MP: Hello again! Yes, I know what you're thinking, WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG? Well, computer complications and editing. Sorry. Anyway, here it is the final installation of Friendship Beyond the Grave! I must say, the fight scene is a bit choppy in my opinion. But, you decide. Oh, by the way, this takes off from where Joey has just appeared infront of Yugi. Since it's the ending, and half of it is the same stuff as before, I decided to shorten it a little. Anyway, here's Chapter 10. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Friendship Beyond the Grave
Chapter 10
Joey stood infront of a stunned Yugi. "Hey Yugi...what's up pal?" he said. Yugi stared in awe at the person before him. His eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly agape. "J-Joey?" he asked. "The one and only." Joey responded, giving a thumbs up. Yugi practically lunged at his blonde friend. He hug tackled him to the ground.
"Joey! I can't believe it! You're alive!" Yugi shouted happily. "Uh yeah...but...could ya get off me please? It's gettin hard to breathe." Joey asked, practically gasping for air. Yugi blinked and crawled off. "Oh, sorry Joey." he said sweatdropping. Joey sat up and was once again greeted by a big hug from his smaller friend. "Joey, how on earth is this possible?" Yugi questioned. "Uh...it's a long story.." Joey admitted.
"Sorry to break up your reunion, but we have some unfinished business to take care of." Kutana interupted. Joey and Yugi stood up and turned to the evil leader. "Kutana..." Joey growled. He stepped infront of Yugi protectively. "You.." Kutana glared. "I don't know how you're still alive, but I promise, you won't be for much longer." "Is that a threat?" Joey asked arrogantly. Kutana was silent.
"Joey! Look out!" Yugi shouted suddenly. Joey turned his head to the side. He looked just in time to see Yutamu swinging a fist at him. It came with the force of a cannon ball. But Joey caught his fist with ease. Both Yutamu and Yugi's mouths dropped in shock. Joey could never catch something that hard, or fast, before. Joey twisted Yutamu's wrist, causing him to cringe in pain. The entire time, Joey's expression hadn't changed from how he looked at Kutana. "You tried to kill my buddy. I'll get you for that. But it'll have to wait. Go sit down." he said in a serious tone. He easily flung Yutamu to the side. He landed on the ground with a thud.
"No then, where were we?" Joey asked, turning his attension back to Kutana. "Right here." Kutana said, pointing his gun directly at Joey. The blonde just smiled. "You can't shoot me." he said confidently. "Wanna bet?" Kutana said, narrowing his eyes. Joey didn't move. "Go ahead and try it." he said. "Joey! What are you doing?" Yugi shouted from behind him. "Are you trying to get killed?" The blonde stared forward, without a sound.
"Fine. It's your second funeral." Kutana mocked. He pulled the trigger. The gun clicked. Nothing happened. "What?" Kutana questioned. He pulled the trigger again. A click, and nothing. He pulled it several more times. Nothing but clicks. "See? You can't shoot me. 'Cause your out of amo!" Joey laughed. Yugi figured that Kutana must have used up all the bullets, trying to hit him. At least he served some purpose.
Kutana was trembling with anger at the arrogant teen. Joey just laughed under his breath some more. "Your not a very good gangster, are ya Kutana?" Kutana boiled over with rage. "I don't need a gun to kill you! Get over here and fight like a man!" he demanded. Joey stopped laughing. He turned serious, but kept his confident smirk. "Alright. Have it your way then." He removed the Millenium Puzzle from around his neck. "Here Yugi. I believe dis is yours." He turned to him and handed him the ancient item. He smiled warmly, then turned to Kutana again. "Alright Kutana. I'll fight ya. But you gotta promise that you hurt my pal got it?" Joey said sternly. Kutana nodded in agreement.
Joey stepped up. He and Kutana where about three feet away from eachother. "Ready?" he asked. Kutana smiled evily. The two were locked, eye to eye. Both waiting for the other to make the first move. Kutana suddenly threw a fist at Joey. Joey easily avoided it and countered with a punch in his gut. Kutana shrunk down and held his stomach in pain. While he was down, he attempted a sneak attack at Joey's legs. The blonde fighter jumped out of the way and kicked the green haired villan in the side.
"Jeez Kutana. Dis is too easy. How have you been able to keep such a tough reputation? You fight worse than my grandma." Joey mocked. Kutana stood up and growled. "You haven't won yet." He ran at Joey. Joey stepped to the side, avoiding the man. But he had forgotten one thing. He'd forgotten who was behind him.
Joey spun around in time to see Kutana dash to the side. He picked up the gun that Yutamu had dropped. This one still had bullets. The boy froze as Kutana aimed it at Yugi. He smiled and muttered one word. "Die."
The gun fired at Yugi. He was paralyzed in fear. He tried to move his feet, but was unable to. "YUGI!" Joey shouted. He ran to him as fast as he could. But knew that he would be too late. The bullet was mere inches away from Yugi, when the Millenium Puzzle suddenly began to glow. It lifted up higher around Yugi's neck. The bullet drove itself closer. But it bounced off the hard surface of the puzzle. It flew off in another direction.
Before anyone knew what happened, Kutana yelled in pain. The puzzle's glow faded and it dropped back down. Yugi stared in confusion and amazement. Joey stopped running a few feet away from Yugi. They looked at Kutana, who was clutching his leg, screaming as blood flowed out of the bullet wound above his knee. He fell to the ground, helplessly.
Joey and Yugi sighed in relief. "That sure was lucky." Joey said. "I don't think it was luck Joey." Yugi said, looking down at the puzzle.
Thank you Yami
Anytime Aibou
Joey smiled in victory. "Alright! We did it!" he said proudly. Yugi nodded happily. Joey suddenly felt strange. There was a tingling sensation in his arm. He looked at his arm to see it disappearing. "Gah! What the?" Yugi noticed Joey's body fading. "Joey! What's going on?" he asked, concerned. "Yami's body spell must be wearing off." Joey answered. "What? Body spell? You mean Yami gave you that body?" Yugi asked. "Yeah. I guess my times almost up." Joey sighed. Yugi gasped. "Does this mean you'll be dead again?" Joey nodded. "Yeah. But not for long. I've got it under control." He smiled. A shot suddenly pierced the night sky.
Yugi and Joey turned their heads to see Juro holding a gun. They had forgotten about him. Yugi thought he blacked out of blood loss or something. "There's one bullet left in this gun. Who wants it?" he asked, straining his voice. He was still weak from being shot. Yugi and Joey stood still. Juro smirked evily. "Fine. I'll choose." The trigger was pulled. It fired toward Yugi's head.
Yugi was frozen again. But Joey wasn't. The bullet flew closer. At the last second, Joey leaped infront of him. Instead of being hit in the head, he was hit in the chest. The hot metal dug into Joey's flesh. He screamed in agony as it pierced right through him. Yugi had instinctively ducked, and avoided the now bloody led.
After the danger had passed, Joey stood, stiffly, infront of Yugi. Juro cursed under his breath and fainted. Yugi looked up to see Joey protecting him. But what struck fear in his heart was that he saw a red, bloody hole in Joey's back. And through the blood, tissue, and fabics of clothing, he could see out the other side. It was sickening. Yugi felt as though he might throw up.
Joey fell to his knees and then sank deeper to the ground. He lay on his stomach, blood slowly pooling around him. "JOEY!" Yugi rushed to his side. "Joey! Joey, please say something! Joey!" The small boy shook his friend as hard as he could, but got no response. "Joey, please! Answer me!" he pleaded, tears starting to flood down his face. There was still nothing but silence. "Joey..." Yugi started to tremble. He let his head drop onto Joey's bloody back. His tears washed away some of the red stains in the Domino High uniform.
"...yugi..." someone whispered. The voice was barely heard. Yugi's head sprang up. That was Joey. "Joey?" he said, looking at Joey's face. His usually bright brown eyes were clouded and lifeless. Though his expression didn't change, his mouth moved slowly. "..Yugi...are you..okay?" he asked weakly. "Joey! Don't talk! Save your energy." Yugi said. "Yug, it dosen't matter. My time's up anyway." the blonde mumbled. "What do you mean?" Yugi asked. "My body.." Joey spoke. "It's time is up. It's been too long. Yami's spell is worn out by now." Yugi stared at his dying friend. "But, Joey...you can't go! You can't die!"
Joey coughed a little. "Yugi, It's too late. I'm already dead." The small teens eyes widened in worry and fear. "Please Joey...stay with me. Don't leave again. Please!" he begged. Joey smiled lightly. "Good-bye Yug.." With those final words, Joey's body faded away. He disappeared. Yugi trembled. His eyes where wide. His face was wet with hot tears. "No...please...not again." he whispered. "He can't go..." Yugi fell face first into the grass and cried. "No! Please, come back! Joey!" He cried so loud, that he didn't even noticed the police sirens, flashing lights, and his grandfather's voice.
Joey opened his eyes. He was in the same dark place he had been in before. He must have died again. How you die when you're already dead was too complicated for him to figure out. He sat up to see the smiling faces of Sumi and Kiko. "Hey Joe, whatta yo know?" Sumi said playfully. "Not to fall asleep on the kitchen table ever again. Dat's for sure." Joey answered. "Well Joey, you're an idiotic bumpkin who nearly got Yugi and Yami killed. But...mission accomplished." Kiko said, smiling. Joey looked up at her. "What? I did it?" he asked. "Yup." said Sumi, "Job well done."
Joey stood up. "But, I died...again...somehow. How am I suppose to get my life back? My freakin' body's burried for goodness sake!" Sumi sighed. "You humans. Always fussing about something." "What? How is dis not an issue?" Joey snapped. "Joey, did we say you'll get your life back?" Kiko asked. "Yeah.." the blonde boy answered. "Then you'll get your life back."
"But how?" Joey asked. Sumi smiled proudly. "Even as we speak, the memories of everyone involved in this incident are being altered. No one will even know you died. Everyone will forget anything that's happened." "Everyone?" Joey asked. "Well," Kiko spoke up. "Yugi, Yami, Tea, Tristan, Serenity, Yugi's Grandpa, and some other important people will remember. But only because they will need to know in order to play an important part in your future." Joey stared blankly. "What part in my future?" he asked. "Sorry Joey, but I can't tell you." Kiko admitted.
"Now Joey, it's time to go back." Sumi said calmly. Joey nodded. He understood. Sumi waved her hand and a portal opened under Joey's feet. Even with all he had been through, he still couldn't help but scream at the sheer drop. He somehow passed through the roof of a house and landed on the bed. Joey couldn't help but be amazed at the angel's habit of breaking the laws of physics. From up in the clouds, Sumi chuckled at the blonde boy. "You think he'll be ready?" Kiko asked. "I think he'll be just fine. And with a friend like Yugi, I just know he'll be okay in the end." Sumi smiled down at the world below. She slowly closed the portal. "But for now, get some rest kid." She was speaking to the boy she just released onto the earth. "See ya later, Joey Wheeler..."
Yugi sat on the couch sobbing. Yami sat next to him in spirit form. Yugi's grandpa had discovered the note from Kutana on the table. Luckly, he had managed to call the police in time. They had gotten there fast enough to arrest Kutana and his gang. Unfortunately, not fast enough to save Joey.
Yami...I can't believe it. I finally got him back, and then I lose him again. And what's worse, he died protecting me!
Yami rubbed his lighter half's back, trying to comfort him. Aibou...it wasn't your fault. Joey did what he had to do. And he died with pride.
What do you mean?
Aibou, there is no death more honorable than sacrifycing ones self for another. Especially for a friend.
Yugi smiled weakly. He felt a little better, knowing that. But he still felt empty a hole in his heart. His best friend was gone for good. He guessed he would just have to get used to the fact that he would never see Joey again.
I think I'm gonna go up to bed. I was up all night at the park.
Yes. Good idea.
Yami went back into the puzzle, and Yugi headed upstairs. He was at his door when he heard something. There was mumbling. "Where am I? Hey wait a sec, is dis-?" Yugi recognized that voice. His eyes widened. He carefully turned the door knob and opened the creeky wooden door. He glanced inside. What he saw made his mouth drop to the floor.
There, sitting on his bed, was none other than Joey Wheeler. In the flesh. He stepped in and shut the door. Joey was looking off somewhere else, but turned to Yugi when the door was shut. He stared and smiled widely. "Hey there Yugi." he greeted. Yugi was stunned. He stared in awe. Just as he had down last night when Joey had first appeared and saved his life. "J-Joey?" he asked softly. Sensing stress on Yugi's mind, Yami appeared out of the puzzle and saw what was going on. He too, froze in astonishment. "J-Joey.."
Joey smiled warmly. "Hey you two." he said happily. Apparently, now he could see spirits. It made sense, since he once was a spirit. Yugi stumbled forward a few times. He didn't believe it. For the second time, the boy had risen from the dead and surprised the spikey haired duelist. A smile grew across Yugi's face. It was so big, that it looked very unnatural. Without warning, he lept on the blonde and hug tackled him with all his might. "JOEY! You're back! Again!" Yugi was bouncing up and down, rolling around on the bed, hugging the air out of Joey. "Hey Yugi! Nice ta see you too!" Joey managed to say. The two wrestled around on the bed and laughed. Yami simply stood in the middle of the room and smiled. "Joey my friend..." he said softly, "...you never cease to amaze me..." And so, the three and the rest of the gang where happily reunited. And they would stay together through everything. They would enjoy their time together, until their next call from destiny...
THE END
MP: And so ends the story. I hope you've enjoyed it. Yes, I'm sure your all a little dissapointed it's over. But fear not my readers!For the trilogy lives on! I'm making a sequel to this. Come on, fromwhat Sumi and Kiko said, you had to have seen it coming. This next one will feature such characters as; Tristan, Tea, Serenity, Yugi, Joey, Mokuba, other various characters, and to the delight of you Kaiba fans, more Seto Kaiba. Though, you might not like all of it...you've beenwarned. Anyway, hope to see you all again at the sequel, Seal of Fears. Until then, goodbye all!
SPECIAL THANKS TO
+ Melony Mutou (for providing helpful editing and previewing)
Kazuki Takahashi (for inventing Yu-Gi-Oh! THANK YOU!)
To All My Readers (of course. For keeping this fic alive!)
