---Rating: PG13---
"" is talking
~ ~ is for thinking and reminiscing
** is for coughs or sighs
--- --- is for mental conversations or mental voices
--"( )"- Sacred Ancient language used by Shadi
--( )-Same as language except in mental conversation.
"+++++++++++" - Usually a language that is spoken by someone but the
person listening doesn't understand.
---MAJOR WARNINGS---
Yaoi - As in homosexuality (and if you don't know that word you are NOT 13 and hence should not be reading this). Nothing graphic however - not in this chapter anyway. Cursing
AN: Okayyy I misspelled Ai's name - again it's Ay apparently(rolls eyes) you know what? I'm gonna stick with Ai - too much trouble to change it again ^^.
Oh - I got a few complaints about Yugi's eyes. Like I explained before I was going by the Manga that depicted Yugi with green eyes once or twice. I LIKE the idea of Yugi with green eyes (in fact that's how I colour his eyes when I draw him) - and there's a reason to them being green. You'll understand at the end of the fic. 9_9 - oh and Dark Magician, Black magician - it's the same thing - don't have a heart attack over it - it's just a story.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - Some Questions Answered
Yami slowly opened his eyes, blinking in the sharp light. Where was he? Jerking
his head up, he immediately clenched his temples when bolts of agony shot across
his eyes.
~Shit will my head ever NOT hurt?!~
Groaning, he flipped himself over into a crouching position and let his head hang down, waiting out the pain. That damn Malik What the hell had he done this time? He couldn't remember a goddamn thing from last night.
~Just like before at the hospital~
An image of Yugi's face flashed before his eyes and he pressed a hand to them. Yugi he remembered Yugi
~Where is the kid anyway?~
~What ifWhat if I did something?~
His head finally clear, he slowly gazed around; he was in an elaborately decorated room with pillars supporting the roof, similar to the huge area they had been standing in the morning before.
No sign of Yugi though.
Suddenly worried that he was in trouble or that Malik might have made him do something to the shorter boy, Yami stumbled to his feet, savagely ignoring the vertigo.
"Yugi!?" he called, his throat tight. He staggered to the door and pulled it open.
Ai's dark gaze met his own.
"Huh!? You!? Where's Yugi, what have you bastards done to him!?" he spat irritably.
~Oh it's 'you bastards' now? Not 'I' anymore?~
"Young look-a-like go find food - he ask me watch stupid look-a-like. Why
not bathe so you not smell like rotting camel?" Ai replied, his voice bored.
~Rotting CAMEL!!?~
His blood boiling, Yami slammed his fist against the door with all his might. "Just what the HELL is your problem, asshole?" He felt like strangling the fool of an old man right there. Every time he saw this guy, he managed to tick him off.
Ai smiled bitterly. " 'My problem?'" he mimicked Yami with surprising skill. " 'My problem' is Stupid look-a-like's smell" at that he stepped away from the door. "And how you treat young look-a-like." His voice was a low whisper as he said this.
"What?" Yami whispered dangerously, eyes narrowed. "What the hell does that mean?"
~GodI did do something didn't I?~
"Stupid look-a-like push little look-a-like around, make little look-a-like feel like dirt - Ai like other guytreat little look-a-like like treasure" his eyes bored into Yami's long and hard and then without warning, he turned and strode down the hall, mumbling to himself.
(A.N. in case some of you readers didn't get that - Ai was referring to the other Yami that kissed Yugi - hence, not the CURRENT Yami.)
Yami stared after him completely confused and convinced (if he wasn't before) that the old cook was completely off his rocker. Stepping back into the room he slammed the door behind him - the sound echoed throughout the room, making Yami wince. Glaring at the objects around him he was horribly tempted to grab something and throw it - HARD.
That was when he saw the tub.
~So I stink like a rotting camel do I?~ Yami thought grouchily as he stalked to the side of the bath, pulling off his jacket and trying the pipes. ~So I treat Yugi like DIRT, do I!!?~ He was relieved when hot water gushed from the pipes and sank in gratefully.
~So I didn't do anything to Yugi - not this time round anyway I think that old geezer would have mentioned it. Seems to have a soft spot for the kid.~
~Who doesn't? He seems has a knack for picking up protective people~
When the first few minutes of euphoria wore off, he allowed his mind to wander. What did that old man mean? Who was treating little look-a Yugi like treasure? He felt a strange flicker of resentfulness towards the person and had to quickly catch himself, he hardly cared who treated Yugi like 'treasure', it was his job to get Yugi back to the real world. That was THAT. Right?
Bitterly he lowered himself in the water blowing bubbles. He couldn't have been asleep THAT long for Yugi to go find someone
~Not that I bloody well CARE~
~Uh-huhyou're so VERY convincing you know that?~
~SHUT UP!~
Splashing his face with hot water, he shot out of the bath and was about to pull on his leather pants when his eyes fell on a neatly folded garment beside the bunch of pillows on the floor. Curious, he went over to it and was surprised to see a very comfortable looking cotton robe, black with delicate embroidery on the collar. It was just his size.
Shrugging, he pulled it on and wrapped the white belt around his waist, tying it. It felt cool to his skin and was as comfortable as it looked. He was just tying the sandals that he had found under the robe when he saw something colourful lying on the floor. Turning, he picked it up and brought it up to his eyes.
A Black Magician card?
And not just any one either
He noted with guilt that it had rip marks along the surface and that tape that had been used to carefully put it back together - not that it helped - the image itself on the card was ruined. This was the card he had torn up in front of Yugi right after punching him. Why was the kid carrying it?
Lowering the card, he ran his hand through his hair. This was entirely his faultYugi would never have been in the hospital to be found by Malik if he hadn'tpunched Yugiwouldn't be here now - with HIM - as a prisoner of Malik.
~He hasn't complained once since we got here - hasn't asked for anything - hasn't blamed me~
~How can someone be that kindhearted?!~
Pocketing the black magician card, he tied his sandals and stood up just as the door opened quietly. Yami prepared a verbal insult to throw at Ai but caught himself when he saw Yugi peek his head in, nervously.
"Oh, you're back did you find any food?" Yami asked carelessly, turning to pick up his discarded clothes. Let the guilt take him, he refused to be any nicer to him, REFUSED.
Yugi's heart began hammering in his chest when he saw Yami standing there in the robes. He looked fierce and elegant wearing those, like an Arabian fighter. He glanced down at his tunic, noting how it ended just above the knees. It made him look young and silly. But why would Yami care anyway? (A/N anyone want me to draw them in their outfits? I think if I get about 5 requests, I will)
His cheeks heated when Yami turned his eyes back on him, curiosity in them and stammered the first thing that came to his mind.
"Nno, I was looking for someone" he stepped in the room and tried to look as small as possible in a corner. He had actually been looking for Malik - to see if there was any possible way to get that rod away from him but three robed figures had stopped him from entering the corridor he had last seen Malik and Yami disappear through.
Yami's breath caught in his throat as he took in Yugi's outfit, admiring the beautiful pale fabric and how it suited his tiny image. If Yugi had looked delicate before, he looked ten times more so now. What was with this kid? He was always teetering on the edge of beautiful.
~Looking for someone?~ Yami's stomach tightened painfully, remembering Ai's words. "Who?" he asked sharply, he didn't understand this sudden annoyance he felt that Yugi might be with someone else.
Yugi's eyes widened, he didn't want Yami knowing he was trying something so stupid as attempting to steal Malik's rod - Yami would probably call him a fool. So he lied immediately, finding the first friendly name he could think of. ""
Yami's inner suspicions began to grow. "You told him to stay and watch
me because you were going to get food - are you some kind of idiot that you
go looking for him right after you saw him?" It wasn't until after he had
said those words that he realised just how cold they sounded. But why did he
care now? He'd called Yugi a fool before without feeling an ounce of guiltbut
this time. Yugi's expression actually made him feel guilty.
Shame flooded Yugi. He heart was still aching from what had happened the night
before - how could he be falling for him? He was so harsh with words, a bullyHad
hurt him more times than he count and there he had gone and insulted him again.
The image of Yami kissing him sprang involuntarily to mind and he turned a deep red and averted his eyes, tears threatening to fall again. He was an idiot! That hadn't been THIS Yami standing before him now - just some other Yami brought out by Malik. Why had he been so hopeful that Yami would be a little different when he woke up?
"Why do you care anyway?" Yugi snapped unhappily and pushing the door open, walked out of the room. The door closed with a sharp 'click'.
Yami stared after him in surprise. He didn't think he had ever heard Yugi; in the span of time he had known him, raise his voice in irritation that way. And if he hadn't been mistaken there had been tears in his eyes.
~What the hell is going on?~
-----------------------------
"You say Yugi was taken from the hospital by this Yami person?" Professor Isis said gently, talking to Tea. Tea nodded an affirmative while slapping Joey's hand away from the automatic window winder, which he had been pressing with great enthusiasm. Joey glared at her and then crossed his arms pouting.
Triston rolled his eyes at Joey and stared out of the window, doing his very best not to appear friendly towards the strange woman who had appeared out of nowhere and bailed them out of the police station.
"Listen to me very carefully Tea, that person you saw in the hospital, who kidnapped Yugi, was not Yami."
Triston made a rude sound and Tea jabbed her elbow into his ribs. "What do you mean Isis-Sensei?"
"I am saying that Yami was being controlled mentally by by my little brother." Professor Isis replied gently.
At this point Tea looked wary, Joey started to look skeptical and Triston exploded in anger. "What the HELL do you mean by 'controlled mentally'? Are you some kind of psycho lady? - are you really taking us to the hospital?" He began yanking at the lock and looked very prepared to leap from the moving vehicle
Professor Isis shook her head. "Please, listen to me- your friend, Yugi, has gotten tangled into a very dangerous web. A web that should not have existed but thanks to my brother it does now. And if Yugi is not found - soon and taken from Malik's grasp then the world is in very grave danger."
Silence penetrated the car as the three teens stared at her in amazement.
"YYami was acting strangely guys" Tea said softly. Triston glared at her incredulously and Joey looked at her quizzically. "I mean - I can say that because I was his friend before he went into that bully streak - he picks on people but he's not one to - well do THAT much to someone. And the way he spoke in the hospital - remember? 'stupid mortal' he called Joey. Yami's arrogant but not THAT arrogant."
Triston nodded reluctantly but Joey looked stubborn. "He beat up Yugi twice Tea - I'm sorry - that doesn't convince me. I'm still gonna punch his lights out when I see him again."
Tea shook her head and looked at Professor Isis. "Who is your brother?"
"His name is Malik, we both belong to a sacred cult of Egypt - nothing dangerous!" she said hastily at Tea, Joey and Triston's suddenly apprehensive faces. "We simply - guard"
"Guard what?" Joey asked, offering for the first time some input into the conversation.
Isis smiled gently at him and continued. "We guard sacred objects called the Millennium items. Well, we did guard them but Malik has betrayed the cult and the items have been stolen by outsiders. I work in Japan and was greatly surprised to hear that the items had arrived here. I quickly set to work at taking them back legally but Malik stole them before we knew what was happening. Thankfully - the final item"
"Final item?" Tea echoed.
Isis sighed. "This is highly confusing isn't it? Let me explain further. The items that were stolen, the Millennium items - were creations of great power once used by an ancient Pharaoh of Egypt who was not recorded in history books. The majority of the items were guarded by my cult - except for the final item, which was destined for the Chosen one and guarded by another. The Chosen one is crucial - for you see - the Pharaoh has been reborn. We do not know who or where is he is but it is crucial that he be found, and the Chosen One is the only one who can find him and return the final Item to him."
"But the Chosen One?" Tea murmured.
"The Chosen one is Yugi."
The three teens stared blankly at Isis, utterly in shock.
"Wait" Joey said hoarsely. "You mean to tell me thatYugi? Is the Chosen One? Of what? And he has to find the Pharaoh? Why!?"
"The world at the moment is not in balance Joey, there exists another realm, the Shadow Realm that was abruptly sealed off long ago, mainly due to the Pharaoh. Powers that you could not imagine were ravaging the earth, powers that came from the Shadow Realm. The Pharaoh in an attempt to save the world from destruction sealed away the Shadow Realm, the effort cost him his life but for a while at least the world was safe."
"For a while?" Joey pressed on.
"The Shadow Realm to put it any other way is the shadow of our world, the dark to our light, Ying and Yang. When the Pharaoh sealed away the Shadow Realm he saved the earth for a while but at the same time doomed it. This world is slowly dying without it's other half to give it balance."
"Soin other words, the world has to be put back in balance?" Tea asked softly.
Isis nodded, pleased that Tea was catching on so quickly. "Exactly, our cult's job was to protect the items that the Pharaoh used to seal the Shadow Realm from all those who would use their powers stupidly and without understanding. However our cult had another job - to find the Pharaoh (thanks to the Chosen one), once he was reborn and explain to him what he had done. The powers that once ravaged the world so long ago have long since calmed down and a balance with the Shadow Realm and this world can safely be undertaken. Only the elders, myself as well as one other knew of this 'job' that our cult had to do. Malik, unfortunately was too young to be told of this and despite all our teachings, he has gone power mad and betrayed us. He does not understand what he is attempting to do. He wishes to rule the world using the power of the Shadow Realm but does not realise that all he will succeed in doing is destroying it."
"But if Malik has Yugithe Chosen one, then that means you can't find the Pharaoh and Malik can't be stopped?" Tea asked hurriedly, rapidly understanding. "From what I understand, Malik does not know Yugi is the chosen one? So why did he capture Yugi using Yami?"
"Malik does not know about the Chosen one or the Pharaoh being reborn, but he wanted the final item. He cannot force entry into the Shadow Realm any other way. Yugi received the final item - a puzzle, the millennium puzzle we call it - for his birthday, it was to be part of the larger picture, Yugi would receive the puzzle, solve it and in turn find the Pharaoh - we would step in at that point, explain to the Pharaoh what he had to do and the world would be put in harmony once more. However, Malik knew when the final item was put back together and using Yami he captured Yugi."
"Why not just take it from Yugi?" Joey asked.
"Because by that time the puzzle had bonded with Yugi, a type of magic our cult called upon to ensure only the Pharaoh would get the puzzle and also only after Yugi gave it to him. If Malik had found the puzzle before Yugi had gotten it, he might have been able to use (that is if he had been able to put it back together) but as the case goes, Yugi got the puzzle first. Malik did the only thing he could do - he captured Yugi, along with the puzzle."
"I'm terrified to ask this, but why not kill Yugi and take the puzzle?" Tea asked, her throat tight. Joey and Tristen glanced fearfully at Tea and then at Isis.
"Thanks to the bonding, if Yugi is killed the puzzle will disappear forever. Malik has enough training about the items to understand this, so Yugi's life is safe - for now. But I've learned distressing news that somehow Malik got Yugi to use the puzzle and ripped an entrance into the Shadow Realm. Yugi was never meant as the Chosen one to use the puzzle, only to care for it. His body and mind cannot withstand the use of the final item, it is meant only for the Pharaoh. If we do not rescue Yugi soon, Malik may very well make Yugi use the puzzle again. - if he uses the item too many times he will die and we will loose the one sure way to find the Pharaoh again. Not to mention that Malik may let loose the horrors of the Shadow Realm once more."
"This is all too much" Tea stammered. "Why is this all happening to Yugi?"
Professor Isis looked sad. "This was all very unexpected on our part. We never anticipated betrayal from one of our own. But our number one priority is to rescued Yugi."
"But how?" Tea, Triston and Joey all said together.
"I will explain that soon but we have reached the hospital. Come, if you are confused still, all will be explained - but I will need your help as well as Yugi's grandfathers." The driver of the limousine opened the car door and Professor Isis stepped out leaving Tea, Joey and Triston staring after in amazement.
"Is it just me or has things gotten very weird?" Joey asked in a low voice.
-----------------------------
Yugi tentatively made his way through the huge corridors of the underground palace. He utterly hated this- every time he though Yami was warming up to him at least a bit; Yami turned around and bit his head off. Yes, Yami had not hit him, even carried him across the desert - but he suspected it was all due to guilt. Yami was not truly concerned about him; he was a bother, a responsibility that Yami was trying to get rid of. He'd said so himself!
~Finally starting to realise huh?~
~You gave that idiot too much credit in the feelings department.~
~That's not true - Yami gave up a chance to get his parents back because of you~
Yugi paused in mid-step, his fingers clasping a large tapestry that was hanging against the wall. That was true. Yami HAD given up his parents - he wasn't sure if Malik was telling the truth there but if it had been HIS chance to get his parents back - would he have rebelled like that? Gone against Malik?
~Kami-sama what have we gotten ourselves into?~ Yugi thought miserably as he gently stroked the puzzle around his neck and made to move off again.
"Little look-a-like" Ai's voice said suddenly at his side.
Yugi nearly tripped in surprise and gazed up at Ai. "Yes, Ai?"
"You and stupid summoned to centre of palace, go this way" Ai informed him, waving down the corridor he had just exited from.
"Ccould you call him?" Yugi asked softly, the unhappiness plain in his voice. "I don't want to talk to him" he gazed up at Ai sadly.
Ai nodded, understanding in his eyes. "You go, little look-a-like, I call stupid." He took off in the opposite direction that Yugi was walking and soon disappeared down the corridor. Yugi glanced after him gratefully and headed to where Ai had told him to go. Why were they being summoned?
-----------------------------
Yami was pacing the room, torn between staying there and acting like he did not care or running after Yugi, to make sure the little idiot didn't end up in a lava pit or something else that was amazingly unexpected. He had just decided to go after Yugi (much to his annoyance) when Ai (even more to his annoyance) pushed the door opened and informed him (in so many words) that his presence was wanted in the centre of the palace.
"Why the hell should I go?" Yami growled, crossing his arms and deciding to be as stubborn as possible.
"Little look-a-like is already there. Maybe little look-a-like make nice little trophy for Malik yes?" Ai said coldly and slammed the door after him.
Yami needed no more goading and was soon out of the room following Ai at an acceptable distance (he REALLY didn't care though).
-----------------------------
Yugi stepped in a large cavern type cave and gazed at the large stalagmites
and stalactites that spotted the area. At a far corner of the cave an elaborate
doorway stood, dark and open. It seemed to be made of some kind of metal, with
carvings of monsters on the archway. Black and white robed figures were standing
about and all turned to watch him silently as he walked in.
Feeling very uncomfortable, he shifted behind a stalagmite and tried to look
as small as possible. What was all this?
~Maybe they're gonna eat you, maybe they're cannibals - I mean I haven't seen any food in ages since we got here - I'm starving~
"You got my message. Good" Malik's voice purred behind him and Yugi jumped a foot into the air and turned to stare at the sandy haired teen.
~DON'T EAT MEEEEE!!~
~Shut up already~
"What do you want us for?" Yugi asked angrily, his voice high pitched with fear, he instinctively gripped the puzzle around his neck.
Smirking at Yugi's reaction to his presence, Malik glided forward, just enough to invade personal space. "I'll tell you that in a minute, I just have a question for you. Did you by any chance - SEE Yami at all last night?" Malik asked, his eyes riveted on the younger boy with disturbing intensity.
Flashes of Yami gazing down at him as if he were some curious and beautiful artifact fired through Yugi's brain, bringing with it a fierce red blush that lit up his face like a cherry. He REALLY needed to learn to control these emotions of his. Gulping deeply, he managed to contort his face into an annoyed expression, hoping that Malik would mistake his red face for anger. Malik may not be able to read his mind thanks to the puzzle but he was pretty good at picking up emotions. Annoying, twisted bastard.
"No, I didn't see Yami last night, he was with you wasn't he?" Yugi lied and continued in a rush. "I don't know what your doing to him Malik but I'm going to tell the police when I" he was rudely cut off by Malik's mirth.
"Policelittle one?" he chortled, sounding particularly sarcastic. "You think the POLICE are even on the same wave-length as all of this? Wake up, Yugi" he leaned forward, mouth pulled back in an almost leering smile. "this isn't Tokyo"
Yugi swallowed painfully, his eyes glancing down at the rod that Malik had tightly clenched in his hands. If he could just
Malik saw where his eyes were looking and immediately pushed the rod back under his cloak with a hiss. "Hoping to free Yami, Yugi? You're such a sweet little soul really but here's a piece of advice. He's not worth it."
He gazed down at Yugi, eyes a dark furious purple. "I've dug quite far into his head and he's a twisted one with a lot of dark, dark secrets." He reached out to grasp Yugi's face making the smaller boy gasp; Malik's hands were as cold as ice. "Not like your mind I'm sure one day I'll get in there and find out what makes you tick"
Recoiling at Malik's touch and expression, Yugi whispered angrily. "Yyou know nothing of him"
~Oh and you do right?~
Malik smiled a dark, knowing smile. "I've been in his head Yugi, I dwell in minds more often than not and trust me - I KNOW Yami." He drew his cloak about him and strode off towards the dark archway at the end of the cave. "The next ceremony begins in a few moments"
He turned and smiled at Yugi again, it was a calculating, dangerous smile. "If you survive this one, you get breakfast."
At this two robed figures in black grabbed Yugi from behind and held him tightly. Terrified, Yugi began to struggle. "No! Stop it!" he cried, tugging at the stronger men's grip. "I'm not helping you again! LET ME GO!"
At the corner of his eye, he saw several white figures looking at him and then at Malik as if wary. One approached Malik and began talking to him urgently but Malik pushed the cloaked figure aside and strode up to the archway and stopped just before its gates as if unable to approach any further.
~He can't go any further he needs the puzzle~ A strange voice murmured in the back of Yugi's head. ~He's going to use you again - and this time - it's going to be worse than before~
Eyes wide and the breath rasping in his chest, Yugi struggled against the dark cloaked figures with all his strength. No! NO! They weren't going to do this to him again! This was wrong, the puzzle wasn't supposed to be doing this!!! He did not know how he knew, but he KNEW. Malik had more than crossed the line just by COMING to this place.
Several of the white robed figures were making unhappy, angry sounds in the background and began approaching Malik, hands out and imploring. Malik ignored them and beckoned for the black robed figures holding Yugi, to come forward.
"NO!! STOP IT!!" Yugi cried out, the puzzle around his neck began to rage with unchecked energy, answering his call for assistance but without warning Malik turned around and held the rod up to Yugi's eyes. "Tell it to stop or I'll destroy Yami's mind right now."
For two seconds that felt like an eternity Yugi stared at Malik's eyes, the power from the puzzle screaming in his ears and his love for Yami battling it. They HAD to be stopped, but but
~Yami~
Defeated, Yugi slumped and the puzzle went dead around his neck.
-----------------------------
Yami stepped through the doorway of the cave, just in time to hear Malik's threat.
"Tell it to stop or I'll destroy Yami's mind right now." Malik growled, the rod right in front of Yugi's eyes. Yugi was glowing as if he was on fire and ever hair on Yami's skin was prickling from the wave of power that was flooding the room. It felt
~Familiar~
The realization that Malik was threatening to destroy his mind if Yugi didn't stop SOMETHING, (whatever it was) dawned on him. Yami gaped at Yugi. In this state of power, Yugi could free himself, dash everyone against the wall and escape but then he, Yami would be killed by Malik. He had no doubt in his mind that Malik was serious. Hell, when had Malik NOT been serious?
Yugi was staring at Malik, eyes wide and swimming with a torn emotion that Yami could not understand. Then, without warning. Yugi slumped and the prickling sensation of power against Yami's skin vanished.
~Malik just blackmailed Yugi with me~
~And Yugitook the blackmail~
Shame flooded through Yami, again Yugi had sacrificed his freedom to allow Yami to be safe. Malik viper glare on Yugi switched to Yami and he made a sharp gesture to Ai who shoved Yami forward without a word. Three cloaked figures in black grabbed him and brought him forward, Yami to say the least did not make it easy for them.
~What's he planning this time??~ Yami snarled to himself, breaking the fingers of the robed figure on his left with a satisfying 'snap' and then kneeing the robed figure on his right in the groin. The last robed figure backed away quickly, giving Malik a frantic look.
~Quick learner that one~ Yami thought bitterly.
Malik uttered a curse Yami could not understand and his rod flashed. Yami found his body moving forward despite his frantic efforts to stay where he was. Yami's unwilling legs finally brought him beside Yugi and then his body went numb, it was a burden just to blink.
~I'm going to KILL this bastard!!~ Yami roared mentally. ~I feel like a fucking PUPPET!~
Yugi was staring up at him wide-eyed, tears freely flowing down his cheeks. "YYami, he's going tohe's going to force me to use the puzzle again!"
"What?" Yami managed to make his heavy tongue work.
"I don't want to feel that pain again!" Yugi cried out again, hands reaching up to grasp Yami's arm. He looked up at Yami, despair all over his face.
"Help me Yami." He whispered. "Please"
The 'please' coursed through Yami's brain like a church bell, Yami found himself staring down at Yugi's green eyes, the paralysis gone and a strange protectiveness flowing through him. Almost unaware of what he was doing, he pulled Yugi close to him and glared at Malik.
"What are you planning to do Malik?" he growled dangerously, stepping back.
Malik looked startled. Yami had broken the link AGAIN. All his careful weaving and precautions, gone thanks to Yugi's plea for help. He kept underestimating Yugi, the strange ability he had over the puzzle and the equally strange hold he seemed to have over Yami. Yami was free which meant he had nothing to hold Yugi there, to get him to do what he wanted. He HAD to get Yami back under his control, or EVERYTHING would go down the drain.
Silently cursing, Malik reached out for Yami's mind with his millennium rod, searching for entry. The initial barriers were still down but building up fast again, and there was something strange about the barriers, they were -different this time- more ancient?
How was that possible? The mental barriers, so strong before, had intensified in strength, gaining a power that had not been there before. Fleetingly, Malik realised that perhaps his last dig into Yami's mind had been more damaging to his cause than helpful. Yami's mind had gotten stronger.
"What am I planning?" Malik repeated, smiling as he groped for entry into Yami's mind. He was glad for one thing, Yami had no apparent control on how his mind barriers worked, they went up automatically and that was it. If he could just
Yami pulled Yugi closer behind him and eyed the black-cloaked figures that were quickly surrounding them. What could he do? Escape? Escape where? He had no idea HOW to get out of this world.
Yugi in the meantime was tightening his grip on Yami's clothing. Somehow, Yami had shaken off Malik's mind control, he was glad for that, but what now? Run? Where? Swallowing hard, he glanced back at Ai withered face that was hard as stone, he might have been taking care of them but he followed Malik's orders now.
Malik smiled internally as he found a nick in Yami's mental barrier and slipped
in. He had him again! But this was too close for comfort. Swimming through Yami's
mind he quickly ripped apart the barriers - though, with great difficulty -
Malik seriously doubted that if he lost control of Yami's mind again that he
would be able to enter ever again.
"I'm planning to open this gate." Malik finished spitefully, smiling
triumphantly at Yugi who stared at him wide-eyed, obviously not understanding
that Yami was once more in his power.
Yugi, swallowed, Malik was grinning at him like he had won something. What? Shaking violently he glanced up at Yami who had stiffened and once again was staring blankly in front of him. Just like the first time
"No" Yugi whispered, tearing his eyes away from Yami's face to gaze at Malik again. "Pleaseno."
Malik reached out and grabbed Yugi by the shoulders and squeezed them harshly. "You are beginning to annoy me Yugi, I suggest you STOP trying to free Yami because each time you do, taking him back damages his mind more"
It was a lie of course, Malik thought darkly, smiling down at Yugi's wide trusting yet fearful eyes. But Yugi did not need to know that
"Now I suggest you OPEN this gate before I set Yami's mind to self-destruct." Malik ordered, shoving Yugi forward.
Yugi stumbled and landed on his knees before the door, his body shaking from sudden, unbidden sobs that were taking him. Every timeevery time, he thought Yami was free
"DO IT NOW YUGI! TELL THE DOOR TO OPEN!" Malik snarled. He was getting agitated, the puzzle was the only item that could open this gate. He just hoped Yugi had enough spirit energy to survive opening it, if the puzzle disappeared with him
Lifting his arms up, Yugi choked out the word in between his sobs, wishing this was all some kind of nightmare.
"OPEN!" he screamed, throwing all his anger, disappointment and despair into that one word. He hated Malik, hated how he kept playing with Yami's life. Hated how he loved Yami knowing that the older boy would never return it. Hated EVERYTHING!
~DAMN YOU MALIK!~
The puzzle around his neck crackled with burning power and the doorway exploded with light. Yugi felt his life force being sucked from his body. This was different - so different from the entrance into Shadow Realm ceremony. Before it had just been his energy - but now
~Damn you~
-----------------------------
to be continued
A/N : Getting boring isn't? Took so long to write crap. Next chapter I'm introducing some Duel Monsters into it and getting the final six chapters underway. Oh, and the story progresses some more, a LOT more actually. Stick with me guys, it's gonna get good again soon.
Thanks to all who reviewed my last chapter. I doubt this one will get anything, I'm confusing myself writing this thing, sometimes - when I finish it I'm going to have to do some serious reviewing.
Oh! www.geocities.com/dark_game_addiction has been updated again ^_^! please
go check it out. thanks!