Yugi looked out the window wide eyed. He was in a state of denial. "No," he whispered. "No it cannot be. This cannot be happening." He started to back away from the window. With one sweep of his body he swivelled around and bounced right into Joey. The panic still in him he grabbed at Joey's shirt and started pleading. "Joey, Joey we can't stay here, we have to leave!"
"Whoa, hold it Yug. What's got you all crazed?" Joey was torn between ripping Yugi off of his shirt or putting an arm around his buddy to comfort him. He didn't have to choose because Yugi started to tremble and caved to the floor as if defeated. Joey quickly joined him and pulled him closer for a comforting embrace. Once Yugi calmed down a little Joey loosened his hold. Still his question remained unanswered.
"… Joey?" Yugi spoke almost quietly. His voice holding none of its usual cheerfulness. Instead it seemed to be replaced with despair. Joey took this to heart. He remembered how Yugi had screamed out in terror in History class and now this? Joey spoke softly so that Yugi would tell him what's happened. "Yeah, Yug, what is it?" He waited ten seconds before Yugi replied. A simple request. All Yugi wanted to know was the weather outside. So Joey carefully pried Yugi off of him and stood to look out the window.
"Whoa-oh, would ya look at that! Hey Yug. We've got a real thunderstorm happening out there." Joey paused and put a finger to his cheek. "I wonder if school's gonna be cancelled." Yugi jumped up and looked out the window himself; almost bumping into Joey as he did so. The clouds had doubled in intensity and thunder could now clearly be heard. It rang loud and clear. The rain of course, was falling but even it seemed to have intensified since the last time Yugi had looked out the window. They were double the size of regular raindrops.
Yugi shook his head in a silent 'no' without even realizing he was doing so. He shot out his hand and grabbed Joey by the arm. "Come on. We got to get to the principle, maybe call 9-1-1. We must hurry!"
Joey stopped Yugi though. "Wait, wait Yug. Can you PLEASE, please, please, please tell me what's got you freaked so much! It's only rain…"
Yugi agreed to tell only if Joey would hurry with him. As quick as he could he told Joey about the reoccurring dream of this particular storm. Joey nodded throughout the telling and although he himself was still doubtful that this storm was going to be THAT bad he kept his pace up with Yugi's. "Just one thing pal, when you tell the principal about this storm, err, leave out the whole dream thing."
Unfortunately the principle only agreed that the storm was 'inside' weather and that both Yugi and Joey should be in class at this very moment. So they headed back to class… only to retrieve Tristen and get out of the school/city. The three boys made lightning quick stops at their lockers- to retrieve their jackets. All the while explaining to Tristen what was happening. By the time the boy's were at the school doors Tristen was nodding his head in understanding although he was just as doubtful as Joey.
Until they saw the storm through the open doors.
Garbage, rain, leaves, small animals, insects, flowers, rocks, anything that wasn't securely tied down visibly blew wildly in the constantly changing winds. With the doors open the boys could barely hear themselves for the wind and thunder did their jobs well. Yugi was the first to step outside but Tristen grabbed at his shoulder and pulled him back in so he could talk. "LOOK, SOMEONE'S OUT THERE ALREADY!"
Tristen was right. Someone was already out in the storm. Obviously a student because he wore the uniform and was desperately trying to make it away from the school. Unfortunately the student was unrecognizable because he had a hood up to protect him from the rain.
Yugi grabbed at his two companions sleeves, urging them forward. "We must hurry," he mouthed then pointed in the same direction as the student leaving. The two nodded and all three boys journeyed into the oncoming storm. As soon as they were free from the building Yugi had to give a yelp because the wind was too strong for him. Luckily the two taller boys were on either side of him and were able to properly hold him down as they ran.
Only one other was out in the storm at the moment and that was Ryou Bakura. He had History too and was there when Yugi had his little outburst. He was about to raise his hand and ask to be excused to check up on him… even if Yugi HAD looked at those drawings. But alas, Joey asked first and since the two were friends Ryou had shrugged and gone on with his work. That was until another vision took him.
Unlike Yugi's visions Ryou's happens when he's awake causing him to go into trances. Like earlier today when Ryou and Yugi were walking to class this morning a short… yet effective vision had snapped between his eyes. Someone that looked like him; looked but was not him. For this he was sure. That other him, his, uh, the others', huh the look alike, grrr. You'd think that after all these damn visions Ryou would have figured out some sort of naming process but… he couldn't. The other him was always, ALWAYS in pain. The ache in his eyes always cut deep into Ryou's soul. He knew not who the other is or why he was given the accursed apparition, just that he has it and the other …his other was always in pain.
That was what flashed before his eyes that morning. The Other's face contorted in pain. Like watching a movie his vision zoomed in on to the others face and he could see those eyes, those horrible eyes. They were horrifying because every time he saw them the deepest of sorrow overtook Ryou's soul. He couldn't bare looking into them. Could his vision at least happen on a beautiful sunny day to take away from the sadness, no. It took place on a very murky, cold and wet night.
His visions were never the same, oh, same thing happens, same thing or person he sees, but the visions don't stay the same. In this vision Ryou could see, for that was all he could do because apparently that was all he was meant to do, watch, as his other stood there in the rain. He watched as two figures, each as strong and odd looking as the other casually walked over to him. They grabbed at Ryou's other who seemed to be confused then forced the other to the ground. There they suddenly had something, a stick? In their hands and swung it violently at the other again and again and again, until his other would fall to the floor, defeated. He breathed heavily in long gasps for breath. Once even trying to get up but failing he didn't attempt again. Then Ryou had 'woken'.
He blinked a couple times as he tried to refocus his eyes. Damn things they're all blurry. Then Ryou knew why they weren't clearing. He wiped the tears from his eyes, he was crying without knowing it… again. The teacher was standing in front of him. Ryou cursed himself silently. He would have given a little smile but that would have freaked the poor teacher out. One does not cry and then smile so instead Ryou spoke. "Sorry. Could I please go.. to.. the.. …washroom." Ryou slowed down as he talked because he had only then realized that the class was staring emptily at him. Well, some were shocked others looked away as his gaze met there's and one of them looked like he was going to burst out laughing. Only a few looked concerned.
After scurrying out of that class Ryou headed for his locker. That's when he heard Yugi talking. Slowly he peered around the corner. Yugi was pulling Joey around a corner, Ryou ran to catch up… to a degree. He paused a couple paces behind. At first he was going to call out to Yugi and Joey, he was rather curious what the outburst was about but they seemed to be hurrying and Ryou didn't want to slow them down. However as he was catching up he heard what the conversation was about and when he heard the word 'vision' Ryou had stopped cold. So that was what that was -thought Ryou.
He followed silently behind listening about Yugi's vision. He wasn't usually so dishonest… at all but this was of an utmost importance and nobody and he meant NOBODY would ever hear about his vision so he doubted Yugi would tell him his if freely given the chance. He followed listening until they reached the office. As they entered Ryou turned on his heels and ran down the hallways. If this was in fact Yugi's vision coming true then his would eventually too but that wasn't what worried the white haired student. Not at all. If this storm was going to do all that then he must leave.
He raced to his locker, dumped the contents of his bag onto the floor and sorted out what he was taking with him. His textbooks and notebooks were crammed into his locker for they would only wear him down. What he did leave in the bag was the binder of pictures drawn of the Other and his school utensils. Stuff like pens, pencils, erasers etc. Tossed a few choice other things including his jacket then took off for the door. As soon as he opened it, which was hard because the wind was currently pushing against the door, he had to step back. Pulling his hood up tight he tied it tight before venturing out. The door slammed shut behind him causing him to jump. He was going to head home when lightning crashed in the sky and suddenly Ryou knew, he KNEW there was no time. This storm happened out of the blue and it wasn't going to be fun.
In fact… to him it didn't even seem natural…..
Yugi, Tristen and Joey all jumped the first time the lightning pulsated in the sky. One look at Yugi and the two companions were fearful for the look Yugi had given was full of grief and pain. "WE MUST HURRY TO MY HOUSE, WE NEED TO GET MY GRANDPA." The three boys hurried but now they were not alone on the streets. The lightning acted as if it itself had a brain and systematically shot at buildings. Homes were burning and the people had already started their screams. Yugi was now more determined then ever to reach home.
However he was not prepared for what he saw. His home was up in smoke. "GRANDPA!" Yugi attempted to run towards his burning house but his friends had grabbed a hold of him holding him back. Yugi struggled of course but he was no match for his friends. Eventually he calmed down in their grip. That's when he heard glass shatter. Yugi looked up to see his Grandpa had broken out, Yugi wrestled free and raced to his Grandpa's side. He had yet to get up. "Grandpa, I'm so glad your okay!" Yugi gave him a giant hug and got an equally fierce one back. "Yugi, listen to me. I-", he started coughing. "Are you going to be okay Grandpa," Yugi asked. "Yugi listen, I am- dieing." Yugi hugged his grandpa fiercely his muffled 'no, no you cannot die, you can't.' could be heard.
"Yugi."
"Yes Grandpa?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For spending your time with an old fart like me, you have given my life such joy. Thank you." Then his eyes closed as his last breath was breathed.
After about five minutes Joey and Tristen tore Yugi off of his grandpa. The weather was now extreme and the lightning fell on the streets like someone was playing a demented video game and they were tired of hitting giant non-moving targets so they went after the ants… or people as the case may be. Yugi was able to look back once more before racing away from the screams and shouts.
His nightmare had come true and it meant the death of the world, as he knew it.
The three ran and thoughts of his last vision kept on replaying itself in Yugi's head. He was fearful for Joey. Fearful for the city and yes, he was fearful for the world too. In one such vision he saw a giant shadow rise over the world, casting it into darkness. The shadow was blurry and he couldn't see who it was but he did know it wasn't good. As his dream was fading the shadow had turned to him, had looked at him. The eyes seemed to hunger for him and then the dream faded. Yugi had rocked himself on his bed after that nightmare. Those hungry eyes, what could they possibly want with him?
Now Yugi, Tristen and Joey stood on a rise as they wept. The sky was dark and red, the remaining buildings in ruin. Some people still stirred down below but the three tried not to look at it. It was horrible. "My vision has come to pass," was all Yugi said, his voice soft and almost unhearable. "Now what?" And then he began to sob.
(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)(O)
Draggy: I thought this was funny. You know how we call Anzu Tea, well, if you actually translate that it becomes Apricot. Hehe.
Imagine if they'd kept it that……
Yugi, Joey, Tristen and Apricot all walked to school in the morning together. But today was unlike the rest for a little grey squirrel had accidentally fallen upon Yugi and the poor thing got caught in his hair. (Between the gold strands and black (yet reflected red) hair). Joey and Tristen fell to the floor laughing but Apricot felt sorry for the poor w'ittle squirrel and tripped Yugi to stop him from running madly in circles. Seeing this Joey and Tristen started to laugh all over again. Apricot gave them a solid stare before turning her attention back to the cute squirrel.
Now this was a smart squirrel, a very smart squirrel. It was totally by accident he fell.. okay his vision wasn't too good. In fact it was downright horrible.
But like I said this was a smart squirrel for it understood some English words like nuts, seeds, apricorn, walnuts ….apricots. You know things squirrels eat. So when the squirrel looked up to see its rescuer it saw the blurred brown of Apricots hair. Normally this would mean nothing but Yugi picked that moment to scowl at Apricot for tripping him. …and as you could imagine Yugi saying, "Ow, Apricot why'd you go and-"
The squirrel jumped at Apricot making her fall to the floor. Joey and Tristen seeing the turn of events once again doubled over in their laughter.
Apricot looked like she was doing some sort of really funky dance. She jumped this way and that trying to dislodge the squirrel from her face, for that's where the poor thing landed. Only when Tristen saw the squirrel open it's mouth in an attempt to bite the giant –apricot- did he take charge. Quickly he grabbed the squirrel by its tail and whipped it off of her. Tiny scratches remained.
The four walked to school. Joey trying to keep his laughter in, Yugi rubbing his sore butt, Tristen holding himself as a 'hero' and Apricot, who kept on touching her face in a dazed kinda look.
But what of our blind smart squirrel, well he's eagerly awaiting the return of the giant Apricot … who passes that way to school every day.