Chapter Twenty Five – A Matter of Marvels

Yugi was right, or at least he thought he was. Joey was in the midst of his monsters, seemingly at home chatting with Yugi's Flame Swordsman, Red Dark Magician, Mystical Elf, Celtic Guardian, and everyone else. Seto, on the other hand, had his arms crossed as he leaned up against a tree on the far edge of the gathering.

"Yugi!" Joey pounced on his diminutive friend and pounded him on the back. "This is so cool! Mind telling me what's goin' on and what I hafta do to be able to see the monsters of my deck?"

"Uhm..."

"We don't know." Yami crossed his arms and nodded up toward Mahaad. "It's his doing."

"Dark Magician?" Joey gulped. "Uhm, what – what is the... Er, why...?"

Mahaad smiled at the nervous young man. Joey didn't seem to be all that reassured. Mahaad sighed. "Allow me to explain." He made sure his voice was loud enough to carry to everyone, particularly the duelist on the edge who refused to join the group. He repeated the same explanation he had given to Yugi and Yami, that a serious break in communication between the two soul partners was creating distress for their monsters. He concluded by thanking Joey and Seto by name for their help, and apologized for not seeking permission for it beforehand.

"Oh, that's okay. Anything to help my friends. I had a lot of fun – well, for the most part – even though I wasn't really myself?" Joey confused himself trying to explain.

"I have a question, Mahaad," Yami spoke up suddenly. "My memories are clear and obviously my own, as Yami, Lord of Blood and Shadows, but they get hazy after Lord Timaeus appeared. Was that me? Or was that someone else? They almost seem like some sort of almost-lucid dream – those memories."

Mahaad nodded. "Exactly. It was, as so much of this adventure was, a matter of spirit sorcery. Your souls were made to sleep, but dream truly of the events, so that you would know what happened. Once the Legends were in play it was necessary for each of you, as Timaeus, Hermos, and Critias to look and act almost as one of Yugi's friends, but to play your part perfectly."

Akai stepped up and placed a companionable hand Yugi's shoulder. "The adventure had to take a very dark turn. It would have distressed Master Yugi too much if he believed it were actually you three. In the adventure, Yugi could not rely on anyone else when he confronted the Lord of Blackness and Chaos. But if he thought it were really you, his friends, who were in that sort of danger, or sacrificed to give him the power for that final confrontation, it could have broken the memory blocks in your spirits that allowed you to each have a role in the adventure in the first place."

Yugi nodded. "Yes, I think that would have been too much. So much of the adventure was already nearly too much." Akai grimaced down at him, squeezed his shoulder comfortingly, then lowered his arm back to his side.

"So, Hermos was me, but not really? How exactly did that work?" Joey demanded, planting himself in front of Akai.

Akai merely smiled. Evidently Joey found it easier to confront him than Mahaad, which was no surprise to the magicians themselves, given what had really happened. "Do you recall being in a dark place with talking lights?"

"Yeah, that freaked me out. I wasn't sure if everyone, me included, was a ghost."

"Spirits, but not ghosts," Akai replied serenely.

"How is that possible?"

"No one was dead. Ergo, not a ghost." Joey glared at him. "Well, if you recall, there was you, who was yellow, a purple globe of light, that was Mahaad, and..."

"So you were the red one, huh?" Joey guessed.

"Exactly. It's why the sword, which was really me, I had been your 'Red Knight', after all, and was 'sacrificed' to free the dragon and power up your sword," Akai winked at Joey. "had to be the first part of the ritual, so that I would arrive ahead of you and be ready to assume control."

"So, when Hermos was being such a jerk to Yugi..." Joey wondered aloud.

"That was me, following the script of the adventure. However, when Hermos was being a jerk to Seto, and then later, Critias, I leaned very heavily into the heart of what Joey Wheeler would do to know how to behave." Akai winked at him again.

"Good!" Joey stuck out his tongue at Seto, who stared at him as if he were bored out of his mind.

Yami and Yugi, watching along with everyone else, turned and looked up at Mahaad. "You!" Yami exclaimed.

The corner of Mahaad's eyes crinkled up with his smile. "Yes, me. You said that before, my pharaoh, when I sent your spirit to sleep and took direct control of your actions."

"So, Timaeus was you, acting like me?"

"To keep the adventure on point, Timaeus had to be rather callous toward Yugi, but flashes of you had to be evident, too. It was a task I was not willing to delegate to anyone else. Good thing, too. When the Point was destroyed I nearly lost control of the master spirit spell. If it had been anyone other than me controlling you, you would have wrest yourself free of the adventure and ruined it completely."

Seto watched from the sidelines, recalling his vivid dreams of being Critias, and wondered just which one of these monsters of Yugi's had taken the reins of his being, and control of his actions when he was forced to play-act as the True Lord. An involuntary shiver sped along his spine, but he refused to let it affect him.

He stalked over through the throng of Duel Monsters, and planted himself right in front of the purple Dark Magician.

"You took liberties with my person, magician. Something I won't soon forget – or forgive," Seto stated coldly.

"I was prepaid," Mahaad snapped back. "But, I will tell you this; the magic I used to transport your spirit here, and to insert your spirit into the adventure, had been crafted such that it would only work on those who feel guilty that Yugi was hurt. It could only affect you if you had some inner willingness to help Yugi." And some intrinsic trust in me, Mahaad added internally. That was a fact he would never mention to Seto's face.

Everyone looked at Seto at that. Yugi took a step toward him, a questioning look on his face. "Why would you feel guilty that I got hurt?"

Seto turned away. He started walking away, but tossed over his shoulder, "Yesterday, Kaiba Corporation acquired the condemned building that collapsed on you. If it had been properly demolished, you would not have been injured. For that reason, Kaiba Corporation will pay the full expenses for your recovery. I will stop by – each day – to make sure that once you are fully recovered, you are discharged from the hospital. I won't have you wasting my company's money, Motou."

Joey waited until he was certain Seto was out of earshot. "That is the most lame-ass excuse I've ever heard."

Yugi smiled. Yeah, it was pretty lame-ass. He'd known for a long time that his relationship with the touchy C.E.O. was not the out-and-out rivalry everyone thought it was. Seto would mostly likely never admit it, but there were elements of friendship in his interactions. If it was becoming obvious enough that even Joey could see it...

"Don't tell him that, Joey."

"Aw, Yugi!"

"Don't tease him about it, either!" Yugi warned. "I mean it, Joey!"

Joey looked into Yugi's adamant, serious eyes. "Yeah, and I bet if I don't listen, you'll sic your Dark Magician on me again."

Mahaad floated over and placed one hand casually on Yugi's shoulder. "It would be my pleasure."

Joey looked up into Mahaad's stern face, and groaned. "Fine. No teasing of the dragon. Got it."

"On that note, how would you like a ride on the back of your dragon?" Akai gestured for Red-Eyes Black Dragon to approach.

"He's – here? How?"

"Joey has the Red-Eyes Black Dragon in his deck right now," Yugi added.

Yami crossed his arms and nodded his chin at Mahaad. "I bet it's his doing."

Mahaad smiled enigmatically. "The pharaoh is correct. The Red Eyes Black Dragon, whose card is welcome in either of your decks, is able to enter the Magic Box whenever he wants."

"I wish..." Joey interrupted himself, then rubbed at the back of his neck.

"What, Joey?" Yugi asked.

"This is so cool, Yuge. Bein' able to meet and talk with your monsters. I kinda wish I could do the same. Not your monsters, though." Joey suddenly looked up and realized his words could be construed as insulting by most of the audience around him. He splayed his hands in a gesture to negate his words. "Not that meetin' all of you isn't cool – it is! It's just I wish I could meet my monsters, too." Joey looked up at the Red-Eyes Black Dragon towering over the group, so he missed the exchange between Dark Magicians caught by Yugi's more attentive gaze. Akai smiled slightly and glanced with intent at Mahaad. Mahaad didn't smile, but he did nod, very slightly, once.

While Yugi pondered what all that meant, he felt a touch on his arm. He turned and focused on the person next to him. "Vialla!" He couldn't help it. He was so relieved to see her that he threw his arms around her waist (as high as he could reach and not get smacked for being fresh) and hugged her tight.

"Hello, Master Yugi," Vialla replied as she returned Yugi's embrace.

"I thought... I was so worried..."

A gentle, playful buffet on his arm gave him a reason to release his hold on the Mystical Elf before embarrassment could set in.

"No love for me?" Celedor teased.

Yugi grinned, then threw his arms around the waist of the startled Celtic Guardian. "Of course! I was worried about you, too!"

"It was all part of Mahaad's plan. Our part in the adventure was over and it seemed the best way. I'm just glad he came up with the Realm of Darkness instead of burying us in the ground!" Vialla shuddered in mock horror. "Did you like my death scene? In duels, when we're defeated, we just go 'poof' from the playing field and sit around in the graveyard. It's so droll. We never get to have an honest-to-goodness death scene. Mahaad kindly indulged my wish to enjoy one."

"It was very effective," Yugi replied, recalling the genuine sorrow he had felt as the Hero when Vialla and Celedor 'died'.

"I hope you aren't saddened by it now, since you know it was all make-believe," Vialla said.

Yugi smiled up at her. "I was sad, very much so. Vialla and Celedor, well, you guys in the adventure, were really good friends."

Another gentle, playful buffet landed on his shoulder. "Not just in the adventure!" Celedor growled.

"No, of course not!" Yugi grinned impudently up at the elven warrior.

"Ah, here comes another friend who wants to reassure you that he's actually alive and well, despite what happened to him before." Celedor gestured for Yugi to turn around.

Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress? Yugi recognized the monster immediately and wondered before it clicked for him. "Charvron!" He latched onto the dragon's neck with yet another hug. "Of course! Guarding the fortress of the Aerie! I'm so glad you are okay!"

For a reply the dragon bugled softly, and whuffed Yugi's hair with his breath.

"Aw. He's pleased. Somewhat shy about his role in the adventure, but pleased that you are happy," Vialla told him.

"Sure wish I could speak 'dragon'," Yugi muttered.

Another bugle, still soft, but different in tone made Celedor smile. "He wants to know if you want to ride," Celedor told him. "Evidently, he's got permission to show you something."

"Would I!" Yugi looked up at the dragon's back and wondered if he was supposed to climb up the dragon's side like a tree. Celedor knelt and laced his fingers together in an offer to help. Only a moment later, Yugi settled himself on the dragon's back. Arms closed around his waist from behind.

"I'll ride along to translate," Vialla told him.

"We will meet you there!" Celedor called up from the ground.

"Meet us where?" Yugi asked.

"It's a surprise. Oh, look at Joey!"

Yugi looked where the Mystical Elf pointed to see Akai toss Joey up onto the Red-Eyes Black Dragon's back, before half-levitating himself up, too. Joey noticed Yugi watching, shot his friend a crooked smile, and pumped his arm above his head enthusiastically.

"Race ya!"

Yugi grinned. Red-Eyes was bigger and more powerful, especially in duel monsters, but that might not count in a speed race between dragons. "Can you take him?" Yugi asked Charvron in a low voice.

The soft but confident bugle didn't need Vialla's helpful translation, "Of course!"

"You're on!" Yugi called to Joey. Despite his happiness and wonder at what was happening, something suddenly felt a bit off. What was it? Oh. "Can Charvron carry another passenger?"

"I don't think he could manage it and win. Not to worry, though. Celedor and the rest will meet us there."

Yugi looked down toward the ground until he found the one he was concerned about. Yami stood a bit apart from everyone, and seemed to be smiling faintly at all the festive hub-bub. "Yami?" he called, uncertainty causing a waver in his voice.

"Go on ahead, Yugi. I think this is something of a cast party after a play." Unforced, genuine warmth lit Yami's smile. "I think you are in for a very big, very fun, surprise."

"Are you going to be there?"

"I think I will pass this time around. I've got something else I need to tend to. Why don't I see you off? So that the race starts out fair?" Yami offered.

Yugi nodded and Joey agreed. Moments later, both dragons lifted off at Yami's signal, winging their way to the destination each one was keeping a mystery from one of their riders.

"They are going to meet with the monsters of Joey's deck, aren't they?" Yami asked Celedor.

The Celtic Guardian smiled and nodded. "Us land-bound ones better hurry if we want to join the party. Will you be joining us?"

"No, thank you. You do know why Mahaad felt it necessary to make the adventure in the first place?"

Celedor nodded. "All of us were aware of the strain between you and Master Yugi."

"So, as much as I might want to hover, I have to break that habit. I know with you and the others of our deck, and the monsters of Joey's deck, that nothing bad could happen to Yugi. It's best if I stay here."

"We are your monsters, too, Master Yami," Celedor said carefully. "It is a celebration. You are welcome – just as Yugi is. He might have been the 'Hero' of the story, but 'Yami, Lord of Blood and Shadows' is one of the heroes of the story, too."

Yami chuckled. "I do appreciate that, and I might show up later. I think for now, it's best if Yugi gets to be the 'Hero' without me hovering, for a while longer."

Celedor nodded. "I believe Mahaad is staying behind for now. Maybe you can accompany him later."

Yami nodded. "Go. I don't want you to miss out on any of the fun."

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Author's notes

Next chapter teaser – A Matter of Magic