[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Notes: After you've read the second paragraph in this story, you can come back to this. Someone reviewed and said that I had a 'great Yami-Téa-Yugi story going without Seto-Téa,' because of the angsting. Well, Téa's feeling that she's only in love with Yami/Yugi because their two separate personalities are merged into one. Also discernable from my summary, Yami and Yugi split bodies, which will cause Téa endless confusion in the future. Since the man she thought she loved is, in effect, gone, she's a bit lost. Eventually- and I gave you fair warning- she will gravitate to Seto Kaiba. How am I going to pull that off? I have no idea. This is one of the first stories I've posted where I have no idea what I'm going to do with it.
(Reuploaded version; WHY don't my paragraph breaks show up?)
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Chapter 3
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Yugi was running as fast as he could down the street. His breath came in short pants, and there was a burning pain in his side, but he refused to slow down. Yami, in spirit form, was running behind him, somehow not seeming tired at all.
'You can give Yami and me separate bodies? Are you sure?'
'Yes. With the power of the seven Millennium Items, we can sever the dependency that you have on each other. The Pharaoh would gain a new, independent physical form.'
"Hey!"
Yugi ignored whoever was calling to him. He didn't recognize the voice, it was most likely someone telling him to slow down; dodging in and out of pedestrians probably wasn't entirely safe. Well, he'd promised Bakura that he'd hurry, and he intended to.
'It's a big thing. I don't even know if it will work.'
Shadi interrupted what had been a conversation predominantly between Yugi and Ishizu. 'We have told you it will work. You have no reason to keep questioning us.'
'Sorry,' Yugi apologized, flustered. 'But I've never heard of anything like this! We could split bodies? Would we still have the mindlink?'
'No,' Ishizu took over again, pursing her lips.
'Would we still have the soul bond?'
'No. I've told you, it would be like two entirely separate people.'
'I wonder if I want that?' Yugi mused aloud, searching for Yami's answer. But it was Shadi who picked things up.
'As with everything, young one, there are many facets to this issue. Advantages… disadvantages. It is impossible to go over them all. But I shall try and make things more clear to you. Should you and the Pharaoh split bodies, much of the power from the Millennium Items would go into his new physical form. You can imagine how greatly that would help us. No longer would the power be loosed or unbalanced, ready to be tilted by some great evil. Things would be under more control.'
'The Millennium Items would lose their power?' Yugi's eyes grew wide.
Ishizu spoke again. 'Not their power. Their potency. In time, yes, all lingering power will tarnish and disappear, and the world's harmony will be restored.'
'So… the way things are now…' Marik interrupted, furrowing his brow, trying to genuinely figure this out with Yugi.
'It's like a nuclear weapon, waiting to explode,' Ishizu tried to explain. 'All this power… sitting around, waiting to be abused. If we put it into creating a new body for the Pharaoh, it would be taking away some of that energy, and eventually the nuclear weapon would become powerless- and harmless.'
'There's no other way you could get rid of the power?' Yugi asked, raising his eyebrows.
'The power must go into another source,' Shadi said testily. 'There's no getting rid of it. If you put it into the Pharaoh, you are ensuring that it is well-guarded. No one would be able to steal it.'
'Would Yami's new body ever die?' Yugi asked, biting his lip nervously.
'Of course.' Ishizu nodded. 'It would be much like your body, in fact. He would retain the same appearances. If you mean to ask what would happen to the power when he dies- it would be passed on to his descendants.'
'What if he doesn't have any?' Marik blurted accidentally.
'Magic will find a way,' Shadi answered humorlessly.
Yugi started to say something else, but Shadi interrupted, looking irritated. 'So many questions. They will never end. You must decide now.'
'Shadi…' Ishizu started, but her voice trailed off. She still looked troubled.
'N-now?' Yugi laughed nervously. 'I couldn't decide now! This is a big thing! I'd need to talk with my friends- my grandpa- and especially with Yami. And we need to think a lot about this. There's bound to be disadvantages, too.'
'Very well. You may go.'
Yugi cocked his head at Shadi. 'Oh. Thanks…' There was a catch, but he wasn't seeing it. His eyes fell on Bakura, still crouched on the floor. His head was bent down, hair shadowing his countenance. 'Want to walk out together, Bakura?'
'He cannot leave,' Shadi said smoothly.
'What? Why not?'
'It is far too dangerous. Evil still lurks within him and power still surrounds him. Until we can either harness or remove the power, he should not leave. He can do too much.'
'You're afraid the dark half will take over?' Yugi asked, outraged. 'You can't just lock him up all his life!'
'We've already informed you,' Shadi said coldly. 'If you and the Pharaoh choose to undergo this process, the power will leave him, the balance will be restored, and the danger will be no more.'
'Wait a sec.' Yugi took a step toward his friend. 'You're keeping him here until I decide whether I'm going to split bodies?'
'I intend to.' Shadi's eyes betrayed no compassion or guilt. They were empty as ever. Ishizu, on the other hand, looked troubled. Yugi turned to her, holding out his hands beseechingly, but she shook her head slightly.
'Shadi is right. There is nothing I can do.'
'You couldn't just keep the Ring and let Bakura go?'
'Magic,' Shadi quoted dryly, 'will always find a way. The Ring has returned to its owner once before, of its own power. Power that you insist on leaving there carelessly.'
'That's not true!' Yugi said, outraged. Shadi remained infuriatingly silent.
'Okay…' Yugi said to himself, crossing his arms. Marik scratched his head, looking troubled.
/Yami, what should we do?/
He has a point. It is dangerous to let the Spirit of the Ring loose
/But it's not like they can punish Bakura for what the Spirit does!/
No. Yugi, we must do all we can to get rid of the power that could be used for evil. It's a vow I took years ago and intend to keep
/Are you sure you want to do this? It's your body on the line, after all/
No, hikari- it's more yours. The only thing I'm worried about is if this will hurt you
/I'll be fine,/ Yugi said determinedly. Yami allowed himself a faint grin; though, of course, no one could see it.
You should talk to your Grandfather, Yugi. He has a right to have some input in this
/Yeah…/
Shaking his head, Yugi faced the rest of the room. 'I'm telling my Grandpa what I've decided,' he announced. 'Bakura- I'll be back soon. I promise. I won't let you wait here long.'
'Where are you going?' Marik started to ask, but Yugi was dashing out of the room.
'Just wait 'till I get back to do anything!' he called over his shoulder.
He hadn't stopped running since he left the building. He rounded the corner and practically flew into the Game Shop, banging open the door. The only customers, an elderly man and what appeared to be his grandson, looked mildly up at him as he dashed behind the counter, but were too immersed in the latest catalogue to pay attention for long.
"Grandpa," Yugi said breathlessly, steering the startled man to the back storage room. "There's something I need to ask you about!"
"Why, Yugi," Solomon said, watching his grandson lock the door in alarm. "Whatever could it be?"
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Shadi and Ishizu were ignoring him; for that, Ryou Bakura was grateful. The blonde boy, Marik, kept shooting him odd looks, but he kept his head bowed low.
He hadn't stolen the Eye. He didn't know who did. His darker spirit, most likely. He hated the spirit. Why did this have to happen to him? Why wouldn't Shadi believe him? Why couldn't the Spirit of the Ring just leave him alone?
Something stirred inside him. He froze.
Shadi and Ishizu were conversing in low voices. He heard a murmur from Shadi: "Once the Pharaoh completes the ritual, the power of the Millennium Items will reside in him; him and other noble souls. The power will be wrenched from such undeserving individuals as the Spirit of the Ring, whose sole goal it is to gain control of the world. And it will prevent people from going out of control… like your brother…"
He wanted to look at Shadi's face, but blackness was clouding his vision. Something odd was happening. He felt as if he were sinking deep into himself. He opened his mouth to say 'Help me', but no sound came out.
The last thing he heard was Ishizu raging at Shadi, and then he was lost.
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
"You have no right to say that about my brother," Ishizu told him angrily. "That is a horrid thing to imply. You know it wasn't Marik's fault."
"I never said it was," Shadi answered coldly. "I merely said that he lost control, and that removing the source of power would prevent that from happening again."
"You're making him feel bad!" she protested, hands balled into fists. "And you intended to!"
"Ishizu," Marik started to say.
"Marik, stay out of this. It's okay." Ishizu faced Shadi. She'd never really stood up to him before, but it was time someone did. "You have a cold soul, Shadi. You're heartless. Stop picking on people that you've formed silly grudges against- Bakura, Marik. I've even heard you speak badly of Odion, and he's the most loyal person I know."
"Odion," Shadi said tightly, "Betrayed you and his background when he joined your brother on his insane crusade for world domination."
"Odion was the one who saved him!" she cried passionately. "And you are trying to change the subject!"
"We had a subject?" Shadi sneered. "I merely thought it was your emotional outburst."
"Ishizu. Big sister." Marik was right by her ear.
"Marik, stay out of this," she hissed. She was so angry she was close to tears.
"No, Ishizu- I think you have bigger problems."
She paused a moment, mostly because something seemed to have caught Shadi's eye as well. The three of them turned to where they had left Bakura crouched on the floor. The room suddenly seemed faintly brighter. The golden glow was coming from Bakura's Millennium Ring. His eyes narrowed and he stood up. His features were subtly harder, more narrowed.
This new Bakura glowered at Shadi. "So, you intend to take my power from me?" he asked in a harsh, grating voice. "The Millennium Items are destined to be mine!"
He lunged at Shadi.
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Yami walked with heavy steps through the museum; he'd taken over for Yugi after the conversation with his grandfather. His head was bowed slightly. One of the janitors turned slightly to view the curious-looking boy; he was bedecked in leather and multiple belts; he was adorned with heavy jewelry. His head was bent and golden bangs shadowed his eyes slightly.
"I'm ready to face my destiny," he murmured, pausing in front of the door. He frowned slightly; strange noises were coming from inside. Tentatively, Yami put a hand on the knob and shoved the heavy door open.
Marik careened backwards, windmilling his hands frantically, one of which held the Millennium Rod. His head smashed into the frame, inches from Yami's nose.
The room was pitch-black, lit only by an angry blue glow- the Millennium Ring- and a harsh silver one- the Key. Shadi was standing rigid, body shaking slightly. The silver and blue auras were slowly snaking over his body.
Yami Bakura, standing across from him, was also glowing, but mostly blue. Whatever fight was going on, he was obviously winning.
Something surged inside Yami; an ancient and forgotten magic. His Millennium Puzzle suddenly lit up gold. Beside him, Marik stirred and looked up slowly, his eyes slightly hazy with pain.
"Shadi!" Ishizu nearly shrieked, rushing up and grabbing him by the shoulder. Shadi growled angrily, his concentration broken. Yami Bakura's dark eyes lit up with triumph, but suddenly his blue light was overtaken by gold.
"What?" he roared, and suddenly the Ring lifted into the air and began hovering. Shadi's Key did the same, losing the silver tinge. The Scales appeared, balancing in the air a few inches from his right sleeve.
The Rod lifted right out of Marik's hand and into the air, shining brightly. The Eye levitated out of the darker Bakura's fist and glimmered gold.
The Necklace glowed so brightly it shone through the blue fabric of Yami's pocket. Around his neck, the Millennium Puzzle stayed dull for the longest, but suddenly lit up a in a brilliant beam of golden light that caused Ishizu to fling a hand in front of her eyes.
With a clatter, all the Millennium Items fell to the floor at his feet, returning to their usual luster. Bakura, too, fell to the ground in an ungraceful heap. Shadi, who had been stiff as a board, visibly relaxed; Ishizu slowly lowered her arm; Marik laboriously climbed to his feet, rubbing the back of his head ruefully.
Yami stared down at the Items, feeling suddenly uncertain. Shadi, on the other hand, picked up the conversation right where they had left off. "Have you made a decision?"
"Yes." The words slipped out of his mouth.
"And what is that decision?"
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Yami lay on his back on a stainless steel table, feeling very vulnerable. He was clad only in his pants. The Puzzle was in its usual place around his neck while the Ring splayed across his bare chest. The Millennium Necklace was placed over his forehead. The Key was in one pan of the Scales; the Eye was in the other. The Scales were sitting on the table above his head. In his right hand, he held the Rod stiffly.
There were identical tables to his right and left. The one on his right was empty, but Bakura was slumped lifelessly to his left. Shadi, Ishizu, Marik, and Odion bustled around the room, gathering odd powders and balms, but Yami just lay there awkwardly.
Ishizu paused at his right side. "You should rest," she murmured.
"Will this take a long time?" Yami asked, his throat drier than he'd realized.
"No, I just… have a feeling," she said hesitantly. Odion called her, and she hurried over to receive the jars he was pulling off a shelf.
Yami followed Shadi, gliding silently across the floor, with his eyes for a second. Then slowly, he let his lids flicker closed. His memories… they were closer than ever.
BlackGoldCrimsonFire
A dragon, roaring, thrashing, barreling through his forcesAnd a man
A priest
ThepriestandthedragonBlueEyesandblueeyes
Dark Magician The faithful the loyal The Dead
Mahaado
What is my name?
The magician and the dragon fighting
And a thief
The thief and the Dark Magician and the Ring
The Millennium Ring with its terrifying powers and the horrible fate it dealt to the thief and to the faithful
My… name…
'My Pharaoh?'
It was the manMahaddoDarkMagician
And the priest, hollering his name
But it was faint and he couldn't hear
The priest said his name again and he was angry he brought forth the Dragon the BlueEyesandblueeyes
FightingScreamingYellingHisname
Calling his name… They were all calling his name…
'Pharaoh---'
'To face my destiny', he said in a stern voice.
What?
He was standing on the steps of a pyramid, about to disappear into the inky blackness. 'Where are you going?' the girl called.
He turned his head slightly as a warm breeze swept over him. Téa was standing there, silhouetted against the sun. Her auburn hair framed her face and worried blue eyes.
His memories were inside this pyramid. His name was inside this temple. 'To face my destiny,' he said again, and climbed the steps to the pyramid.
No. He started to. He tried to. But- he couldn't. Her eyes were calling to him, even with his back turned. Her aura was surging around him, and his memories were fading. Stumbling slightly, he turned from the pyramid and started to run into her arms.
But she wasn't there.
"By the gods!" Yami hissed, shooting upright. His heart was pounding. What had that dream meant? That he loved Téa so much, he was willing to give up the secrets of the past for her? The fate of the world, even? That kind of love could be dangerous!
And where had she gone to, anyway?
The blue eyes from his dream flashed into his mind again. He blinked and turned his head to the side, away from the light, rubbing his eyes to clear his vision.
He saw something through the blurriness. A small, slender body, lying prone on a table to his right. Pale skin, dark hair, feminine features…
He stared at Yugi, fascinated. Somehow, he looked different, since Yami had only ever seen him while one of them was in spirit-form, or in his soul room. In the soul room, each of them glowed with a special quality, a certain luster. That glow was gone here. It made Yugi look more real, but somehow, more vulnerable.
"The process worked," Shadi said unnecessarily.
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Last night, he'd dreamed that he was dueling Yugi.
It was a fairly common occurrence. Seto absently tore the newspaper into tiny pieces, his brow furrowed in concentration and irritation. He often dreamed that he was reliving the rooftop duel, or getting a second chance at Battle City, or issuing a new challenge. He mostly won in his dreams, but sometimes he lost. Those were the worst. He'd wake up in the middle of the night, bathed in a cold sweat, feeling afraid and alone.
He thought he'd known what being alone was like. But he'd been wrong. He'd never been alone before. He'd always had Mokuba, and he even had Yugi and Wheeler and Gardner and Taylor and all their other cheerleading friends. Except in these dreams… he was alone. It suddenly and violently reminded him of when Pegasus trapped him in the Shadow Realm, something he'd never before been able to recall clearly.
He shook his head and moved onto shredding the finance section, tearing the paper up with a satisfying rip.
He was okay with losing to Yugi Moto. He really, really was. He'd told Mokuba that he was okay, and he would never lie to his little brother, not even subconsciously. Besides, if he were to lose to anyone, he would want it to be Yugi Moto. Not that losing was a brilliant option- it just could be a lot worse if his opponent was Wheeler or someone. What a hell that would be.
But last night had vaguely disturbed him. He didn't like the dreams where he lost; he wasn't too fond of the reality in which he had lost, though he could deal with it; and the dreams where he won unsettled him. He wasn't a dreamer, he was an idealist, and he would make the most of this world.
But last night hadn't been about winning or losing. Because he was back in Battle City- except this time, he was Yugi. He was feeling all of Yugi's emotions. And he was battling himself.
As Yugi, he felt a deep sorrow. He watched as dream-Seto, eyes narrowed and face twisted into an ugly, harsh position, began spewing nonsense about power and being alone and shoving away the past. For the first time, he'd really understood where Yugi was coming from. He felt the slight contempt and pity for this pathetic stranger.
It disconcerted him. Was this really how others viewed him? There were more, complicated emotions that he couldn't sort out. For the first time, Seto Kaiba began to feel ashamed.
But that wasn't all, either. When Dark Paladin had attacked, and the smoke had cleared, his focus shifted away from dream-Seto for a moment. Through Yugi's eyes, he turned and saw his friends standing behind him, cheering wildly. His heart soared, and he felt an unfamiliar surge of affection for Wheeler. He felt a stirring happiness when he saw Devlin and Taylor grinning like maniacs, and then it happened.
His eyes locked on with Téa's. This was where the dream spun off: Everything before this had happened, and he knew with a distant clarity that he'd been feeling exactly what Yugi had been feeling. But she smiled at him, then walked over to dream-Seto, standing with his head bowed down. This hadn't occurred in real life.
"It's okay that you lost," she said simply, putting her arms around him.
And with a rush, he was back in his own dream-body, staring over the top of her head at a beaming Yugi and Joey and Duke and Tristan. He gazed down at Téa's auburn head, feeling the warmth and softness of her body pressed up against him like it was really happening.
And slowly, he picked up his arms and hugged her back.
And woke up, swearing loudly.
Remembering all this, Seto grimaced and angrily crumpled what was left of the newspaper. Then he swept up, leaving the mess scattered all over the table. Someone else would pick it up.
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
[you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar]
Notes: That's about as far as I have written OR outlined, except for a vague idea of what'll happen in chapter 4. Updates might be (even more) slow. Suggestions are welcome, as are reviews.