Disclaimer: I don't own it….I only own my sanity
Jou: And she doesn't really own that either….
Sorry for the long wait for chapter 12. It may or may not be shorter than some of my others. But I'll try to do my best. K? On with the fic and don't forget to review.
Chapter 12: A mess of things.
The gang tiredly walked through the darkened wood with the same thought in mind; 'Where in the world are we going?' It's not as if there was a map that gave directions to the nearest castle containing an evil shadow or anything. Everyone had to admit it though, they were tired, hungry, and not to mention lost. Yami sighed as he realized that it would be getting dark soon as night approached. /We'll need to do something fast. / He thought before stopping and turning towards his friends.
"Ok guys. I'm sure you'll all agree that we need to stop for the night." Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Joey bit his lip and decided to take a leadership role and speak up. "We do need to stop but… I don't think sleeping in the middle of the woods is such a great idea… maybe there's some sort of cave around?" He trailed off feeling, if not a little, uncomfortable. Seto patted his shoulder as a way to congratulate him for taking charge. "He's right. We'll be a lot safer in a cave. We should see if there's one up ahead." Yugi agreed and the group moved deeper into the forest. They finally found a cave not to far up ahead and they settled in. But after a few good minutes of adjusting they came to a startling conclusion… they didn't bring any food. There was a moment of silence until Tristan's stomach growled. "Ah man. I won't make it through the night without some food to eat. Isn't there some mushrooms we can eat or something?" Yugi paled at the thought of eating some bad mushrooms. "Maybe we should stay away form any mushrooms or berries Tristan." Ryou said while grabbing some sticks that were lying around.
"Instead, why don't we go fishing? We can catch some fish and then cook them. It's a lot safer that way." Ryou brightened up when everyone agreed. Everyone started off to find a lake or a river to find fish. However, Joey stopped Seto and Bakura as they were leaving too. "You guys, I don't want to seem paranoids but… I think I sense something. Something bad. I think it's coming from around here somewhere." Seto nodded. "Ok. We'll look to see if there's anything suspicious around. You stay here and start a fire." Seto and Bakura searched the forest but didn't find anything. When they returned Joey had already started the fire. "Nope, didn't see anything. Maybe you were just imagining it." Bakura said nonchalantly. Seto nodded.
"No. I'm almost positive I felt something. Maybe I should go and look." He said getting up but was stopped by Seto who put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "No Joey. It's too dangerous out there for you to go alone. If you really feel there's something wrong I'll go back and look again." Joey sighed and sat down angrily. "I bet you two think I'm crazy…." Bakura chuckled.
"What's wrong with that?" Joey sighed. "Nothing. But I'm sure I felt something. But I'll let It pass… maybe it's because I'm tired." He said with a yawn. When the others came back, with the mother load of fish according to Tristan, the fish was cooked and everyone ate and talked with one another. Everyone except Joey who was starring out into the darkness not being able to believe that everything is ok.
/ There's something out there… I know it. Hopefully, whatever it is, it'll stay out there. / He turned and noticed that almost everyone was asleep, except ryou, Tristan, and seto. Tristan had gone out to star watch, so he says, and Seto went out to make sure that there was nothing out there. Ryou just sat watching the fire. "Joey, you're being awfully quiet. Is there anything wrong?" Ryou asked softly, just because it seemed to fit the mood. Joey smiled even though it didn't reach his eyes.
"I think I'm losing my mind but I think there's something out there. Waiting for us… so it can strike." Ryou contemplated that thought and whistled lowly. "That's deep stuff. I think we'll be ok though." His words were cut off by a loud crash followed by a scream. "That sounded like Tristan!" Joey said getting up and running in that direction with ryou not too far behind. Joey ran through the forest, jumping over tree roots and knocking away stray branches that hung from the trees. He had never run so fast in his life. / Please be alright Tristan. I know you're mad at me, but I still love you as a brother. / He thought as he went faster. He finally saw a clearing up ahead and sped up until he passed the clearing and came to a complete stop. His eyes widened at all the smell and sight of blood at clogged his senses. And there laid Tristan who was clutching his leg in pain, but he was not alone. There were creatures surrounded Tristan, they looked like dogs, only that they had no skin. You could see their insides. (Think about the dogs in resident evil). Joey froze on the spot when he saw that he was surrounded as well.
/Crap. What do I do now? I don't want to leave Tristan unattended. But I can't watch him AND fight at the same time. I'll have to attack them all at once… but I can't attack Tristan too/. Tristan saw Joey battle with himself and felt sorry for his friend. "Joey it's alright. You can attack me. I'll just try to jump out of the way." He yelled to his friends, wary of the dogs that were around him.
Joey wanted to tell Tristan that it would be too dangerous but seeing the noble and apologetic look in his friend's eyes, he decided to try in anyway. He took a step forward and the dogs began to run towards him. / Alright it'd either kill them or be killed. / He thought as he felt the telekinetic energy flow through his body and his eyes turned to an eerie purple color. The dogs continued to run forward until they were flung backwards by a violent telekinetic force. Blood splattered everywhere as they violently smacked into various trees and rocks, killing them instantly. Joey sighed as his hair fell back to his shoulders and his eyes turned back to honey again. He then remembered where he was and ran to Tristan's side. "Tristan are you alright?" Tristan groaned but smiled none the less. "Yeah… nothing a bit of rest and a first aid kit won't cure. But I… wanted to apologize for being such a blockhead. Can you forgive me?" Joey smiled. "Of course." The two didn't have enough time to enjoy their reunion because the sky turned pitch black and they were bathed in darkness, not even the moon was visible.
Joey grabbed Tristan and the two huddled together. "Joey what's going on? Do you sense anything?" Joey started to shake a little. "It's here…." He said on an almost haunted whisper. Tristan eye's narrowed. "What's here man? You're starting to scare me." Joey started to shiver as he felt what was like cold mist surround him. "The great shadow… Lord Hatsuharu…he's actually human but is protected by the powers of darkness… so he gives off the illusion of a shadow… no on has actually ever seen him…" He said in a monotone voice. "Ok how do you know that Joey?" Tristan asked not knowing if that was really his friend anymore. Joey shook his head trying to come back to earth. "I…I don't know… It was like someone was speaking through me… He said as he wrapped his arms around himself. "It's so cold…I hope the other's are ok." Tristan grunted. "Yeah, I hope they come and find us… though it's impossible to see anything…do you think we should try to get up?... Joey?" Joey just shivered more as he felt is body become lighter. "S...So cold…"
"Joey this isn't funny. Talk to me." He said as he grabbed Joey's arms only to drop it because it was as cold as ice. Tristan looked up when he thought he heard someone talking. "Who's there? What do you want with Joey?" The only answer he got was, "I will kill the chosen one… and when his powers are mine I will destroy this pathetic planet and all who exists." The voice ended in a whisper and Tristan began to fear for his friend's life. "Joey, are you there? Speak to me. Joey!" Tristan looked up when the sky began to clear and it was no longer night anymore, they had been there all night long. Tristan panicked when he realized that Joey was sprawled out on the ground. He turned him over to see that Joey's eyes were open but they were pitch black with no feeling in them.
He tried to get Joey to wake up but Joey would only whisper that he was cold. Tristan sighed in relief when he heard the other's coming to get them. Seto was the first to enter the clearing and ran over when he saw Joey. "What the hell happened to him?" He asked feeling how cold Joey's skin was. "I don't know… the sky got pitch black. Then Joey said that he sensed the Great shadow… then the next thing I know he's like this. But I did hear someone talking to me… I know it sounds crazy but I think it was the shadow thing. It said it will kill Joey, absorb his powers, and destroy the world…and that's what happened." Seto continued to wave his hand in Joey's face to try to get his attention. "Puppy, it's me… Seto. Come one puppy, speak to me." He practically begged, which was unusual because Seto Kaiba never begged. But dead look in Joey's once loving eyes and dead cold skin made him liable to do almost anything. "S…seto…." Everyone turned immediately when they heard it. Taking this as progress seto continued. "Yes Joey, it's me. Are you aright?"
"Seto…" Joey whispered as his eyes turned back to its original color. Everyone including Seto sighed in relief. Seto could not help himself but pulled Joey into a hug. "God puppy, you scared me… I thought you weren't coming back to me…" Joey smiled in the embrace. "I'm ok now…but I need to fill you all in on what I know now…" After revealing the newfound information everyone felt a little better knowing what they were dealing with. "So he's human eh? I guess this makes our Job a little easier." Bakura said with a smirk. Ryou nodded in agreement with his Yami. "We should go now… since it's light out. We can try to get to the next town by nightfall." With that everyone started to pack there few items. Joey was at the lake with Seto washing his prosthetic leg that had gotten very dirty from all the running and falling. "Hey seto?" Seto looked up from his washing, signaling he was listening. "Do you still find me… ya know… beautiful? How are you not uncomfortable with me not having a leg?" Joey asked a bit embarrassed. Seto put his wash cloth down and sat next to Joey. "I don't even really notice it anymore… it's as if you've always had it. Besides, everything else about you is attractive including your personality. You were so brave yesterday. I'm so proud of you pup." Joey smiled.
"Thanks Seto… this gives me hope that we can really do this." Seto chuckled as he and Joey walked back to the others to start leaving; hand in hand. "We can Joey, we can."
End Chapter.
Please review ok guys/give out Yugioh Merchandise./