MP: FINALLY! Oh man. How long have I been out of this place? Wow! I'm finally back! Yay! I am SO SORRY that it's taken this long to update. I got a severe case of writers block for a while. And, of course, my computer hates me. So my first attempt at this chapter were deleted and I had to re-type it all over...Well! No matter! Cause it's here now. Whee! Okay, well, I'm sure you're anxious to read this, so go right ahead. Thank you for being so patient. Well, here's the long awaited Chapter 9. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Seal of Fears

Chapter 9

Yugi returned from his brief guilt trip. "What is that suppose to mean?" he asked, looking up. But there was no one there. Only the silent darkness. "Wha? Where'd he go?" The boy looked around, trying to spot the fiend.

Aibou! What's going on?

Yami! I think I found the guy who attacked our friends.

What? Are you sure?

Yeah. He confessed himself.

I do sense the same evil from before. Where are you now? Are you safe?

I don't think so. I'm in the alley still, and there's this big dark cloud. But I don't see the guy anywhere.

Yugi was still distracted by the conversation when a loud hissing sound was heard. The teen blinked and looked around, trying to find it's sorce. The sound got louder. Closer. What was it? It sounded familiar. It grew louder still. Wait. That sound. It sounded just like-

There was a sudden hiss and something lept from the shadows. It jumped at Yugi. Who somehow avoided it. The creature was a long green snake. It's head crashed into the ground just feet from the teen. It lifted it's head and looked around with it's large yellow eyes. This was insane. That thing was gigantic. It looked at Yugi and hissed.

Yami...

What is it?

I'm gonna go ahead and say that I'm definately not safe.

The snake lunged at him once again. Although he wasn't quite sure how, he got out of the way in time. He stared at the snake, fear in his eyes. "This is bad." he said to himself. The serpent hissed and made a third attempt. This time, Yugi jumped out of the way, but not quite far enough. A small part of the fang caught him, digging into his leg. The teen screamed in pain. He fell back and clutched his leg, blood pouring from the new wound.

YUGI! That's it, I'm taking over!

Now way! I don't want you getting hurt too!

I won't let you get killed!

I'm not gonna let you get killed either!

While the two argued, the snake got up again. Tired of chasing down it's meal, it snuck up quietly. It lifted it's head up into the air and opened it's mouth, showing off it's giant fangs.

It wanted to take care of this here and now. It roseuphigh and prepared to come down on the small boy as hard as it could. Finally, the snake let out a loud hiss and drove down toward it's prey.

Look out!

Huh? What?

Yugi looked behind him to see the snake launch it's head at him. He froze for a second, but his reflexes were quick enough. He tried to get up and throw himself away from the danger. Seconds later, the head slammed into the ground and a loud crashing was heard. Small chunks of pavement and streams of blood flew everywhere. And somewhere in the sudden chaos, Yugi screamed in pain.

"Yugi! YUGI!" Joey continued to pound on the barrier. His hands were sore and his knuckles were beginning to bleed. "Yugi!" He sank to his knees, trying to catch his breath. He couldn't be too late. There was no way this could happen. He growled and punched the ground in anger.

"Darn it. I wasn't fast enough. I couldn't help him!" He felt guilt and hatred rising in him. "I let him down!" The blonde felt tears filling his eyes. Was it completely hopeless? Was there no way to stop this? Had the bad guy finally won?

A sudden scream jerked him out of his thoughts. He looked at the barrier. Dat sounded like Yugi! He quickly got up and tried to break the wall once again. With little success. But he wasn't about to give up yet. He was determined to get in there and help. No matter what.

Joey took a few steps back. He stood about ten feet away from the only thing separating him and his best friend. He took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind. Throwing caution, and common sense, to the wind, he suddely ran forward. Straight at the barrier.

He didn't think of what would happen if this didn't work. Though it'd most likely result in a very bad headache. He thought only of getting through. To cross to the other side. To find Yugi. That was all that mattered right now. Without entirely realizing it, a light outlined him, as he passed through, and was engulfed by the darkness.

Yugi opened his eyes. In a second his eyes widened to the size of saucers. He would have screamed in horror if it weren't for the fact that he could taste his breakfast coming back up.

In front of him was a gruesome sight. The snake didn't look too much like a snake anymore. It's long body lay lifeless in a heap. It's head was unrecognizable. At least, what was left of it's head. The skull had rammed into the pavement so hard that it had been crushed by the force. Blood and brains were scattered all over. Okay, time to look away now.

Feeling a sharp pain in his arm, Yugi was actually relieved to concentrate on something other than the suicidal serpent. He looked to his right arm, seeing that there was a bleeding gash. He clutched it with his other arm, gritting his teeth. This just wasn't his day.

Aibou!

Yami was there again. No doubt worried as heck about his injured light.

Look at you! You're bleeding all over! Let me take over, I can handle those cuts.

What makes you think I can't? I don't need protecting. I'm fine, Yami.

But--

I don't want you hurt! So the answer is no!

Deciding to end the conversation, Yugi got up and looked around. He tried to avoid staring at the bloody scene, but found his eyes drawn to it the more he resisted. He had to find some way out of here. And some way to stop his wounds from bleeding so much.

He sighed, wondering if this was it. If maybe it was hopeless. His friends and family were gone. He didn't want Yami hurt, and he was trapped. It just seemed pointless to fight anymore. Things would only get worse if he continued to rebel against the forces of evil. It was times like this when he desperately wanted one of Tea's friendship speeches. Anything to make him feel better. He sighed. I wish that my friends were here...

As if on cue, a certain light appeared in the corner of his eye. Yugi looked at the dark wall, his eyes widening at the sight of the shinning figure taking form. It turned into the shape of a human. Not just any human. The light disappeared and the short teen smiled, hope filling his eyes once again.

"JOEY!" The blonde teen opened his eyes. He had half expected to run into the black wall. Once he realized where exactlyhe was, he grinned victoriously. It had worked! His eyes landed on Yugi, who looked like he was about to start jumping up and down in excitement.

Before either knew what happened, they were locked in a hug. (a/n: Brotherly type of hug. This isn't Yaoi!) "Joey! You're alright! I thought you got attacked!" Yugi yelled in delight. "I was! But man, I was worried like heck about you! What were you thinkin, running away?" Joey yelled back. "Yeah...sorry...I guess I got a little carried away..." Yugi said, embarassed. "A little?" Joey responded, half mocking him. "I know, I know." The shorter teen laughed uneasily.

Joey suddenly noticed red liquid running down the teen's arm. His eyes widened. "Yugi! Your arm!" Yugi looked at his right arm, remembering the injury. "Oh yeah." He grabbed it again, trying to keep too much blood from escaping his body. The blonde really started to panic when he spotted the wound on his leg. "What the heck happened to you!" he asked, concerned. The shorter teen pointed at what used to be a large snake. "That did."

The taller boy felt his stomach do a back flip and jump into his throat. He had to swallow it back down. Turning away from the scene, he looked back at Yugi. He decided to concentrate on a way to fix his friend up. At least until they could get out of here.

Remembering that he happened to be wearing a jacket, he usually seemed to be, he quickly took it off. He ripped the sleeves and made some temporary bandages. "Here we go! This should hold ya until we can get outta here." He grabbed Yugi's arm and started bandaging it.

Yugi looked at the blonde slightly surprised. He didn't know that Joey could be so resorceful. Or that he could bandage so well with a strip of jacket sleeve. "Joey...you don't have to do that. That's your favorite jacket. I don't want you to ruin it on my account." Joey looked at him like he was crazy. "Are you kiddin me Yugi?" He laughed lightly. "Pal, this may be my favorite jacket, but you're my favorite friend."

Yugi blinked. Wow, Joey really was spending a lot of time around Tea and her friendship speeches. He smiled. Well, at least those speeches always made him feel better.

"There," Joey said finishing up, "how's that?" Yugi looked at his arm. The make-shift bandage was stained with blood, but it did ease the pain a little. "Much better. Thanks, Joey." The blonde smiled slightly. "Alright, now I'll just fix up dat leg and we can figure out a way outta here." The multi-colored haired teen nodded in agreement.

The shorter boy sat down while the taller one worked carefully on his leg wound. It stung every now and then, but he got used to it. He wondered to himself if they really would get out. He shook the doubt out of his head. Of course they would. As long as they were together, no bad-guy-of-the-month with some stupid eyepatch was going to stop them.

Yugi yawned. He felt tired after all he'd been through today. He sure could use a rest. But he didn't want to take a nap. Not while their lives were in danger. Though, being exhausted would probably slow them down. He tried to stay peppy and energized, but found it increasingly difficult. With the silent promise to himself that they would re-open,his eyes closed for only a second. It only took half that long for him to fall asleep.

As Joey was just finishing up, Yugi's body began to glow and change. This caused the blonde to pull away in surprise. When the glow faded, the short teen opened his eyes to reveal intense crimson orbs. Yami had taken over once again.

The pharaoh rubbed his head. "Ah. It's about time Aibou fell asleep. I was worried he'd actually try to make it through all of this on his own." Joey blinked, just now realizing who was speaking. "Hey Yami. Taking over for Yugi?" Yami nodded at Joey. "Yes, he's hurt and I don't want him to risk injuring himself further." "That's nice of you." the blonde said with a small smile. "Yes, well, I wish I could have taken over earlier. Then maybe we could have avoided this."

Joey shrugged. "Eh, who's ta say. Knowing our luck, you probably woulda ended up in the same situation. Just somewhere else." "Heh. I suppose you're right." Yami said. "Oh, by the way, Joey. Good to see you're alright." He smiled. The blonde smiled back. "Good to see you guys are alright too."

Without warning, a dark voice echoed through the air. "Aww...isn't that nice. The blonde mongrel and the pharaoh and his host, all back together again." Yami and Joey looked around immediatly. "Takesha! Where are you? Show yourself!" the pharaoh demanded.

Takesha's voice chuckled. "Ah Pharaoh. Always so impatient. Why don't you just stick around? I'm sure that you and your dog will enjoy my little game." Yami stood up and glared into darkness. "Let us out of here now! And release our friends from whatever spell you have them under!" "Now now, Pharaoh. That's not very polite. You didn't even say please. And besides, when does that ever work?" "He's got a point you know." Joey commented. "Joey, please don't agree with the enemy." Yami said.

"Since you two seem so anxious, I'll go ahead and start the next round for you. You may have been able to defeat the Wheeler girl's fear, but let's see how you handle your grandfather's!"

"What? My sister? Why you lousy--I oughta!" Joey ran forward in anger, not entirely sure where he was headed. "Joey, wait!" Yami took off after him. Why did he always have to run away in a blind rage like that? The blonde finally stopped when he realized he couldn't see and that he was lost. Still wanting more than anything to tear Takesha to shreds, he yelled at the dark sky. "Hey! Where are you, huh? Come out and fight like a man!" Takesha replied in a grim voice, "Why fight like a man? When you can fight like a monster."

"What the heck is that suppose to mean, exactly?" Joey asked. There was no response. He growled. "Darn it! Get down here and fight me!" He felt like he wanted to punch the guy's face in. And, given the chance, he probably would. He looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of the criminal. His eyes suddenly fell upon something on the ground.

Curiousity over-taking him, he walked over and picked it up. His eyes widened. It was a Duel Monsters card. And not just any card. But a certain dragon friend of his. "Red-Eyes!" He looked it over. How did this get here? he wondered. That's when the dragon's eyes flashed red.

Yami was still running, trying to catch up with his friend. How on earth did he keep managing to lose him? They were in the same small alleyway and he still couldn't fiind him. Darn that Joey and his long legs. And darn his own height. The fact that he was vertically challenged didn't exactly help him to keep up with the short tempered teenager.

Before he was able to lament silently any further, he heard a loud scream. "Oh no. Please don't tell me..." That definately sounded like Joey. He pushed himself to go faster. He had already been too late for his blonde friend once before, he didn't want it to happen again. Well, really Yugi was the one who was late. But the pharaoh didn't bother with technicalities.

He finally had to stop running. Why? Because there was a stream of fire that burst out right infront of him, that's why. "Woah! What on earth?" He looked in the direction the fire seemed to be coming from. Hiscrimson eyes widened when he saw it's source. A giant Red-Eyes Black Dragon was flying around, screeching and spitting fire. The egyptian was off in a fascinated daze until he heard a certain companion yelling.

He blinked and looked around. "Joey?" He noticed a figure with a shaggy blonde top. It was running away while being chased by the dragon. "Joey!" Yami ran toward him, while trying to avoid being burnt to a crisp. Joey looked at Yami. "Yami! What the heck are you thinkin? Get outta here! You're gonna get turned into toast!" "Yeah, like I'm just going to leave you to fend off a giant, fire-breathing, dragon by yourself!" Yami retorted.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea. Seeing as how you have your own monster to deal with." Takesha's voice sounded. As the two boys turned their head's in the direction of the noise, a large ball of dark energy exploded just feet away from them. They yelped in surprised and stopped running. Yami immediately threw himself to the ground and dragged Joey along with him. They just barely missed being scorched by the fire of the once loyal dragon.

Red-Eyes flew right over them and took it's place next to another creature. A very familiar monster in a purple outfit with a large staff and a big pointy hat. "Dark Magician?" The pharaoh recognized. "That's not good!" the blonde commented.

Takesha laughed darkly. "Yes. Very good Pharaoh. I assume you've figured it out by now." Yami glared into the darkness. "Curse you..." "Curse huh? Sounds like a great idea. Dark Magician, show him one of your little spells." Takesha ordered. The Dark Magician pointed it's staff at Yami, a ball of dark energy building up. It fired. "Hey! Look out!" Joey tackled him out of the way. The blast exploded as it hit an invisible wall. Takesha laughed, amused. "Prepare fools. You'll now need saving from the very creatures you've relied on to save you for all these years!"

MP: Ah...finally. Now I can relax...until the next chapter needs posting. So, how will our heroes win when up against their favorite monsters? Will they ever get out of here? Will they be able to save the world this time? Will they really be able to conquer their biggest fears? And quite possibly the most important question...Will Takesha EVER learn that an "evil eyepatch" really isn't all that cool? Probably not...Anyway, to find the answers to those other questions, just keep checking in for updates. I PROMISE the next chapter will be up sooner than three months this time. Hopefully sometime this month or near the start of January. Anywho, thanks again for reading! Remember to review! Oh, and here is the Preview...of course.

Preview for Chapter 10

As they were running, Yami's mind was yelling at him to think of a plan. Anything. Anything at all. Anything that would get them safely away from here! But he couldn't come up with anything.

He tried to think back to Yugi's battle with the giant snake for inspriration. Though the situation was more than a little different. Yugi had faced a giant snake. And it had unintensionally killed itself. While here, he was up against two life-size Duel Monsters. And he seriously doubted that the Dark Magician would attack itself with a spell or that the Red-Eyes would set itself on fire. That's when it clicked. How do you kill two live Duel Monsters? You don't. They do.

"Joey! I have an idea!"