Disclaimer: I don't own Yuugioh.
I'm sorry I've not updated in a while... my internet went all gay.
Under Pressure
Guilt and Insanity
"This is all my fault…"
This phrase was echoed throughout the infirmary as Atemu lie on the same bed he did when he had the Tainted Shadow Virus, once again at Death's door. Mahaado had done his best to repair Atemu's injuries with his magic, but he could only do so much. He managed to fix Atemu's broken nose and shattered wrist, and ease some of the pain of his many burns, but the rest he couldn't do without triggering some sort of defense magic and being attacked by shadows. The magician had to content himself with sitting next to Atemu and forcing back tears. Mana, on the other hand was weeping her sorrows out on Mahaado's shoulder. Yuugi was sitting at the edge of the bed, looking hopelessly at Atemu, tears slipping silently down the boy's cheeks. Typhoon was trying to keep her mind off of everything by working tirelessly, never once stopping to think about anything except her job.
Neptune, Triton, Leucothea, and Calypso sat in the corner watching Atemu sadly, praying. It seemed so long ago that they were all sitting around the large table, watching Joey eat in amazement, seeing Mokuba's loving, undivided attention to Proteus's kind, incessant chatter about anything and everything, seeing the Lord Guardian's usually cold eyes switch to a gentle, caring gaze as he listened politely to whatever Proteus wanted to say… but it was merely hours in the past. Merely hours ago that Proteus was merry and vivacious. A couple hours ago that the Sprites were a joyful, lighthearted family, whole and happy.
But now Proteus was dead. Never again would Neptune and Triton listen to Proteus's gentle, optimistic views on the world. Calypso would never be able to wake up in the middle of the night from a nightmare or just not be able to go to sleep, go into her brother's room, knowing Proteus would wake and comfort the girl, and fall asleep in his arms, a smile on her thin face again. Proteus would never scare away the bullies that picked on Leucothea for her stacks of books in her arms or her glasses, and take his big sister by the hand and tell her how much he liked her glasses and how proud he was that she was so intelligent.
"This is my fault," Triton sobbed, holding Proteus's favorite bow and arrow on his lap, " all my fault… I'm his big brother! I should have protected him better… what was I thinking? I should have gone with the Lord Guardian to fight Dimys, not let Proteus do it!"
"Triton, you cannot protect everyone." Leucothea said gently, stroking her brother's arm.
"I can try!"
"The Lord Guardian is dying because we failed our duties as Proteus's older siblings! We were supposed to protect him… both of them! And we left Proteus and Atemu undefended with Dimys attacking them!" Neptune cried, looking sadly at Atemu.
"You are all wrong." Mahaado said suddenly. "Lord Atemu trusted me to protect him, and I let him down. What good am I if I can't protect my best friend?"
Mana stood up angrily. She stalked across the room, all eyes following her progress, and smacked Mahaado in the face. Mahaado stood up too, not accustomed to being struck.
"What was that for?" He snarled.
"Get over yourself, you big baby!" Mana sniffed. She looked around the room, her eyes flickering over every face. "Right now everyone one of you are doing exactly what Atemu and Proteus would have hated! You're moping around like you'll never see the light of day again!"
"Our brother just died!" Neptune cried, jumping to his feet, a ferocious look on his tearstained face.
"I know!" Mana said, tears welling in her eyes too, bowing her head. "May he forever rest in peace… but he would hate to see all of you so miserable, wouldn't he? Proteus was a loving, gentle, kind person, and such men are not contented to see their friends and loved ones in pain. So, being the great person he was, he worked tirelessly to make the lives of other's more enjoyable. I mean, all I know of him is what I've seen and what I've heard from Leucothea and Calypso, but he seemed so sweet… but… is this really what he would have wanted?"
Calypso shook her head slowly, watching Neptune sit back down. "He hated to see us sad. He said it tore his heart to bits."
"What's so different now? He's still your brother and he'll always be with you, he'll always love you just like you'll always love him. Do you really want him to see you sad?" Mana said, wrapping her arms around the shoulders of Triton and Calypso.
"We'll miss him so… much…" Leucothea whimpered, burying her face in a tissue.
"So will we." Yuugi said, turning away from Atemu to look at the Sprites in the back of the room. "It's hard to let go of someone that great… someone who you can grow attached to in less than three days."
"Proteus is what made our family…" Neptune choked. "He made us what we were… after Mother died and Father was killed, I was supposed to be the man of the house… but Proteus was the real reason we made it through."
"But he'll still be your shining ray of hope, if you'll let him." Mister Mutou said, placing a hand on Neptune's shoulder. "He can still give you strength if you'll let him."
"You're right…" Triton sighed, looking at the newly repaired stain-glass window. "You're all right. As long as we remember him, Proteus will always be in our hearts. He'll pull us through this tragedy, too."
Neptune shifted restlessly in his seat. "And are you to say it's not our fault that the Lord Guardian is going to die?"
Mana drew back her hand threateningly. "Don't. Talk. Like. That." She hissed. "He is not going to die."
"Then you tell me what's going to happen!" Neptune cried, leaping to his feet again.
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN!" Mana shouted, burying her face in her hands. "But I know I have to keep faith that Atemu will pull through… he has to."
"Why do you and Dark Magician Mahaado care so much about the Lord Guardian?" Leucothea asked, swiftly dropping to her knees and wrapping her arm around Mana's shaking shoulders.
"He's like our brother… he has done… so much for us…" Mahaado answered quietly. Seeing the Sprites' curious faces, he continued. "When I was very young, I lived in Lord Atemu's father's palace. My father was a priest for the Pharaoh. I was to follow in his footsteps and become a priest for the Prince. To train me, my father exiled me from the world and threw me in a chamber at the back of the palace, and taught me magic. This went on for two years. I felt the seclusion slowly claiming my sanity. Until one day, a small boy snuck in the back of the palace because his father had strictly told him to avoid it. He found me. The boy asked my many things, such as who I was, what I was doing there, and, my personal favorite, would I go outside and play with him. He didn't understand when I said I couldn't go outside. All he wanted was someone to play with, I mean, he was only three years old. He saw that I was sad and wanted to know why. But I didn't tell him. He got mad and went to his father-"
"Let me guess." Yuugi said, a slight smile on his face. "This small tri-colored haired boy went to daddy dearest, otherwise known as pharaoh."
Mahaado nodded. "Atemu went to his father, who saw how upset he was and ordered my father to let me leave that chamber. I took it upon myself to protect and guard Lord Atemu after that."
Neptune examined Atemu for a moment before turning to Mahaado. "So even then he was a big softy?"
"You could say he is a softy. Or you could say he had the same curse that Proteus did. Atemu has a naturally warm, kind heart. He has been made what he is by the cruelty of others."
"And what exactly is he?" Tristan asked.
"He is cold. He is angry at the world that has so ruthlessly thrown him aside. He is untrusting and faithless of the people around him, having been abandoned and left behind so many times. And, above all, he is a sad, young boy who wants something to take in, something he can hold and know wont leave him… something to love."
The room was quiet, every person looking at Mahaado, who looked uncharacteristically tired.
"How do you know so much about Atemu?" Joey asked quietly.
"I've seen it all. I've watched him grow. Everything he has done, I've been there to make sure he was good and well." Mahaado answered.
"And we know Atemu wants to take care of people. That's what he does, he likes to take care of people." Mana said, standing up.
"How do you know?" Tea said.
"I know by the way he and I first met." Mana said. "Unlike Mahaado, I wasn't born in the palace. In fact, I was a commoner. We lived in the capital city, Cairo, where the palace was in full view. But one night, bandits raided the city, setting fire to homes, stealing women, and killing any men who stood in their way. Our home was set on fire, and as my mother, my father, and I tried to flee, we met three bandits. They took my mother and killed my father when he tried to save her. When they tried to take me, Pharaoh, Akhenamkhanen's soldiers rescued me. But they left me, to chase after the bandits. I ran and jumped over a wall, into a garden. I knew I had accidentally jumped into the Palace Garden. That's when Atemu saw me."
"And Atem took you in?" Joey said, glancing at Atemu.
"Well, he was only five, so he had to ask his father first, but yes. He took me to a healer, gave me food, and clothed me, while his father was still deciding." Mana answered, looking lovingly at Atemu.
"He should be fine then." Triton said, brushing his silver bangs out of his eyes.
"Why do you say that?" Kaiba inquired.
"Because he's got a strong heart. And that strong heart will keep beating." Triton paused and glanced at the bow now next to Neptune's chair. "Even though strong hearts are hard to come by, they never leave easily."
-
- - -
-
Aura crouched in her tiny dungeon cell, thinking only of the Lord Guardian. She cursed him, hated him. This was all that wretched man's fault! If not for that man, Dimys would still be alive and she, Aura, would still be walking free. How she detested him… he would pay… oh yes, she'd make him pay. She'd torture him and make him bleed…
She giggled madly, pulling on her dingy blue hair that once shined brightly. Oh yes she hated him… but she wanted him… all hers… nobody else's. Aura would take him and never give him back… he would belong to her and her alone.
"Mine, mine… mine!" Aura whispered, tugging at her own hair even harder. "He will be mine."
She stood up, and grinned. Those meddlesome Sprites would have to die, too. Those silver haired nightmares… she slit each and every one of their throats. She chuckled again, remembering that little girl Sprite's face as she watched her brother drop like a stone from the highest point of the palace. Aura almost thought he wouldn't die there for a second. When the Lord Guardian grabbed hold of the boy, Aura almost thought that he would be saved… and where was the fun in that?
"Well, that little girl can join him… they all can join him…" Aura hissed, smirking. "I'll exterminate those pests and move on to the main event… Typhoon."
She gathered water in her palm; watching a servant with bright pink hair, step down the stairs, her bright pink hair and green eyes shining, even in the dim light of the chamber.
"Food time, Aura." Imo said, walking nervously up to the prisoner's cage.
"Now, now dear Imo, we used to be such friends… you're not afraid of me, are you?" Aura asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness.
"You're a murderer now, Aura." Imo replied steadily.
"And you've dropped my title…" Aura breathed.
"I thought calling you by your name would be a little more sparing to your remaining dignity, then calling you by your new title, Traitor Princess."
"Is that what Typhoon is calling me now?" Aura asked sweetly, her hand behind her back, her attack nearly ready.
"Yes, and I can hardly blame her." Imo snapped coldly. "You tried to kill off her fiancé."
"Is he not dead after the battle, then?"
"No, he's still alive, and he will be the judge of your trial when he recovers." Imo said, unhinging the flap to shove Aura's food to her. "Empress Typhoon declared it earlier today, seeing as how you are her sister, so she can't try you fairly."
"I see." Aura said, watching Imo hungrily. "I think that flap is too small."
"Nonsense."
"It is. See? It won't fit."
And try as she might, Imo could not push the tray of food to Aura. Imo frowned and crouched onto her hands and knees to push the tray through. Aura smiled. She removed her foot from blocking the flat and the tray shot through, causing Imo to lose her balance and fall forward, her hand flying into the cell. Aura stomped on Imo's hand, the girl crying out in pain. Imo tried to pull her hand back, but she could not, and she felt a tugging at her belt. Glancing back, Imo saw Aura plucking the keys to Aura's cell off her waist. Aura stepped off Imo's hand and unlocked the door. Imo screamed out in fear, and was thrown back against the wall when Aura threw her attack.
"Well." Aura said, beaming. "The flap was big enough."
She collected another attack; this time it was as big a pumpkin. Imo tried to leap to her feet and flee, but Aura stepped in the hem of her, Imo's, rose dress. Imo fell forward and gasped. Aura cackled loudly and placed the water over Imo's head, smothering the servant's nose and mouth completely. The girl struggled wildly, but could not throw off the suffocating bulk. Imo's lungs were tearing and the girl's body forced her to try and take a breath, only causing her to inhale the water, filling her lungs.
Aura smiled, satisfied, when the girl's body became limp.
"Now… let's find me some Water Sprites."
-
- - -
-
Atemu jerked to life suddenly, throwing his body up, ignoring the sword wound in his lower abdomen. Atemu was once again shirtless, but this time, there were bandages all over his torso and arms. Next to his bed were black robes that had white trimming around it, showing his authority as Shadow Guardian. The room was empty except for Neptune, Triton, and Mahaado, for everyone else had gone to eat something. Mahaado jumped to his feet, looking at his friend curiously.
"Lord Atemu?" Mahaado asked, taking a step forward. "Is there something wrong?"
Atemu looked wildly to Mahaado. "Where is Aura?" He asked, breathlessly.
"Why? What happened?"
"I thought I saw something… it's like I could be anywhere I wanted when I was asleep… it showed me what was going on in other places… in the palace… in peoples' minds… anywhere I wanted."
"It must be your shadow powers kicking in…" Mahaado muttered.
"Where is she?"
"She's in the dungeons." Neptune said, walking up behind Mahaado. "Why?"
"When does she get fed?"
"Around this time, milord." Neptune answered, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Dear God…" Atemu whispered. He leapt from his bed and pulled his robes on, ignoring Mahaado and Neptune's protests. Atemu looked around, his huge eyes searching for his shoes and Puzzle. Triton seemed to struggle with himself for a moment, but then took Atemu his belongings. Atemu quickly put his shoes on and put the Millennium Puzzle around his neck, fiercely headed for the door.
"Lord Guardian, what's going on?" Neptune asked.
"I think Aura has escaped." Atemu said, looking back, startled, as if he forgot there were other people in the room.
"Then we're coming with you." Mahaado said, following Atemu briskly. Atemu nodded and sprinted out into the corridor and looked back to Neptune and Triton.
"Which dungeons is she in?" Atemu asked.
"The North side dungeons, milord." Triton answered promptly, having been the one who had to drag Aura kicking and screaming to the dungeons.
"Very well, follow me." Atemu said.
-
- - -
-
"Is she alive?"
Atemu slowly strode across the dank, foul smelling dungeons, his eyes on the pale, slack body that was lying facedown in a puddle of water. Its pink, frilly dress was damp and torn and its hand was bent and twisted as if many bones were broken.
I smell death and decay. Atemu thought to himself. But it wasn't the smell of something rotting or spoiling but it was more like a smell of something wicked. Atemu wondered if it was part of his shadow powers to be able to smell evil, but he was more occupied with the limp body in front of him. He knelt down and gently turned the body onto her back. Her bright pink hair was soaking wet and Atemu remembered seeing a girl with pink hair informing them that Dimys and Aura were attacking.
"It looks like a servant." Neptune said, stepping up behind Atemu.
"Isn't this the Empress's closest servant?" Triton said, examining the bright hair. "Imo… or something."
Atemu placed his fingers at the girl's neck, probing for a pulse. "She's gone." He said, looking back at Mahaado, who was searching all of the cells. "Any sign of her?"
"No." Mahaado sighed. "You were right, Aura's escaped."
"Where do you think she's headed?" Neptune asked, watching Atemu closely.
"Typhoon probably." Atemu said, gently laying the girl back on the ground. "We have to intercept her."
"Of course, but how?"
Atemu opened his mouth to say something, but a high-pitched scream suddenly echoed throughout the palace.
Triton and Neptune looked at each other. "Cally!" They breathed. The two Sprites launched themselves out the door and up the steps in the blink of an eye, pulling out weapons as they went. Atemu and Mahaado stared at the door for a second before glancing at the other and bolting out the door themselves.
-
- - -
-
Lunch was a mournful affair, not nearly like the lunch of the previous day. No one laughing or joking, and even Joey and Tristan seemed too preoccupied to eat. As much.
Typhoon fiddled with her fork, spinning it on one prong absentmindedly. She sighed sadly. It seemed like years since she had brought Atemu and his companions to this realm. But it had only been about a week and a half. She wondered if all of this would have been going on if she had never even known Atemu was back. Now her sisters were traitors, one of her most loyal soldiers was dead, and the Lord Guardian was almost dead. What would she do when Yuugi and his friends went back home? She'd be all alone.
Suddenly the smell of the dungeons filled her nostrils, a rank, repulsive stench filled the room. Tea dry heaved, and looked around, clamping her fingers on her nose.
"Oh my… what is that smell?" Tea coughed, covering her mouth hurriedly.
Kaiba wrinkled his nose and gagged. "I don't know, but it stinks something awful."
"Tea, it smells like those dungeons we were in, remember?" Joey said, pulling his shirt up over his nose.
"Why would it smell like the dungeons in here?" Leucothea asked, looking around.
Calypso opened her mouth, but all that came out was a scream. The table suddenly overturned. Calypso leapt out of the way of the two ton table covered with knives and forks, and looked back to see Leucothea, screaming, not getting out of the way in time. Tea shrieked, terrified, watching the table seemingly slow down as it was closing down on Leucothea, who had fallen backward and was trying to inch her way away from the large table, knives and forks showering down on her, cutting and piercing her.
Neptune and Triton appeared in the doorway to see the table nearly completely covering their sister.
"NO!"
And, just as Triton had shouted, the table froze, in midair. Leucothea's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she passed out. Triton looked around and saw the Lord Guardian behind him, his arm outstretched. But Atemu's eyes were completely black, glowing eerily. Triton looked back at the table and saw it being engulfed by shadows. Atemu thrust his hand back and the table fell back to where it was, looking as though it never moved.
"Nice trick, Lord Guardian, do you do children's parties?"
The group glanced back across the dining room to see Aura holding Typhoon, a butcher knife from the table at the Empress's neck. Aura looked disgusting. She had dried blood all over her, with dirt and mold darkening her pale skin. Her hair was grungy and matted, and it fell into her face, making her look insane. Of course, the look in her eye already did that enough. She looked murderous, and immediately everyone knew that, given the opportunity, Aura would slit Typhoon's throat in a second.
"Calypso, I want you to be Empress!" Typhoon choked out before Aura clapped a filthy hand over Typhoon mouth.
"Aura put her down!" Atemu commanded, his eyes back to normal. His features had become cruel and unforgiving, like they had when the Sprite had disobeyed him. "Put her down and your punishment needn't be too harsh." His voice was cold and harsh.
"You don't understand, do you, Lord Atemu?" Aura shouted shrilly, waving the knife closer to Typhoon's neck. "I've already lost everything. Because of those pathetic Sprites… because of you… because of my so-called dear sister! But I'll take her with me when I go down! And I'll take YOU!"
She took the knife and swung it at Typhoon's heart, but it soon became enshrouded in shadows and was pulled away from her slack grip. She glanced up at Atemu who was holding out his hand as the knife dropped into it. He looked furious. Unlike his usual gentle, benign features were contorted with rage, his frown digging lines deeper into his face, his eyes flashing dangerously. But it was a calm rage… the most dangerous kind.
"You've lost Aura." Atemu said calmly, stepping forward. "You will hand yourself over. Now."
"I don't think so!" Aura screeched bounding forward, throwing herself onto Atemu. Mahaado sprinted at, them pulling Aura off of Atemu. Aura spun around and smacked Mahaado, sending him spinning into Typhoon.
"Mahaado!" Mana screamed, starting forward, but Calypso stepped in front of her.
"I want to see Lord Guardian punish one of the people who killed my brother." She whispered, her silver eyes flashing angrily.
Aura threw herself at Atemu once again, but Atemu was ready this time. Aura was covered in billowing shadows that glowed purple and blue, and her attack was halted, and Atemu had grown so used to his powers, he didn't have to put up his hand to direct his shadows. Aura threw a water attack at Atemu, which Atemu stopped in midair. It fell to the ground, in a useless puddle.
"Now, I say again: You have lost." Atemu said quietly. "Please… before someone get hurts, turn yourself over."
"FINISH HER!" Neptune shouted, but Atemu ignored him. The Lord Guardian had no intention on killing anyone.
"I have not lost!" Aura shrieked, kicking a knife at Atemu, slashing his thigh. Atemu gasped in pain, and when his attention was split, his shadows weakened, allowing Aura to break free and launch herself at Atemu. She plowed into him, throwing him over a chair and into the wall. The chair toppled over onto him, cracking him over the head with one of the legs.
"Atem!" Yuugi cried, trying to bypass Calypso to help his fallen comrade. Aura seized a iron candlestick holder and leapt around used it to slam Mahaado in the stomach with it. When he doubled over, she swung her leg over and kicked him, throwing him to the ground. Seeing Mana and the Sprites sprinting toward her, she sent a jet of water with enormous power at them, throwing everyone back against the opposite wall of the colossal Dining Room. She sprinted across the hall where Atemu was struggling to him feet and grabbed his hair, forcing him back.
"You are a pesky little one, aren't you? No matter. You will be mine." Aura whispered in his ear. She bashed him in the head with, the iron holder, and smiled, feeling his body become slack and fall into her arms. Tea screamed shrilly. She checked for his pulse and, feeling a heartbeat, placed him back on the ground. She stepped toward Typhoon, bending down and plucking another butcher knife off the ground.
"Aura… no!" Typhoon cried, stepping backward into a wall.
"Now dear sister… it's time for you to go away."
There was a desperate cry from the opposite end of the Dining Room, but it was too late. Aura plunged the knife down into her sister's chest. Aura cackled horribly as she watched a dark liquid stain Typhoon's light blue dress, and then Typhoon slumped to the ground, her eyes wide and empty, reflecting the bright light coming from the chandelier.
"EMPRESS!"
Neptune sprinted across the room, his sword drawn but Aura spun around and shot him back with a jet of water.
"Nice try, Slick!" Aura said, a broad smile on her face. She stooped and picked up Atemu and backed toward a window. Neptune crawled across the ground on all fours toward Typhoon and checked her pulse. A look of bittersweet relief entered his face.
"ATEMU!" Mahaado shouted flying forward. "You put him down!"
"Sorry but I'd have to decline that oh-so generous offer, Dark Magician… maybe next time!" Aura cried breaking through the window and leaping out.
Mahaado tried to fly after them but Aura sent a jet of water through the window, spraying Mahaado with icy water and shattered glass. Mahaado climbed weakly to his feet and looked out the window; Aura was gone and she had kidnapped Atemu.