Of Mages and Elves: Aftermath
Author's notes: And here's the final chapter ^_^ I finished! Aren't you proud!!!
All: We're free!!!!!!!! ^_^ *mass cheering*
*ahem* Not quite…
All: WHAT!
We still gotta finish the chapter…
All: *mass cursing*
Warnings: Yaoi, AU, possible OOCness
Disclaimer: *chibi voice* Me no own…
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One month later the courtyard of the Tower of Illusions was bustling with people running back and forth, each going about his or her own business. Yami glanced out of the window of a tall turret room, watching the small beings below.
As soon as Pegasus had been defeated, Isis and Ishtal had set about finding those who had escaped the massacre weeks before. There had been a shocking amount of survivors. Isis had enlisted Ishtal, Malik and even Seto as she began to rebuild the shattered society.
As the community had begun to rebuild, the surviving mages had unanimously elected Isis as their new High Mage, as the old one had been killed in the attack. All of them were still wary of Ishtal, far too much to consider him as a leader. Yami sighed and turned, fixing his crimson eyes on the silver haired figure before him.
"So you're staying?" he asked, his voice betraying little emotion. Ryou nodded, a nervous smile on his lips.
"I think I could really help here," he told the prince. "All but the youngest of the healer apprentices died in the attack and there are no bonded masters to train them. I could help them with what they will go through." Yami nodded sharply. In the past month he had finally come to terms with the relationship between the healer and his thief bond-mage.
"I understand Ryou. Yugi and I will be returning to the Elvenlands tomorrow. I wanted to know you were sure," he replied. Ryou nodded and glanced back at the circular rooms door, where Bakura was leaning comfortably against the ancient woodwork.
"I'm sure," he murmured, ad turned back to Yami. "You'll come and visit us won't you?" Yami nodded, his lips turning up in a mischievous smile.
"Of course. And I better find that thief has taken good care of you," he replied.
"Count on it Prince," Bakura snapped back. The two still didn't get along, but they had come to a mutual understanding for Ryou's sake. Ryou smiled at the two, well used to their antics by now.
"Good luck to you and Yugi," he said, then smiled wryly. "You'll need it." Yami sighed and nodded.
"Yes, but I think… maybe we can change something. They can't exactly kick me out of office. There isn't another heir. Maybe we can start something," he murmured, deep in thought. Ryou nodded to him.
"Maybe. This world could use a change." Yami nodded to that.
"Yes… it could."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
You're staying?" Yugi exclaimed, staring wide eyed at Joey. The amber-eyed blond nodded, glancing at the tall blue-eyed mage beside him and squeezing the man's hand, a smile on his lips.
"Seto said he'd train me. You know, help me use my powers so I don't accidentally burn the place down. Isis offered him a position as one of her advisors, did you hear?" the blond asked. Yugi nodded.
"I did. Congratulations Seto," he answered with a bright smile. Seto couldn't help but return the smile in a more subtle fashion.
"The elder surviving mages were in an uproar about it. It's about time someone put those fools in their place," he stated. Yugi laughed at the image that popped into his head at that thought.
"I agree. We're going to have a field day with Yami's advisors," he replied. Joey grinned.
"No kidding!" Yugi grinned at his friend's response.
"Yeah, but we can do it!" he replied, eyes shinning. "I bet they were livid that Ryou and Bakura decided to stay as well." Seto nodded.
"They were, but there's not much they can do. All of the senior healers were killed. I think they were actually more angry about Ishtal staying on," he replied. Yugi blinked.
"What's wrong with Ishtal?" he asked.
"Didn't you hear?" Joey asked him. Yugi shook his head. "Not only did he used to work for Pegasus, but he volunteered to reconstruct the Tower's defense system, just incase something like this happens again. They were going nuts at the thought that they couldn't defend themselves!"
"It this were to happen again they'd need any back up they could get," Seto stated.
"Seto?" A dark head of wild hair poked in the door. Seto smiled at the face.
"Yes Mokuba?" he asked. Seto's younger brother smiled, gray eyes glistening.
"Isis-san asked for you," he replied. Seto nodded, walking towards the boy and ruffling his hair.
"I'm coming." Yugi and Joey heard the young boy's voice pipe up again just as the door closed.
"Hey Seto? Why were you staring at Joey?" Joey flushed bright red and blanched.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ishtal wrapped an arm around Malik's waist from behind, pulling the boy close and kissing the top of his head. Malik smirked, wrapping an arm around Ishtal's neck and pulling him into a passionate kiss.
"You know," he said, breaking the kiss and looking up at his taller lover with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "If you keep interrupting me we'll never finish." Ishtal humphed and buried his face into the juncture between Malik's neck and shoulder, kissing the sensitive skin lightly. Malik shivered at the sensation.
"We have time," the elder mage murmured. Malik rolled his eyes and pulled himself out of Ishtal's grip.
"You have time," he replied, voice hinting at his annoyance. "I want to find out more about this power I have." Ishtal smirked and picked up the large volume on the desk that Malik had been pouring over.
"You can freeze attack spells," he stated and threw the book over his shoulder. Malik glared at the mage, focusing his newfound power on the book and causing it to hover in the air before settling on the floor gently without loosing the page. The blond former-apprentice placed his hands on his hips, frustration dancing in his eyes. Ishtal shrugged. "Well? What more is there to it?" he asked.
"Freezing attack spells is one sign of telekinesis. You're the Master Mage, you tell me!" Malik snapped. Ishtal chuckled and picked up the book, marking it before he closed the heavy volume.
"Ever since Isis made you a Journeyman Mage you've been a nutcase," he told the boy, stepping forward. Malik sighed, slumping against the desk.
"I know… I'm just…" Ishtal wrapped his arms around the boy, smiling as Malik relaxed in his grip.
"You need to relax love. Come on, we may as well see Yami and Yugi off. I almost feel bad for those two. They'll be seeing hell as soon as the Elven council learns of their real relationship," he replied. Malik nodded, leaning into Ishtal and just relaxing in his comforting embrace.
"I know hat you mean," he murmured. Ishtal nodded and released him, looking into Malik's vivid eyes.
"Take it easy alright," he told the boy sternly. "Your powers will settle in time." Malik nodded.
"I know."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next morning the small group gathered outside in the courtyard to wish Yami and Yugi a safe trip back to the Elvenlands.
"Say hi to Anzu for me," Ryou said with a smile. Yami nodded, resisting the urge to roll his eyes and cringe. He had no idea how the female elf was going to take this.
"Honda, you make sure my sister gets here safe ya hear?" Joey told his friend. Honda grinned.
"Fear not, nothing will happen to her while I'm around." Honda had volunteered to return to Dmark and fetch Shizuka. Joey had wanted to make sure his sister was safe, and though Honda acted like an idiot sometimes, Joey trusted him to take care of her. Joey waved to Yugi, winking at him.
"Take care Yugi!" he called. Yugi waved back with a smile.
"I will! Don't burn the Tower down!" he shouted back. Joey mock glared at him, then grinned.
"I'll try!" Ryou leaned into Bakura's shoulder as they watched the prince and Yugi head out of the gate, urging their horses into a swift gallop.
"They have a hard road ahead," he murmured. Bakura smirked and wrapped an arm around the healer.
"The Prince is too damn stubborn to let his own council run him ragged," he replied. Ryou smiled.
"You're right." Seto glanced at the smiling blond beside him as Joey waved Honda off.
"You never told me you had a sister," he murmured. Joey grinned at him.
"You never asked. Shizuka's about three years younger than me. Our parents are both dead so it's up to me to look out for her," he explained. Seto nodded.
"I understand. At least Mokuba will have someone near his own age around," he replied. Joey glanced at him.
"What about you?" he asked. Seto shrugged.
"I don't know. I'm going to be pretty busy. But I guess it would be nice to have someone around," he said softly. Joey grinned.
"Don't worry, I'll back you up when you need it." *And more* he thought behind his words. Behind them Ishtal and Malik had twin smirks of mischief on their faces. Yes… they were defiantly going to have some fun with those two. Bakura glanced over, noticing their looks. He chuckled.
What is it? Ryou asked him.
Joey and Kaiba. Those two have no idea what's coming, the thief replied. Ryou glanced at the two in question, then at Malik and Ishtal.
Oh dear… Bakura hugged the young elf close, a smile on his face.
"I'm glad that is over," he murmured into Ryou's ear. The snow haired elf nodded.
"Me too. Though there's a lot we have to do now," he replied.
"Yes," Bakura answered, whispering in Ryou's ear. "There is." And with that he swept the elf into his arms and proceeded to carry the surprised Ryou back into the Tower. The remaining four broke out laughing at the scene as Ryou yelped indignantly.
BAKURA!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Anzu ran down the stairs of the Elven palace. The horns were sounding, announcing the return of the Prince.
"Yami!" she yelled as she caught sight of the crimson-eyed elf. "Yami! You're alright! What happened!" Yami shook his head.
"I'll tell you later Anzu, but for now, I'd like to introduce you to a very close friend of mine." The prince stepped aside to reveal a boy that looked remarkably like him, only smaller, less sharp and with large, innocent violet eyes. But that wasn't what struck Anzu the most. What surprised her, were the boy's ears. He was completely human, through and through. She whirled on Yami.
"You have a lot of explaining to do Prince!" she snapped. "Where were you? Why did you run off like that? And… um… who is this?" Yami laughed, eyes tearing up with mirth at the female elf's rant.
"Let's go inside Anzu. I'll explain everything to you there."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And so, Yami returned to the Elvenlands, reclaiming his duties as Prince. Isis remained the High Mage of the Tower of Illusions, despite much reticule of her taking on a half-blood and a former traitor as two of her advisors. Bakura and Ryou also remained in the Tower, Ryou to train the young healers that had survived and Bakura to both stay near his bonded healer and help Ishtal with defense plans.
Shizuka arrived safely with Honda only a week after Yami and Yugi had left, much to Joey's happiness. Honda had decided to stay at the Tower with them, though he had no magical gift. She and Mokuba became close friends quickly. Seto and Ishtal both accepted their duties as mage advisors and carried them out to the highest ability, creating one of the most efficient mage councils the Tower had ever seen.
Malik began his training towards earning his rank as a Master Mage, now that he had gained the rank of Journeyman. And as for Joey… well, he hasn't burned down the Tower yet! His and Seto's relationship seemed to be coming along smoothly, even disregarding the innocent 'accidents' that seemed to end with the two locked in a room together. Much to Malik and Ishtal's dismay, that hadn't actually gone to far yet.
And so, these young souls, after defeating the greatest dark threat of their time, now set about their lives, unaware of the changes they have begun.
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Author's notes: WE'RE DONE!!!!!
All: *cheer*
Bakura and Ishtal: *break out the champagne* PARTY!!!
Malik: *pulls Ryou into the fray* We're FREE!!!!
Ryou: *big sweatdrop*
Seto: *grabs Joey and kisses him soundly* (for all those who I know were disappointed about their lack of snogging ^_~)
Joey: *dazed*
*coughs* Well, only until I come up with a new fic idea.
Yami: *shrugs* Well, we're free of this one!
Yugi: ^_^
Maybe… I really should write up an appendix to this thing -.-; some parts even confuse me… anyway, thanks for all your support ^_^ I hope you enjoyed!