Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
"This is talking"
'These are thoughts'
Yugi drifted after his darker half silently, eyes red and sore from crying. Blinking hard, he looked up from the floor to his Yami, who had finally decided to make his way home (it was three in the morning now). As he opened the door to the game shop, he was confronted by a clearly frustrated but concerned Joey.
"Yami where the heck have you been?" the blond had obviously been driving himself crazy with worry, and his jerky actions confirmed he may have had a little to much coffee while waiting for the spirit of the Puzzle to come home. "I've been worried sick about ya!"
"I went to say goodbye..." Yami replied glumly, eyes on the floor and voice quiet.
"Oh..." Joey's expression softened instantly, frowning. He placed a hand on Yami's shoulder and lowered himself a little to try and meet the Pharaoh's gaze. "Are you ok?"
Yami looked up and met Joey's concerned gaze. Forcing a smile, he shook his head. "Ya, I think I'll just go to bed..."
"You sure?"
Yami nodded. Joey looked doubtful, but didn't force the matter on him. Making his way towards the guest bedroom, where he had been staying for the past few weeks save for when he was making the Millennium Puzzle, he paused. Thinking for a moment, he turned on his heel and walked towards Yugi's room. Following curiously, Yugi drifted through the door Yami shut behind him. "Yami?" he called, though he was fully aware the spirit couldn't hear him.
The teen made his way over to the desk of his lighter half, looking down at the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle scattered all over the workspace. Sighing, he picked up a piece and studied it; the centre piece of the Puzzle, the piece which Joey had thrown away when he and Tristan had been bullying Yugi. For a minute Yugi thought Yami was going to try and piece the Puzzle together again, but he didn't. Instead, he clenched the piece in his hand and sighed heavily, before dropping it into the golden box. Yugi blinked. He thought he'd seen a glow.
He almost flinched as he continued. Each time he dropped a piece into the box, it sounded much louder then it really was. He felt terrible. It felt like he was giving up. He was truly saying goodbye to Yugi now. "I suppose that's why you appeared..." Yami spoke up, catching Yugi's attention. "You wanted to say goodbye, right?"
He picked up the lid of the Puzzle box as the last piece was dropped in, the Pharaoh unable to solve even the smallest amount of it. "I know you told me not to dwell on it..." Shutting his eyes and pushing the lid on, he spoke in an uneven, shaky voice. "But.... I'll never be able to let you go, Yugi... Never..."
"Yami..." Yugi whispered, looking down. Suddenly, an icy cold feeling erupted inside him, mainly in his chest. Gasping at the constricting feeling in his chest, his body tensed with shock and instant loss of energy, he blinked towards Yami. The former-pharaoh wasn't hurt or affected in any way. In fact, he had made his way to Yugi's bed and was now shuffling idly through Yugi's deck. What was going on?
Then it hit him. "Yujhi!"
Smirking, Mark pocketed his cards and twirled the rod expertly, stepping forward. "Well, looks like I win the shadow game." a fuchsia-coloured blast of magic stopped him in his tracks. "What the-?" Looking up, he noticed the Dark Magician Girl was standing before her fallen master, staff pointed towards the Ishtar and tears brimming in her eyes. "Back off Magician, the game's over, I've won the Millennium Puzzle."
The Dark Magician Girl shook her head and kept her staff ready. "The games still on."
"What are you talking about?" Mark growled, folding his arms but keeping a tight hold on the Millennium Rod. All the Magician did was continue to glare. Then something occurred to him. Why were the monsters still there? The monsters of the Shadow Realm needed to rely on a certain amount of the players' soul to remain in the game, no matter how powerful they were individually. But though it was clear Yujhi's soul was gone, the monster were still there. "How is this possible...?" He whispered, looking from the Dark Magician Girl to Yujhi's lifeless form. It didn't make any sense!
"He may be gone..." Dark Magician Girl stated sadly, glancing back at Yujhi, "but as long as we're here, you can't win the powers of the Millennium Puzzle."
Mark growled in annoyance, but quickly smirked. "Fine, have it your way. Yujhi's gone; it's only a matter of time before you are too. And when that happens, the Puzzle is mine." Taking a safe few steps away from the monsters, he folded his arms. "But why are they still here?" His eyes wandered over the group of monsters, each one of them had their eyes locked on him. Then he noticed it. A small glow emitting from the Millennium Puzzle.
That must have been what the was keeping the monsters on the field, though he still had no clue how. Shrugging it off, he sat himself comfortably on the floor while his monsters crowded around him. "Whatever's keeping you here is weak, I can sense it, so it's only a matter of time now..."
The Dark Magician Girl narrowed her eyes. "This guy is soooo.... irritating!" She could have thought of many other things to call him, but restrained herself. Lowering her staff she walk back to Yujhi's side, kneeling down and laying the boy across her lap. Stroking his pitch-black bangs out of his face she frowned. Hugging him lightly she shut her eyes. "Please, return soon Pharaoh's Light, we need you."
Ilia narrowed her eyes in a glare at her father before turning her attention back to Ryoura. "Forget him, he'll be ok."
"Don't get your hopes up, daughter." Kage said with fake concern, folding his arms. "Even if he did somehow, miraculously, survive, it's only a matter of time before Mark gets a hold of the Millennium Puzzle, and with the power of two Item's already in my possession, it would take no more then a day to track him down and finish the job."
"Face it, without the Item spirits, you and your friend, Yujhi, don't stand a chance against my powers."
"No problem-"
"Without using too much," Marik informed the reckless tomb-robber. A thick cord of blue, glowing energy was linking between both Bakura and him, transferring what little magical energy he could. "If you use to much the strain could cause some difficulties."
Bakura grumbled. This was going to be more difficult then he thought. He would have to use the perfect amount of magic to break out. If not, he'd have to face the consciences. "What sort of difficulties?"
Marik glanced at him then shrugged. "Death."
"Oh, is that all?" Bakura grumbled sarcastically, rolling his eyes. He'd been more or less silent for the past few minutes, speaking only when necessary. Images of his parents and that guard that attacked him still raced through his mind. It had been so long since he had even thought of his past, but it was just as chilling as ever.
Though he would never admit it, back in Egypt, he had awoken many nights because of those memories. Even years later, when he was considered one of the most wanted men in Egypt, he was still haunted some nights with images of his parents. These nightmares fuelled his rage, and his lust for revenge grew stronger. He had grown cold, distanced and hate filled from everyone around him.
Then there was Ryoura. He just couldn't understand the contrast between them. While he became a loner, Ryoura tried his best to move on by forcing himself into the centre of attention. He looked to the positive side of the world, even though he had no family (save his abusive aunt who abandoned him to an orphanage) and grew up in an orphanage. Sighing, Bakura shook his head. Why did he have to turn out so messed up? Ryoura may not have gone through as much as him, but at least he'd moved on insteed of looking for revenge.
"Ok, get ready." Marik turned to Bakura. "Think you can do this?"
Bakura said nothing, but readied himself. He had to get back or (literally) die trying. "Ready," he said with a nod. He shut his eyes and began focussing his powers. It felt so different to what he was used to. Unlike the sharp, completely focussed Millennium magic he had received from Marik, his own magic was much more comforting. Warm and comforting, he couldn't help but smile slightly.
It was the only magic he had ever used or felt that had not come at the cost of someone's life. It was a part of him, unlike that of the Millennium Items, and it was much stronger then he ever remembered. How could he have neglected it for so many millennia?
"Ready?" Marik said again, trying to get Bakura to focus on the task at hand. Apparently he had been lost in his own thoughts, as he jerked his head to the side then muttered a few 'ok's and 'right's. Narrowing his eyes, Marik focused on the spell surrounding them. Every now and again, the spell would falter slightly thanks to the fight against Ilia, but only for a few seconds. That was when Bakura had the best chance of getting through. "Ok..." there was a slight twitch in the surroundings. "Now!"
Ryoura didn't stand a chance no matter how she added up the numbers. His only chance of survival would be the Millennium Ring, and even if she did manage to get a hold of the Item there was no guarantee she could use enough of the items power. Unlike her father she had never had more then one item, and was not experienced enough to use any Item, other then her Necklace, to it's full potential.
Only Bakura could save him know, and he was barely alive as it was.
She had told this to the other two gradually as the minutes had rolled by like hours. Though she was paying no attention to them right now, she had a very bad feeling about what was going on in their minds. What were they planning? "Magic's running out..." she thought fearfully, biting her lip.
"Ilia?"
"Joe, I don't have enough power to..." Ilia froze mid-sentence when she met the blond teens eyes, glancing around him. "Where's Steve?"
"Shush!" Joe whispered harshly. "Just act like nothing's happening."
"What?"
"Pretend you don't know Kage's comin'-"
"What?" Ilia whispered back in shock. Sure enough, when she checked, her final monster was gone. She didn't look back, but now she could hear the steps of her father getting closer. She shivered, then whispered worriedly. "Why are we just sitting here?"
"Trust me." Joe whispered, eyes locked on Ryoura to pretend he did not see Kage walking towards them. "I just hope he keeps out of my mind. Be careful Steve.."
Kage smirked as he approached the group of teens. An unexpected attack without chance to defend himself; he loved it. Drawing his hand from his side he held it out in front of him, focussing his magic to escape in one quick burst. But before he could attack, a pair of arms latched around his shoulders. The Kaiba, how could he forget? Out of the corner of his eye he saw that Steve had a dagger in his had, so he quickly gathered a surge of magic and struck the boy away with one blast.
Joe leapt to his feet as his friend was hit away and, before Kage could turn to face Steve, darted over and punched him across the face. "Youch!" Joe yelp, leaping back. His fist had connected with the Millennium Eye, leaving his to wonder if his bones were in one piece. "That didn't tickle..."
Kage growled angrily and straightened himself, facing Joe. "You kids just don't know when to quit, do you?" he hissed, a strong red glow surrounding his body. "You die first..." His arm darted out, as did his magic, towards Joe. The red force quickly took the shape of Kage's arm, though much larger, and grasped firmly around Joe's form. Lifting the boy's body off the floor, his cold-hearted glare unwavering as he watched the teen struggle helplessly. "Say goodbye..."
He clenched his fist and so did his magic arm, crushing every bone in his body. Joe's bloodcurdling screams of agony sliced through the deathly silent air.
"Yujhi!" he cried out painfully, terror gripping his soul. He had no idea why he was calling his light; he didn't see how it could help, but it was all he could do. "Yujhi were are you?" He yelled again, eye's shining with tears. Save for the strong gusts of wind around him, he was met with silence. Blinking hard, he looked towards the stars. For some reason, looking towards them made him feel even more worried then before. "I've got to get out of hear..." Narrowing his eyes at the sky, he took a deep breath and sighed, closing his eyes.
He knew this entire thing was a spell, designed to transport him from dimension to dimension to visit painful times. So defeat them, he would have to find a way to pin-point the source of the magic and destroy the spell. But how?
What had happened before he had left the world behind, before he had come here?
Thinking hard, he remembered how Mark had told him he would show him his past, but then the spell started. He grumbled. What help was that?!
Trying to calm himself, he thought more about the spell. Mark had tied the Millennium Necklace around the Rod and pressed it against his forehead then... both Item glowed; so did the Millennium Puzzle...
His eyes grew wide and shot down towards the duplicate Puzzle around his neck. That was it! All this time the key to leaving this dreadful place was hanging around his neck! Grabbing the Puzzle in both hands, he held it before him, looking at it instantly. With a short examination, he was quickly able to find the unfamiliar magic in the Puzzle. All he had to do know was over-power it, and he would get out!
Easier said then done. The spell was performed with a combination of two different types of magic; making it much stronger and harder to destroy. He didn't care, he had to get out and save Yujhi.
Closing his eyes, he transferred his mind into the Millennium Puzzle, into his soul room. Without a second thought, he darted to the left of the maze, up a flight of stairs across the 'ceiling' and up a wall or two until he found what he was looking for. A large, blood-red door stood before him, a large slit, red eye leering at him from the centre of it, but Yugi remained unfazed.
He reached out for the handle, but recalled when he found it was red hot. Shaking his hand he noticed the eye narrow in amusement. Glaring back at it, he reached forward again, paused for a second, then grabbed the tore and tore it open as quickly as he could. As soon as he stepped inside the room, fire erupted from the walls while ice crept across the floor towards him. The combination of magic had taken different forms, but they did not effect each other.
Wincing in pain, Yugi shut his eyes and stretched his hands out in front of him. He could feel the flames brushing of his arms and the ice growing over his feet, but focussed, instead, on summoning all the magic he could find within himself. Unfortunately, this was very time-consuming. When he was almost done he was afraid to open his eyes in case he found all his skin had been burned away. Clenching his fists, which cause him great pain for even the slightest movement, he cried out, released the strongest summon of magic he had ever made.
The ice, which had nore reached his waste, shattered away with the force of his summon, while the fire recoiled as if fearful. Crying out in pain as energy pulled itself away from him, he collapsed to his knees painfully. Through blurred vision, he smiled slightly as the form of a dragon appeared before him in a red glow, created out of his magic alone. It was blurred, but he could make it out; Slifer the Sky Dragon.
The fire and ice combined and swirled around him as the form of Slifer released a blast, turning to seemingly destroy the room. The two elements shot up before him, but just as it looked like it was going to attack, it disintegrated, along with the form of Slifer.
Yugi looked around the pitch black room, struggling to his feet and stubbing backwards towards the door. Gasping for breath, he stepped through the doorframe and turned to face the darkness, holding onto the door for support. Then he swung the door back and slammed it shut. It erupted in a powerful glow and shattered before his eyes, crumbling to the ground as dust. A force suddenly grabbed a hold of Yugi and dragged his spirit away from his soul room. The spell was lifted; he was going back.
"I'm sorry... It didn't work..." Marik frowned as the tomb-robber struggled to understand, his mind still dizzy from the blast. On the positive side, Bakura still had enough magic to survive for a while. Maybe he could find a way to the Shadow Realm. Even if it meant years of solitude, at least he had a chance of surviving that way. When Bakura looked slightly focussed, he relayed this information to him.
"I'm not going to the shadow realm, I'm getting out of here!" Bakura yelled, pulling himself to his feet angrily, stumbling slightly.
Marik held Bakura's shoulders and narrowed his eyes. "Bakura, starting thinking straight! You've used most if not all of the magic I've given you, your physical form barely exists anymore and you're not going to last here much longer."
"What about Ryoura?" Bakura yelled angrily, pushing the tomb-keeper away from him.
"You can't save him! You can barely keep yourself alive without the Millennium Ring and that's far beyond your reach at the moment!" Marik yelled back. "You might as well save yourself instead of letting both of you die!"
"No!" Bakura yelled again, striking Marik's arm away as the former tomb-keeper tried to hold the hysterical thief still. Magic was forced from his soul to the palms of his hands, glowing a bright, fiery green and yellow. Marik latched his arms around Bakura, pinning his arms to his side, and ignored the spirits struggle to free himself. "Let me go!" "You can't save him Bakura! Face it! Without the Ring, you haven't got enough power to help him, it's over!"
Suddenly, a bright green light erupted around them. Shielding his eyes from the light Bakura yelled. "Tomb-keeper what's going on?" Only after he yelled did he notice the feeling of power growing inside him. Curious, he held his hand in front of him and tried to summon a ball of magic. It's powerful glow matched that of the area around them. "What on Earth...?" He didn't ponder on it any further. Summoning all the power within him, which was unusually high at the moment, he struck out at the dome-shaped wall surrounding his mind and confining him to this nightmare.
It shattered like fragile glass.
To Be Continued
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Ryoura: This is so booooooring..... For the last three chappys I've just sat there waitin' to die!
Don't worry, you'll be in the next one.
Ryoura: Yay!
Welp, as always, please review and slán slán for now peeps!
Bay Bay!
Bayleef