Thank you all my dears for your wonderful thoughts and reviews! Sunrise flame, Mirayessa10, Shinigami Merchant, angiembabe, TheKingInBoots, SylphSome-Helping-Hands-of-Fire, Love Exists Where Unexpected, Kayla Wood, ShadowNinja45567, Guildsnake, Wake Me Up When It's All Over, WhitheredNyux, Guest, itsybitsyLucy, Mistoka Bravemaridin (frekin' agh! No. There is no blindshipping in this fic! XD Go read my other fic it's adorably sickening), and anbos
And sorry guest, but I don't have the rest of this posted anywhere else. I don't even have the rest of this written. :P
Sorry guys, I got super sick. Like, I had both mono and tonsillitis at once for two weeks while still going to work full time. I was shot. Plus I got engaged. Yay! Now for making wedding plans. Ugh. I grew out of the princess wedding phase a long time ago. Give me money and let me elope.
Both. He had the compatibility to be both.
Atem stared at the two different rocks, one dancing with dark flames and the other glowing a soft white.
"When you say both," said Atem. "Do you mean at the same time?"
"Not exactly," said Yugi. "Well, you can, but I don't advise it."
Yugi took the rocks from Atem, holding them out in his palms. The flames around the dark rock flickered before righting themselves in the same small fire. The white rock, however, roared into life. White hot light shot upward into a fireball of dazzling pure radiance that peaked higher than them both. The front of Atem's body was bathed in its warm, unpleasant rather than scorching light.
He stared at it, feeling the difference in power. In Yugi's compatibility. He had the potential to be both, yes, but his powers as the Hikari were that much stronger.
"It's how I've been able to make it without a Yami for so long, but it was from necessity," said Yugi. He closed his palms, snuffing out both flames. Their heat disappeared as he placed them back inside the storage, but the warmth lingered in Atem's bones. "I don't recommend it to anyone. Any other Hikari would have gone mad from carrying both powers."
The previous Hikari. thought Atem. He remembered Heba mentioning that they had been blabbering, almost as if they were mad before giving Heba the powers of the Hikari. Was it possible the previous Hikari transferred the powers of the Yami as well?
It… would explain a lot. Why the Hikari had thrown the powers onto a boy. Why they had gone mad. But that would mean the Hikari would have been without a Yami as well. Had something happened to his partner that had forced the previous Hikari's hand?
Yugi bounced in front of Atem, frowning.
"You don't seem very excited."
"Of course I'm not," said Atem. "What an enormous burden to throw on a child. If being the Hikari wasn't enough, they gave you the responsibility of holding both positions without any support."
No matter the circumstances, it didn't change that Yugi had been a child. Even Atem'd had the support of his friends and counselors when he had taken the throne. He'd also been trained from a young age what to expect, always knowing he would one day rise to power. But not Yugi. He'd been thrust into this position with no preparation or consent, watched his family die, and then had all his memories suppressed to withstand the strain of becoming the Hikari.
They were lucky he hadn't fallen and taken the realities with him.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it," said Yugi, dismissively. "Listen, do you want to become my Yami or not? I didn't come back for a social call. I'm very busy saving the world from tearing itself apart."
"Excuse me for taking up so much of your precious time," said Atem dryly. "but are you sure you wish for me to become your Yami? You did express that you didn't trust me and that I shouldn't trust you."
Yugi tilted his head. "Did I say that?"
"You did."
The boy placed a hand to his chin, humming in thought. Then he nodded. "Okay. I take it back. I can trust you."
"…I wonder if I'll ever get used to your eccentric nature." Atem said it with fondness.
Yugi's smile grew wider, rubbing his hands together.
"Excellent, so, how about we get started?"
"Excuse me a moment," said Atem. "Before we do this, I'd like some more information on what will happen. What is to be expected. I know some lore from legends, but given recent revelation I don't trust them completely."
"That, I didn't mess with much," he smirked, no doubt proud of how he'd successfully rewritten history. "As my Yami, we will be bonded together, much like the bond of a Ka. Our souls will be connected and intertwined. As the Yami, your specific responsibilities will be to bond with and command demonized Ka, often with force. The Hikari's duties are to cleanse and assist as needed. I'm actually more of an accessory to you, who will have the main duty."
"Is see," said Atem. That tidbit he hadn't known. That the Yami was the prominent one in the partnership. "Is there anything else?"
"There is." Yugi's gaze grew distant, lights flickering like gems in his eyes. "but it would be easier to see than to tell you. Some things won't make sense with human eyes and understanding."
Yugi skipped over to the desk, taking the death mask of Anubis. Atem didn't want to know where he acquired such a thing.
"We can start the ceremony immediately if you'd like," said Yugi, slipping on the mask. Atem chose not to point out how sacrilegious it was for him to wear it. Long black ears stuck up on either side, the sinister mask covering his entire face, save the eyes. His voice was slightly muffled by the long muzzle as he spoke. "Or we can go to a proper temple of Anubis. But we'd have to clear everyone out and I think that would cause a lot more trouble."
"And you're all for staying out of trouble."
Atem smirked, starting to get excited. It was finally settling in that this was actually happening. He was really going to become Yugi's Yami.
The jackal head bobbed as Yugi nodded. It was disturbing to see. "I'm glad you agree. Now, if you're ready we can begin."
Yugi stretched his arm wide.
And waited.
Ten heartbeats later, Atem was still waiting.
Should he be doing something?
Just when he had decided to speak, something changed.
A chime. Like dozens of coins striking each other in a high trill. It grew like the wind, originating from behind before it blew around him in a powerless gale. Atem followed the noise with his eyes, rounding until it rested on Yugi.
Except… it wasn't Yugi.
He was there, but he wasn't. The feeling that radiated from the person wearing the mask was not Yugi. It felt too alien. Too strange.
His arms were still held wide, eyes no longer visible through the mask.
A single, loud drumbeat pounded the air. It made Atem tremble, sucked the air and life away from him. The world literally shrank away until there was nothing left save him and Yugi, standing in solid darkness.
Another drumbeat. Another reverberation that made his teeth clack together. Then Yugi was gone.
The mask only remained.
The eyes swirled, a solid stream of molten gold. It pulled him in, mesmerized him until it was all he could see.
Goosebumps crept up Atem's arms, every nerve tingling with something. Some strange power. He had an overwhelming desire to run, collapse and scream all at once. All his sense were filling him with wrong information.
Wherever he was, whatever realm his mind had traveled, he was no longer in Egypt.
The mask hummed, as if satisfied with Atem's conclusion.
Yugi pulled off the death mask, giving his head a slight shake. He smiled at the pharaoh who stood before him, eyes sightless. His soul and mind were gone, transported to a different realm. He was like a puppet. Alive, but empty. It wasn't permanent. After Anubis had his talk with Atem, he would return, but he wouldn't be the same.
The mask in Yugi's fingers cracked, crumbling to the floor.
"Oh, this is so exciting," said Sil, coming out. She glided around Atem, all the while giggling like a child. "I'm so excited that you've finally got someone you trust to help. I can't wait to talk with him."
"Do you despise my conversation that much?" said Yugi, unable to even tease properly. He could already feel the connection starting to form. He gave a contented sigh as the powers of the Yami slowly slipped away. He'd still be able to access Atem's powers through their bond, but he would no longer carry them. That would be Atem's burden, a responsibility Yugi would help him carry, especially in the beginning. Too much at once could break Atem. Even Yugi hadn't had this much to carry when he's first become the Hikari and Yami.
"You may wish to wrap this up quickly Master," said Celtic suddenly. He had come out to stand beside the door, poking his head through the wood to see outside. "Karim is getting anxious. I think he sent a servant to get Mahad. Yes, here he comes."
"Then there's no time to lose."
Yugi walked up to Atem, guiding the man to sit against the desk. The pharaoh's mighty head lolled forward, body limp where it sat. Perfect.
Yugi summoned a powerful wind, whirling it around him like a storm. It whipped at the scrolls and papyrus he had just sorted, sending them flying. The gale gathered in his palm as he drew back, then thrust it forward. It slammed into one of the jars with a satisfyingly loud crash.
"What are you doing!?" screeched Sil. "If you make that much noise they'll hear you."
"That's the point."
Yugi skipped forward, coming to stand in front Atem just as the doors burst open. Magic billowed in, flanking Karim and Mahad who had swords and Millennium Items out. Their eyes instantly zeroed in on Yugi, who stood over a seemingly unconscious Atem with papers still fluttering to the ground.
Without pausing, both men summoned their Ka. The Dark Magician and Curse of Dragon shot toward Yugi. He dodged their attacks, skirting around the edge of the room. Mahad crouched protectively over Atem as Karim sent another hail of magic at Yugi.
More paper and ceramic exploded as Yugi ducked and wove through the attacks. He couldn't help chuckling when one of the pots he had added to the room wobbled precariously, somehow managing to avoid being demolished.
"It's been fun guys!" he chuckled, waving. "But I think I've overstayed my welcome."
He jumped back just in time to dodge Curse of Dragon's fireball attack. He tugged a tapestry from the wall and threw it over the dragon's head. The Ka struggled to pull free which allowed Yugi to slip around and head for the door.
"Get back here Hikari!" called Mahad.
Yugi skidded to a halt by the door just long enough to send Mahad an incredulous look.
"Seriously, does anyone stop when you yell that?" He had to duck out of the room as the Dark Magician's attack exploded above him.
With a whoop, Yugi kept running, listening to the sounds of pursuit behind him. Servants and priests flashed by, each sending Yugi looks of confusion at the noise.
One would think they'd be more alert after the recent attack. thought Yugi, skidding past another bend. He recognized the person ahead, dressed in their usual headdress with the Millennium Necklace around their throat. Her gaze snapped to Yugi at his brazen entrance, narrowing in suspicion. At least someone had the decency to look concerned at the noise level.
Yugi summoned Rose Token in his hands.
"Isis, think fast!"
He threw the Ka at Isis, who caught it by reflex just as Karim came around the corner.
"Isis, careful. The Hikari has turned-"
The warning came too late. Isis yelled as the Ka in her hands suddenly glowed. Dozens of replicas sprung from the ground, their thorny bodies expanding until they crashed into both ceiling and walls. Instantly the hall was clogged with petals and vines that spawned as fast as they could be destroyed.
It would take the group a while to figure out a way past that mess.
Yugi kept running, slowing down his pace a smidgen. The farther he got from the commotion, the less people looked. By the time he was rushing past the front gates, the guards only sent him a mild look of curiosity before letting him pass.
They'd regret that decision in a few minutes. Seto was likely to go after their blood.
Yugi slowed to a brisk walk as he wound his way through the city. Running here would bring attention to himself, and he didn't want that.
The day waned, dusk settling through the gaps between the houses. Peasants shuffled their way home, carrying their various goods in their arms or on their heads. Yugi slipped past a group of chatting women, taking a side road.
"So, what exactly was the point of that?" asked Sil inside his head. Several other Ka echoed the question.
"To continue the illusion." said Yugi. "The Hikari is supposed to be a monster, remember? Just because the Pharaoh is going to be my Yami doesn't mean it changes anything."
He felt Sil hum in understanding, even though she didn't. She, along with the others, had learned to just roll with his decisions to see where they went.
"It will be a while before the Pharaoh returns," continued Yugi, going down a darker alley way. "There are several things that can be done in the meantime."
For the next hour, Yugi carefully dodged down the streets of Egypt, keeping out of sight. The guards were more active this night, no doubt looking for him after the mess in the palace. The huge city made it easy for Yugi to dodge their searches.
Just as the night was turning to its darkest, Yugi found the place he was looking for. It wasn't a specific area as much as it was a collection of a certain group. He spotted the first sign he was near, seated on a broken mess of crates.
The boy looked barely ten, with two overly large front teeth and more dirt than skin coloring his body. He was kicking around a group of stones, evidently bored.
A particularly enthusiastic kick rocketed a stone down the alley where Yugi was. The Hikari came forward, catching the rock with his own foot.
"Looks like a fun game," said Yugi. "Can another player join?"
The boy pulled short, staring at Yugi before giving a shake of his head.
"Not interested in outsiders," the boy insisted. He puckered his lips to emphasize his point, those two teeth sticking out.
"Too bad," said Yugi, picking up the rock. He tossed it to the boy, who caught it clumsily. "Then can I have you escort me to your boss? I'd like a word with him."
"No outsiders," he insisted again.
Not a large vocabulary on this one. Yugi heaved a sigh, putting an arm around the boy's shoulder. There wasn't much a different in their height, but Yugi was obviously better fed and stronger. The boy couldn't yank himself free as Yugi pulled him closer.
"Listen," said Yugi. "I understand, this is your one job. To keep a look out and alert your friends if you see anything. You're doing great by the way. But I'd rather not waste time coddling my way through each layer of this rotten hell hole until I make it to the boss. So how about you do the smart thing and realize that I will make it to the top, sooner or later, and understand that delaying me will just make me angry."
The boy made a gurgling sound as if he meant to start a sentence.
"Excellent," said Yugi, cutting him off. "I knew you were a smart one. Then it's onward we go."
He tugged along his unfortunate victim farther into the slums.
It was incredible the difference five yards could make. One moment, he was in what appeared to be a normal broken down alleyway. The next, he was in the armpit of the city. Smelly, unwashed germs took residence in these dark corners, their murky eyes watching as Yugi passed.
Yugi took no notice. A normal person would have turned tail and run, recognizing the needs to stay away from the yellow eyes that peered from the dark. Not Yugi. He took to these streets like fish to water- Or maybe a shark was a better comparison.
A particularly large germ stepped in front of Yugi. It blocked Yugi's way into the building he was just about to enter. A stained and blunt sword hung from the germ's a makeshift belt, the warning clear.
"Oh good, a proper welcome," said Yugi. "I was wondering when you'd show up. I was afraid I wouldn't get one."
"You're not welcome here boy." growled the germ.
From Yugi's peripherals, he could see others skirting around, blocking the exits. The boy whimpered in Yugi's hold.
Ripples of cruel laughter echoed around Yugi, their dry hackles mingling with the darkness. It made the hairs on Yugi's arms stand up. Man, they were good. This was a proper dangerous group of people here.
"Wow, you guys gave me goose bumps." said Yugi, holding out his arms. The bucktoothed boy wriggled out of Yugi's hold, tripping in his haste to escape. He disappeared among the bodies surrounding the area.
The large germ grabbed one of Yugi's arms, lips pulled back into a yellowed tooth sneer.
"We'll give you something a little worse than goosebumps." His grip tightened uncomfortable so, strong enough to break a normal arm.
It's a good thing Yugi's arms weren't normal. Not with all the magic he had pumping through it.
"Now that hurts." said Yugi with a frown. "Could you let go please?"
The man just laughed, the sound echoed by those around him. The grip tightened, twisting Yugi's skin with an uncomfortable heat.
Fine then.
Yugi lifted his leg and kicked the man in the stomach.
The man went flying straight through the wooden door. It splinted easily, the sounds of breaking wood exaggerated by the night. Other crashing sounds from within followed, no doubt caused by whatever else the germ had run into.
The men around Yugi stopped laughing. In fact, they seemed to slide away into the darkness, disappearing from sight.
Yugi took a moment to dust off his arm before waltzing inside.
He passed the entrance and started down the hall, finding the staircase in the kitchen. Other people were moving through the building, no doubt alerted to the presence of an intruder. Which Yugi wasn't supposed to be. He had tried to come in politely.
Yugi made it to the bottom of the stairs before someone else found him. Another germ. Not the person Yugi wanted to see.
"Please just stop," said Yugi before the man could say anything. "If not, I'll just kick you through the wall as well."
The man went for his sword
"Wait."
The man halted, looking behind him.
From the darkness, another person appeared. The person Yugi was looking for.
Still looking like he'd been drawn and quartered through Seth's sands, Bakura entered the lamp light. Sunken eyes examined Yugi, white hair standing out eerily through the gloom. A trace of insanity lined Bakura's movements, unpredictable and deadly. A man who instilled fear just with his appearance.
"Leave."
The other man obeyed, hastening up the steps and shutting the door. It cut off the lamp light from above, sending them into pitch darkness. A darkness Yugi had no trouble seeing in. Neither did Bakura based on the eyes that stayed fixed on Yugi.
"Now this is an interesting surprise," said Bakura. "What business does the Hikari have with me?"
"Exactly that, business," said Yugi. "Do you mind if I take a seat? Dodging the guards is an annoying chore, as you probably know."
Yugi skipped to a discarded chunk of wall, taking a seat. Bakura watched him idly, before shuffling and limping over to his own seat. Yugi noted every subtle flinch as Bakura slowly sat down.
"I'm glad Ryou isn't here," said Yugi conversationally. "This isn't the best place for a boy like him."
"What do you want?" Bakura cut in, voice clipped.
"Right to the point," said Yugi. "I can respect that. The thing is, I need your help."
A look of amusement flashed across Bakura's face, curling into a cruel smile. "And why should I help you Hikari?"
"Several reasons." Yugi ticked them off on his finger. "I could kill you if you refused. I saved your life as well as Ryou's, which you still owe me for. This will help the pharaoh as much as it will help me. Should I go on?"
"No, your point has been made." Bakura leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "I am curious though. What sort of help would the Hikari ask of me, a mere human?"
"Don't pretend fake modestly Bakura," said Yugi. "We're both men who know our value. You hold a set of skills that could help me immensely in this coming battle. I'd like to put those skills into use."
"And those skills would be?"
"Information gathering. Bribing, subtle pokes and prods in the right direction. Maybe even an assassination or two."
The assassin stayed silent, measuring Yugi's words. He wasn't like normal informants that Yugi dealt with. He had pride and loyalty to his country, even if it came second to his family. Loyalties of any sort were a rarity when one was in this deep in the city's sewage. In the makeshift hierarchy of mercenaries and thugs, Bakura was a nobleman by comparison.
But he also had his back against the wall. Yugi knew all his vulnerabilities, and Bakura knew he knew them. Bakura also knew stories of the Hikari's powers and madness. Which stories and what he believed didn't really matter. Most concluded the same thing.
"They say you're a monster," said Bakura. "A demonic blight on this world."
A smile grew on Yugi's face. "And they say you're a miserable traitor that tried to kill your king. They're exhausting titles to keep up with, wouldn't you say?"
Bakura barked a laugh, slapping his knee before flinching with a curse. He had evidently forgotten his wounds.
"I can see why the king likes you," he said. "Not sure why he trusts you, but he's always been soft. Alright, I'll listen to your request."
"That's a good lad."
Yugi pulled a scroll from his belt, tossing it to Bakura. The man caught it deftly, despite the nonexistent light.
"You'll be infiltrating the Rare Hunters again," said Yugi. "This time specifically in Cairo. I need more informative on what they're doing, their bases, their recruitment's. Basically everything."
What Yugi didn't add was the possibility of death. The dangers this mission would include. Anyone in Cairo was subject to the whims of whoever was operating this mess. Anyone in Egypt really. But Yugi didn't have to say that. Bakura was no amateur. He understood the risk of death.
"Aren't the pharaoh's men already doing that?" said Bakura.
"Yes, but they haven't got us. Your skills along with my resources... I think we may dig up a few things they'll miss. Inside the scroll you'll find a bit more info on some of my best informants."
Bakura slowly pulled the two bins apart, a small token falling from within. He caught it, held it up to the light.
"A die?" His tone betrayed his doubt.
"Both a token and a handy tool," said Yugi. "You'll find who you need if you use that, but please be careful. I'm trusting you not to call too much attention to yourself."
Bakura analyzed the die, lacing it lazily between expert fingers. With a sudden twist, it whizzed around his hand, splitting into two identical die held between middle and forefinger. He'd deciphered the spell on them easily.
"Masterful work," admired Bakura. "He's skilled, the man who made this set of dice."
"Duke's a character, that's for sure. So, any questions?"
"Just one." Bakura snapped his hand, the dice disappearing into his palm as cold eyes fixed on Yugi. "Ryou."
"Will be my first priority once you agree," said Yugi. "He'll be far away and given enough resources and guards to live a long, full life."
"You promise he'll be safe?"
"As safe as I can make him." It wasn't a promise, but it was the best Yugi could give. Considering what was happening, nowhere was perfectly safe.
Bakura kept his gaze on Yugi, measuring the sincerity of his words. The man may not have a choice, but he was also the type of person who made his own chances. His own conclusions. If he didn't think Yugi was trustworthy, he would not comply.
Eventually Bakura nodded, wincing as he did so. "Alright. I'll leave tomorrow for your little mission."
"You'll leave tonight." Yugi pulling out a vial, which he tossed to Bakura. "That should patch up your wounds enough to let you leave. I'll meet you at the Dungeon Dice inn in two weeks. If you check in there, I'll find you."
Bakura downed the vial in one swig, making a face. "Good stuff. You don't pull your punches Hikari."
"If that's what you need to tell the thug upstairs to feel better about himself, then please do."
Yugi turned to trounce back up the stairs, his business completed. Now that he was done here, there were a few other things he needed to take care of before Atem returned.
