Yup, your eyes deceive you not. I've finally added a new chapter after about a bazillion years. I had hit a sort of a slump in my writing, because of both a touch of writer's block and school-related stuff. As a result, I'm sorry to say that this is (in my opinion) my weakest chapter. I've also hit that crossroad where I can't just plan the fic one or two chapters ahead anymore and I've been forced to think several chapters ahead. Not to worry though, now that this chapter is finally done I'll be able to progress much faster and update much more frequently. Duels are really fun to write, so there's more incentive right there. Remember, I promised to see this fic through to the end and that's exactly what I will do.
It's been a while, so to be sure, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! in any part. I have a neat card collection, but that's about it.
As we are able to perceive it, there is but one defining constant in the universe. How we perceive it can define how constant it is, a curious paradox. Time is that constant. For some, time can be a gentle giant; conspicuous, ever present and always on one's mind, yet one can put this presence aside without fear and continue their lives. For some it is a vicious wild animal; no matter how fast you run it is always gaining on you, and you spend your days imagining it sinking it's teeth into you. For some it is like the like the gentle waves on the ocean; reminding you that every moment is precious, beautiful, and boundless. It can sometimes go quickly, robbing you of precious moments that would never come again. Sometimes it can go slowly, turning a moment into an eternity. For Joey Wheeler, time seemed to be but a distant memory. He lay in the makeshift bed, staring at the ceiling as if it held the answers to the greatest questions imaginable. His pain and fatigue too great to allow him any freedom of his downy prison. His body was bound by bandages and he was as safe as he could be in this futuristic realm, surrounded by friends and in a warm, if slightly misshapen, bed. He would not wish to escape this timeless state, even if his body could allow it, and there he would stay until he knew he could continue to face his harsh reality.
Or at least until he had some new clothes, his original attire having been completely ruined and therefore removed.
A gentle knock came to his door. He could barely tell there was a door in the room, much less do anything to answer the knocking. The door slowly opened to reveal a figure that nobody, especially Joey, could mistake for anyone other than Mai Valentine. Her appearance had certainly changed with the times and hardships, as did all the others who still had the will to fight. Most notably, her long blond hair had been cut quite short, though still maintaining the brilliant blond and feminine structure. Her outfit was tight around her body, with several contacts that looked to serve as attachment points for some kind of armour.
She slowly approached Joey as he lay in his bed. She sat down softly in a chair next to the bed with a sense of familiarity, as if she had done that same motion many times before. She sighed, and leaned gently against Joey's bed. "Good morning Joseph, I sure hope you're sleeping well." she said wearily. "Everyone is worried sick about you, you know. I hope you pull yourself together soon."
Joey merely continued to stare at the ceiling, as he had been doing since they returned from the daring challenge against the Judgemasters.
"Look hun, I can't really understand what you went through. None of can even guess how hard it must have been to duel your little sister like that, what it must have felt like to have her not remember you. If any of my words are getting through to you, then listen to these. We've all suffered because of whatever happened on the blimp back at Battle City. Tea and Tristan have both been seriously hurt, Mokuba has been living in hiding and constant fear for longer than any of us have been here, and I've been locked up for years. Despite that, we've all endured and thanks to you, we've been reunited. I guess what I'm saying, Joey, is that you should take it like a man and come back to us where you belong. It hurts now, but you'll get over it. We need you now more than ever. Come back to us soon." She stood up and began to leave. She stopped and thought a moment. "Oh, come to think of it I haven't thanked you properly for saving me." She walked back to him and hesitated a moment. "You just be thankful you're not really awake at the moment, because I probably couldn't do this otherwise." She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. "Hm, that wasn't so bad after all. Don't read too much into that Joseph, that was just my way of saying thanks. Besides, I wouldn't want to take you away from her. That's not being very fair." She quietly strolled out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.
Joey's expression remained unchanged for a moment. Then, he very slowly took a deep breath. His eyes refocused and he blinked furiously, as if he had not done so for days. He slowly reached his hand up and gingerly touched his lips, where Mai's had been seconds before. For the first time in a long time, a smile crept onto his face.
"No, thank you, Mai."
Over the next few minutes he had methodically brought himself into a seating position. He had not moved at all for at least a week by his reckoning, so his muscles had weakened from the inactivity. With great difficulty he pulled on the oversized pants he used to sleep in before, and hesitated a moment to prepare himself. He stood, wobbled a moment, then unsteadily made his way towards the door. He opened the door, a motion that just about pitched him straight over onto the floor had he not held the knob tightly.
Mokuba was sitting in the main room working on his computer when Joey stumbled in. He quickly ran to Joey's side. "Joey! You're up and moving! Here, sit down." He helped Joey onto the sofa.
Tea and Mai entered the room at the same time. "Mokuba, what's all the shouting... Joey!" Tea hurried to Joey's side and hugged him fiercely.
Mai laughed. "Careful there Tea, you don't want to send him right back to being bed-ridden again, do you?" Tea released her grip on Joey, and Mai took the opportunity to give him a hug as well. "Good to see you're finally up and at 'em, sport. You had us all worried. I heard you went through a real tough battle to save me. Thanks a lot."
Joey nodded. "You already thanked me for that earlier, didn't you?" He joked weakly.
Mai blushed furiously. "I'm certain I don't know what you're talking about. You must have been dreaming it."
Joey laughed. It felt good to do so after so long, even if the motion made his sore muscles burn. "You haven't changed at all, have you Mai? Even after everything that's happened to you?"
Mai shrugged. "Well, you can't let adversity get to you. Sometimes some things change..." She ran her fingers through her shortened hair. "But it's important to make sure who you are inside never changes."
A loud growling noise suddenly filled the room. It echoed off the stone walls making it even louder, scaring everyone in the room witless for a moment. They traced the source of the sound to Joey's stomach, and he sheepishly placed a hand over it. "Well, I can think of one thing inside me that needs changing. I'm starving!"
Later, Joey had eaten his meal and after a bit of exercise in the training hall he was feeling more like his old self again. Joey had gotten a new outfit, his clothing being unsalvageable. He wore a tight, blue shirt with armour-like padding that emphasized his masculine features, pants that were made of a very tough leather-like material, and a large decorative sword. Joey had personally designed the outfit using the Flame Swordsman as the base model, with a few modifications for style and efficiency. He had the residents of the training hall to thank for generously contributing their time and resources just for Joey, under the 'suggestions' of Tristan of course. He made sure the outfit would be able to withstand the dangerous duels he knew he would soon be facing, and offer some protection from them. Mokuba took him aside, they sat on the large couch with the laptop in front of them. "While you've been in dreamland for the last week, I've had some breakthroughs that you may be interested in hearing."
Joey sighed. His mind wandered back to the duel against Serenity, not for the first time. He shuddered at the memory of her cold voice commanding her monster to attack him. He rubbed his forearms where the attack had burned him the worst. "I dunno man, that last duel was nearly the end of me. I don't think I can take on any more duels like that. Especially going against three of them that may be even more skilled than Serenity..."
Mokuba interrupted. "Joey, do you want me to just tell you that you're feeling this way because you had to duel your sister? The fact of the matter is, it wasn't really her you were duelling, and you won. Frankly I think you should be proud of the fact you didn't let up even once, because it led you to victory and we now have Mai back with her friends where she belongs. I suggest you get over whatever inferiority complex you have going on, because we need you to win this war Joey. Do you understand?"
Joey stared at Mokuba. "Ya know, you're becoming more like your brother all the time. If it wasn't for the fact that you're helping me I'd swear you were that flaky jerk." Joey laughed while Mokuba's face turned bright red.
"Oh be quiet. It's all this hanging out with you geeks, you're reminding me about all the times Seto had to put up with your antics. Now, can we focus for a minute?"
Joey nodded. "Sure, so what's up?"
"Like I said, I've received some information that you may be interested in hearing. There are going to be some new cards released in about a week. This can be dangerous because if we want to make our attack it would have to be before the new cards come out, or else we'd be going in blind. Baal, one of KaibaCorp's top three, always uses the most modern cards. It gives him the advantage in that opponents never know what to expect and have a hard time reacting to combos. We have an edge in that we can constantly monitor his current deck list, however if he gets his hands on those new cards we'll have a lot of blank spots in the list until I can fully study the new set."
Joey leaned back and folded his arms, his eyes closed in thought. "How easily would we have access to the new cards?"
"Mm, not very easily. I'm not sure how Mai originally got the cards she didn't win in duels, but I can't imagine it was much fun for her and her group. I'll ask her, but I don't think I can guarantee anything."
"So this means we'll have to attack within one week."
"That's right, so you'll have to get your strength back to full before then. I'll try to formulate when an attack will have a higher chance of success. In the meantime, I suggest you head back to the gym for a while. And for everyone's sake, please take a shower afterwards."
Joey sniffed the air around him and shrugged. "All I smell is my aftershave. Well, better get on that exercising if I'm gonna be ready for our attack." He hopped off the sofa and headed for the door. On his way out, he thought he heard Mokuba mutter "But, you don't shave." He decided to ignore it, even though he was right.
Joey was working up a real sweat. He couldn't remember a time he had worked out so hard, except for one time in his gym class. His teacher had informed him that he and Tristan were tied at being the top students in the class. For the next few days he and Tristan tried to gain favour with the teacher to become the top student, they both worked harder than ever before. However, Tristan had started becoming sick, his body couldn't handle the stress as well as Joey could. So, Joey began lagging behind ever so slightly to give Tristan the lead. Tristan had won an award for athletic excellence as a result. He was about to refuse, he knew that Joey had stopped giving his best just so he could win. Joey insisted however, and he eventually gave in. He promised that from then on, if Joey needed help he would be there to give it to him. Joey looked around and saw Tristan. He was setting up another exercise machine for Joey to use, he had begun personally training Joey to get him back in shape. He smiled. "Man, I'm lucky to have friends like these. Tristan is helping me get back in shape, Mokuba is helping me with card strategies, Mai is gonna try to get me some killer new cards, and Tea..." Joey pondered a moment. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Tea in a while." He walked over to Tristan.
"Oh hey Joey, I've got this machine all set up for ya, and I've got you scheduled for a Tai Chi lesson tomorrow. Street fighting is all and good, but it's somehow lacking in a mental component..."
"Hey thanks. Say Tristan, have you seen Tea anywhere?"
"Hmm, I can't say I have. She just sorta disappeared after you woke up. I think she headed towards Mai's room a moment ago." He shrugged. "Girl stuff I guess."
Joey nodded. "Thanks man. I think I'm gonna take a little break, see what everyone else is up to." he silently added, "see what Tea is up to, that is." With that he made his way to Mai's room. The door was open a little bit, so Joey was able to listen in easily. He took a quick peek inside. Mai was attaching components of a very elaborate set of highly technological armour onto her jumpsuit. Tea was sitting on the bed next to her. Joey let out a small sigh. "Good, she's safe." Joey thought a moment. "Wait, why am I so concerned about whether Tea is okay or not? I mean, I care of course, but..." His mind fell silent as Tea spoke.
"...I may not have been dropping many hints but he doesn't seem very interested."
"Look hun, he's been under a lot of stress. He hasn't been here as long as we have, he's still just trying to find his feet. Just be patient."
Joey let out a small chuckle. "Girl stuff indeed." he thought to himself. "I wonder who they're talking about?"
"I suppose you're right. I haven't been really subtle though, and you noticed, do you think maybe I should try being more direct?"
"As much as we all love him, you'd have to practically slap him in the face with something like this to make him get it. Come to think of it..." there was dead silence for a moment, Joey listened carefully. Suddenly his entire world became a living nightmare as Mai slapped the unsuspecting Joey in the face from seemingly out of nowhere. "Maybe a slap is exactly what he needs!" she screamed into his ear. "How dare you eavesdrop on a private conversation, Wheeler?!" Disoriented and panicked, Joey scrambled into his room and shut the door quickly. He could hear Tea and Mai laughing in the other room.
Joey sighed. "Well, I suppose that's what I get for listening in like that." he gently ran his fingers along the red spot where Mai had slapped him. "She didn't have to hit so hard though." Resigned, he removed his deck from the nearby duel disk and absentmindedly began shuffling it. He felt more at peace when he focussed on something familiar and routine. It wasn't long before the tranquillity he achieved began to make him sleepy. His energy still wasn't back to where it used to be, so he decided taking a nap would be a good idea.
Unfortunately, he had quickly forgotten that sleep had not come easily, nor eased his weariness since he had arrived in this future. His mind was awash with bizarre dreams.
Yugi Moto cried out in pain as he was struck by a vicious attack. He fell to his knees, his legs no longer able to withstand the torture. His deckmaster, the Dark Magician, quickly attended to his master. Sadly there was little the Magician could do to help, and his master fell unconscious. The Magician rose to it's feet and stood between Yugi and his attacker. Unfortunately there was little it could do to help as another attack from an unseen source plowed into it, destroying it instantly. A laugh echoed from the darkness.
"Can you feel the pain, my pain, little Yugi? It isn't much fun to face defeat over and over, is it? I will make sure you continue to suffer as I have suffered! I shall delight in your prolonged agony, little Yugi!
Yugi remained motionless, his body refusing to comply. A tear rolled down his cheek, and he silently prayed to whatever benevolent force that may be listening to help him. Sadly, his pleas apparently went unnoticed as he was yet again awash in the searing dark energy attack.
Joey awoke with a start. He yelped loudly and pulled his knees up to his chest. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and took some deep breaths. When his mind had fully awoken, he looked to his doorway to see Tristan, his hand hanging in the air limply in front of the open door. He had apparently awoken Joey from knocking on the door, he now regarded his friend with a worried look.
"I'm sorry man..."
Joey relaxed himself. "It's okay, no worries. What's up?"
"Mokuba wanted me to wake you. He says it's an emergency. He didn't say what about."
Joey nodded and swung himself out of bed. He entered the main room and took a seat while Tristan leaned against the wall. A moment later Mokuba entered, looking very flustered, with Tea and Mai behind him.
"Ah good, everyone's here." He said. "It seems we have less time to make our move than I thought. If we don't attack tomorrow, we won't get a better chance for a long time, if ever."
Everyone was frozen in shock. Tea spoke up first. "But that's too soon! We'll have no time to prepare!"
Mokuba waved his hand dismissively. "I know how you feel but there is no other choice. We either go tomorrow, or our chances of a successful attack will fall drastically every day afterwards."
Everyone looked expectantly towards Joey. He was confused for a moment. "Why is everyone looking at me? Do they want me to make the decision? Why would they want me to..." It suddenly dawned on him. "They've just made me the leader! With Yugi gone we have no definite leader, and I was the one that brought them all together like Mokuba said earlier. I can't believe this! Oh man, what would Yugi do at a time like this?" He vaguely recalled something he had said once, perhaps the reason he had been silently voted into leadership. He thought back to the first day he had arrived in this nightmare of a future, and what he had said to Mokuba. Before now it was always up to Yugi to save the day, him and that spirit in his puzzle. Seems like the ball is in my court now, which means I have to get as tough and smart as Yugi is, maybe even smarter if I have to. I have to save my friends, and then together we'll set things right.
He stood up slowly. Took a moment to tentatively straighten his outfit. He then surprised everyone by thrusting his fist into the air.
"Aw yeah! I say we head on over there and topple that tower! We'll get Yugi back and figure out a way to set all this right again! They'll be sorry they ever messed with Joey Wheeler! I'm gonna pound them so flat they'll have to look up just to look down! When I get a hold of them I'll..."
Yup, Joey's back in action it seems. Will he guide everyone safely through the dangers of this deadly future that nearly claimed his life? Or will his past emotional injuries get the better of him once again? Next chapter, Joey and his friends storm KaibaCorp! I swear the next chapter will come sooner. Really. No kidding.
