down!" Atemu soothed, he noted Captain Zi muttering a "Doesn't sound too bad to me though." which he couldn't help an amused smirk at.
"E-Eastern King?" the new voice was hoarse and nervous but had all of their attentions turning.
The boy wasn't any older than Joey and Tristen. He was badly beaten, with visible injuries covering his body. His chocolate colored hair was cut simply but was currently matted to his head with sweat. Luckily his injuries didn't seem fatal.
"Yes..?" Atemu offered the boy a frown and skeptical look.
"I... I am Rudiz's older brother, Kqrid..."
"Where the hell have you been!?" Joey growled angrily causing the new comer to shrink back immediately. "Where the hell were you while yer brother was having the shit beat outta-"
"Protecting our Mother!" the once nervous looking boy growled with rival anger, his voice so loud it shocked Joey into silence. "I failed... but... but I tried, I tried my best!" his voice seemed to waver; varying from high pitched and sharp to low and fading. His hazel eyes glittered with unshed tears as his body shook with emotion. "I failed... I couldn't do anything... in the end we were all saved by the man we were trying to protect."
"Kqrid, I'm sorry for your loss, but please... calm down." Atemu spoke up softly, his voice soothing once again. "You as well Joey, calm down, I understand your upset but please refrain from picking fights with allies."
"Sorry..." Joey mumbled quietly, his eyes trailed away from the group, shame clear in his features.
"Y-Your Highness!" Kqrid bowed as best he could to the Eastern King. "I've come to explain thin-"
"No, please focus on recovering first." he interrupted firmly, his expression that of worry.
"Your Highness, please! Please Allow me to do this much for my people! Please! I need to discuss things with you in place of the leader of our group!"
"I understand. I'll allow you to speak in place of your leader, but don't over-exert yourself."
"We, the Lirth's, were given information that you, Your Highness, was heading here on some important business." Kqrid spoke slowly and carefully; making sure to be as respectful as he could to his King. "We also discovered that an ambush was waiting for you here, so we rushed here with the intent to assist you in anything you may require. Unfortunately it would seem we've caused more harm than we've helped rid you of. I'm sorry Your Highness." he offered a low bow. His body was rigid with tension and stress.
"I see..." Atemu spoke softly, his expression was thoughtful but guarded. A smile slid onto his features a moment later, it wasn't a happy one but a kind understanding one. "I'm sorry for everything you have been through, all for my sake, you are loyal people that have given so much for your king... it is time I give back..."
"Not at all your highness, we are simply happy to serve such a king..." Kqrid spoke the darkness in his worn features from the battle fading at his king's kind words.
"Enough of this shit already, you act like such a great king and all well where the hell is mah sista?!" Joey interrupted, snapping as his patients seemed to have already ran dry and he was more than ready to once again demand answers.
"Watch your mouth, Northern trash!" Kqrid snapped back, growling lowly in warning. "Don't talk to our king that way!"
"Both of you, calm down." Atemu demanded, his eyes narrow as they slid back and forth between the two. The warning was clear on his features.
"Captain Zi, if you would be so kind as to handle your people, I'll take care of mine and we shall be out of the Eastern territory as quickly as possible." the Eastern King said and turned to walk off, leading all he was in charge off with him.
Yugi felt lost, silently staring and watching the exchanges. However when he gathered that Atemu was leaving and he wouldn't likely meet with the spiky haired King again he felt his spirit and heart drop into the pit of his stomach. Already he was so fond of the man...
A Tale Of Just That!
"So... you are a dragon summoner..?" Captain Zi questioned, looking at Joey with a curious tilt to his armor clad head. Not that he didn't already know the answer with the little black dragon nestled in the blond's arms as it was. It looked to be injured, it's little head resting on Joey's arm as it's half open crimson eyes studied the man carefully.
"No... I summon fairies, jackass." Joey snapped, he was in no mood to be nice. He was pissed, he needed to talk to these official bastards so he could find out about his sister and mother.
"You should put it away quickly, mystical creatures can only cause more panic in a situation already as out of hand as this one..." Captain Zi chose to ignore the snark remark and turned to motion to some of the men he was in control of for the moment while his king wasn't present.
"I can't really just 'put 'im away'. Now... I need 't talk to yer king..." Joey sighed.
"I'm afraid and audience with him is impossible with an attitude like that. He'll have my head if I bring such an insolent street rat to his castle."
"What the fuck, man..." the blond dragon summoner started but Tristen cut him off. He grabbed his shoulder and hissed "Joey, man, calm down... You wanna find Serenity right? Then you gotta cool it or these tight wads aren't letting us anywhere near the king..."
Joey hated it but Tristen was right, he wouldn't see the king if they thought he would be so rude, which he probably would be anyway. Not like Joey was purposely being an asshole, he was just worried and he didn't know how to deal with these kind of people.
"Alright... lemme' talk 't yer king... please?" Joey muttered in a low tone, glaring at the ground, already he didn't like this Zi guy. He just wanted to meet with this stupid King and find his sister so he could end it all finally.
Captain Zi took a moment to look at the blond and the little black dragon in his arms and then to the friends that stood behind him. A small smile slipped onto his features as he recalled what his king had told him. "Alright then... that's better... all of you prepare to depart. We are going to the capital of the North, to your king's castle!"
"What?" Joey paused, he was ready to snap at the man and demand he let him talk to his precious king, so he found that a bit unexpected. He blinked his honey like eyes several times and stared at the man clad in armor in front of him. "We're... goin' 't see the king?"
"The Northern King, Joey..." Tristen corrected, he shifted a bit. Luckily feeling much better now after the attack had ended and his injuries tended to.
"A bit slow aren't you dragon summoner..." Zi murmured which only pissed Joey off. "Shut the hell up! I have a name, ya knight wannabe! I'm Joey!"
"Your name is not of importance to me... but I must correct you. I am not a knight, nor do I wish to be one, for I am of a status higher." he purred with a satisfied grin when Joey growled in response.
"Um... Zi... sir, dude... I don't mean to be rude but, it might be better if you just give us directions to the Northern castle and we go there ourselves..." Tristen really didn't want to have to deal with Joey and a man that was supposedly higher than a knight bickering all the way to the Northern castle. Besides that, there was always a chance Joey's mouth would get them into trouble with such a man in power.
"No, I shall be escorting you." Zi answered, unable to hide the smirk. Although that smirk shifted a bit with Joey's next words. "Higher than a knight... so yer the escort? Oh, wow, what an honorable task they gave ya!" he snickered but paused with Zi's next words. That smug look that hadn't even finished forming on the blond's face vanished.
"I suppose I'm not making this clear yet am I...?" the man clad in armor shook his head and sighed, waving a hand in the air in swipe of a motion. Men in armor drew closer to the group with the gesture. "I am escorting you to our beloved Northern King, rather you wish to go or not..."
"Ya mean...?" Joey started, honey eyes narrowing with quickly drawn anger.
"Oh... so the slow one finally catches up." Zi chirped before answering the question. "Yes! You all are being escorted to the castle as criminals. Guilty of using dark magic to conspire behind your king's back. Before you even ask... yes... it's because you can summon that evil and dangerous creature." he stated pointing toward Red eyes in Joey's arms.
The little black dragon tilted it's tiny head before opening it's mouth and letting out a mew sound resembling one a kitten would make. "That's evil and dangerous? Really?"
To be continued...
A/N: Anyone miss my author to characters squabbling in this story...? Well... it's literally taking me forever to update, I know... but I'm doing what I can... I hope someone is still following this...?
Witty disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, only this fan fictions story line. There, was that smart ass enough for you?
:Chapter four preview:
Zi plans to take Joey and his friends to the Northern castle... as prisoners! For the first time in his life Joey is leaving that village behind and going on a journey to find answers and maybe even an old friend he may not even recognize. While Joey is excited for the trip Yugi is in a fit of turmoil, his beloved village will be left behind as will his dear Grandfather and the Eastern King is no where in sight...
[ One review a chapter... that could save this poor story's life, won't you donate to a needy author today...? ]
