A/N: The writings of these chapters are coming along smoothly. I do hope you enjoy how these go!
Joey's POV
This is fucked.
Bakura will pay if he's hurt our little man. I don't even know if he's the one up to this, but it doesn't matter. I'm gonna kill him if Yug's hurt. And Atem… damn it I know he's gotta be killin himself over this and like, he's not entirely wrong. I see where he's comin from. If he hadn't taken off like that then we wouldn't have chased him, and if we didn't chase him Yug would still be here. But still, I guess it's not like he asked for this to happen. He just needed some space and we didn't give it to him… but that's no reason for Yug to off and disappear. Damn it Yugi… where are ya man? I swear if you've just lost your phone I'm gonna deck ya for making us worry.
Everything's too quiet, and we're not gonna get anywhere standing round here moping about. We gotta do somethin. First Bakura takes Marik, then Yug goes missing. Somethin's goin down thats for sure. But if Bakura wants the Items, then the hell is he doin takin Yugi? We have the Key and the Puzzle here with us, which means either someone else took Yugi, he hasn't come home yet or we're next.
I open my mouth to say just that when Atem swipes up both the Key and the Puzzle. They's glow around it goes away but the eye in the Puzzle is still shining brightly. He's staring at it, almost if talkin to it but I thought it wouldn't talk to him anymore. Whatever the case, he looks scary determined. Kind of like when we lost Yugi to the Orichalcos. I still don't think Tem ever got over that either. In a way, this feels like just the same.
"What do we do, Atem?" Tea asks. Her voice is small, almost nervous to ask and to be honest I don blame her. I'm not afraid of him but the aura he's emitting leaves no room for foolin around. He's serious now. I don't think we're in danger, but anyone else who gets in his way very much is.
"We find Yugi. We should have done this from the start when we learned Marik was kidnapped. The Key can be used to find the other Items. Thats how Shadi tracked us down time after time, it's how he checked on Pegasus and undoubtedly how he moved from place to place." He says but all kinds of alarm bells start ringing. He can't be so reckless. Not now!
"Wait a minute man-"
"No Joey. The Puzzle senses Yugi is in danger, I am not waiting around to see what Bakura does next. He's either going to come here for the items and put everyone else here in danger or he's going to kill Yugi."
Woah.
Did he just… I mean I know he's right. We all do. The Puzzle's allegiance can only be changed two ways: it is won in a game, or the owner dies. Even if he challenges Yugi to a game and wins he still needs to come here and retrieve it. He might not be fuckin around now given how many times he's tried to win it. But like, did he have to say it? Even I feel sick thinking of it.
"Atems right." Ryou says with a voice sickeningly calm. "We can't wait. We have to take the fight to him or else … we could lose Yugi and Marik forever. We could lose everything, forever."
"But … what's the plan? It doesn't have to be terribly detailed but some kind of plan would be nice." I say, hoping to make everyone stop for a moment.
"I'm going to find Bakura, I'm going to put an end to him and his schemes and I'm going to bring both Yugi and Marik home." Atem says simply, as if it was the most obvious thing. I mean I totally agree with him but like, can we go with? Does he expect us to just sit here and let him take on Bakura by himself? Cause like hell that's gonna happen.
"We don't even know if it was Bakura that took Yugi." Tea says and another wave of chill tickles my skin.
"What are ya talkin about, who else could it be?" Tristan and I ask at once.
"Think about it. Who else wants to see him hurt?" She asks us and it dawns on me like lightning.
"The Yakuza." Ryou whispers.
"Atem if you go barging in to attack Bakura he might not even have Yugi." Tea continues.
"But he has my brother." Ishizu interjects. Right… it's not fair that we're only concerned for Yug - Bakura did actually kidnap Marik afterall. He might have even less of a chance of surviving this than Yugi. Oh wow that was dark. Lets not go there.
"My Pharaoh. On the chance that Bakura has not taken Yugi, if it is possible for you to locate him, could I please ask you to do so. He has our brother and while he may not have Yugi I must save him." She continues. Oh man…
"I will find him. Whether he has Yugi or not this feud with Bakura ends now. Joey." Atem says to me and immediately I fall in some kind of line. His tone of voice, his stature, everything about him makes me stand to attention like some kind of soldier… maybe this is what it's like to come face to face with the Pharaoh.
"I need you guys to contact Kaiba. If Bakura does not have Yugi then I want to know if the Yakuza is involved and what he can do about it. He seems to have ties with them, I'd see him use them to find Yugi." He commands and you know what… as much as I am keen to go with him to find Bakura, I agree with this plan.
"You can count on me man." I say strongly and his smile is all I need to have confidence in him.
"I'll come with you man. I'm no match for Bakura with all those items but I can help with Kaiba." Tristan says bravely. I knew my brother would be my side.
"I'd like to go with Atem, if I might. I know Bakura better than anyone and I have some experience with the Items." Ryou says.
"I don't know if I can traverse the paths of the Key with multiple people but I would be glad to have your help." Atem says fondly.
"Where should I go?" Tea asks.
"Uhh maybe you should stay here with Gramps, you know in case Yugi strolls in." I suggest easily. She's mad at first but a second later sees the logic and relents.
"You're right. I'd like to help more but … there is still the chance we're getting worked up." She says sadly. Ryou places a hand on her shoulder and forces her to look up at him.
"We'll be counting on you to let us know if he does come back." He says to her and she smiles bravely.
"You'll be coming straight back right? I doubt Yugi will remain calm when I tell him you've gone to face Bakura." She says cheerfully.
"Yeah. Absolutely." He says happily.
"I would like to go with the Pharaoh." Ishizu says, no surprise there.
"As do I. Bakura will pay if he has harmed Marik in any way." Odion says just as stiffly as normal.
"Then it's decided. Tea will stay here with Mr. Moto, Tristan and Joey will see Kaiba and the rest of us will go confront Bakura." Atem says and we all agree. This is happening. This is really happening. I can't believe we're really doing this. We could die here… but we're not gonna let that stop us. We're gonna get back our friends, beat the bad guy and be back in time to celebrate.
"Alright guys, goodluck." Ryou says happily.
"You too." Tristan says, a bit more concerned than our british friend over there.
"Atem." I say, catching his undivided attention.
"Bring them back but … bring yourself back too. I expect nothing less than all of you coming back." He smiles and nods because nothing else needs to be said. We both know how dangerous this is. We both know whats at stake. This is it. Our final battle whether we like it or not. Bakura is going down tonight, regardless if he's at fault for Yug's disappearance, and the Yakuza are being dealt with just as much. We've all reached the point where we're done with being toyed around, we're done being threatened. We just want to live, every day, and it starts now.
"Everyone…" Tea says before taking a deep breath to settle herself. "Be careful. All of you. Keep us updated and … for the love of god be careful."
"Right. Jo, we should get going." Tristan says to me, tapping me on the arm for us to leave. He's right. The sooner the better.
"Tea." Ryou says just as I turn on my heel to leave. I don't know what made me stop to catch the end of this but what I saw next surprised me. Surprised everyone. Out of nowhere Ryou lifted Tea's chin and planted his lips onto hers. We all stood in complete shock, even her, but what was even more remarkable was that she didn't push him off. She didn't look uncomfortable, or like she didn't want it, didn't fight him, but she didn't lean into it either. I think she's just as surprised as we are. The kiss doesn't last long as soon as he breaks it he bows low, apologising profusely. The sight is almost hilarious, more so when Atem grabs his shirt with a sigh and points the Key to a blank space before them, opening up some kind shimmering portal. The world distorts in that area and he drags a still incredibly embarrassed Ryou along behind him.
Meanwhile Tea is still dumbstruck, blinking after them and touching her lips curiously. Well… glad I stuck around for that. I need to go though. Alright, lets go Joey.
We make it in good time to Kaiba's main office. It's closed to the public now but his goons have gotta let us in. If they don't we'll just call Mokuba, he'll let us in for sure.
"Sorry but this building is closed to civilians." One of the guards say as we approach. Typical.
"We're not civilians. Take a closer look, you might recognise me as one of the best duelists in the world. Now let us in. We gotta talk to your boss." I say proudly but as I go to walk on past him… I bump into his chest. Bastard didn't move! The hecks up with that?
"Come on pal, it's me. Joey Wheeler. Let us in, this is important."
"Like I said, no civilians. Mr. Kaiba is a very busy man and has no time after public hours to entertain the common folk. Now leave the premises before we make you leave." He says irritatingly. I oughta smack the douche right outta this guy.
"Alright Joey, come on. Lets just call Mokuba." Tristan says, pulling back from decking this dick square in his cheek.
"The one time it's not somebody like Roland guarding the door." I grumble angrily as Tristan gets on his phone. When he gets off he gives me a thumbs up and a wink and an overwhelming urge of excitement rushes through me.
"Heehehe. Hey guys. Bet ya 20 bucks you're gonna let us in soon." I taunt proudly. Oh yeah it feels goooooood to be smug!
"If you can earn 20 bucks you're on." One of them says… just to piss me off… and it fucking works.
But just as I'm ready to show this guy some manners they both look away, as if listening to something. They share a glance at each other, then throw one at us and I grin wickedly. I just won 20 bucks.
"You have permission to go through." They say, unlocking the door for us. Tristan enters first, and I linger with my hand out. They know what I want. They try to ignore me but I aint movin yet and eventually their patience runs thin and they each hand me my earnings. Oh yeah! Good to have friends in high places.
"Let that be a lesson to ya." I say cockily.
"Listen punk." One of them grabs my shirt and holds me up to him and I can tell as cocky as I am, if I'm not careful this guy's strength is enough to even spook me. "Just cause you have permission to enter doesn't mean you have permission to be a disturbance. We can still toss you out if we see probable cause so don't push ya luck." He threatens, pushing me further inside.
"Come on Joey, stop messing around. We dont have time for this." Tristan sighs.
"Alright I'm done. Lets go find Mokuba."
Atem's POV
Traversing the path the Key has opened up was easier than I thought it would be. To be honest I didn't even know this was something I could do until instinct or maybe intuition told me so. I can only presume this is a secret of the Key it's decided to give me given the circumstance. Even considering Yugi is not it's master he is the master of the Puzzle and the Puzzle remains the strongest of the Items. Just like in ancient times how the Items could commune with us and tell us if something had happened to the other Item masters, they can sense if something endangers the Puzzle's Master too. And just like I am trusting my instinct to be able to do this, I am also trusting the Key's instinct to take us where we need to go.
I will admit though these pathways feels so strange. I feel weightless here and ageless. There are no sounds and yet if we stand still it is deafening and almost suffocating. There is no breeze and yet my skin feels fresh and penetrated by cold. I feel watched and yet there is nothing here but us and this mute void of silver swirls and a shimmering paths. I could walk a million of these and never learn where they all go, but the one which we walk upon seems lighter than the rest... as if the void itself is guiding us. I can only pray I am right.
Ryou, Ishizu and Odion follow me closely. Ryou's hushed, panicked mumblings of pure embarrassment is the only other sound following us. His actions back there surprised us all and it's only now he's left little option but to think about it that he's panicking but before I know it a white dancing portal appears before us, like a vertical man sized pool, and his ravings cease.
"This must be it." Ishizu says, her voice soft in her usual tone but heavy in this void. There's no echo here and it seems to just stop, losing it's grace usually carried by the air.
"What if Bakura is right on the other side?" Ryou asks with the same kind of weight on his voice too. It's strange to get used to but it shouldn't last long.
"Then we assault him, take the Items and demand to know where he's keeping Yugi and Marik." I say simply.
"And if he tries anything dirty?" Odion asks.
"Then we'll be just as dirty." I say darkly. I don't even really know what that means, but I mean it. I don't care what it takes anymore. I am tired of Bakura ruining my life. I am tired of Bakura threatening Yugi. I am tired of Bakura … full stop. He ends today, the Items will know peace and so will we.
I take the step through the Portal and we appear in a vastly different setting than I was expecting. Our once brightly lit world is now dark as midnight. There are a few buzzing, flickering, dim lights on the walls but it's not enough to light the whole area effectively. It is enough to see the walls are made of large, cold bricks and there's a leak somewhere, dripping onto a puddle. It smells awful, like sewerage and rust, alcohol and god knows what else. As my eyes begin to adjust it gets easier to see there's a tunnel to my right with absolutely no light at all and a sharp drop into it. It seems to go on forever but it could just as easily stop a few meters in too and I wouldn't know. To my left are large stairs going up but to where I'm not sure. There's a sign above them but it is too dark for me to make out the letters. I think it's also grafitti'd too.
This isn't a charming place to be, nor do I see Bakura. Why did the Key bring us here?
"We're not alone." Ryou whispers to me and he's right. We aren't alone. They're faint but there are figures, like shadows standing around the area. They're minding their own business, either leaning against walls or crouching on the floor chit chatting amongst themselves. One of them paces nearby and we hold our breaths, painfully confused as to how they haven't seen us yet. It's not every day 4 real humans just appear out of the air but they seem like they either really haven't noticed, or they don't care. It's difficult to say whether they're dangerous or not though so it's best we observe for now.
"I don't believe they can see us." Ishizu mumbles behind me, her voice just above a whisper. My heart clenches but they don't react to the echo of her words. They can't hear us… or see us. Why? Is this place not real?
"Shadi once told us his Key granted him the ability to observe without being seen. He was a guardian of the Millennium Items and often he would watch us grow as we came to learn more about the Necklace and the Rod. But we never knew he was around until he saw fit to introduce himself to us. I believe the Key grants us the ability to move around unnoticed." She explains, more confident this time.
I see. This is useful indeed. Something not even the Puzzle can do I believe. This will make locating Yugi all the easier, so long as we stick together.
"Right. We don't know the range of the Key's powers, it's best we stay together." I say and in no time I feel all three of them creep up to me, almost standing on me. I appreciate their caution but the distance before was just fine.
We carefully move around, testing the theory if we can be seen or not and yeah, even as one walks right past us, only a breath away, they don't seem to know we're here. Alright. I'd like to go up the stairs. I don't think we'll find Yugi down here.
"Up stairs?" I ask them. It's not like we have much choice.
I go to take a step but as I do I feel the puzzle tug. The others bump into the back of me, confusingly asking me whats wrong but the Puzzle… it's very clear. It wishes to remain down here. Does that mean Yugi is down here somewhere and we don't know? Maybe we can't see him. Could he be down the tunnel?
"Pharaoh… does this not resemble one of your cities' train stations?" Odion asks.
He's right come to think of it. Remove the smell and give it better lighting and yes, it would resemble one. But if we're in Domino then where are we? I've never seen a train station so … abandoned before.
"It does, but I can't read where we are." Ryou says, trying hard to read the sign.
"The puzzle wishes for us to remain down here. We should wait and see what happens." I say, taking to pacing the area carefully. It's dirty beyond anything here. Wherever this is is not a common place for people to traverse. It's definitely under ground and likely not even in use anymore. I feel like we've stumbled across some underground syndicate. If they knew we were right in front of them I would place my bet that they would try to kill us for stumbling across their little hideout.
"Fuckin - where the fuck are they?" One of them finally says, crankily getting up from where he was previously crouched. He doesn't strike me as a leader, simply a pawn most likely. The impatient type, a young one. They're common among rebel groups, often the first to screw something up.
I didn't miss this way of thinking. This way of analysing my opponents. I feel like a King again in a den of bandits, only they can't see me and this isn't Egypt where I can just summon the Gods or raid their hideout.
"Be patient Franky, they'll be here. They know what boss'll do to us if we don't deliver the kid, regardless of whether we get him." One of the others said, his tone bored and nonchalant. Kid… does he mean Yugi?
"Yugi?" Ryou whispers to me. I guess we're thinking the same thing.
"It sounds like they're waiting for someone." Ishizu says.
"We should wait and see who." Odion says. I can't agree more. It sounds like they don't have Yugi or Marik but the Puzzle can sense Yugi near. Whoever they're waiting for has him and I don't want to risk losing our chance to retrieve him. But we also need to find Marik, which means we need Bakura. We have to adapt as events unfold. If I can get Yugi back now and together we can face Bakura and retrieve Marik. I know how to send Yugi back if it gets too dangerous, but if he can control the Puzzle's anger then I shouldn't need to. First things first though… wait and see.
I hear footsteps coming from the stairs and a moment later everyone else stood to attention. However they're waiting for must be coming and I feel my heart pounding with nervous anticipation. Is it Bakura, or would it be Yugi? Would it be his captor, or would it be Marik? Someone we know or someone we don't? Could they be innocent? In which case what will these thugs do if they are?
My question is answered not a moment later when Yugi fall down the last few stairs to roll and tumble upon the cold, filthy tiles. He didn't though fall though, he was forced. Instinct has me flinching to help him but both Ryou and Odion hold me back. He looks hurt though, my dear Yugi. He grunts upon his landing, scrambling to get up to a somewhat defensible position while cradling his wrist protectively. His hair's a mess and his clothes are all wrinkled and dirty. In the light I think I spy a small trail of blood marking his skin by his hairline but it could be a shadow.
"You're late mate." The boy - Franky- claims arrogantly. The men he talks to do not look like men he wants to mess with, and his naivety gets him smacked by the one who tossed Yugi. He's a tall man, dressed in leathers and a mask with something white painted on it.
"The boy proved a little troublesome on the way." The masked man said, his voice muffled by the mask but stern and unamused.
"Little shit almost broke my fucking nose." One of the smaller men behind him says. Pride wells up within me hearing that and I look at Yugi to watch him stand.
"Come near me again and I'll make sure it is." He threatens and I have to bite my lip to make sure I don't laugh. He's playing a dangerous game but I do love when he's tough like this.
"What was that?!" Broken nose spits angrily but he's held back by mask man.
"Ignore the runt, you said we're late but where's our host?" Masked man asks the rest.
I feel the puzzle tug on my neck and I look over to Yugi who's beginning to take in his surroundings. He's free to move around, after all there's no where to go beside up the stairs or through the tunnel and I doubt they think he'll risk that. So while some of them watch him move they don't stop him wandering. And he's wandering slowly towards us. I don't think he knows we're here but I am glad he's getting closer. If I can pull him into our protection I can get us all out of here and we can approach Bakura from a much safer vantage point.
"Does he know?" Odion asks.
He stops before us, looking straight through us before his eyes land on where the puzzle must be. I could take him now, but they're watching as they talk. If he just disappeared right before them, I doubt I'd be able to open a portal in time. Still, if I can let him know we're here discreetly. I wonder if I can touch him.
He turns his back to us then and just as I feel I've missed my chance he holds a hand behind him and flexes his fingers, as if asking for something.
"The Puzzle?" Ryou suggests. I don't think, but I let him touch it and as his fingers caress it's gold I watch his shoulders tense with the breath he takes. The next moment he strolls away but … why? Why doesn't he stay with us? If things get bad we can act, we can protect him… so why is he patrolling so casually?
Their conversations are cut short when more footsteps are heard from the stairs and a smartly dressed man appears before them all. He's dressed in white, slim in build and small in stature but he stands with such pride and exudes power over them all. Whoever he is he has them all afraid, including the masked man. He doesn't show it much in the way he stands but his bow to him proves that this new man outranks him.
"Ah good, I see my assumption was correct. I figured if I allowed extra time I would not need to wait." He says. His voice is smug, arrogant… like a snakes. I do not trust him in the slightest.
"Kaneshiro Takajo." The Masked man greets him politely. I've never heard that name before but it seems all of them have.
"Where is the Puzzle?" He asks them angrily. They look confused and each of them are scrambling for an answer that won't get them killed. This man knows of the puzzle though, which means he must work for Bakura, right?
"He wasn't wearing the Puzzle when we caught him." The masked man says, even his tone is now panicked as he bows low.
"Then why didn't you go get it?"
The masked man tries to reason with him but a single hand silences him. He ignores him and waltzes on over to Yugi, apparently ignorant of how close to the edge he's made Yugi step back to. I am seething for how close he is to him, how uncomfortable he's making him. A gloved hand touches Yugi's jaw, forcing him to look at him and to everyone's surprise Yugi smacks his hand away … or tries to. The man is too quick, grabbing his wrist and forcing him to his knees. I need to protect him but Odion and Ryou are still holding me back. He's hurting Yugi though, I can't watch this.
The man tuts, like telling of a child while Yugi hisses in pain.
"Even bratty rats get eaten by the cobra in the end. If you want to live a little longer, I suggest you don't aggravate the snake." The man says, forcefully throwing Yugi's wrist back at him.
"I'll take the boy to Bakura. The rest of you should leave. You'll all be getting paid half the agreed amount for your efforts. The other half will be paid if you can deliver the puzzle too. I'd try his home… kill anyone who stands in your way." He says, clicking his fingers as if to make his orders final.
"You won't find the Puzzle at home." Yugi shouts suddenly, making them all stop and look at him with great intrigue. This is too dangerous. If they buy his argument they'll torture him for information. If they don't, they'll kill Solomon and Tea regardless on if they have it. I have the puzzle right here… to get out of this situation is going to require precise timing. Please… guide us.
"Where is it then?"
"What makes you think I still own it? I sent it away, back home. To Egypt. After what happened last time I didn't want anything to do with them. If Bakura wants the Puzzle, he won't find it here."
The snake man looks at him, regarding him but I seriously don't think he believes a word of it. Come on Yugi… these guys are serious. You don't really think they'll buy that do you?
"Bring me that puzzle. Boy, you come with me or I'll make sure everyone of your friends and family suffers in their last moments." The snake man says but as his goons step towards Yugi, Yugi takes a step towards the edge. If he takes one more step he will fall … this is too dangerous.
"Yugi…" I whisper, desperate to get out of their grasp.
"You won't find the Puzzle there. And Bakura is not taking me." Yugi… this loveable idiot … he jumps off the edge into the tunnel and everyone scrambles to catch him. Even we have moved together to watch him disappear into the darkness. At least he's away but… he can't see down there and we don't know if …
I feel it … the rumbling. The air shifting. Just as I feared: this train station isn't out of use. One is coming… and Yugi's on the tracks. No. Idiot!
"Leave him. Go get me that Puzzle. If the boy dies that's one less thing to worry about for Bakura." The snake man says, turning on his heel to leave. I can't…
I hurry to take the Key off, forcing it into Ishizu's hands desperately.
"Take the Key, find Marik. For heavens sake be careful." I say before leaving their calls after me to jump down the tunnel too. If we die down here, I will not be doing it alone. I will not be drawing another breath with him gone. If I can save him then I will. I don't care what happens, so long as I save him. I promised I'd keep him safe, everything that's ever happened to him is my fault, I'll be damned if I let him die here, like this.
"YUGI!" I scream, letting my voice carry through the pitch black tunnel. I struggle to run properly as I can't see at all where the tracks are. I can feel the rumbling of the train fast approaching but I can't see Yugi at all. Where is he? Is there an escape somewhere? Am I going to die here? Where is Yugi?!
"YUUUUUGIIIIIIIII!" I scream louder, desperate for him to answer me.
"ATEM?!" Finally! His voice! He's ahead of me and to my great relief the Puzzle's light shines ahead. I can see him running towards me. Tears try to blind me, my heart feels like it's going to explode. I am so afraid. I'm so afraid of dying here. So afraid of losing him. Of losing everything. So afraid this will be the last time either of us draw breath. Of all the ways to go too… by train is not my ideal choice. But at least I can be with him.
I launch to him as he does to me and for the longest moment I forget we are about to die because I have him in my arms. I don't even care about the rocks and the metal of the tracks scraping against us as we fall, because I have him with me and for a moment, for as long as we have until that train comes upon us, I have him.
"Yugi!" I cry into his hair, bracing for the impact that will take us …
But instead of pain… instead of nothing… instead of death or the rushing wind I feel warm. I hear the train passing by us, passing over us but it is like my ears are covered by some form of pillow. I feel the air racing past us but feels more like a gentle breeze. The only thing that feels real to me is Yugi, safe in my arms as I lay protectively over him. He's trembling… or we both are… but he's feel so real to me.
Slowly I crack open my eyes to see the darkness I was expected was now a bright, beautiful gold. The train is passing over us but we … we're untouched. We're perfectly protected in this field of gold. I don't understand how, or what this is but we're safe. I dare not lift my head too high, I dare not let go of Yugi, and as terrified as I am right now I find myself lost. I don't know if I should be afraid or not, and that itself is frightening.
I look down to Yugi to see the Eye of Wadjet glowing brightly upon his forehead, the puzzle firmly in his hands glowing like the sun between us. He himself has a faint, pulsing aura of power, which is exactly where the warmth is coming from … this. This sounds like what everyone described happened to him a couple weeks ago. When Bakura attacked, Yugi protected us and seemed to be glowing. He was frighteningly powerful. I've never seen anything like this, this must be what happened. Whatever is happening, we are safe and that is a blessing I am sure to count. I thought for certain we would die.
The last cart passes us and the wind it drags behind whisps to a gentle breeze of it's own. The darkness of the tunnel returns but inside this golden bubble it barely touches us. With the train gone I feel safe enough to brave the air above us just a little more, never once letting Yugi go, and it's now I see the bubble has taken the form of a Pyramid. We're encased in some kind of hollow, gold pyramid that the outside cannot penetrate. This is incredible. Simply incredible.
But why hasn't it faded? We're safe now.
I look down at Yugi, still clutching the Puzzle desperately. He mustn't realise we're safe yet… I examine him a little longer, hoping he'll come out of this safely but for now, his hair is still moving as if wind is sweeping it away, his brow is furrowed as if he is deeply concentrating. I don't have the Key to gently bring him back to me and wonder is replaced with fear and concern. What if the voices of the Puzzle is tormenting him? What if they have him in their grasp and he can't break free like last time?
Last time. Last time he used this kind of power he was out cold in hospital for 2 days… As willing as I am to carry him out of here I doubt I can carry him all the way to a hospital… and then our friends need us too. We're not safe yet.
"Yugi." I say gently, caressing his hot cheeks, hoping he'll look at me. "Yugi we're safe. You can let go."
He cracks open his eyes, now pure gold instead of that beautiful amethyst I love so much, but despite that it is him. I see it in their sparkle, I see it in his soul. He looks at me, assessing the truth of my words and a second later the gold fades to purple, the Eye of Wadjet's glow dims to nothing and the Pyramid behind us bursts into stars.
"Temmy…" He breathes, his eyes becoming heavy as he collapses in my arms. I was afraid of this.
"Yugi wake up. Please wake up. I need you awake." I say, desperately slapping his face until he stirs awake again, looking at me with eyes so dazed and tired.
"I need you to stay awake." I say, pulling him up to sit. Hopefully the upright position helps him gather himself.
"We … did we die?" He asks me and I want to laugh. I want to cry. I want to weep and laugh hysterically because the joy that fills me is unlike anything I've ever felt. We are alive. We are breathing, and talking, and living all because of him.
"No… you saved us." I laugh, tears streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks but I don't even care. We're alive.
He glances at me, then around, then down at his hands still holding the puzzle and back at me, eyes wider now with full attention.
"I thought we …"
"Me too." I hold him. I hold him in my arms and I relish every ounce of this feeling. I will never take anything for granted ever again. Today we live and I will do everything in my power to protect this.
"We can't stay here. If another train comes." I say, pulling back to look at him. I need to make sure he's well enough to stand and while dazed he seems okay.
"R-right."
Together we walk back the way we came. Those goons are likely to have left by now and we don't know how long this tunnel goes. We should easily be able to make it back to the platform well before another train comes and with any luck, maybe our friends are still there. I told them to find Marik… but if I know them as well as I think I do they might not have left yet. In any case, thats where we're safer.
He doesn't say anything but he doesn't need to. He just saved our lives, it's enough to know he's squeezing my hand as I lead the way. I'm never letting go of him again and if his squeeze is anything to go by he doesn't want me to.
My mind is racing and at the same time it feels as it is stalling and stumbling over the same truth. We are alive. That train was real. We almost died. Literally died. But we are alive. The gold, the warmth, the energy. All that power was raw power from the Puzzle and Yugi harnessed it as if he was a god. We are alive. Just 2 minutes ago I believed we would be dead. Just 2 minutes ago my legs and lungs were on fire, my heart was about to burst and hot streams of tears almost hindered my ability to run ... but 2 minutes later we are alive. We are alive. I know how. I know what happened... but I can't move passed this. We. Are. Alive.
I see light. Good. We're almost there.
"Temmy." Yugi squeaks behind me.
"We're almost there." I say but I feel him dragging behind. I chance looking back at him and through the dim light I can see him struggling to keep up. He's exhausted but we're so close. He can rest when we're safe. He needs to keep fighting.
"We're almost there Yugi. I can see the light. Come on. You can do this." I encourage him and he nods. Good. I'm so proud of him. I have to get him there now though. He needs to rest.
I hear voices… Ryou's… they're here. Oh my gods they didn't leave!
"Ryou!"
"Atem!?" He calls back immediately, poking his head over the side. I can't see his face in the shadow but I hear laughter of joy and relief. Good… I imagine if I can see him and I can hear him then it's safe enough they don't need the Key's protection. Which means we're not going to be surrounded by thugs when we get there.
"Atem! You crazy son of a bitch! The hell were you thinking?!" He calls out to us.
"I couldn't leave Yugi." I call back.
"Is that Ryou?" Yugi asks, shortly before I feel him tug on my arm. Immediately I turn to him, catching him as his legs have given out. He's too tired… but at least we're here now.
"I need help, Yugi's too tired to move." I call back to them. If Odion is here he's tall enough to lift us both up.
"You got Yugi?!" Ryou asks, astounded. Not that I blame him. They must be as confused as I am.
Thank god, Odion comes to help. With ease he carries Yugi princess style in his arms and lifts him onto the platform for Ryou to care for and then lends me his hands for me to step on. Once we're all safe on the platform, Yugi resting in Ryou's lap and firmly asleep I allow myself to breathe and let the buzzing in my brain to ebb away.
"Thank you for staying." I mumble tiredly.
"We … didn't think you'd make it. The train wasn't far behind you, how did you survive?" Ishizu asks, delicately trying to control the alarm in her voice.
"Yugi." Is all I say. I look at him, sleeping soundly and while I feel the creeping fatigue on me too for having run so fast, I crawl over to slip the Puzzle over his neck. It belongs to him after all, it should be with him as he sleeps. As the chain nestles in around him the eye begins to glow and a gentle sigh parts his lips. He needs healing it seems… hopefully some rest is all he needs.
"What happened?" Ryou asks.
"I'm not sure exactly but I thought we were going to die. One moment we were running, the next I caught him and we fell to the tracks. I thought it was all over for us but the train passed right over us, almost right through us. I watched it pass, through a field of gold. Yugi somehow used the puzzle to summon some kind of gold pyramid to shield us. It took all of his strength to hold it. It passed us without any issue. We're fine. We're alive because he saved us." I say, trying so very hard to stop from crying. Before Yugi: fine; but before Ishizu and Odion there is no chance I will show them that weakness.
"He did it again then? That strange power?" Ryou asks, more to himself though as he pets my dear Yugis hair out of his face.
"He must have. I cant imagine it was anything else." I say humbly, caressing his cheek and watching him hum and relax. He can rest now. If I need to I'll take him back home…
"Someone needs to call Tea and tell them to get out. If they aren't at the game shop they'll be safe I'm sure of it." I say quickly. Ryou wastes no time slipping his phone out. With any luck they are still safe.
"My Pharaoh. Those people may yet know where my brother is." Ishizu says, her voice heavy with concern.
"Yes. I intend to use the Key to find him just like we did with Yugi, but we can't drag Yugi along with us with him like this."
"What about Kaiba? Can he not protect him?" Odion asks.
He might. He went through so much effort to protect him from the Yakuza but it seems now that the Yakuza worked for Bakura all this time. Still, we have very little options remaining. Our biggest advantage is that our enemies will believe Yugi to be dead. If it wasn't for a miracle we wouldn't be here as it is.
"I'll call Joey." Ryou says as he gets off the phone with Tea.
"Are Tea and Grandpa okay?" I ask as he dials.
"They're fine. They're going to Tea's place for a while. They should be safe there."
That's a relief. They'll never think to look at them at Tea's house. I just hope we still have a house to go to by the time we get home.
While Ryou's on the phone I pull Yugi to me, allowing him to fall between my legs and rest against my chest. He doesn't wake, barely stirs and is quick to relax, but it feels good to have him in my arms. I was so afraid of losing him. Not just to the train but to Bakura, the Yakuza, whoever else wants to hurt him. He was taken off the street chasing me. If him calling my name out was the last time I heard his voice …
I'm just glad it wasn't. Now I have him here with me I will never be so foolish again. I vow this, holding him firmly.
Joey's POV
"Come on, isn't there some other way you can track him down? You seem to always know everything that goes on this city!" I shout, slamming his desk impatiently. I dont believe for a second moneybags can't locate him without his duel disk. He's supposed to have people watching him right? How the hell did he lose him?
"I'm telling you Wheeler I have my men combing the city and contacting our informants but it is going to take time for that intel to get back to us. Now unless your friends happen to find him before mine do I suggest you stop slamming my desk before I slam you onto it!"
Oh pretty boy wants to dance huh! Fine. I'll give him something to smirk about…
My phones ringing. He's lucky it did or I'd have decked him here and now.
Its Ryou. Maybe they found Yugi!
"Ryou?"
~Joe… we fou- -gi. We need he-p though. -ca-~
"Ryou you're breaking up. The hell are you?" I ask him. He keeps talking but I can't really make out what he's saying.
"Try turning it on loudspeaker." Tristan suggests.
"Please don't." Kaiba grumbles… and much to my pleasure I do it anyway.
~Found Yugi. We ne- -elp. -derground subway.~"
They found Yugi!
"Mokuba. Track this phone call." Kaiba commands immediately and Mokuba is already typing away on his laptop.
"Alright, Ryou. Mokuba's tracing the call, just stay on the phone. Is everyone okay?" I ask him.
~-nk you. Yes. We're all here. Yugi - hit by a train. They're - unconscious. We haven't - Bakura but we - to find - rik." Wait…
Train?! Did he say ... hit by a train?
"WAIT WHAT THE FU-"
"Mokuba -" Kaiba says.
"Almost got it bro. They're downtown but I haven't triangulated their position yet. Just a few more moments."
"He mentioned an underground subway and a train. Are there any stations nearby?" Kaiba asks.
"HOW IN THE FUCK CAN YOU BE SO CALM?! YUGI GOT HIT BY A FUCKING TRAIN!"
I feel sick. I feel like all my blood is gone and my body is going to turn into some kind of jelly... just like Yugi... oh god. No... Yugi.
"Shut the hell up Wheeler, the reception is poor. Didn't you listen to your friend at all? They're bloody unconscious. So stop yelling in my office before I push you in front of a train!" Kaiba snaps at me. Unconscious… right… yeah okay.
~Joey - all wrong. Yugi - fine. Everyone's fine. But we ne- -elp getting out of here.~
"Jeeze…" Tristan sigh with me. My heart is racing still. I can't even comprehend the rollercoaster I just went through. Yugi… thank god they're okay. I'm so relieved Atem and the others actually managed to find him...and faster than I thought too. Does this mean they fought Bakura? Have they found Marik? What the hell is going on?
"I got it bro. I'm letting our nearby ground men know to meet them there. Ryou, can you hear me?" Mokuba says, snatching the phone right out of my hands. Damn this kid is quick!
~Yeah?~
"Alright, stay where you are. Do not move. You are really deep into enemy territory but we can get you out with an escort. Just stay put and wait for our men to come get you. Did you get that?"
~Yeah... just -ay here right?~
"Yeah stay there. Our men will offer you a passphrase. The eyes of blue are bright in this one."
~Got it. -ank you. -ee you soo-~
It cut off … Well I'm glad we managed to get that sorted before it did. I'll admit it sure is good to have friends in high places, even if those places are the ass of the douchiest douchebag in rich society.
"Good job Mokuba. Now if you dweebs would leave me alone, I have an important phone call to make." Kaiba says. I can't help but feel annoyed but he is making an effort to bring Yugi and the others back safely … and there's something about that cold stare thats warning me against fighting him… then again it's not that different to his normal stare.
"Come on guys. We'll set up an area for them when they arrive." Mokuba says, smoothly escorting us out of his office.
Kaiba's POV
…
Yugi…
What the hell kind of mess have you gotten yourself into now? First the Yakuza is on your tail, then you go and get kidnapped by them and almost get hit by a train?
Not to mention you are in the heart of the spiders web … it won't be easy getting you out of there.
How much am I going to have to sacrifice just to keep you safe?
...
You better just remain safe until then.