A/N: First, let my briefly apologize, whilst celebrating: Finals Are Done!… On the other hand, the fact that I was writing finals totally threw my brain for a time-loop, so I have this sinking feeling that the chapter is coming out waay later than it should. Oops.
This chapter went through, like, 5 revisions. The reason? For some inexplicable rationale, my mind was in the gutter for this entire story. I kept turning everything into innuendos! *giggles* Of course, since that's never a good thing when you're trying to write angst, I kinda had to change a bunch of stuff, and I'm still not satisfied. *pouts* Still, hope you all enjoy!
And yes, Ceebague gets what's coming to him here. -_-' I can't say I'm too broken up, but…
Also! Bakura/Ryou focus, because they're not in the show anymore. *pouts* I miss the cackling, darnit!
Review Answers! (Thank you very much to everyone so far!)
Snow Angel: Thank you very much for reviewing! I suppose I should have realized that you were really busy, but for some reason I thought I had offended you and I was very sad and confused. Thus: thank you! Anyway, I totally enjoyed your comments – they made me laugh! Hope you enjoy this chappie as well. ^_^ I certainly had fun writing it: I seemed to alternate between cackling and feeling guilty for overdoing things…
Hi: (?) *blinks* Is that actually your name? Ah, well. At any rate, thank you for pointing out the historical inaccuracy of Budge's work. As I think I mentioned, I got the book a couple years ago, and so didn't really think about how old the actual work was. Sorry. Still, I'm sure it's probably a lot closer than I could ever do, especially since I don't have the hieroglyphs, right? *grins* Corrections are also appreciated – and I'm glad you liked the chapter! Having people want to help out the characters makes me happy, b/c that way I know my writing is involving the reader. Thanks again.
Erinamation-limited2-nothing: Yay! You're a steady reviewer as well, aren't you? Thank you very much! Sorry for the (very likely) wait, and I hope this chappie makes you less in suspense. *checks bottom of the chapter* Oh wait. I've tried to do a cliff-hanger, so I guess you probably won't be in suspense. Nerts. Still! Hope you enjoy!
Silvershadowfire: Oh. My. Goodness. I just checked out your fanfiction, and WOW you write great stories! The one you've just finished will definitely be getting a very long, very verbose review from me today. Oh yeah. And thank you for telling me you like my story! Though, since I think I'll throw you on as one of my fav authors, I'd love it too if you did your own take on this. I know that I'd like to read it! *squeals* BTW, your review made me giggle. Thanks!
Jadeyuy: Thanks very much for the motivating review! *blinks* I'm sorry it's hard to follow, although you're right. Sometimes I just throw what I'm thinking down onto the paper when the situation barely makes sense to me. *feels bad* Are there any points you want clarified? I'd be more than happy to do so! My e-mail's on my profile page, and I always love talking/typing, so feel free to drop me a line!
Mists: ^__^ Hello, once again! Thank you very much for reviewing the chappie! I was uber happy to hear that you had a good trip and birthday! Yays for you! And once again, your example made me giggle. ^_^ And yes! I have the Egyptian Book of the Dead, though as some nice reviewer pointed out, it's probably horribly out of date. *doesn't really care* Hieroglyphs are coool. And the stuff at your house sounds neat, too! Half of a broken ankh? Neat-o! We both like ancient civilizations! How fun-kay! As for the promised rambling e-mail, I'll probably write you later today. We have, like, 30 people coming over tonight and so in celebration of my first day off from school, I get to "immaculatize" the house. *rolls eyes* The plot line is really cool, though! Thank you for waiting for so long!
Words:
Recalcitrant = stubborn, obstinate, "not talking" Here, it's a good thing.
Electroconvulsive = Ripped from page 625 of the Psych textbook I should be studying. It means to apply electricity to a person. (Kinda.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, but I have been practicing the poses! Check it out! *pulls a Seto Kaiba* I summon… *whips out a random card, complete with dramatic flair* Ouch! *promptly breaks hand against wall and dislocates neck* …Well, that didn't work at all. *whimpers*
And Then There Were Two
Chapter Seven
In the hospital bed, Yuugi tossed and turned and tried to remain sane. It was very hard.
All of a sudden, his motivation to struggle deserted him. Although Yuugi didn't know it, it was no coincidence that the moment when Yami gave up was the moment Yuugi started screaming as the Brilliance increased in intensity.
It was as if the already blinding light began pouring salt on his wounds. His gashing, bleeding, crying wounds. Where was his Yami?
Yami?
Yami?!
His broken soul link didn't flutter anymore, straining to reach beyond the distant gap. No, instead he could feel it sag down in limp despair. It was as if it knew that it would no longer be waiting for its other half to return.
Yuugi screamed louder, breaking his voice, rubbing it raw in his need to express his solitude.
And the Light dug in…
* * *
Seto strode purposefully down the corridor, trench coat flaring behind him. He was back in his element now, and despite the worry that still gnawed at him, he definitely felt more at ease. After all, being unwillingly dragged into a situation that revolved around Yuugi was something that was assuredly not new.
Of course, the anxiety was still there. How would they get Yuugi and his Yami back together? Would it happen automatically, or would Seto need to delve into Kaiba Corp's advanced technology to provide a means? Even then, would it be too late for the split duellist? And what of Yami? There was, of course, the slim possibility that this was a simple kidnapping. Seto paused in his musings and growled in remembrance of how he'd failed to protect Mokuba from this same thing. Still, based on repetitive past experiences, it was more likely that Yami had been taken to participate in a duel of some kind. It probably also had something to do with the fate of the world. The small duellist seemed to attract dramatic destiny like honey attracted flies.
In a rare slip of his iron self-control, Seto briefly indulged in fretting. How was Yami doing in the game he'd be forced into playing?
A single mechanical tone brought him out of his depressive thoughts and announced they had arrived at the medical centre. Taking a deep, bolstering breath, he moved to go inside…
And was promptly shoved out the way – again – by one annoying puppy.
His glare was met in equal fervour by the blond duellist.
"Look, mutt, I'm going in. Do not try to get in my way."
"Da heck? Why should you be the one to get Yuug'? I'm his best frien' so I'll go in an' get 'im!"
"Because, you stupid, useless, annoying dog, I'm the only one who has the power to get Yuugi released from the room."
In the stunned silence that followed, Seto allowed his smirk of superiority to increase in size.
"Oh yeah? Well, I – I…um…"
Seto shook his head and moved forward. The puppy had lost this battle and they both knew it. He squared his shoulders and went through the doors.
* * *
Mokuba sat upstairs with one of Yuugi's friends. He'd introduced himself as Honda – quite possibly for the second time, but Mokuba couldn't really remember.
Honda seemed very nice.
Mokuba could tell he was worried, though. But that was okay, because he was worried, too. After all, his big brother was going off on some mission again and Mokuba couldn't even come with him!
He indulged in a brief pout. He knew he'd inevitably get in the way or become a liability to Seto, but he still wished he could go along. There was something about just being with his older brother that made him feel safer. Seto always, always, looked out for him.
Mokuba really didn't like being split from his brother, but he knew it was for the best.
He resumed chatting with Honda, to get rid of the oppressive atmosphere felt by the two of them.
* * *
Yuugi lay in the hard bed, looked detachedly at the tubes coming out of him, felt the hollow solitude in his mind, and cried.
YamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYamiYAMI!!
It was unfortunate that a further explanation couldn't be given. However, by this time, all that was left in Yuugi's mind was the glaring whiteness and the numb repetition of his other self's alias.
* * *
The all-consuming Light paused to savour the meal. It really was a shame that in order for mortals to understand its perfection, they had to be consumed – absorbed into its entirety. Still, its latest acquisition was absolutely delicious.
Many, of course, had sought the Brilliance's nirvana, yet few had obtained it. Those who had succeeded had been seized with slicing, gashing illumination that revealed their secrets and shredded their souls. Little Yuugi was no exception. How happy the Brilliance was, to finally claim him as its own! There was no shadow anymore where Yuugi could hide, either. He belonged to the Light now.
The helpless mental screams really added that extra something to the feast.
* * *
Seto stepped into the emergency ward and knocked on the front desk to get some service. A flurry of movement behind the curtains in the adjacent room caught his eye, before a hassled voice rang out.
"I'm coming! Please wait a moment!"
In moments, a harried-looking nurse stepped out of the room and turned to assist the waiting person, only to realize it was Mr. Seto Kaiba himself. Appalled that she had kept the ultimate boss waiting, the woman hurried forward, apologizing, "Oh, Mr. Kaiba, sir! I'm so very sorry to have kept you waiting! Is there anything I can do for you? I am so sorry-"
An amused CEO waved her flustered state aside. 'And that mutt wondered why I had to come in. That puppy couldn't get this level of respect if he tried!'
Ignoring his mental snickering, he quickly assured the poor nurse that, no, he hadn't been waiting long at all, yes, really, no, she shouldn't grovel in apology, and actually yes, there was something she could do.
Waving his hand expansively to encompass the rooms of the ward, he continued, "You see, due to various circumstances, I'm going to ask that a patient of yours, a Yuugi Mutou, be released. I need him elsewhere."
Her eyes widened in shock, "Oh but, sir! Without meaning to offend-"
A narrowing of piercing blue eyes nonetheless cut off her explanation. Gulping, she tried to quickly finish:
"It's just that he's in critical condition – the worst I've ever seen actually – and I can't get him to respond to any stimuli and I don't think he should be moved with the exception of maybe the building collapsing (not that it ever would sir) and if anything he's in a type of coma and so even if I could release him he wouldn't get up and I'mreallysorrypleasepleasepleasedon'tfiremesir!"
The blue eyes remained narrowed. Seeking to strengthen her valid case, she gestured to the room she'd just exited.
"Actually, sir, if you wanted to see him, you'd realize that I'm telling the truth."
Nodding, Seto allowed the lady to lead him into the room, and then promptly stopped in fear.
All those tubes and machines – was Yuugi even alive?
Not noticing his horrified expression, the nurse moved to Yuugi's side. "As you can see, Mutou's in quite a bad state…Do you know what might have caused it? This might help diagnose what's…wrong…with…" she trailed off.
Mr. Kaiba had just moved to her pitiful patient's side and for the first time, she could see the look of vulnerability engrave itself into his features. She suddenly became aware that she was facing a teenager. A very responsible and mature young man, to be sure, but nonetheless, Mr. Kaiba was mentally unprepared for the full realization of the frail human mortality that was crashing down on him.
Her heart went out to the poor boy.
All at once though, she saw the ingrained emotional shields slip into place. He straightened. "If I may try something, miss?"
In her shock, it was all she could do to nod. To her surprise, Mr. Kaiba leaned over and stared into the blank eyes that constantly overflowed with tears. He took a deep breath, and then firmly announced, "Yami."
She started, as a shiver ran through the previously motionless boy.
"We're going to get Yami. Yuugi, don't you want to see him?"
Sightless eyes blinked slowly as Mutou slowly returned to the land of awareness. She double-checked with her machines, and the lady was overjoyed to see them reporting what she already suspected.
Mr. Kaiba was still bent over her patient declaring, "You said you were going to get your Yami back. Well, Yuugi, it's time. We're leaving and so are you. So, wake UP!"
* * *
With a gasp, Yuugi suddenly focuses his eyes on Kaiba. Dismissing him momentarily, his eyes frantically searched the room.
He'd heard something about Yami! Had Yami come back? Where was he?! Wherewherewhere?
A moan of anguish slipped past his lips when he didn't find him. "Yami…"
He abruptly became aware that Kaiba was gently shaking his shoulders and speaking. What was he saying?
"We're going to go get Yami. You need to come with us. To go get Yami. Okay? Okay?"
His tearing eyes widened. That was right! Ages upon ages upon ages ago, he'd promised himself to get Yami back. How long ago had that been?
It didn't matter. He was going to do it now!
Yami!
YamiYamiYami!
This time, the mantra whirling through his head leant him the courage and determination to get out of bed and totter out of the room.
He ignored the breeze that wafted across his legs, due to his change of clothes.
* * *
The Brilliance snarled as its feast was interrupted. While the protective shadow had not re-appeared, the silly mortal was somehow able to hold the promise of darkness quite firmly, indeed. Unexpectedly, it was all the Light could do to pierce through the weak points. But once there, it seated itself comfortably and began cutting anew. The anguished screams weren't quite as strong, of course, but the meal was just as tasty.
* * *
Seto released a sigh of relief as Yuugi got out of bed and staggered out the door. Brushing past the stunned nurse, he, too, quickly exited.
He had to suppress a small smile, though. The knee-length t-shirt into which the nurse had changed Yuugi was fluttering dramatically in stereotypical heroine fashion.
It was disturbingly wrong, of course, but the visual relieved Kaiba's growing tension.
* * *
In a similar outfit, several miles away, the Darkness opened bloodshot, crimson eyes for the first time. The body got up and stretched as blood magic crackled invisibly around the puppet. It was a shame that the body needed blood to function. Watching his own run to the floor had been fun.
The smirk it had been previously wearing stretched into a grin of unholy glee.
And in the depths of the unconscious, a tiny version of the Pharaoh continued to rail vainly against the unmoveable pitch.
* * *
Dr. Ceebague looked up sharply as the readings suddenly soared, indicating that the subject had moved. He turned and opened his mouth to call for his assistant, and then remembered. Dr. Garu had left five minutes ago to obtain more supplies.
Ceebague shrugged. It was of no matter, as he could quite easily take notes by himself. He stood up, stretched, grabbed his notepad and pen, and then walked over to the cage.
The necessary information had been already gathered, of course, but Ceebague wanted to see his subject cry. Just one more time…
* * *
Anzu gasped as the door they'd been staring tensely at suddenly swung open. Her surprise was even greater when she saw who was in the doorway.
"Yuugi!"
He raised his head to peek at her. He looked awful, sure, but there was a clear focus in his determined eyes that seemed to somehow right everything. It was a relief after the past day and a half, when it had felt as if the world had suddenly turned against them.
That may have been true, but as she stared into her friend's eyes, there was nothing they couldn't do! Together, with her friends, she and everyone would find Yami and cheer him on!
With his friends at his side, there was no way Yami would lose the duel!
* * *
The tri-coloured hair swivelled as the head turned disjointedly.
A mortal had just entered the line of sight!
The grin lessened in size as a tongue traced its way across bleeding lips.
* * *
With a whoop of joy, Jounouchi ran forward to pick up his friend and twirl him around in a celebratory hug. Setting him down, he ruffled Yuugi's hair. Through the dishevelled bangs, Yuugi peered up at him with a familiar exasperated expression.
Yuugi then took one step back, forming a circle that included Ryou, Anzu, Jou, and Kaiba. "Come on, you guys! Let's go get Yami!"
And for the first time in days, he smiled.
* * *
Dr. Garu paused for breath in one of the exiting corridors. He didn't care what consequences he'd face from his peers, or the scientific community, he just had to leave. From his memory, a vision of Ceebague's expression as he looked upon the sobbing teen swam up. Gradually, it was overlaid with the contemptuous grin that had travelled across the unconscious boy's face. He shuddered at both flashbacks, and then took another deep breath.
Panting, he resumed his hasty escape to the outdoors.
* * *
Minutes later, flying high above a sparkling, clear ocean, Ryou desperately wished for some earplugs. The helicopter was really loud!
He shook his head and plugged his fingers into his ears. Glancing over, he saw Anzu copying the motion. She looked his way and smiled in sympathy. He appreciated the comforting gesture. It was true that, as they approached their destination, Ryou was developing an increasing knot in his stomach. He had noticed it immediately, since he'd never been airsick before, and certainly not on a ride as well piloted as this. Kaiba had definitely earned his pilot's license, no matter what Jou said to the contrary.
It was almost as if his body itself was trying to shy away from the future.
That idea was silly, Ryou firmly told himself. 'Bakura will always protect his vessel, after all, and we know what we're getting into. And Bakura's not worrying about this thing, so I shouldn't either.'
With a decisive nod, Ryou adjusted himself to a more comfortable position on the hard seats. Then, he stared out the window and tried to calm his churning stomach.
* * *
Dr. Ceebague frowned in his deprivation. His subject wasn't dancing on his metaphorical chain the way he wanted to him to. It was most annoying.
He moved closer to the standing figurine. Curiously, the electrodes were still firmly attached to his head, so it wasn't due to a faulty connection.
Wait a second – what was this? Ceebague moved closer still. It would appear that the subject had lost… his pupils?
This was unprecedented! Never before had this occurred! Ceebague began frantically taking notes. This was wonderful!
Perhaps this change had led to a resistance to his electricity? It was a valid supposition, and Ceebague adjusted accordingly. He turned to increase the voltage at the central computer. As such, he failed to notice the sudden focussing of eyes on his person, nor did he notice the demonic grimace that snaked its way across the bloodied face. Instead, he hummed busily to himself as he set the current to run at top voltage. Grinning, he turned to watch with avid eyes as he pressed the button for activation.
The boy shuddered slightly, yet maintained his stance. An oddity in itself, really, because a jolt such as that would have rendered a human comatose at best, dead at worst.
Frowning – he wanted to see this boy scream! – he pressed the button again.
Nothing. If anything, that annoying smile increased.
Very well, then! He turned once more to reduce the recycled air in the cage. Asphyxiation always made the subjects react. He initiated the reduction and began to observe once more.
He was expecting previous reactions, of course. Screams, cries, threats, begging pleas – he licked lips at that last thought. This subject would look very pretty indeed on his knees, begging for his mercy. He was the top scientist in his profession – of course his current subject would approach him with pleads. Over the past day and a half, they had ranged quite a deal – anything from prayers for his aibou, for food, air, water…
So caught up in his recollections was he, that Ceebague was taken completely by surprise when the subject started to laugh. No…not laugh. It was more of a cackling howl, where one proclaimed their insane invulnerability to an uncaring moon.
His rational side screeched at the impossibility: there was currently barely enough oxygen in the containment to live, much less howl in deranged glee! Nevertheless, the subject was proclaiming his twisted delight – an aspect that was awakening and terrifying his long-suppressed emotional side.
He unconsciously stepped back, and promptly ran into the machine behind him.
Those twisted, pupil-less eyes snapped to close focus on him. And then, the Voice spoke.
WORTHLESS MORTAL – SEEK YOU TO DAMAGE ME?
The Words bypassed his ears and directly short-circuited his brain. Any and all scientific rationality flew out the proverbial window at the tone.
I AM THE SHADOWS. YOUR TWISTED NATURE IS MERELY AN EXTENSION OF ME.
Ceebague quailed. It was as if the Words were the absolute. His world faded until there was nothing but him and the Voice. All else was the purest of black.
MORTAL, BE STRIPPED OF YOUR SCIENTIFIC PRETENCE. AS RULER OF DARKNESS, I REVEAL YOU FOR YOUR TRUE NATURE!
All of a sudden, mental claws flashed out and began to tear. His mind shredded into bloody ribbons, his soul tore and haemorrhaged, and his very personality wailed into extinction.
* * *
He woke up in the depths of midnight despair. Ignoring the familiar looking boy who was sobbing beside him, he turned and was greeted by the Reaper of the Shadow Realm. As the scythe slashed down to sever his head, he only had an instant to scream, one last time, in sheer terror.
* * *
In the mortal realm, the body that used to be Gary Ceebague changed. Its initial bellow of absolute torture developed into a howl of utter glee.
The entity that had been previously known as Dr. Ceebague was gone, true enough. However, in his body, the Madness continued.
And the Shadows smiled.
* * *
Bakura jumped as the shadows lunged suddenly forward. At the same time, he detected a massive increase in the Shadow Realm's power. For a few precious, wasted moments he pondered what it could have been, before his eyes widened in horrified realization. The Shadows had taken over the Pharaoh and had just claimed their first victim.
Bakura tensed. As a creature of darkness himself, he knew he would be next. As soon as the Shadow Realm saw fit to acknowledge his wretched existence…
The Darkness lunged forwards again; this time easily breaking through the Ring's flimsy and hastily erected barriers. They reached out, metaphysical claws grasping for his very conscious and Bakura didn't want to go back into the Shadow Realm because nononono it was too soon, he hadn't stolen what he needed, his work was still undone –
In his desperation, Bakura frantically shrieked for the only thing that could save him now.
// AIBOU! //
* * *
As Ryou stepped out of the helicopter onto the firm ground, he suddenly blacked out and fell forward. While Jou was supporting a still suffering Yuugi in the helicopter, Kaiba and Anzu were, fortunately, conveniently placed to catch the unconscious, snowy-haired teen.
"Wha-? Ryou!"
* * *
Instantly, Ryou whisked his mind over to his yami.
\ Bakura?! What's wrong? \
Since mindless, gibbering terror was the only thing that answered him, he braced himself and slowly opened the door to his yami's soul room. Stepping inside, he gasped as he immediately saw the realization of his worst fears.
Darkness was devouring his yami – Bakura was leaving him!
'NO!'
Racing across the clinging, sticky shadows, he jumped to Bakura's side.
\ No! Bakura, Yami, please don't leave me! \
Clinging desperately to his dark side's shirt, he failed to notice what his presence was doing to the blackness around them. Grudgingly, the shadows were retreating, slowly at first, then faster when it became clear that this recent glow was not leaving. Eventually, they wound up in their familiar positions: clinging to the corners of the walls and wrapping around the sparse fixtures.
While Ryou may not have noticed, Bakura certainly did. With a sigh of relief, he collapsed against his other half, exhausted from the futile war he'd been waging.
// …Aibou… // Bakura closed his eyes and embraced his pillow more tightly.
Ryou squeaked.
Bakura abruptly re-opened his eyes and realized exactly what he was doing. Quickly he stepped back and snarled at his other half. Unfortunately, that made Ryou even more confused than before.
\ Umm…Bakura? What just happened? \ Sudden fear jolted through him and he pressed on, anxious to know the truth. \ That wasn't because of the scientists, was it? Please don't tell me they aren't trying to- \ He broke off as Bakura tiredly waved a dismissive hand at him.
// No, landlord. That was merely the Shadow Realm threatening to destroy life as you know it. //
Ryou let out a sigh of relief before he realized exactly what had been said. \ That's good. I – WHAT? \
Bakura glared. // I'll explain later, vessel. But right now, you will go stop the Pharaoh and return him to his proper self. //
Ryou, understandably, felt he'd been denied an answer. Again. \ But I - \
// Go! //
Sighing, Ryou turned back to re-animate their body.
As he left, Bakura sank down onto the floor, grumbling. Much as he would have liked to take charge of the situation, he knew that a physical appearance would draw attention to his existence. Of course, that was the last thing he wanted to happen.
Meanwhile, the shadows began to edge forward, once again. The light had finally left…
* * *
Across the sea, Malik groaned and tossed in his sleep. In his nightmares, the Pharaoh cackled and flaunted his crown at Malik's broken body. So caught up was he, that he didn't even notice when the dreams took on a darker tinge.
* * *
Yuugi stared concernedly at his friend. The way Ryou had suddenly collapsed wasn't actually worrying him too much, but he still wanted him to wake up. After all, he wanted all the help he could get in this. He crouched closer, wide amethyst eyes staring fixedly at the white hair. It was gleaming in the warm sunlight, causing the strands to shine into Yuugi's eyes.
It hurt. Was there nowhere that he could run where the Light wasn't? Tears sprang reflexively to his eyes as he was suddenly brought back into the torture of his mind. Staring in realized horror at the wasteland his mental landscape had become, he turned his soul and fled, wailing, into his soul room.
Cringing, he opened the door and dashed inside. And looked.
Everything was wrecked. Burnt from the contact of the Light, Yuugi could only stare, traumatized, as the final wisps of smoke leaked out from his stuffed animals, his toys, his precious possessions.
Shaking his head in denial, Yuugi backed up, trembling, until he ran into the door. Sobbing, he leapt out of the atrocity that his innocent soul room had become and ran to the only place that could save him now.
But Yami's soul room was locked and it wouldn't let him in.
He crumpled into a small ball on the floor and sobbed as the blinding daggers continued to pierce his very being: Why was he so alone? He hurt and he cried and was there no one to save him?
Yami had promised – he'd promised!
\ Yami! Yami, please come back! \
* * *
Unknown to him, his despairing cry caused a flutter in the limp bond. The vibrations slowly reverberated through the vastness of time and space…
* * *
The tiny shade raised its head from where it had been softly weeping in the Graveyard. An insignificant shadow in a dark realm, it suddenly stirred as a sigh of…something…drifted across his memory. What was it? It was from a time long ago, it knew, but not so long ago as to be ancient. The sigh had brought to mind happier times, when it and another had challenged and triumphed over insurmountable odds. If only it could remember what…
Blinking, the shadow slowly stood and stared blankly at the surrounding Darkness. Frowning, it stepped forwards and looked, indifferently, at the small, royally dressed figure ahead that was still fighting the intangibility of the dark. Instead of smiling humourlessly at the figure's vain efforts, though, it felt the oddest urge to join in.
The shade drifted ever closer. If it fought, could it rejoin with the memories? Would it touch the distant sigh again? It didn't know, but the hope was already sparked. Offering a slight smile to the now-panting sovereign, the shade lent its strength to the stunned monarch.
Yami rushed back into existence and leapt forward to fight the Darkness once more, united with his Egyptian character.
* * *
Shaking the head free from the reinforced plastic pieces that were scattered about, the embodiment of the Shadow Realm stepped out of the pitiful attempt at a restraining container. Was this really the best mortals could do? It was no wonder that their minds were so easily broken, then. The key to immobility and obeisance wasn't in the physical restraint.
It was in the mental oblivion.
Cracking its knees, It stepped further away from the cage. Beside him, his hound of Madness slavered in anticipation of the future carnage.
Suddenly, the Embodiment felt a twinge in the corner of its head. Twisting facial features into a snarl of hate, it realized that the former Pharaoh had somehow managed to resume its struggle.
The features cooled into a superior grin. It was too bad, then, that the monarch was too late. He couldn't save anyone, much less himself.
* * *
Seto braced himself. Then, bringing his hand sharply down, he slapped the comatose Yuugi hard across the cheek.
Blinking slowly, Yuugi once again came back into reality.
"Yuugi. We are now underground. Are you going to come with us?"
Once again, an uncomprehending gaze stared back at him.
Jou, supportive as ever, shook his head. "Hey, don' worry 'bout it, Yuug. I'll keep on carryin' ya."
Hoisting the still dazed boy on to his back, Jou carried Yuugi further into the underground cave. Seto followed, tensed for action, and tried not to look at Yuugi's reddened cheek. Ryou cringed, but followed too. Meanwhile, Anzu brought up the rear, restraining tears with an effort.
* * *
Dr. Garu rounded the corner, running at full tilt. He was almost out of this place…
He ran smack into Kaiba, who'd just taken the lead.
* * *
Anzu stared in shock as some guy ran around the corner and collided with Kaiba. She saw both sets of eyes widen, one in surprise and the other in recognition. Suddenly, as the faintly identifiable man backed off, Kaiba lunged forward. Grabbing his hands, Kaiba spun the other one around, produced a set of handcuffs, and slammed the guy into the wall.
Anzu winced.
Beside her, Jou gasped as he identified whom the assaulted man was, "Hey! Hey! Dat's dat 'Garu' dude! Kick 'is butt, Kaib'!"
"Shut up, mutt." Turning back to his prey, Kaiba leaned in closer, handcuffing Garu and projecting an aura of malice so intense it made the other whimper.
"Dr. Joseph Garu, I am placing you under citizen's arrest." Kaiba moved closer still, "I don't know if you've done anything wrong, but trust me, we'll find some crime you've committed."
Oddly enough, instead of quailing, as Anzu would have done in Garu's position, he slumped forwards in relief. "Oh, thank you, thank you! Yes, I admit it, I stole the computers, just please, get me out of this nuthouse, please…"
As Kaiba stepped back – most likely in irritation, because his intimidation hadn't worked – Anzu stepped forwards. "Why? What's happened?"
Jou, too, stepped up, shifting Yuugi's uncaring weight on his back, "How's Yami doin'? Who's winnin'?"
Fear graced Garu's face at Anzu's question, yet turned to blank incomprehension upon hearing Jou's. "Winning?"
Seto glowered. "Yes. Winning. In the game Yami is playing."
"What game?"
Jou growled, "Don't play innocent wit' us! The game you guys kidnapped Yuug's othah self here to play, of course! Who's winnin'?"
Garu shook his head, still utterly confused, "You must be mistaken – there was no game. We were merely attempting to study schizophrenic personalities…"
Seto's eyes widened, "What do you mean?"
Anzu whitened, "No…game? You were just 'studying' him?"
Garu nodded, some of his scientific objectivity returning now that he felt safe, away from the craziness of the laboratory, "Yes. We were attempting to determine the connection the schizophrenic individual had to the original host. It was most remarkable indeed how recalcitrant the subject was. We were forced to use an electroconvulsive system in order to obtain-"
Seto abruptly shook him, hard. "Shut it, you sick, twisted freak. You're coming with me. Now!" Turning, he dragged Garu back towards the entranceway to secure him to the helicopter. He paused and tossed over his shoulder, "You two wait here. I'll be right back."
Anzu's face paled even further in remembrance of the words. "There wasn't a game…?"
Jou shook his head. "No way we're waitin' for Jerk-face to come back now! Let's go ahead and get Yami back!"
Ryou and Anzu nodded their agreement and they began running again. As they raced down the hallway, Jou could hear the disembodied crooning of his best friend on his back. "Yamiiii…?"
Jou decided that the giggle was the thing that scared him the most.
* * *
Ryou panted as they sprinted down the corridor. The normally easy run was being made a lot more difficult, now that he could sense Bakura's fear. Bakura had also mentioned the Shadow Realm, which was never a good thing in Ryou's book. What little experience he'd had of it… He shuddered, but tried to keep up with Anzu and Jou.
A sudden whiplash of rage slashed across his mind. // Hurry, you pathetic weakling of a vessel! //
He winced, but tried to move faster, ignoring the tears in his eyes. He knew Bakura was just on edge, but did he really have to be so mean? Ryou was trying his hardest!
They turned into a final corridor, and the entrance into the laboratory loomed before them. Goaded by his other half, Ryou raced ahead of his hesitating friends and ran through the door.
And stopped in shock. In terror. In horror. In fear.
Bakura, watching through Ryou's eyes, did the exact same thing, staggering back into the madly advancing shadows.
* * *
Anzu and Jou, still carrying a dazed Yuugi, followed Ryou through the doors shortly after. They stopped in shock as well, not only to avoid crashing into Ryou, but also because they didn't want to step any closer.
Yuugi fell slowly from Jou's suddenly limp arms and thudded to the floor. He sat there a moment or two, and then looked up in vague confusion. 'What?'
Expressive amethyst eyes that had been depressively distant as of late, suddenly flooded with emotions.
"YAMI!"
The heart-wrenching shriek was torn, unbidden, from his chapped lips and echoed in the searing, blinding vault that was his mind.
* * *
The Embodiment paused in mid-step that it had started towards the former Pharaoh's other half. After all, once that pitiful mortal was destroyed, there would be no more reason to fight. It was the perfect plan.
Until the hikari screamed. The mental ripples were projected through to the head, where even the Shadow Realm felt the effects. Though lessened slightly by the lack of a complete link, the luminescent, glowing waves still washed over Yami's body like a moonlit tide washing over a pebbled beach. Shuddering, the Darkness felt the Yami's mental fight strengthen.
It was losing its hold! This couldn't be!
* * *
The semblance of intelligence that inhabited Ceebague's body whimpered. It could sense that its Master, the Darkness, was losing its physical hold in the world. But if the Master went, then so did the Madness.
And the Madness didn't want to leave this mortal realm, not yet. There was so much more for him to do…
On the most base level, the Madness panicked and let its body's natural human instinct take over. On an almost automatic level, the arms swung around and grabbed the nearest weapon it could find.
The ray gun that had split Yuugi.
Cackling wildly, Ceebague's body started shooting. It missed many things, seeing as there was no specific target.
Unfortunately, it didn't miss Ryou.
* * *
Anzu stared in shock at the sudden events that had transpired over the past two minutes. They had burst into the room and taken one look at the remaining scientist, who was clearly insane. And then they'd seen Yami, who had stepped out from behind this machine. Except…it wasn't Yami at all! From what Yuugi had said before, the Yami he was connected to was a gentle spirit who wanted only to help. The thing before them now was anything but: It exuded evil and despair to the point where the stench of rot seemed to cling to the air, cloyingly.
And then the scientist had grabbed the gun with rapid, jerky movements and had started shooting. It had happened so fast that no one had been able to move. Green lights sprayed everywhere, damaging electrical systems, causing small fires to break out…
And then Ryou had been hit, enveloped in that familiar green light that had haunted Anzu's memory ever since that night with Yuugi.
And all she could think was, 'No, not again…'
* * *
A/N: ^^;; Don't kill me…?
Cast of YGO: *glares* No promises.
--At any rate, I've plotted out the ending of this story, but I'm wide open and willing to receive other story ideas, if anyone wants to offer any…? *sighs* For some reason, I've been really on a Saiyuki kick, so I'm trying really hard to get back into YGO. *pouts* I blame the television network. They've been showing silly, annoying shows where everyone is picking on poor Seto. *rolls eyes* "Wow, hey Seto! Way to lose the most important game of your life! How bout I kick you when you're down, huh? You suck! Whahahahahaa!" *pouts* Normally I like Jou-chan, but really! *sniffles*
Stay tuned for more! (Probably) last chapter coming soon!