Title: The Prize At The End Was Worth It
Author: Phoenix87
Rating: PG-13, T
Pairing: Seto/Yami (although it's interchangeable)
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Creative use of shadow powers, Egypt scenes following neither the show nor the doujinishis. (I haven't seen them)
Disclaimers: Yu-gi-oh does not belong to me. Whyyyy?
Summary: A race from a mad man ends up dragging Yami and Seto threw the past, present, and into the future... a future in which they just might end up in each other's arms.
Status: Completed 2/10
(A/N: wow these new stat features are pretty nifty. According to it I got 49 hits on the first chapter! And…erm…2 reviews. Well, thank you to my two reviewers! I hope I didn't scare the rest of you away with the 1st chapter Author Notes! So here's the next chapter. Enjoy?)
Chapter 2
Desks and bits of wall flew threw the air as a fireball consumed a good portion of the room.
"Yami, damn-it, get down!" Kaiba yelled and yanked the former pharaoh down behind the lab station. Things were still falling around them, but Yami was too distracted to notice that, or the screams that now filled the room. The puzzle was reacting very strange; it was glowing and detecting something…trying to warn him! But about what he just couldn't understand.
"Get out of the room now!" Their teacher's voice yelled finally starting bring Yami out of the daze. Students flocked to the door. He was relived to see his friends were all okay: Yugi was pushing Tea in front of him with Tristan and Joey right behind. Suddenly he felt himself being pushed forward roughly; looking behind him in surprise he was met with Kaiba's incredibly frustrated face.
"Do you have a death wish today? MOVE!"
And his mind was fully restored. He regained the movement of his feet and started for the door, he hadn't gone any further then 2 feet though when a loud crash and corresponding blinding light detonated behind him. -Kaiba. Twirling around he saw that one of the huge florescent ceiling lights had lost a battle with gravity trapping the brunet behind a wall of fire and electric sparks. The CEO had his hand up over his eyes seemingly trying to shield the blue orbs from the light. Yami's heart leaped into his throat, if something didn't happen soon the path to the door would be blocked by flames.
"Kaiba!" Yami yelled, "Come on!"
"What? Yami? I can't see anything!"
The former pharaoh bit the bottom of his lip staring at downed light. Eyes widening, he realized that if not for the well-timed shove from the brunet he would have been under it when it fell. Kaiba had helped him, now he'd help Kaiba. Taking a deep breath he plunged threw the fiery barricade. Emerging on the other side he grabbed the CEO's hand tightly. Truthfully, Yami hadexpected the others hand to be cold and hard, but instead it was surprisingly smooth, soft, and warm.
"It's fine, just follow me." Yami instructed
"What!" the Kaiba asked again in shock.
"Trust me."
"Oh lord, I'm going to die."
Yami rolled his eyes
"I'm going on 3…one…two-" Yami took off. Behind him the brunet let go a most un-Kaiba like yelp of surprise as he was dragged behind. The former pharaoh subconsciously tightened his grip as the flames licked at their clothing, the only thought in his mind was getting them out of there.
His boots made a loud squeak on the tiled hallway floor as Yami halted to catch his breath. Kaiba, still slightly blinded from the lights intense flash, bumped into him from behind nearly toppling them both over.
"See?" Yami said with a grin, after they had both been righted, "Your fine."
"If I could see you, I would harm you."
Yami chuckled
"Your welcome."
BANG!
"What was that!" Kaiba yelled blinking those cerulean eyes as if the action would help speed up their revival.
BANG!
Yami stared around him amazed. The doors of the lockers were being literally blown off! They were being blasted across the hall in lines as straight as if they were guided. Now Yami may have been new to this world, but he knew fire didn't cause this type of thing!
"Yami! What's going ON?"
"We're not done running yet."
At the end of the hallway of which they now stood was a door. A door leading outside and away from fire and killer lockers and what ever was the cause of this!
Grabbing the brunet's hand once again the race continued.
BANG!
Yami yelled in frustration: still in the hallway. The door was teasingly close, like in dreams were you run and run but the exit never comes. Every time he started running one of the blasted lockers shot out in front of them. It was an insane game of red light green light; they were getting now where fast. Behind him Kaiba was barely managing to keep from repeating the domino effect.
"Okay…" Yami stop and took a deep breath, "I'm just going to run as fast as I can."
"That is the dumbest plan I've ever-" The rest of the CEO's words were lost as Yami blasted off at jet like speed. He was relived when he realized that Kaiba was able to keep up…of course with legs that long he guessed it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise. What was a surprise however was that that crazy plan, if you'd even call it a plan, had seemed to work. They cleared the menacing lockers and were feet away from the door. Yami could feel the clear and fresh breeze wafting threw it already, he was itching to dive down into the grass and just lay there, of course that is not what happened. A man blocked their path.
He was dressed in a fitted, lightly pin striped, black suit. His tie straight and perfect, shoes shinned, seemed as if the man was dressed for a night on the town, right down to the pocket square neatly folded inside the pocket on his blazer. Shoulder length black hair was drawn into a ponytail behind his neck with what looked like a black ribbon. His eyes were what really made a shiver travel up the former pharaoh's back, they were cold calculating gray. He was ever the evil gentleman. Yami stopped, something about that man said 'don't come near me.' Kaiba halted as well and not so abruptly, he noticed. Hopefully that meant that the others sight had improved.
"Pharaoh." The man stated.
Yami's brow wrinkled in confusion as he stared at his addresser. Was he supposed to know this man? He'd never seen him before in his life. Well, the life he could remember.
"Do I know you?"
The man's eyes shot up in mock hurt.
"My Pharaoh, your words wound me. You don't remember me?"
Silence, the world shifted, for a spilt second the hallway was gone, the three of them were surrounded by golden sand, dressed in simple white robs. Winds picked up the sand and the loose fabric blowing them about the figures. Fast as the vision flickered across Yami's eyes it disappeared.
"What, pry tell, do you remember?" The man was saying
"Why should I tell you?" Yami responded carefully
The man chuckled. It was an awful sound, as if in response the puzzle started glowing slightly. The gentleman began walking toward them, the well-shinned shoes striking on the tile as he went. It was almost mind busting, the constant click-clack, click-clack of the heels. By this time Kaiba had moved to stand next to Yami, the brunet was squinting still but didn't let on that he, at the moment, was a bit incapacitated. The man stopped before them, when he was this close it was obvious that their mystery opponent was at least an inch taller then the CEO. That was rare. If Kaiba noticed he didn't let his face show it.
The man shifted his glaze to the brunet.
"And the high priest is here as well. Intriguing."
"Does this conversation have a point? Because, frankly, I'd like to get out of the burning building."
Judging by the brief flash of surprise that surfaced on the man's face that was not the response he had been expecting, but as quickly as the expression appeared it melted away back into the placid mask.
"Nice to know this priest is also full of sass." He patted Kaiba's cheek like you would a child.
Kaiba pulled back instinctively, his eyes flashing with anger. Yami had never seen anyone that close to the CEO other then Mokuba.
"For your own heath I suggest you NEVER do that again." Kaiba said fuming.
"For my own heath? Is that right?" The man said with a grin. He bent down and picked up one of the discarded locker doors, then made it into a ball with his bare hands. Dropping it to the floor he looked back to Kaiba. "What are you going to do?"
"I think the better question is," Yami answered, "what are you going to do?"
The man snickered.
"I'm here for what is rightfully mine." He said looking at Yami. His smirk twisted into a wicked smile as he did.
"That doesn't sound good." The pharaoh mumbled taking a step back.
"You have no idea."
"Lets not find out." Kaiba said flatly. He pushed the man away from them roughly, and then pulled down one of the locker casings from the wall to separate them. "I doubt that will last long." He said to Yami, "Run."
"But the door-"
"We'll go threw the gym door!"
Turning around they ran back the way they came for a few paces until turning left and into the large gym. At the end of the gym was the large double door, they started for them immediately, of course running across a gym floor while wearing boots isn't the easiest thing too do. They slipped and slid most of the way, luckily, they reached the door before either had any broken bones. Yami started to run to the left when he felt himself being pulled back by a firm grip on his jacket.
"This way!" Kaiba said jerking his head towards the parking lot. "We'll take my car."
"Alright."
Yami didn't know what Kaiba's car looked like, but he had an idea. Find the most expensive looking car in the lot and go for it. As it turned out, he was right. They stopped in front of a very nice silver Ferrari.
"Glade I didn't take the limo today," he heard the brunet mumble as the driver's side door was pulled open. Yami slid into the passenger seat, seats that were more comfortable then most couches by the way, and looked at Kaiba worriedly.
"Umm," he started hesitantly
"What?"
"Are you sure you can see well enough to drive?" Yami asked still wondering about the flash from earlier. The CEO narrowed his eyes.
"I'm fine." Kaiba then threw the car into reverse and quickly backed out of the space. The action was followed immediately by a large Crash. Blue eyes glanced into the review mirror where the busted end of the car behind was displayed. "Although you might want to put on the seat belt."
Yami's eyes grew wide but followed the direction.
"Oh Ra, I'm going to die."
The car streaked out of the lot just barley missing the right curb.
"So, where are we going?" Yami asked when they were steadily speeding down the road.
"Kaiba Corp." Came the reply, "Security is better there then any other place in this city. That psycho can't get you there."
"Okay." Yami was a little confused now, was Kaiba actually being nice to him?
Silence enveloped the vehicle for a few seemingly endless moments before Yami just couldn't stand it anymore-
"Why are you helping me? I thought…I-"
"Geez, your around the mutt too much." He rolled his eyes, "Do you really think I'm so cold hearted that I'd leave you to the whim of a mad-man?" he sounded a little hurt, unless Yami was imagining things. "Besides," the CEO added quickly, "I owe you from all the times you helped save my little brother."
Yami nodded. This was a side of the brunet that was rarely seen. He liked it. There was a lot to like about him where you took the time to look. He was incredibly smart, brave, loyal to those he cared about –mainly Mokuba- and not to mention the physical attributes. Woh…how did that get in there? Well…it was true. Tall, dark, handsome; he fit the bill. Of course the crowning feature was the fine blue eyes. Joey and Tristan could always stare at the television for hours, but right now Yami could be just as captivated by those eyes. Oh crap. He was staring again. Said beautiful eyes noticed of course and were glancing confusedly between him and the road. Yami mentally slapped himself again. 'Yami you're losing your mind.' Part of him told himself, 'this is all just some weird hero worship thing because he's whisking you away from an enemy.'
"Um…" Kaiba mumbled, "So why is this guy after you anyway?" he finished obviously trying to get a conversation started.
"I don't know."
"He seemed to know who you are."
"I know. He must have something to do with the past." He paused. Should he even bring this up? "Our past. He knew you too."
Eye roll; right on time.
"Don't start with that destiny crap Yami. He's just another person who saw that blasted tablet and assumed I was that guy."
"You are."
Yep they we're in familiar territory now.
"I... resemble him."
"Kaiba-" The rest of the sentence was cut off as a telephone poll crashed down in front of the car.
"What the Hell?" Kaiba yelled spinning the wheel to quickly get the car in the left shoulder. Yami twisted around in his seat and looked out the back window. The man was following them.
"He's following us!"
"What?" Kaiba yelled, "How is that even possible? We're in a car Yami!"
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
The brunet sighed and glanced behind him.
"Your right. I wouldn't have believed you."
The man was flying. Honest to goodness flying. Like that Superman character in America, although Yami was certain that peace and justice wasn't involved in anyway. No, definitely not. Kaiba swerved to the left avoiding a falling streetlight; unfortunately in the process he had to pull his car up against a metal road guard. A loud grinding came from that side as the guardrail gouged the vehicle. The CEO clenched his teeth in anger, Yami could practically read his thoughts, probably something along the lines of:
'My CAR!'
But Kaiba didn't voice his frustration, not even turning his blazing eyes from the road he demanded:
"How is he doing this?"
Yami glanced behind him again. Their pursuer was about two car spaces behind them, with something gathered in his hand. When the pharaoh noticed this the puzzle started to glow. There was something familiar about that…very familiar. The man threw the substance in his hand; it slammed into a parked van ahead of them spinning it into their path. The Ferrari jumped into the oncoming lane to avoid it, only to be met with a semi-truck.
"Oh Shit!" Kaiba yelled over the loud horn of the semi. He yanked the wheel to get back in their lane, for a moment the silver car was on only the two left wheels, then it plopped back down with a huge jolt for the riders.
Yami took his eyes from the road to glance at the brunet. Kaiba's hands were gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles were white and there was even a trickle of sweat dripping down his face, but the crystal eyes were still locked on the road awaiting the next disaster. Yami didn't think even a professional racecar driver could have done any better. He shakily removed one of his arms from the dashboard –where he had put them to brace himself- and pulled down the sun-visor. Popping open the little vanity mirror inside of it he was able to watch their attacker more clearly. He was still there and had a huge grin across his face. It must all be some great hunting game to him. Suddenly he realized that the black substance was now in both hands.
"Get ready for a blitz Kaiba." Yami told the other watching as the man prepared to fire. The substance came falling down like rain. "Right! Left! Right! Left!" he yelled as objects and pieces of pavement clattered down and around them. The car turned to Yami's voice expertly. One piece of the stone shattered the back window; a falling street light took out the passenger side mirror. Yami got a good look at that streetlight, how the black substance wrapped around it with smooth and silky movements engulfing the object in black before yanking it from the ground with the force of a speeding train. How could he not have recognized it before? The man was using Shadow Magic. It was like a slap to the face, of course! That's why the puzzle reacted to it! That's why it seemed so familiar! Their stalker somehow harnessed the power of this ancient magic and condensed it like a bomb…what did this man want? - A sudden cry from Kaiba ripped Yami out of his thoughts. The windshield had exploded, he was fine, protected by the hanging sun-visor, but he could see a line of blood running down Kaiba's face from a cut, Ra knows how deep, somewhere on his forehead.
"Kaiba!" Yami yelled. He watched as the driver raised an arm to whip the blood out of his eyes before returning the limb to it's driving position. Well, he seemed to be okay. Yami looked back in the overhead mirror, their attacker had disappeared.
"He's gone." But the words barely escaped the pharaoh's mouth when a loud THUNK rung out. The man had landed on the hood of the car! Both riders let out a yelp of surprise.
"Glade to see me again boys?" he said with a sick grin and proceeded to reach into the car towards the passenger seat. Kaiba slammed on the brakes: hard. Luckily they were really good brakes. The car stopped with a jerk flinging everything forward with momentum. The occupants of the car were safe thanks to the seat belts, excellent little invention Yami thought, but their attacker flew backwards a good ways at least three car lengths.
"Go Kaiba, Go!" Yami yelled
"You think?"
The car tires squealed as Kaiba made a huge rubber burning u-turn, and escaped down the road.
"Can't you go any faster?" Yami asked anxiously
"With out a windshield? You want a rock to hit you in the face going 80 miles per hour?"
Okay…that made sense. But the puzzle was glowing again and he could see the stalker catching up threw the mirror. Somehow the puzzle could detect the man; that was an unexpected help. Must be because the psycho was using shadow powers, although now wasn't the time to contemplate that.
"He's catching up Kaiba."
The CEO glanced in the review mirror and sighed.
"There's nothing I can do." He sounded so defeated, it made Yami's heart sink for some reason. The car jerked as the man grabbed the back bumper, then lurched to the side when the left back tier was ripped from its frame. Inside the car Kaiba was fighting with the wheel the best he could, but the car was spent. The last thing Yami heard as the car tipped perilously to the side was Kaiba's rushed warning:
"Brace yourself."
(A/N: Anyone catch the line I barrowed from the movie 'Twister'? I don't own 'Twister' by the way. )