MP: Okay. This chaptermight freak youreaders out a little at the beginning. But, I promise it'll all turn out ok. Now, I should probably give you guys some fair warnings before you read this. Itdoes have a suicide attempt. It also has a part with a dead body. But, that's not really that bad. Anyway, it's a crazy chapter indeed. Well, in any case, here it is. Chapter 4...
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Friendship Beyond the Grave
Chapter 4
Yugi could feel himself slipping. His vision darkened as he completely lost himself in a daze. He felt the wind blowing as he began to lose control of his body. He felt limp, like his mind was fading away. He was blacking out, as his body tilted closer to the edge. And finally, he felt his hand slip off the ledge.
His legs slowly slipped off the cold windowsill. His body fell down toward the ground, giving him a view of his destination. This was it. It was all going to end here. All the pain and suffering he had gone through would soon be gone. For a brief moment, Yugi thought about what being dead was like. He thought of an unimaginable paradise. No fighting, no pain, no tears. A place where he could be with Joey for all eternity.
Yugi hovered between certain life and death. He was in control of his fate. He could choose weither to live out the rest of his life, miserable and lonely without his best friend, or he could leave this world, and have eternal happiness with Joey and others he had lost. He decided. There wasn't a trace of doubt in his mind. This is what he wanted. He wanted to die.
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Joey watched in horror as Yugi dangled out of his window. He was going to commit suicide! But, if Yugi died, then no one would be happy. Yugi would die, Joey would lose his chance, and their friends would be even more grief-stricken. This couldn't be the solution. Yugi killing himself wouldn't fix anything! It couldn't make anyone happy.
Snapping out of his daze, Joey realized the immediate danger. He yelled out to his friend. "YUGI!! Yugi, don't do it! Don't jump!!" He shouted desperately, but was unsuccessful. He noticed that Yugi was leaning further forward, and was now mere inches from tumbling to his doom. Joey had to act quickly.
He ran toward the house, hoping that Yugi wouldn't go through with this. Joey stopped in front of the wall. He looked up to the window. He stepped back a little, and tried to calculate where Yugi would fall if he did try. One mistake could spell doom.
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Yami sat on Yugi's bed, lost in thought. He was thinking of how Joey could have been murdered like that. Who would hate Joey enough to kill him? And who would be next? Tristan? Maybe not. Tea? He certainly hoped not. Serenity? Maybe....but not likely. Then, the only one left was.....Yugi! Suddenly, Yami felt a sharp jolt. I worried feeling grew in the pit of his stomach. But why?
What was there to worry about? Everything was fine. The doors were locked, the lights were off, the burglar alarm was set on, and he and Yugi were all the way up-wait, Yugi! Yami snapped his head in Yugi's direction. What he saw made him freeze with fear. Yugi was going to jump out the window! Why hadn't he noticed before!?
YUGI!! Don't jump! Yami shouted at him.
Yami.... Yugi replied weakly. good-bye...
With that, Yugi slid off the edge and plunged to his death.
YUUUUUGGIIIIII!!!!!
Yami franticly scrabbled to the window and tried to grab Yugi's hand. But by the time he reached his hand out, it was too late.
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Yugi slipped down, off the ledge and began to fall. He did it. He was finally going to join Joey. He was finally going to escape. But as he fell, Yugi could hear a voice call out to him.
YUUUUUGGIIIIII!!!!!
Yugi recognized that voice. It was Yami. That's right, Yami! If Yugi died, so would he. How could he have been so stupid? This wouldn't fix anything. Sure, he might see Joey again, but that was it. Back on earth, the others would be nothing but miserable. Tea, Tristan, Serenity, all of them! And Yami wouldn't even be around anymore! How could he do that to his closest friends?
Yugi's suddenly realized what he was doing. He snapped out of his trance. I sudden jolt rushed through him. He was going to die! He was in the air, falling, and he was going to die! What was he thinking!? Instinctively, Yugi let out a scream of fear.
AAAAHHHH!!! HEELP!! YAAMIIIII!!!!
YUUUGIIIII!!!
It was too late. Yugi was too far down to reach. This was it. He would pay for having such a stupid thought. But what worried him most, was that his friends and family would pay for it too. Yugi closed his eyes, bracing for impact. This was it. He would hit the ground, feel a bone-shattering pain, then blackness and what would lye beyond. Yugi braced. Then, he felt himself hit....something....but it was....soft.
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Joey saw Yugi slide off the ledge. He was really doing this! Now Joey couldn't afford to miss. No screw-ups, no miscalculations, no anything. He had to catch Yugi. No matter what.
He had done the math, and according to his calculations, Yugi should land right where he was. Of course, he was terrible at math. He just prayed that he could get this one problem right. Joey stared up at his falling friend. He couldn't believe Yugi was doing this. Suddenly, Yugi's eyes shot completely open, like he had realized something. He let out a fearful scream. "AAAAHHHH!!! HEELP!! YAAMIIIII!!!!"
From somewhere up in the room, Joey could hear someone else. It was a deep voice. Just like how Yugi sounded during duels. It was Yami. "YUUUGIIIII!!!" Yami cried out. Joey was amazed he could hear him. He was right. He could see and hear spirits now.
Yugi's body fell closer and closer. Yugi closed his eyes tightly. He was bracing for the impact. Joey guessed that Yugi wasn't able to see him. Which was probably for the best. Finally, Yugi was within reach. Joey stood his ground. He was prepared to catch Yugi, even if it broke his back (which it couldn't because he's dead, but you get the idea). Suddenly, he felt a heavy load fall on him. Yugi didn't weigh a lot, but he had been so high up that the force was quite powerful. Joey's legs caved in under the unexpected weight. He fell back, but with Yugi safely in his arms.
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Yami closed his eyes, not wanting to see Yugi hit the ground. All hope was lost. Yugi would die. There was nothing he could do. As he heard Yugi's terrified scream, he let out a desperate shout.
YUUUGIIIII!!!
But there was no reply. Only a brief silence. Then, a thud. The sound of a body hitting the ground. It was done. Yugi was gone. It was all over. And there was no way it would change. Clutching his eyes closed tightly, and laying his head on the windowsill, he cried. He was supposed to protect Yugi, but now he was gone.
Suddenly, Yami realized something. If Yugi was gone...why was he still here? Shouldn't he have died the minute Yugi did? Yami reluctantly looked out the window. But what he saw filled him with boundless happiness and relief. Yugi was sitting on the ground. Perfectly fine. He had survived! There wasn't a scratch on him. But how? Yami called out to Yugi with glee.
YUGI!!! Yami jumped out of the window. Being a spirit, he wouldn't be hurt.
Yugi looked at Yami as he came down to the earth. His face lighting up with joy. YAMI!!!
Yami stepped on the ground. He rushed up to Yugi, kneeled down, and rapped arms around him (in a brotherly love sortta way...no yaoi intended).
Aibou! I was so worried! What in Ra's name were you thinking!?
I don't know...but, I'm glad I'm ok.
Yami released him. But I don't understand. You just fell two stories. How could you survive?
I'm not sure....when I fell, I hit something...soft...like someone caught me.
It was then that Yami sensed another presence. Someone else was nearby. But where? Yugi hadn't seen them. But how? It felt like whoever they were, they were almost right next to him. Yami turned his head, looking around. But he saw no one.
What's the matter Yami?
Yami shook off the feeling for now. Nothing. Come on, let's go to bed...
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Joey opened his eyes. Yugi was sitting on top of him. Yugi was kind of heavy for such a little guy. Well, at least he was safe. Joey looked up at the window where Yugi had fallen. He could see Yami, laying his head down on the window sill. Joey decided it was best if Yami didn't see him. Carefully, he slid out from under Yugi. He snuck into a nearby bush. Now, he was concealed. He looked up at the window to see Yami falling down, a look of nothing less then extreme joy on his face. He watched as Yami embraced Yugi with relief in his voice. Then he noticed Yami look around at something. He was searching for someone. Being careful not to be seen, Joey slunk deeper into the bushes. He saw Yami merely shrug it off. He peeked out the bushes once more. The sight of Yugi actually happy, warmed his heart. He simply smiled.
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It was the next day in the Mutou house hold. Yugi sat up in bed. The sun shone brightly through the window. The weather was bright and cheery. But this time, Yugi wasn't. Although he had survived the night, today wouldn't be easy. Today he had to go see Joey. Or at least, his body. He got dressed, and Yami appeared.
Did you sleep alright?
Yeah. But that won't make today any easier
Yami put on a worried expression. Yugi...this has to be done. If we are ever to avenge Joey, we must see to it that his killers are caught.
I know but.... Yugi paused to sigh. still...
Yami nodded knowingly. He glanced at the clock. It was 10:30AM.
Shall we go now?
Yugi gave no reply, but simply nodded. The two walked out of the room. Yami retreated back to the puzzle when they reached outside. Yugi walked slowly towards the hospital. He trudged along as he thought about what he and Joey might be doing now, had this whole thing never happened. But sadly, it was never to be.
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Joey's eyes fluttered open as he heard a door shut. He stuck his head out of the bush to investigate. He had fallen asleep in the shrub, attempting to conceal himself until he was sure both Yugi and Yami were asleep. Or whatever Yami did when Yugi wasn't awake.
He saw Yugi leaving the house, with a depressed look on his face. No doubt still upset about his death. Joey watched Yugi reach the sidewalk, then stepped out of the bushes, careful not to make a sound. Knowing no one could see him, he followed the small duelist intently. Being sure not to lose sight of him. But if he did, he still had the monitor. Joey wondered what Yugi could be thinking right now.
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Yugi finally arrived at the hospital. He shuddered at the thought of what he was about to see. None the less, he ventured inside. "Excuse me miss...." he spoke to the woman at the counter. "I'm here to see Joey Wheeler." The woman looked through her files. "I'm sorry, but Mr. Wheeler is deceased." she said looking sad. "I know I uh....wanted to see uh...." Yugi fumbled with his words. He knew it was highly unusual to ask to see someone's dead body. The woman got what he was trying to say. "Of course, I'll call in a nurse to show you there." the woman pushed a button. "Attention, Ms. Oriina please report to the front desk, repeat, Ms. Oriina please report to the front desk." her voice echoed over the intercom.
Within minutes a nurse appeared. She had long red hair and bright green eyes. "You wanted me?" she asked. "Yes, this young man would like to see Mr. Wheeler." the woman at the desk replied. "But isn't Mr. Wheeler-" the nurse was cut off. "Yes, he would still like to see him..." the woman said trying make the nurse aware of what she meant. "Oh, of course." the nurse said. "Alright then, come this way." she said motioning to Yugi. Yugi followed her through the hospital. It was odd being in a hospital. All the walls were so white, so clean, so plain. Just passing them was driving Yugi insane. He couldn't bare the thought of having to stare at these walls all day with nothing else to do here. He tried to focus on the task at hand.
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Joey was still following Yugi through this hospital. He wondered why on earth Yugi was here in the first place. He too was being driven insane by these stupid white walls. He had been following Yugi this entire time, and having nothing to watch but these walls. Well, there was a point when Joey had gotten distracted by the look of the food from the cafeteria window. Hey, dead or alive, he was still Joey. But he had used his monitor to find Yugi again and catch up in no time. Finally, Yugi stopped.
They had come to halt in front of a large door. There were words on the door, which read "Staff Only" in bold print. Joey wondered what was beyond that door. And what was Yugi doing here anyway? Suddenly, the nurse Yugi was following opened the door and lead Yugi inside as Joey followed unnoticed. Inside it was cold and dark. There were small, file cabinet-like drawers all over the walls. This place seemed familiar. Like something out of a movie. "He's right here." he heard the nurse say motioning toward one of the drawers. Yugi looked a little uncomfortable. Joey moved toward the drawer and read a small tag under the handle. His curious face turned to shock as he read the name. "Joseph Wheeler".
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Yugi was feeling a little uncomfortable. He was in a hospital, virtually alone besides the nurse, and he was going to see his best friend's dead body. Not exactly his ideal summer vacation. The nurse showed him where Joey was. She pulled open the drawer. It revealed a white blanket covering a motionless figure. There it was again. That annoying color. White. Oh how he hated that color now. If life ever got back to normal, he would have a severe hatred of this color, he just knew it.
"Excuse me miss. Could I maybe be..uh..you know, alone?" Yugi asked nervously. "Of course." the nurse replied. She left the room, shutting the door behind her. Yugi sighed. He was a bit relieved that she had finally gone. He felt more comfortable alone. Slowly, he grabbed the white sheet and pulled it back.
As he removed the cover, he began to see Joey's face. A cold, lifeless, shell of it used to be. Bright, cheerful, carefree and clueless. Now, all that was seen was a calm face, but with a small twist of pain. Yugi wondered what could have happened. It was time to find out. He called out to the pharoh.
Yami, we're here.
Alright. Let me take over for this part.
Yugi nodded and then a flash of light came from the puzzle. In seconds, Yami had taken control of Yugi's body, and Yugi was now in spirit form next to him.
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Joey watched as the nurse pulled open the drawer to show a motionless figure covered in a white sheet. The nurse left the room and Yugi started to pull back the cover. Joey's eyes widened as he saw his own body. It was cold and lifeless. It kind of crept Joey out that he was seeing his own dead body. But what crept him out even more was the fact that Yugi was seeing it. Why were they here?
Suddenly, there was a bright flash from the puzzle. Joey looked over to see Yami in control of Yugi's body, and Yugi standing next to him in spirit form. "So dats what happens ta' Yugi when Yami takes over his body." Joey said staring. "But why is Yami in control now? What are those two up to?"
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Yami stared down at Joey's body. He couldn't be much more saddened, but he had to focus. He took a deep breath and held up his hand. He placed it on Joey's forehead and closed his eyes. He concentrated hard. There was a flash from the puzzle, and then images of Joey's final moments appeared.
In one vision, Joey was walking home from school. In the next he looked over to an alley. He saw dark figures in cloaks. The images blurred and fuzzed over, but Yami could make out most of what he saw. He saw Joey fall to the ground. He heard a gunshot. He could hear Joey's thoughts as he cried out to Yugi. And the last image he saw, the evil face of a man as he took the hood off his head. And a glow from a strange golden cage. Then, everything was black.
Yami's eyes shot open. He removed his hand from Joey's forehead. It hadn't been the best last few moments of a life he had ever seen. Then again, it was the only last moments of a life he had ever seen. Well, except for his own. But that didn't really count.
Yugi looked at Yami concerned. You ok?
Yes, Yami answered panting. That just took a lot out of me.
So did you find out what happened?
I wasn't able to make out much, but I found something. I saw men in cloaks. A sinister looking one who seemed to be the leader. And I also saw the glow of a golden object. Though I wasn't able to make out what it was before I was cast out of Joey's mind.
Look's like we're still in a dead end, huh Yami?
Maybe, maybe not. If we can find who this person is, we might have a lead......Oh, and Aibou...
Yeah?
Please don't say dead...
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Preview for Chapter 5
Yugi stood in the street. He was dressed in his blue school uniform. He had his backpack on. It was a sunny day. Everything looked cheery. "Huh? What am I doing here?" he asked himself. He looked around. This place looked farmiliar. He remembered coming down this way with Joey a few times after school. He saw a figure walking down the street. His eyes widened. That figure...it was...no, it couldn't be...it was....Joey Wheeler.
