Disclaimer: Guess what! I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! HA HA HA!

The Lair of Evil & Arrival of the Dragon

Yugi nearly stumbled as he ran down the dark stone corridor, fearing his pursuers' voices the closer they came.

"Find him!" they shouted, "We must have his Golden Charm!"

Yugi shaved a corner and suddenly found he'd come into an immense dreary-looking area. And yet as he went further into the expansive chamber lined with alcoves, Yugi felt his heart struck heavy with the sense of doom; when he looked up, his eyes were met by a high ceiling black as death.

Yugi was a little taken aback by the sight, suddenly feeling as though he couldn't breath; he staggered backwards, clutching at his chest.

'There's no life here.' he realized with a shudder.

"No," Yugi uttered. He turned to run but found the entryway had vanished; a wall existed there as if it had always been – and there was no way out. 'What?!' Yugi's eyes widened. And then he felt it, something was watching him, lurking in the darkness above, regarding him with greedy eyes, and malice bent toward all he stood for.

He frantically felt along the stone wall, and a stinging pain came suddenly to his hands. He cried out, jumping back, readily eyeing his palms; they were reddened and covered with a multitude of minute white scratches.

Yugi's brow furrowed in despair. He turned around and felt his breath catch in his throat, for he saw the black darkness above him becoming blacker still, if that was possible. And then, to his horror, it began to descend, partly in wafting trails climbing down the walls, and partly as blackened ooze dripping downward and welling into puddles on the floor in front of the alcoves.

'No! What's happening?!' Yugi turned again but just as he did a terrible grip laid hold to him, some unseen force, and it began forcing him to his knees.

Yugi gasped for breath as he tried to fight against it; his heart was racing and a chill slide down his back, for then he sensed a hunger in the blackness about him, a hunger for that which is light.

Then to his ears there came a voice, but it was only a whisper, a dark whisper.

"Oh come to me little glimmer of light, that I may snuff you out! You have entered my lair and your being is mine."

"No!" sounded Yugi, for he knew the darkness intended to eat his soul, "God!" he cried, " Help me!"

For a moment the darkness faltered, for never in Its presence had such a cry gone up. It had heard begs for mercy and cries of pain but each time It had been too voracious to heed, and remembering this It commenced; for It found great pleasure in engulfing souls of light, feeding off purity and devouring innocence. Because being as black as it was, these things It lacked, and so craved.

Yet as It was about to pounce upon Yugi, to rend his Life-force from him by choking him with Its blackness, there came a sound against the far wall of Its lair that It had never heard before.

Yugi looked up through wet eyes, from his bent position, and the sound came again, only this time the far wall began caving inward.

The blackness was curious, indeed, but It was also hungry. It looked down at Its small quarry huddled on the floor, ever so vulnerable; It had a moment of indecision.

Regardless of Its choice, in the next instance the far wall disintegrated, the black stones crumbling to dust and breaking away; and with that, the brilliant light of day poured inward.

Yugi turned his head away, for he was blinded; his eyes had seen only dimness all around. As for the blackness, panic grew in Its mind, for the light of the sun was something It had not had to contend with for many an age; It drew itself away from the broken wall.

Yugi squinted and looked up once more, and to his great joy he saw a Duel Monster and rider he knew. Yugi tried to call but his throat felt paralyzed; nevertheless, such excitement was building in his chest, and such color was rising in his cheeks, that he forced his voice to call:

"JOEY!"

The Red-Eyes Black Dragon crashed inward and Joey Wheeler was upon its back. "Yugi!" he cried when he caught sight of his friend.

The blackness hated the light, and as It saw Joey was the instigator of its intervention, It bent all Its malice toward him.

Joey's eyes widened, and he suddenly grabbed at his chest as though his heart itself had been struck by the thing's malice. The Red-Eyes roared as it felt some of what its master was experiencing.

The blackness pulled all of Itself back up, folding in on Itself again and again, gathering strength.

"Joey!" screamed Yugi, "Look out!!"

Just as the evil lunged at Yugi's friend, Joey pulled his monster out of Its path.

"Inferno Fire-Blast!" he commanded. The Red-Eyes Black Dragon vaulted backward, then releasing a string of flaming fireballs that collided squarely with the blackness.

Again It reeled, for fire was another source of light; It was in pain and in Its anger the blackness lashed out. Joey was clouted hard, and sent hurtling from his Monster's back.

The Red-Eyes was slammed against the wall aside the entrance it had made; roaring, it picked itself up.

Joey opened his eyes and found he was upon the floor. He tried to push himself up, but contact with the blackness had apparently sapped all his strength, making his body feel weak and useless.

Joey's Red-Eyes rose up in the air again, and spat a hissing roar at the blackness. The blackness was trying to restore Itself as patches of flame still burned on Its darkness.

Joey looked over at his friend, and winced, for Yugi was prostrate on the ground, his consciousness lost. And not only that, there seemed to be a black mist falling across him, holding him down.

His hand was outstretched in Joey's direction, and Joey's heart lurched.

'Come on!' he chided himself, 'Move! You lazy sack a' bones!' Joey forced his body to crawl forward. He reached out and gripped his friend's wrist. He tried to pull Yugi to him, but he was stuck fast, the black haze anchoring him to the spot.

"I'm not gunna let this happen!"

Joey threw his arms through the mist and instantly they felt numb with cold. But Joey wasn't daunted and wrapped his arms around Yugi's waist; he wrenched with all his might.

"Evil's got ya' in its grip, Yug'!" cringed Joey, for it felt as though ice were seeping into his veins, "But I'm your friend, and I ain't never gunna let cha' go!"

Love, the ultimate source of light; the blackness felt that too, and through all its injuries, couldn't sustain Its hold on Yugi.

Joey took one more great yank and he and Yugi went tumbling backward, landing with a thud.

"Yes!" cheered Joey, but his gladness was short lived, for his Red-Eyes suddenly went flying over head, slamming into the adjacent wall. Stones flew, crashing down near Joey and Yugi. Joey then winced, feeling his Dragon's pain.

The blackness rose up, towering above them all; It was ready to finish them, though It was very weak.

"NO!" called Joey, his face creased in enraged pang, "Red-Eyes! Pull all my Heart-Strength into one more Fire-Blast!!"

The Dragon raised its head, felt hot flame in its mouth and propelled the attack. The blackness struck downward, straight into the growing fireballs' path.

There was a terrible explosion, as the very atmosphere erupted in fumes of darkness. Joey's heart sank, for all before him became a void of black. There came a stinging to his eyes, and yet as tears and blackness blurred the last of his vision, he grabbed Yugi and crouched down; all seemed lost.

But the Red-Eyes Black Dragon heard the last of it master's dwindling thoughts, and with the remainder of its strength, did as it was bid.

A hideous un-living scream rose up, cracking the air and splitting the foundation of the black-stone citadel, which then caved in on itself!

As the black dust from the rubble cleared, it was plain to see, all therein – was vanquished.

''''''''''''

Joey and Yugi felt wind playing in their hair, and also the warmth of sun light on their skin. They opened their eyes, and saw the ground about 50 feet below them.

Joey smiled and knew they were in the grip of his Red-Eyes, and that it was flying them all to safety. He closed his eyes contentedly.

"Thank you Joey," spoke Yugi. And Joey looked over.

"Of course," Wheeler grinned, "You okay?"

Yugi's expression changed; he said 'yes'. He stated he was all right and he did mean it; but his heart and mind were still heavy with the memory of darkness, Joey could tell.

'Give him strength,' requested Joey, looking upward at the lightly clouded sky, 'Please.'

There was a period of silence as the Red-Eyes glided lower to the ground.

"Can I ask?" queried Yugi, and Joey looked over, "How did you know where I was anyway?"

Joey's brow creased. "I don't know," he pondered over it a minute, "Hmm. Does it matter?"

Yugi smiled. "No." He looked skyward. 'Thank you.'

Joey's Duel Monster flew lower still, and finally landed.

'''''''''''''

Joey stood straight and threw his arms out to each side, stretching with all his might; his Red-Eyes Black Dragon wasn't far behind him, resting against the ground under the shade of a savanna tree. Joey scratched his head aimlessly and looked over to Yugi, who was drinking his fill at the nearby stream.

Joey smiled. "You must be thirsty."

Water slipped through Yugi's fingers as he turned to Joey. "Yes!" he gasped, licking the side of his mouth. He turned back, cupping his hands within the clear liquid once again, only this time, he splashed it onto his face.

The coolness felt good against his skin; he dried his face against his sleeve, and stood, wiping his hands on his pants.

He saw Joey had gone to the edge of the tree's shade and was gazing across the flat terrain that stretched for miles in every direction; there were outlying mountains, but they were so far away they seemed only to be trimming on the horizon.

Yugi's eyes suddenly widened and jerked down to the sight of his Millennium Puzzle.

"Eh, I dun know Yug'," shrugged Joey, turning to face his friend; he stopped, "What is it??"

Yugi lifted his head. "I can feel — I feel the other me," he shook his head, "Yami! I can feel Yami!"

"Yami?? Where?" Joey looked back & forth, swinging 'round and 'round, "I don't see 'im!"

Yugi Mutoh closed his eyes a moment, then gazed straight up into the unclouded sky. "There!!" he shouted, pointing with his finger.

Joey spun on his heels and followed his partner's gaze. "Hey! Isn' that Slypher?!"

"YAMI!" sounded Yugi, cupping his hands around his mouth. But his older counterpart was much too high!

An idea abruptly struck Yugi's mind. "Joey! Send your Red-Eyes up there! He can stop them and show them we're down here!"

"Right! Red-Eyes!" All Joey had to do was point his finger, for his Duel Monster already knew the desire of his master's thoughts.

"He's close!" bellowed Yami, "I can feel him!"

Tea started looking about. "Hey! Wait a minute! What's that?!"

Yami followed Tea's extended arm and saw a blackish figure coming toward them. "It looks like . . ."

Tea squinted, shielding her eyes from the sun's glare. "It's a Red-Eyes!!" she cried.

Yami pulled up on the reins and his god Monster slowed, allowing the Red-Eyes to catch up. The Black Dragon halted a few yards from Slypher and its riders, then roaring and tossing its head in the direction of the ground.

"Huh?"

Both Yami and Tea looked downward seeing two tiny figures waving their arms wildly.

"It's them!!" cheered Tea, "Joey and Yugi!"

Yami chuckled with relief and directed his red Duel Monster straight down.

The Red-Eyes Black Dragon touched down first, and Joey threw a wink and a 'thumbs-up' in its direction. Slypher landed next and Yugi and Joey jumped forward to greet Tea and Yami. Enormous hugs were passed around as the four friends were all so glad to see each other safe and sound.

Soon they were all relaxing beneath the savanna tree with their Duel Monsters near at hand, talking of what had happened to each of them.

"Wow!" stated Joey, a surprised look on his face as he was told of the battle with Malik, and the incident with the ring of bonfires.

Suddenly his stomach growled quite to where everyone could hear. Joey's face adopted a sunken look as he placed his hand on his belly. "Now that I think about it, I haven't eaten since — well since we were zapped here from Domino!"

The other three present, blinked in realization, looking down at their own stomachs.

"Oh thanks Joey!" barked Tea, "Now I'm starving for something to eat!"

Yami stifled a yawn by quickly shaking his head; he stood. "I'll go and look for some food, you can all stay here."

Joey bounced to his feet. "Nah, I'll go with ya' Yam'!"

Yami grinned. "Thank you. Though why don'tyou leave your Red-Eyes here and ride with me. Each two of us should have one of the Duel Monster's with us, in case there's trouble. And judging from all of our tales, there just might be."

Everyone nodded.

So it was decided: Yugi and Tea were to stay beneath the shade of the only tree for miles around with Joey's Red-Eyes, while Yami and Joey took Slypher to see if there was any food to be found!

"We'll be back!" called Joey, standing behind Yami as Slypher rose off the ground, "Take care of 'em Red-Eyes!" he said to his Monster.

Soon the red god Monster was a dot in the sky and Yugi and Tea turned to one another.

"It is good to see you guys," said Yugi grinning, "I'm glad you're all right."

Tea smiled sweetly. "I'm glad you and Joey weren't hurt either."

Yugi Mutoh nodded. "Boy, those Garkon guys you and Yami met up with sure sound freaky!"

"Them??" asked Tea incredulously, "What about that blackness thing, you and Joey fought?! Just hearing your story makes me shudder!"

Yugi opened his mouth to say something, but in the end he only looked down at the ground. "Yeah . . ." he sighed, hugging his arms and turning away.

Tea Gardner stopped. "I'm sorry Yugi. I didn't mean to bring it up like that. I could tell you didn't really want to talk about it even when you told Yami and me."

Yugi just shook his head. "It doesn't matter . . . I just wish we could go home!"

Tea sat down. "I know what you mean."

'''''

Yugi and Tea found other things to talk about, and Tea was much relieved to see that Yugi was returning to his ususal optimistic self.

They sat beneath the shade of the tree, and when there was a pause in their conversation, they listened to the breeze as it swayed the leaves above them.

The Red-Eyes hadn't moved much since its master had left; it only lay there, watching the humans Yugi and Tea.

When Slypher appeared in the sky, Tea and Yugi felt their hearts leap.

"Oh they're back!" hailed Yugi.

"Yeah and they're safe. I was beginning to get worried!" breathed Tea. The red god Monster alighted, and Joey and Yami smiled down at them.

"Honey! We're home!" grinned Joey cheekily, "And look what we brought!" He jumped down, carrying a bundle over his shoulder.

Yami had one as well and they set them down before Yugi and Tea.

"We had to use our jackets," remarked Joey, spreading his open to reveal a plethora of fruits! "They ain't no cheeseburgers, but they're good!"

Yami open his jacket likewise, uncovering even more kinds of fruit.

"Too bad we don't have any glasses," stated Yugi, "'cause then we could squeeze something to drink!"

Tea nodded and tried to say 'yes' but her teeth were buried far in the skin of ripe red apple!

So there the four friends were, having a wonderfully sweet meal. Amidst her eating, Tea stopped momentarily; she looked at Slypher the Sky Dragon and the Red-Eyes, as the two monsters were just watching the four humans with interest.

"Uh, shouldn't you guys feed your Duel Monsters??" she asked.

Joey and Yami stopped, then looking at one another; they turned to Tea. "Didn't you know?" they said in unison.

King Yami cleared his throat. "The strength of the Duel Monster depends on the strength of the wielder. If we eat, rest, and are strong, they will be likewise." Yami looked over to his Sky Dragon and it seemed to smile; he smiled back. "As long as the Monsters remain Summoned, we are directly connected to them. Though, they themselves can gain additional strength from the elements around them, depending on what type of monster they are."

"Ohhh." nodded Tea, biting the pulp of her orange.

And so they day passed, the sun began to set once again.

'''''''''''

Yugi climbed the savanna tree and began breaking off some of the dead branches for a fire; Tea was beneath, gathering them up as he dropped them.

Joey was contented, though he greatly desired to go home, as did they all. He turned to tell Yami something, when he saw the King was sitting there with his eyes closed, resting as it were, with his chin in his hand and his elbow balancing on his bended knee.

"Hey," Joey lightly punched Yami's shoulder. Yami jerked, his eyes opening with a certain heaviness; he caught his balance.

"Wh, what is it?" Yami asked looking around. He blinked and rubbed his eyes.

"You sleepy, or what?" quizzed Joey.

"Hey! Back off Joey!" scolded Tea, "He's been awake for 24 hours! What do you expect?"

Joey looked chagrined. "Ah, I'm sorry Yam', I forgot."

"It's all right." Yami gave a torpid smile.

Yugi built up a nice fire, and everyone gather 'round. Yami called to Slypher and had it move into an encompassing circle around their camp, though not completely encircling, for Joey's Monster desired to sleep by the tree.

So, the Red-Eyes slept with its face near Slypher's; the god Monster's body then going 'round and passing the savanna tree.

Yami yawned and decided to retire early; he moved up to his Monster's back and rested against one of Slypher's back-plates.

Tea was next to leave the group and as she curled up near the tree Yugi gave her his jacket to cover up with. "Thank you Yugi."

Soon only Joey and Yugi remained awake, staring into the firelight.

"We should probably go to sleep too."

Joey nodded. "Yeah," He and Yugi rose, saying their 'goodnights', and walked off to their respective corners; Joey settled down, leaning against his Red-Eyes while Yugi climbed up on Slypher's back, nestling against a back-plate one down from Yami.

The small fire continued to burn, yet, as the night wore on it began to dwindle. Soon the flames weren't flickering at all and only the glowing embers burned orange.

However, as the last embers of their fire burned out, there arose a thin trail of smoke, black smoke. It continued to rise, twisting and curling in the air, and yet suddenly it jerked as though – it were alive.

First it turned toward Tea, seeming to eye her; then toward Joey. And finally it twisted toward Yami and Yugi.

It writhed, and there then floated the whisper of a laugh, a mocking laugh. Then the wafting smoke drifted into nothing.