I was tired. I didn't even have the strength to lift my own head. It was hopeless and the worst part was, that I was finally around people who cared. It hurt and they knew it.

"He needs help."

I tried to see who was talking, but it was too much effort. Listening seemed to be my only option.

"None of us can get through to him though. He's been hurt bad."

"Maybe someone can, someone who has gone through something like this."

"Joey."

Joey? Wasn't that the amateur, my new master? I was pretty sure, but how could a mortal help? I felt a hand on my neck and then another person came into view. It was the Flame swordsman, the favorite in this deck. He looked at me in worry and that surprised me. Usually the favorite lorded over the rest, or at least that's what happened to me.

"We'll get you help. Soon you will be better."

I couldn't even argue with him. This was sad. Me. The second most powerful dragon, and I don't even having the ability to talk. Something else curled up beside me and I recognized the presence of another dragon, a baby at that.

That made me smile. Even in my weakened state, I was still the Head Dragon in this deck and this baby recognized it. He was trying to give me comfort and strength and I welcomed it, but I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. I drifted off into my own darkness.

When next I woke I heard an unfamiliar voice, one that called me out of sleep.

"So, I'm not dreaming?'

"In a way, you are, but what needs to be done is real."

There was silence and then the other continued.

"What happened to him?"

I felt a gentle hand raise my head and place it in a lap. I could see up and the person there took me by surprise. It was my new master.

"This dragon has never been taken care of. He's always been considered useless because of the Blue-Eyes. But that other Duelist placed him in the deck, but never took care of him. Being used like that depletes our energy and we run the risk of dying."

The blond looked scared.

"You can't be serious? He'd be gone forever because of that Jerk not knowing what a powerful card he had?" He didn't wait for an answer, just turned back to me. "Don't worry buddy. I know what it feels like, I'll help you get through this."

"Unfortunately, you can't stay here, because time is passing normally."

"Then each night I will be back here." He held me close and I started to believe him. "We'll get you better, we have to." He leaned closer and whispered. "You need to help me save my sister, I know she would love to see you."

Did he mean it? I was actually needed? My eyes stared up into his and he nodded. He then turned to the little one curled up beside me.

"Baby, you make sure he stays safe." The little one gave a little squeak/growl of agreement and Joey turned to the warrior. "I'm not going to duel today. He needs a chance to rest, if anything happens I'm trusting you to find a way to tell me." He stopped as if unsure of himself. "You can tell me, right?"

The warrior nodded and he came over to me one final time.

"Rest today and tonight we'll take care of the physical wounds."

I moved my head towards his hand and he hugged me.

"I'm glad I got you before you were gone."

And then he disappeared and I did as he asked and slept the day through.

"Hey, Red-Eyes? Can you hear me?"

I opened my eyes, knowing instantly who it was. Joey smiled at me, seemingly relieved. He looked around and I saw that all the warriors were gathered around. I wondered what was going on. He turned back to me.

"They told me the sea was near by in this world and since they can get you there, well I thought that it would be best if we clean you up down there." He looked embarrassed. "It's just that I heard that salt water was the best way to clean out wounds, although it might sting."

He looked so nervous about even causing me this little pain in order to help me, I had to try and tell him it was all right.

"Thanks." I managed at last. It came out raspy and sounded horrible, but it made him smile.

"While we're down there, maybe we can find some place for you to get a drink. He placed his hand on my head again and then turned to his warriors. "Are you sure you guys can do this?"

They nodded and then came over and together they managed to lift me up. Joey stayed by my head, so I could see him at all times. He must have realized that I needed it. On the walk over I wondered what I had done to deserve him and were there many humans like him? I decided there couldn't be. I had never even heard of a Dueler doing anything like this for a run down card. Especially one that wasn't required in their deck.

I would have liked to think about this more, but the moving had re-opened some wounds. Most Duelers thought that cards are automatically healed when they return to the deck. What they don't realize is that they are healed through the bond between the card and the human. Never receiving that bond, I have never had a chance to heal. All the wounds from previous battles have just built up.

I must have whimpered, or cried out because Joey was with me instantly.

"We're almost there, you'll be able to feel it in a few seconds."

He was right. The warriors placed me down on a smooth rock and all around I could hear the sounds of the sea. Baby had tagged along and stayed right by my side. I could hear Joey move around me, but didn't open my eyes until a bucket of water was thrown on me. I flinched as the salt water entered the cuts.

"It's going to feel better once they're all cleaned out. I promise."

He had in his hands a scrub brush and a cloth and while baby stayed up near my head, he cleaned all the grime and blood off my scales and flesh. It must have been all night that he and the warriors cleaned me off and bandaged the cuts. Other cards had wandered by and had stopped to watch. I felt like a freak and Joey must have known. He turned to them angry.

"If you aren't hear to help, than move on your way."

To my surprise almost all the cards came and helped. With that many helping, Joey came back to me.

"See, I'm not the only one who thinks you're worth it. I have to go now, but they'll make sure you get back okay, or if you guys want to stay out here than you can. Tomorrow night, if you feel up to it, we'll try and get you back into shape, alright?" He put in front of me a bucket of clean fresh water. "Drink this and tomorrow I'll see if I can find something better for you."

He left, but I didn't feel alone. I was being taken care of and soon I would be able to hopefully repay them all.