Disclaimer: Plain and simple. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.

A/N: Took long enough, didn't it? So sorry about that! Well, here it is. Chapter fourteen. My goodness, I never expected this story to be this long. But I like it, and I hope you do too!

You will notice that Yuugi will appear to be out of character in a portion of this chapter. This is intentional, and will be explained in following chapters, though the origin of his behavior can be found in chapter twelve, the last section, for those of you who are interested.

And here I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has reviewed my story since I have reposted it. A giant hug to you all! Your names are listed below, in case you are like me and anytime you see your name anywhere you feel good about yourself.... if not a little smug, which is perfectly acceptable in this case. Thank you all again!

Moonlitspire, KiTtY-ChAn, metallicbubbles, Kyuugi, Sakura-chan, introspective-mortal, XxNeko_YoukaixX, S. Wright, Seventh Sage, Mercedes no Inuarai, AnimeGirl20, Ishtars riot girl, Yaky, Destiny, dark_light18b, smilez, Abi2, shadow-demon18b, Lanlan, Sorceress MooNBlaDeR, Cherry-San, yaoi_crazy, DFN3

And if I missed anyone, which I am almost certain I did, please forgive me! I know who you are, really, I'm just rushing to get this chapter out. I hope this chapter helps to reestablish my report with my readers. Until next time!

~ Ocean

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Fly Away Home

By Ocean

Chapter Fourteen: Spell Enacted

The air was thick with anticipation... a stagnant energy that pulled against its restraints with an eagerness unrivaled. Bodies were tense, muscles flexed, pulses quickened as adrenaline prepared the occupants of the room for the inevitable confrontation.

Jou pressed himself flush against the wall, his eyes wide as he tried to interpret what was happening. The police officer took a small step forward, his fingers twitching with an unseen energy as he neared the two men on the bed. His eyes stared blankly ahead, betraying the snarl on the man's lips.

Yami crouched further over Yuugi, leaving just enough room between them to place the puzzle on Yuugi's chest. He could feel Yuugi's grip on his shirt tighten when the officer took yet another step closer, but other than that, Yuugi did not flinch. Yami felt a smug pride pass over his mind at this, pleased with Yuugi's fortitude and his own claim on this man.

The sound of static suddenly enveloped the room as electricity surrounded the officer's hand, crackling and hissing angrily before leaping forth. Yami barely had time to register the attack before grabbing Yuugi's shoulders and rolling off the far side of the bed, his shirt being torn by the sharp edges of the ring as he was forced to roll over the items.

Yuugi grunted as he roughly hit the floor, Yami's weight inadvertently falling on top of him. Yami pushed Yuugi violently to the side in an effort to distance him from the second electrical attack that was directed at them. The momentum caused by Yami's shove carried Yuugi, rolling him over the carpeted floor until his back slammed into the wall. His body was jarred by the impact, and for a moment he lost focus on his surroundings.

Yami was able to roll himself onto his knees, giving him enough leverage to stand. The bed created an insignificant barrier between Yuugi and the officer, but it was adequate enough to hide Yuugi for a moment. Yami quickly slapped his hands together, the sudden noise drawing the officer's full attention.

The shrill sound of the clap also jarred Yuugi from his momentary confusion, shaking his head one final time before attempting to stand. He felt a hand on his upper arm, only then realizing that at some point Jou had made it over to him. Accepting Jou's added support Yuugi was able to brace himself against the wall, his eyes unseeing of all except Yami.

Yami's body trembled slightly, both from his anger and from the pure, undiluted energy that was coursing through him from his close proximity to the heart of the Shadows. His muscles flexed almost uncontrollably as he fought to suppress the heated anger of the magics within him.

The officer was still but a moment before he lurched forward, his movements too fast for either Yuugi or Jou to see. When he did become visible again, Jou had to use all his strength to restrain Yuugi from jumping at the man.

Yami stood absolutely still, his body suddenly lax, his jaw hanging open, and a look of utter surprise in his eyes. The officer now stood nose to nose with him, grasping tightly Yami's left wrist within his fist. The hand squeezed, and Yami grimaced as the old injury protested against the agonizing pressure. But his eyes remained wide and disbelieving. There was no attempt to pull away.

Yuugi cursed as he pulled himself free of Jou, fear clenching his heart as he watched his lover become enveloped in an invisible shell of paralysis. The officer's lips twitched in what might have been a smile, though the eyes appeared to sadden as they cycled through the boundless range of colors that comprised the Shadows dialect.

When the cycle of colors ended and Yami's face paled, the officer turned hateful eyes onto Yuugi. He ignored the fact that Yami's legs began to give way and his body collapsed as his now dulled eyes rolled back into his head. The officer's grip on Yami's wrist tightened instinctively, allowing him to support the limp body by simply holding his arm.

Yuugi's eyes narrowed in anger as he watched Yami succumb so quickly, his body beginning to twitch and pleading whimpers escaping his lips. He was about to act when he felt a sudden stillness surround him. His eyes snapped to the officer, understanding gracing him with its presence just long enough for him to grasp Jou from behind as the current of black smoke enveloped them.

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A loud and disbelieving groan of contempt polluted the stillness.

Yuugi fisted his hand against his side, his fingers curling painfully against the sharp edges of the puzzle. His other hand was used to cover his face in an attempt to restrain the long list of unpleasant words that pleaded to be released. He took a deep breath, succeeding at least in curbing his voice, though unable to quell the rising anger that boiled in his stomach.

Feeling movement down by his feet Yuugi lowered his eyes to Jou, whose arms were wrapped loosely around the smaller man's legs. Yuugi was careful not to move. His instincts were screaming at him that if he did not maintain physical contact with his friend, Jou would instantly fall victim to their harsh environment.

Cursed, cursed Shadow Realm.

A brief snort alerted Yuugi to Jou's awakening, and he kneeled from his standing position so he could be closer to his friend. Jou's honeysuckle hair covered his face and hid the movement of his eyes, but did nothing to hide the fact that his breathing was far too shallow.

"Jou?" Yuugi asked quietly, gently brushing Jou's bangs away from his eyes. "Wake up, Jounouchi."

A low moan accompanied Jou's attempt to move, Yuugi's voice coaxing his senses to focus on consciousness. "Wha' hit me?"

"Smoke," Yuugi said through a sad chuckle.

"Smoke?" Jou asked. With great effort he was able to raise his head and quirk an eyebrow at his friend. "How da hell does smoke hit tha' hard?"

Yuugi smiled sadly as he reached down and helped Jou prop himself up on his forearms, careful not to scratch the puzzle against Jou's skin. Jou's eyes were dull, completely void of their resonant life and vitality. His breathing had become more ragged as well, and Yuugi was beginning to realize just how serious his situation had become.

"Yug?"

Yuugi pulled himself from his thoughts to look at Jou.

"Eh... Am I lying down, or are youse standin' up?"

"Both," Yuugi responded softly as he helped Jou to stand, supporting most of the blonde's weight with his shoulders. He was trying desperately to keep his spirits up, to maintain the light-hearted atmosphere. To do any less would only insure his and Jou's death.

Jou made no protest as Yuugi placed his arm around his waist and began leading him away. He kept his eyes closed for the most part, the dizzying array of swirling blackness too much for his overexerted senses. Only the occasional moan or rumbling of his stomach ever pierced the silence.

For this Yuugi was grateful. His eyes stared forward, their violet color glowing lazily in the darkness, though not bright enough for Jou to notice. He was doing his best to act as Yami had, to be the strength and confidence that Yami had been for him when they were trapped here. Honestly, Yuugi didn't know what else to do. Hell, he didn't even know where he was going.

He just remembered Yami's insistence that they keep moving, keep watching, keep alert. And so that was the theory Yuugi was adhering to. Step, look, listen, step. Simple. Nerve wracking. And very, very annoying.

The frown on Yuugi's face deepened as the minutes passed. There was a definite, growing sting in his hand, but he didn't trust his surroundings enough to take his eyes from the darkness in front of him. His own breathing was becoming harsh, though he couldn't quite tell if it was from being in the Shadow Realm or his agitation with the situation. Not to mention his gut wrenching fear and concern for Yami.

His anger intensified as a very dull and very sluggish ball of light appeared in front of him. Yuugi scowled at the representation of the Shadows, slowing his march to a mediocre walk that allowed him to keep moving while keeping watch of the languid light.

It seemed to be taking a great deal of effort for the Shadows to maintain their presence in front of Yuugi, no doubt due to their immediate attention on their son in the real world. They tried to cycle through their colors, tried to appear as imposing and impressive as they knew they were. But the simple fact was that, with their attention

split, there was little more they could do than keep a watch over the two humans in their realm.

The sting in Yuugi's hand became a glowing pain as the anger within him bleed into a flaming hatred that forced his hand to clench the puzzle even tighter. His body tensed as he halted his steps, the sudden action causing Jou to lift his head from Yuugi's shoulder and look at his buddy in concern. Yuugi ignored him as he watched the Shadows, the ball of light having halted as well, and was now hovering with what seemed to be a renewed strength.

There was a bright flash that forced both Yuugi and Jou to shield their eyes. As their vision slowly returned, both released a stifled gasp at the man that now stood before them, smirking in a very pompous manner. He bowed mockingly, coming to stand next to the Shadows.

"Greetings, Yuugi."

Yuugi's surprise was quickly replaced by a deep loathing. The glare returned to his face and the anger once again began to build. Why he had this sudden inclination for hatred he didn't know, but there was only a small part of his mind that was worried. All of his senses were focused on the pain in his hand, the burning on his chest and stomach, the man in front of him, and his precious Yami that needed his help.

"What, no greeting? You have nothing to say to the man who has made all of this possible?"

"The greeting that you deserve is not suitable to be heard even by you, Pegasus," Yuugi drawled as he shifted Jou's weight, his irritation becoming evident in his voice as he continued to speak. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be somewhere you need a lot of suntan lotion?"

Pegasus chuckled at Yuugi's remark. "It appears that the Shadows had other uses for me."

"Scarecrow?" Jou wheezed, the seriousness of his condition not affecting the sharpness of his wit. Yuugi shot a quick glance at him, as though he was just being reminded that Jou was there.

"Amusing," Pegasus muttered. But his good humor quickly returned. "Actually, to be completely truthful--" he paused as Yuugi snorted at the comment, "--I have no idea why I'm here. My last memory... well, you understand." Pegasus broke off for a moment, his brows creasing as his eye lowered to Yuugi's hand and surprise tinted his voice. "Your bleeding!"

Yuugi pursed his lips as he raised the hand clenching the puzzle in front of his face. Indeed, he was bleeding, the liquid cascading freely from the several small cuts on his fingers and palm. The stark redness of the blood gleamed brightly against the crisp gold of the puzzle. Correction. The crisp glowing gold of the puzzle. Yuugi's brows furrowed at the sight.

"Hey Yug!" Jou exclaimed. "Are youse alri--?"

"I'm fine."

Jou watched Yuugi with concern, the calm and monotonous tone he portrayed a blaring contrast to their dangerous situation. He didn't like the way Yuugi was looking at the puzzle, turning his hand so that the blood would travel to areas yet untouched. He didn't like the interest Yuugi was showing in the piece, releasing his grip on Jou so that both hands now cradled the puzzle as though it were as delicate as a crystal feather.

"Why Yuugi. What would your grandfather say if he knew you were playing with blood?" Pegasus' smirk oiled itself onto his face as Yuugi ignored him completely, continuing to massage the puzzle gently with skilled fingers.

"I don' get it," Jou wheezed, glaring over Yuugi's shoulder at Pegasus. "How comes you seem fine, an' I feel like I'm dyin' over 'ere?"

"Because you are."

Jou looked at Yuugi, surprised by the strength of his voice as he muttered the words, seemingly unaffected by their meaning. He shook his head lightly, trying to clear his increasingly cloudy vision as Pegasus spoke again.

Pegasus kept his tone mocking as he addressed Jou and Yuugi, yet it was obvious that most of his attention was on the ball of light to his side that was increasingly growing brighter. "The Shadows were not expecting you, my child." He paused as he nodded his head towards Jou. "I suppose it is unfortunate that you are here. There really isn't anything you can do rather than wait for the Shadows to drain your soul energy."

Jou paled at the thought before anger began to build in him. "You expec' me ta jus' stand 'ere an' wait ta die?" And then, as an afterthought, "An' I'm notta kid."

"I really don't care what you do," Pegasus sighed. "I have little interest in you. Now, Yuugi, on the other hand..." He allowed the thought to float in the air, reveling in the fact that he had an advantage over Yuugi in this situation. A feeling that the Shadows did not appreciate.

The Shadows muted momentarily before extending themselves into the side of Pegasus' head, a narrow band of orange light penetrating his temple. Pegasus hissed at the intrusion, clenching his teeth and his fists as the reprimanding action alerted him to the Shadows displeasure.

They were becoming impatient, having enlisted the help of Pegasus only because he held a similar animosity for Yuugi. He had proven to be a most interesting soul. It was through his actions, after all, that the Shadows strength was nearly fully restored. And since the Shadows conscious was split between two worlds, it would be most beneficial if he was able to carry out the task assigned to him.

It would do very well for him to remember his task.

Pegasus continued to hiss a few moments after the bands of light retreated from his head, the pain taking its time in receding as he raised a hand to his head and rubbed it gingerly. He cast his gaze towards the ball of light for a moment before returning his attention to the two men in front of him, grumbling something under his breath before composing himself.

"It appears that the Shadows don't have the patience for finesse," Pegasus said smoothly, as though his mind had not just been invaded by the massive presence of the Shadows. "And it appears that your time in this world is at an end."

"Oh yeah? Come closer an' say tha'," Jou retorted, the threatening tone lacking in its potency as Jou's mind and body continued to succumb to the Shadow Realm.

"Yes..." a small and steady voice offered. "Why don't you come closer, Pegasus?"

Jou looked down at Yuugi, his eyes widening in silent fear to the harsh crispness of Yuugi's eyes. Yuugi was practically seething beside him, doused in an anger Jou had never witnessed in his friend.

Yuugi clenched his fists around the puzzle and focused his gaze on Pegasus. "Well? You stand there and talk, yet you don't come closer. Why?"

"Because there is simply no need," Pegasus said, his voice taking on a slightly suspicious undertone.

"Right..." Yuugi drew out the word as he took a single step forward. Pegasus took an involuntary step backwards, as did the ball of light, whose colors were rapidly increasing their vibrancy. "There isn't..." Yuugi took another step forward, Jou being forced to stumble along behind him. "... Any reason. That 'non-reason'... it wouldn't have anything to do with this?"

Jou was beginning to sweat now, the oddity of Yuugi's actions frightening him as he watched Yuugi raise and present the bloodied puzzle to Pegasus. Yuugi was acting almost... well, he was acting predatory. It was only now that Jou noticed the slight glow to Yuugi's eyes, the light emanating from a source deep within him. He blinked as Yuugi's lips twitched into the semblance of a smirk before they settled into a well formed sneer.

Pegasus too seemed taken aback by Yuugi's behavior, retreating yet another step as Yuugi turned the puzzle so that the representation of Horus' Eye was facing him. His eye widened as the Shadows suddenly shifted through every hue of red, their anger obvious. There was a hitch in Pegasus' breath as he watched this, never having expected that the Shadows could be so angry, or so cautious around someone as simple and non-threatening as Yuugi.

"I'll tell you why you haven't come closer, Pegasus." Yuugi all but purred his words, his voice as slick and frozen as a sheet of ice. "It's because you can't. You fear the puzzle as much as the Shadows do." To emphasize his point, Yuugi took another step forward.

"This is ridiculous," Pegasus seethed as once again he and the Shadows distanced themselves from Yuugi. "Why would we be afraid of that?"

A contemplative look crossed Yuugi's face, his head tilting minutely to the side as he regarded the puzzle. He lowered the puzzle so that it was even with his stomach, unconsciously resting his arm across his hips as his other hand pushed under his shirt and began to rub his stomach in a soothing manner. He didn't notice the small traces of blood that he was spreading across his smooth skin. He didn't notice, nor did anyone else, the emergence of hieroglyphics appearing in the wake of his fingers, their faint multitude of color shimmering dully beneath his shirt.

"I have... an idea," he said softly. "I think I understand what the puzzle represents to the Shadows, even if I don't know the whole story. But, I do know why you fear it." Yuugi's eyes rose to meet Pegasus, his irises darkened with the intensity of his emotions. "You fear the puzzle because, essentially, you are the Shadows now. You were devoured by them, and are here only now because they wish it. You fear it because they fear it. As you said yourself, they had a purpose for you.

"Yet I wonder," there was a flash of light across Yuugi's eyes. "How will the Shadows react when you fail in your task?"

This remark was able to restore some of Pegasus' spirit. "Excuse you, but where do you get of presuming that I shall fail in the task appointed to me?"

"Simple," Yuugi said as he grinned maliciously. Raising the puzzle in front of him again, Yuugi lunged at Pegasus, knocking him flat onto his back, one knee kneeling against his stomach to keep the larger man pinned. He held the puzzle directly over Pegasus face, delighting in the way that Pegasus' eye immediately fixated on the glowing artifact.

Jou felt a sharp pain in his chest the moment that Yuugi pulled away from him. Clutching at his shirt, he tried to block out the stinging sensation as he fell first to his knees, then to all fours. It felt as though someone was clawing at his heart, and in a few short seconds, his vision blurred and he lost consciousness. He didn't have the time to call out for help.

The Shadows danced furiously in the air, their movements erratic and jagged as they felt the suffocating presence of the puzzle as it glowed imposingly over Pegasus. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. Yuugi wasn't supposed to be able to fight back. He wasn't supposed to know that they didn't like the puzzle.

He wasn't supposed to be able to harm them.

The small part of Yuugi that wasn't enjoying the annoyance and pain he was inflicting on Pegasus was suddenly concerned. He was having trouble understanding his own actions, and to be perfectly honest, he wasn't all that pleased with what he was doing either. He was acting smug and careless, taking the time to vent his anger and frustration out on Pegasus rather than finding a way to get him and Jou--

Jou.

Yuugi quickly turned around, though he kept his weight pointedly on Pegasus' stomach, and looked in horror at the motionless form of his friend. His mouth fell open at the sight, his mind unable to comprehend that after being so careful, he had so quickly abandoned Jou's welfare for... what? A fleeting moment of cockiness?

A new rage burned through Yuugi's mind, the origins of which were drowned in the current of hatred that turned Yuugi's eyes back to Pegasus and the puzzle in his hand. The brightness of the Shadows increased exponentially with this new influx of emotion, the magics absorbing eagerly that with which they could most readily identify. Their dance through the air slowed as they brought themselves under control.

"Wait! Just what are--?" Pegasus stammered as a darkness enveloped Yuugi's eyes and his hair began to float easily with the flow of an invisible current. The red streaks of blood left on the puzzle by Yuugi's hand began to move, to swirl across the golden surface in a race where there could be no winner. A shimmer of light caught his attention and, upon lowering his gaze to Yuugi's chest, Pegasus was able to see an almost blinding light radiating from the body that pinned him down.

The Shadows also saw the light on Yuugi's abdomen, the difference being that they knew a spell when they saw one, and this one had all the flavor of their son's skill. They were uncertain as to which spell of the thousands it could be, though they were fairly confident that it was a protection spell of some sort. The essence of the spell was relatively new, so had only been cast a short while ago.

Angered that their son would waste his energy on this mortal and so misuse his gift for magic, the Shadows immediately left their realm, turning their full attention back onto their son.

A very low, barely audible growl pooled in Yuugi's throat as his rage fused in his mind into an all encompassing madness. He continued to glower at Pegasus, the glow on his chest and of the puzzle escaping his mind as he fought for control over his own actions.

Pegasus searched his mind frantically for something, anything, he could do or say to get himself out of this rather unpleasant predicament. He had seen the Shadows leave, and was rather disgruntled with the fact that he was being left to deal with Yuugi. When he felt Yuugi press all his weight into chest, in effect making it nearly impossible for him to draw in a breath, a sudden thought occurred to him.

"I can tell you his name!" Pegasus wheezed before he repeated the statement. "I know his name!" The pressure on Pegasus' chest lessened, or, to be more accurate, stopped increasing as a momentary clarity flitted its way across Yuugi's eyes.

"H-his name?" Yuugi whispered, his surprise and disbelief coloring his voice. When Pegasus merely nodded his answer, a slight smirk of triumph appearing on his face, Yuugi resumed the pressure on Pegasus' chest and clutched the collar of his shirt in his free hand. Then he demanded, in a voice just as quiet, but twice as menacing as before, "Tell me."

Feeling confident with his new leverage, Pegasus waited a moment before responding. "Well well. It seems that an exchange--"

Pegasus was harshly interrupted as Yuugi tightened his grip on the shirt collar, now preventing Pegasus from breathing almost completely. He pulled on the shirt, bringing his and Pegasus' faces to within an inch of each other.

"Tell me!" Yuugi hissed.

Pegasus' mouth fell open slightly as fear grabbed at him for the first time, something within Yuugi's eyes and his posture announcing that is was in Pegasus' best interest to answer the demand immediately. Without much awareness of his actions, Pegasus moved his mouth to form the sounds of the name, the vibrations emerging in the lowest of whispers due to the diminutive amount of air his lungs were able to acquire.

As inaudible as the sound was, Yuugi heard it just the same. The clarity of his eyes diminished once he had the information he wanted, and once again the hatred consumed his actions.

He was ready to leave the Shadow Realm.

The hand that was holding the puzzle suddenly shot out to the side, Yuugi's head snapping to his right, mirroring the action. The hieroglyphics on Yuugi's chest collected and pulled themselves out into the darkness, swirls of color pulsating along the lines that comprised their characters. Yuugi's panting was becoming increasingly ragged as the puzzle intensified its glow yet again, the golden sheen peering out in a kaleidoscope of shadowed light as the blood on its surface continued to race around its edges.

Not a moment had passed when the blood on the puzzle, the puzzle's light, and the hieroglyphics shot straight out from Yuugi's extended arm, merging along their paths and exploding onto a single point in the darkness. A white and ethereal light ripped through the darkness as a jagged tear was cut along an invisible seam. The Shadow Realm screamed in an animalistic agony as the fissure continued to rip and force its way through the darkness, creating a menacing and howling door of pure light just large enough for a body to fit through.

Pegasus gasped at the sight, realization dawning on him that this was an exit from the Shadow Realm that Yuugi had created. He tensed as he prepared to make a dash for the door that represented his freedom, drawing Yuugi's attention away from the gash and back onto him. Without hesitation, Yuugi swung the puzzle down and across Pegasus' temple, knocking Pegasus out cold and cutting his skin with the sharp edge of the artifact.

Yuugi felt no regret at the action, immediately standing and stumbling over towards Jou. His hair and skin were matted with sweat, his eyes somehow maintaining their inner glow as his shirt clung to his body and his limbs were weak with fatigue. Heaving in a ragged breath, Yuugi hoisted Jou's lifeless body off the ground, leaning his weight against himself. With great effort he was able to drag Jou towards the fissure, the reality of his previous actions slowly making themselves known as the magic used to sustain the doorway was slowly consumed, leaving clarity in its wake.

Finally reaching the door, Yuugi clasped his arms around Jou's waist and fell backwards through the blinding light, pulling Jou with him. The moment they passed through the light it vanished, leaving the Shadow Realm dark and silent once again.

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to be continued...