Disclaimer: Nothing. I don't own a thing.
"Joey?" A young harpy woman called out for her husband's attention. Joey decided that they would inform Mokuba the meeting was over as the young magician had made him promise. Mai thought that her husband might have something on his mind as he walked past Téa's room.
'Then again, he probably just forget where her room is. Kuriboh has a better memory than him,' Mai thought as she watched her husband turn around to face her.
"What?"
Mai's brushed off the slightly rude manner her husband just displayed towards her.
"Where are Téa, Mokuba and the others?"
Joey's brow furrowed at his wife's question. "What do you mean where are they? Mokuba told me he would be with Téa in her room until we were done with the meeting. I looked and they weren't there. I'm thinking they went to get some food so that's where I'm heading."
"Well judging by my sense of smell, they haven't been in here for quite some time."
Joey's eyes grew wide at his wife's words.
"For quite some time? Mokuba is becoming like his brother: using his looks to wrap the girls around his finger, conniving and-"
"And what fire boy?" Joey whipped around, facing his brother-in-law.
Joey knew if he finished the sentence with an insult, his sister and wife would have his head but he didn't want to compliment him either.
"And that Mokuba must have learned a lot from his older brother about the difference between right and wrong." It wasn't a total lie since Mokuba knew how to treat people better than Seto ever could. Well except for the whole dungeon thing which was still a sore spot for everyone.
"Mai, where is Téa and the others?" Atem asked Mai, noticing that the harpy's expression changed from pure amusement at her husband's quick words to one of uneasiness.
"Well King Atem, I don't kn-"
"Mokuba!" Serenity's scream of pure shock interrupted the harpy as they turned their attention down the hall. There they saw Yugi and Rebecca calm the worried Serenity standing in front the one way mirror Seto had suggested when there first were scavengers hoping to gain access to the castle and take over as ruler of the kingdom.
"Mokuba? Is he injured?" Seto rushed to Serenity's side, his eyes showing worry for her and his brother. However, it changed to shock.
"King Atem, you should come see this," Rebecca said as a spark of curiosity lit up her eyes.
Atem's face remained impassive as Mai and Joey followed him to the ceiling high window, wide enough for all of the seven to stand side by side.
'What is going on?' Atem thought when his eyes caught a green creature soaring through the sky, close to the castle. His eyes widened when he saw the passengers on the saddle. In the front of the saddle, Tea held onto the dragon's hair either out of fear or that she was not used to flying on a dragon while Kuriboh was in between her and Mokuba. The young magician with his love of dragon flying due his older brother allowing him to accompany him often was most likely laughing and asking Téa to have the dragon go faster. Tristan and Duke though were afraid due to the horrified expressions on their faces as the dragon dipped low to the ground. Kuriboh had his little was hiding behind his paws.
"Is that Mana hanging on at the end of the dragon's tail?" Yugi asked, looking at his older brother.
Joey blinked when he saw Mana hanging onto the dragon's tail with one hand and her wand in the other. He turned to Seto who promptly glared at him.
"You are not doing a stupid stunt such as that on one of my dragons or any of the others in the stables."
"Why is Mana hanging at the end like that then?"
Atem decided to step in before more insults may be said. "Mahad and Mana must have seen Téa and the others on the dragon and decide to intervene instead of warning us. Mana, the daring magician she is, most likely tried to use a spell to slow the dragon down but it didn't work."
"It would explain why Mahad appears to be amazed at her actions," Mai said, noticing the purple magician was floating in one spot as the dragon circled around the castle.
"King Atem, you may be the only one who can help Téa stop that dragon," Seto told Atem, his eyes meeting his cousin's.
Atem's brow arched up at his cousin's statement. "Help Téa with the dragon?"
Seto nodded, his azure eyes turning back to window as the dragon flew past once again.
"That dragon would not submit to no one, not even I. The dragon may have sensed something about Téa that allowed her to ride it. However, Téa must be in fear judging from how she is gripping its hair thus unable to order the dragon to stop."
Atem noted his cousin's observations and disappeared leaving a small trace of blackness behind.
"Mokuba, how do I make Fayette land?" Téa yelled out to the young magician. She didn't have the courage to turn around and look at Mokuba, straight in the eye due to the fear that she may fall off the dragon if she didn't have something tight to hold onto. When she flew with Atem, he had her arms around her even if she did let go of him.
"Why do you want Fayette land?" Mokuba asked as he threw his hands up in the air as the dragon rose higher into the sky.
"Because some people don't like flying on a dragon!" Tristan and Duke yelled, glaring at the young magician.
"Well holding the end of a dragon's tail isn't fun either!" Mana cried out, making the males on the saddle turn around towards the end of the dragon.
Mokuba's brow rose at the new passenger. "Mana when did you decide to join us on the dragon?"
Mana huffed, tightening her hold on the dragon's tail. " I'm not joining you on this dragon ride as much as I want to but Mahad and I need to get you all off this drago- Oh hi King Atem!"
Téa looked up, noticing that Fayette could no continue flying in the circles she had been doing for quite some time due to a blue aura holding her in place. Téa sighed in relief, glad this ride was over for the day.
'Note to self, never agree to riding a dragon again,' Téa thought as she felt someone shift behind her.
Mokuba hid himself behind Téa to avoid looking into his older cousin's eyes. He knew that if he was to look, disappointment would be there.
"Mahad, get everyone off the saddle while I land the dragon and meet with Seto to see why this dragon let you all ride it."
"King Atem if I may, I believe I know why the dragon let them ride her," Mahad appeared next to Téa, watching the young woman slowly uncurl her fingers in the dragon's hair.
Atem motioned Mahad to continue, a spark of curiosity flashing in the king's eyes.
"It seems that Téa and the dragon Fayette has a similar aura. An aura of," Mahad was silent for a moment, trying to select the best description of the connection he saw between Téa and the dragon. "Light."
Atem remained stoic at Mahad's words, realizing he too felt the aura of Téa before but didn't regard it too deeply. It was similar to Serenity's aura but it was much weaker with a few surges happening only a few times. Perhaps that was why Téa and Serenity seemed to enjoy each others company more than with the other girls.
Téa looked between Mahad and Atem, noticing the air, figuratively speaking, was a bit tense.
"Not to be rude or anything but can we get down please?" Téa asked, her fear of heights increasing as they remained in place in the sky. "As much as it was fun riding Fayette before she started doing tricks, I miss the ground."
The corners of Mahad's lips tilted up slightly, a small smile on his face as he extended a hand to Téa. Téa reached to grab it when she was pushed to the other side of the saddle with Kuriboh and Mokuba by Duke and Tristan.
"I believe I extended my hand for Téa, not you two," Mahad told the duo who somehow managed to get onto his back without shoving each other off.
"Would you rather leave your wife stuck with us, the kid and fur ball?" Duke asked the magician.
"That is a bad combo man. Who knows what kind of trouble we could get in," Tristan added to Duke's point. "Just imagine what they would do if they included us in their plans."
Téa frowned at Duke and Tristan's attempt to justify nearly pushing her, a child and a small creature off a flying dragon even if Mana or King Atem would rush to their aid to prevent them from falling.
'How rude,' Téa thought as she saw Mahad's brow twitch.
"Téa?" The cheery voice of Mana called the young woman out of her thoughts. "Are you ready to get off?"
Téa nodded, allowing Mana to wrap both of her arms around her waist as Téa grabbed Mokuba who held onto Kuriboh who was also eager to get down.
"When Seto and I are done with the dragon, I would like to speak with you Téa about this incident," Atem said before he took his leave with the dragon following close by. Whether it was Téa's doing or Fayette was too tired, she allowed him to guide her back to the stables with his magic. Téa felt fear crawl into her throat. What would King Atem say about this incident?
Tristan noticed his cousin's worried expression as Mahad and Mana began to descend to the ground where the
"Téa's not too heavy is she?" Tristan asked the female magician who immediately gave him a weird look of confusion. "I know one time she fell on my chest and I couldn't breathe until she got up. Not to mention she left quite a few nasty bruises on me."
Duke stared at his best friend in pure shock while Téa's was of pure anger.
"Tristan, it was nice knowing you pal and I promise to take care of Téa for you."
Tristan raised his brow at his friend's statement. "Why are you saying this to me?"
Mahad amused at this moment but wouldn't dare to express his amusement, understood what would happen as soon as they landed.
"I believe the saying Tristan is that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
With those words, he and Mana landed on the ground, letting go of their passengers. Téa immediately went to Tristan, jabbing her finger into his chest.
"Heavy? I was pushed by one of your friends from high school who wasn't paying attention. And didn't you learn not to discuss a woman's weight?"
Tristan was immediately regretting ever saying a word up in the air.
"I was just trying to clear the air, figuratively speaking of course, because it was so tense up-"
"Mokuba what in the world were you thinking?" Serenity chided the young boy as she had her arms wrapped around the young boy. "You could have gotten hurt. Téa, Tristan and Duke could have been killed!"
"Saved by the-Wait I could have been killed?" Tristan screeched, looking at the moon maiden with astonishment. He immediately turned his attention to the young magician who had a small sheepish grin on his face. "You didn't mention that part Mokuba."
"But Serenity, Fayette likes Téa and since she knows we're close to Téa, she wouldn't let us be harmed," Mokuba argued, Kuriboh at his side nodding.
"Kri!"
"What you did Mokuba was reckless and I am highly disappointed in you," said Mahad, watching the boy grit his teeth. "I believe the new lessons will have to wait as you will be helping me with gathering supplies I need for at least a month. During that time you can practice on spells you already know."
Joey whistled lowly at the young magician's punishment. "Harsher punishment than what Mana gets."
"Joey," Yugi shushed his friend, "Now is not the time to be saying that."
"I still don't know why he is part of your brother's bureaucracy," Rebecca whispered to Yugi, loud enough for Joey to hear.
Joey's brow twitched at the fire woman's words. Knowing they both dealt with fire, their confrontations at times turned from bickering comments to water spells being casted to cool both down.
"Yug, I don't know why your brother let a short-minded woman like her on the bureaucracy. She's never going to look at the big picture because she's so tiny."
The blue spell caster sighed, rubbing his forehead from the sudden dull ache created by his wife and his best friend.
"You two stop right now, this is not about you!"
Joey and Rebecca glared at each other one more time before looking in the opposite direction both having their arms around their chest.
Téa raised an eyebrow slightly at the two. 'For being members of a bureaucracy for a king like Atem, they sure do not act like one.'
"Mokuba," Seto called out to his younger brother. At his side was Atem, watching the scene before him.
"Mahad may have given you your punishment but I have not given mine," Seto saw his younger brother's jaw drop, clearly upset at his revelation.
"But Seto-"
"Mokuba, listen to your brother." The humorless tone of Atem's voice made the boy be quiet and wait for his brother to speak.
"Though King Atem and I are proud you made such a discovery, we cannot condone your actions today. You will help me take care of the dragons in the stable and you are not allowed to leave the castle without myself or a trusted adult if you have Téa and the other two with you," Seto's eyes quickly darted to where Mana and Joey were standing then to his brother again. "You also will not be allowed to talk to Téa, Duke and Tristan until you are done with your studies and help me with the stables until I feel that you learned from your actions."
Mokuba's balled his fists on his sides, glaring at his brother.
"Why should I learn from my actions when you haven't even learned yours yet after what you did to them!" Mokuba yelled out before running away with Kuriboh trailing behind.
Seto's eyes widened at his brother's statement and watched as his brother ran away.
"Mokuba!" Serenity called out, chasing after the young magician and the furball.
Tea shifted uncomfortably on her feet, turning towards the king and his cousin.
"He's just a kid. Can't you give him a small break from this punishment? We weren't harmed and if he knew if something were to happen, he would rush to find you."
Atem said nothing, only glancing at his cousin who was gazing at the woman with a neutral expression.
Seto felt a small spark of anger at her words but he let out a small sigh. He was beginning to see that she grew attached to his younger brother. She didn't see him as a pest nor did she bear a grudge against either brother for their actions that endangered her life.
"Téa, we cannot allow an event severe as this to go unpunished," Seto replied, keeping his voice placid. "My brother knows that sometimes a dragon can become violent at any second. Fayette as you so have named her was one of the dragons that refused to let anyone near her. We would not like to imagine if she had decided to become violent."
"Not to be rude or anything, but you shouldn't place the blame all on one kid. We did agree to go with him on the dragon," Duke surprised everyone with his words, particularly Tristan more since Duke didn't like to admit he was in the wrong.
"It is not easy for us to place this punishment on Mokuba as he still is a child. But I do agree that all the blame should not be placed on Mokuba. That is why you, Tristan and Téa are no longer allowed to leave the castle without myself, Yugi, Seto and Mahad."
"Wait, wait," Tristan interrupted Atem, knowing that a few people would be mad for such a bold move. "So if Téa wants girl time with the ladies, she can't spend time with them unless you or the other three were there? You are going to regret that decision you know because girls can drive someone insane."
If Tristan felt the glares of four females, he would refuse to acknowledge it.
'Man, you would think they would be grateful for a guy like me to be standing up for them but no, they're being picky.'
Atem took Tristan's words into consideration. Téa would be comfortable amongst her fellow gender as he heard how much at ease she was when she was with the female members of his bureaucracy. Mai, Rebecca and Serenity would be able to keep everyone calm as well remember the limitations Téa has in their world. Mana though was another story, judging from her hop along ride with the dragon.
"Téa may have girl time as you call it with the others as long as they stay on the castle grounds," Atem turned to Téa who showed no sign of anger at these new rules she and her companions would have to follow. However, he did hear that Téa was a woman to bear a grudge and not show it until as Tristan said, push her buttons the wrong way.
"Téa, would you like to accompany with me again to the other villages of my kingdom soon once I take care of troubles village leaders have reported to me?"
Téa nodded her head, a small smile on her face. "I like the idea. There must be beautiful places in your kingdom that are simply breathtaking."
"Yes," Atem said proudly as the grip of his gloved hand tightened around his staff. The sense of pride grew weak as he turned away to discuss the situation with Mahad and Yugi in his private chambers who followed him conscientiously. 'You and the rest of the kingdom will think so too but in a matter of a few months, they will be scared.'
When they were in Atem's chambers, Yugi placed his hand on worried brother's shoulder.
"You will know what to do about this," Yugi spoke softly in assurance. Atem sighed, his eyes landing on a mirror. The figure in the mirror stared at him, the pale blue skin of death with strange black markings were the scars that would never heal until Téa could break this curse. Hopefully she would look into his crimson eyes, the only reminder of his life before and see beyond what lies beneath this cursed state.
So this is the end of Chapter 10! Until the next chapter!