Sorry it took so long. Lots of delays and school starting is to blame.
Thank you to all those who messaged me and reviewed. Thanks also to battousaisgirl16 for editing.
I don't own Yugioh. I've changed the cannon a bit because i got some information in earlier chapters and was too lazy to change it back. Airi is mine.
Chapter 42
Airi didn't stop running until her legs gave out and she slumped to the ground. There, on her knees, away from all the others, she cried. Yugi was gone. She didn't want to believe it, but now it was impossible to deny. There was something missing. A gaping void in her very core. He'd always been there. He was the solid one. He'd known what to do. He'd kept pushing forward. He's cared about others. She could still see his contagious smile and almost hear him say everything would be alright. It was far from alright. She'd never see him again. Back there, she'd looked into those eyes. Yugi was gone. Her little brother was who knew where, at the mercy of some lunatic and his giant monster. She didn't even have the comfort of knowing Yami was there for him.
Yami. Her fingers dug into the sand. How could he? She'd trusted him. She believed he would protect her brother. He'd played that card. He purposely played that card and gambled her brother's soul away. He had stood there, face expressionless. Probably surprised he lost, she thought bitterly. She thought she knew him. Where was the man she'd trusted during the duels with Marik? The one who'd made sure they were alright and safe. She'd lost both of them in one duel.
She yanked off the bracelet he'd made for her. How could she ever have been so stupid as to trust him. She pulled her arm back. She wanted nothing to do with him. She stopped. The red flower shown in the sun light, like his eyes. Sunset eyes she loved. Eyes she'd looked to for reassurance, but now stared empty when she needed them the most. Her fingers closed around the band, then she slammed it into the dirt. She covered her face with the other hand. She didn't know what to think of him anymore.
If only she'd been there. If she'd gone with them maybe she could have done something. She should have woke up when Yugi came in to say goodbye. She should have followed them. But none of these thought could bring her brother back. She didn't even know where they'd taken him. He could already be eaten by the monster or be on a different content. He was gone. She'd lost her brother and was betrayed by her best friend.
How long she'd stayed there she wasn't sure. Time was irrelevant. Each moment just gave the truth more time to sink in. The tears eventually stopped and she stared blankly at the horizon. She became aware of foot steps behind her. She tensed. If any of those Seal welders came here for the pharaoh she would give them something to take back. Then again if it was him, she wasn't sure what she'd do.
The footsteps stopped behind her. When nothing happened she slowly turned. It was Joey.
"Hey." his voice uncharatisticly soft. "Just wanted to make sure you didn't get lost."
She looked at ground. "I'm fine."
Neither of them moved. The sun was nearing the heights, making the heat increase. "You can go, Joey. I know the way back."
There was a moment of silence, then a soft grunt as he sat down next to her. "It's nice out here." The words lacked conviction. He might as well said he wished Yugi was here straight out.
Airi thought she already cried all her tears, but fresh ones started. Joey put an arm around her and she pressed her face into his shoulder.
"Hey, you'll get sick if you keep this up." he said.
"Why did he do it?" Airi sobbed. "He knew what it did. Why did he?"
"He probably though it would help." Joey said.
"Yugi's gone. He's gone. He's gone." words were lost in fresh tears. First her parents, and now Yugi. Why did she lose everyone she cared about? She'd even lost her best friend.
Joey didn't speak for a long time. He waited until the tears slowed.
"We're going to get him back, Airi." Joey said.
"He's gone."
"No I mean it." there was a new tone to his voice. "One thing I know about shadow magic is there is a way to reverse it if you duel the creep who did it, right?"
She sniffed, but didn't answer.
"Don't give up yet." Joey said. "There has to be something."
"He's gone."
Joey helped her up. "Come on. I'm sure the others are worried."
"He's not." but she let herself be led back across the desert.
They approached the trailer. Out of habit she expected to see Yugi run out the door, demanding where she was and reassuring her everything was alright. Instead it was Tea who came to the door. She was visibly shaken, but there were no tear marks. Airi felt resentful. Did no one understand that Yugi was gone, possibly for good. She straightened. She could pretend too.
"Thank you, Joey." Airi walked to the trailer door, past Tea, and went inside.
The others were gathered around the small kitchenette, and there still wasn't much room. She vaguely noticed Professor Hawkins sitting on the couch, arm around his still tearful granddaughter. Out of habit, her gaze found Yami. He stood in the corners, looking more out of place than he usually did. All talking stopped when she entered. Yami looked up, but still didn't meet her eye. Self-conscious under all the sympathetic stares, she muttered something about needing a rest, and quickly walked towards the bedroom.
"Airi."
She froze at his voice. It seemed so wrong to hear it.
"Airi." Yami's voice sounded horse as if it had only recently started to work. "I'm . . . I'm sorry."
Airi's own throat tightened. Unable to explain his actions a moment ago and now he had the nerve to say sorry? Her hand clenched,and she realized she was still holding his the bracelet. She was close enough to send it in his eye.
She went into the other room, slamming the door behind her. She leaned against it and slid to the floor. Her fingers relaxed and the red of the bead stood out against her dust covered hands. So close to his eyes. She squeezed her own shut, allowing more tears to escape. What she wouldn't give to see violet ones.
Yami stood in silence as the others discussed different plans. He was used to being ignored, and that was what everyone seemed most comfortable with. It was almost like he was still the detached spirit. Tea stood close by, shooting him concerned glances, but it was obvious she didn't know what to do about him either. The more they ignored him, the more the void in Yami's soul grew. Yugi was the one they wanted. He was the one who should be here helping to think of a plan.
"It's obvious." Joey was saying. "We have to go to where those creeps are and get Yugi back."
"We can't do that." Duke said. "We don't even know where that is."
"Aren't they supposed to be on the bottom of the ocean?" Tristan said. "like the whole Atlantis thingy."
"We ain't dueling a giant fish." Duke said. "I doubt they'd be living at the bottom of the ocean."
"Tristan does have a point." Professor Hawkins said. "The ruins are at the bottom of the ocean, and they are important to Dartz. However, we can safely say that our opponent is on land."
"Like I said." Joey punched the air. "and I say we go and duel the slime-ball who stole Yugi!"
"Where do we start?" Duke said. "I don't remember him giving a forwarding address."
"Nasira has the copies of the documents." Rebecca said, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "We can call her for more information."
"Certainly not." the professor said. "They probably have us bugged or otherwise watched. To call her would make her a target. We don't need anyone else hurt." Yami was sure he glanced his way when he said the last part.
"Then what?" Tea said.
"Unless I'm mistaken-" the professor was seized by a coughing fit. He regained control and continued. "As I was saying, it is possible that the headquarters for the organization would be close to the ruins, seeing as they are significant. They would possibly be on the California coast."
"I thought Atlantis was in the Atlantic."
"Who cares were it is!" Joey snapped. "We go to wherever they are, kick their butts, and get Yugi back."
"But how do we get Yugi back?" Rebecca said.
"The Seal of Orichalcos is a form of shadow magic." the Professor said. "If the spell is carried out by duels, then it must be reversed the same way."
"So who's going to duel them?" Duke asked.
Rebecca looked like she was going to say something, but her grandfather gave her arm a gentle but firm squeeze.
"I'll do it."
"Joey, get serious."
"I have The Claw of Hermos. Why would I have it if unless I was suppose to duel? You think I can't?"
"Yeah."
"I was fourth at Battle City-"
"And second at Duelist Kingdom." Tristan finished. "But this group took down Pegasus. This isn't a tournament."
"Fine." Joey snapped. "I get the point."
Again the awkward silence. Yami glared at the floor. It was clear they were thinking of him. They'd known there was a spirit with Yugi during the major duels, but now it seemed they were unsure how to deal with just having him. Yugi they trusted. Him . . . Yami could feel their eyes one him. His fist clenched. He knew what they were thinking. They faced shadow magic before, but he hadn't been foolish enough to play with the darkest kind. If they couldn't trust him to face one of Dartz' henchmen, how could they trust him to get back their friend from Dartz himself.
"Airi could do it." Tea suggested.
"I don't think so." Joey's voice was low. "I don't doubt her, but . . . well . . . you saw how she looked. This has completely shaken her to the core."
"So we don't have anyone?" Tea said.
"Kaiba has a card." Professor Hawkins said. "Like Joey and the Pharaoh, he has a connection to the forces of Atlantis."
"We're reduced to asking MoneyBags for favors?" Joey said. "He's not going to help."
"Pegasus was in charge of a company and he got hurt, maybe would could use that." Tea said. She turned to Yami. "What do you think . . . Pharaoh?"
He hated the ways she said it. Pretending everything was alright, but officially voicing the fact Yugi was gone. Yami shrugged, still avoiding eye contact. "He does have Critius, and he is a powerful duelist."
"Close enough." Rebecca said. "Now, how do we contact him?"
"That doesn't mean he'll say yes." Tristan grumbled. "I guess we'll have to try the public number."
"Maybe we should ask Airi for his number." Tea said.
"Why would she still have her ex-boyfriend's number?" Joey said.
"Old times sake?" Duke's suggestion was met with incredulous looks.
"Use the laptop." Rebecca said. "It gets a stronger signal than the satellite phone.
Finding the information number took twenty minutes, and when they finally called they were put on hold. Yami stayed out of the way. He wanted to help, but the glances he got from the others he knew he'd make the situation more awkward if he tried. Rebecca's looks were down right hostile, while the others were a mixture of confusion and mistrust. Without Yugi the atmosphere of the room felt dead. Yami had never known a time without his host and with him gone they very ground seemed to have fallen out from under him.
They waited on hold for most of the day. The waiting music from the KaibaCorp line threatened to drive them all mad. Joey kept going through his deck. Yami could tell he was planning ways to get back Mai, and Yugi if it came to that. Conversation was close to nonexistent. The professor talked the most, explaining parts of his research.
Around dinner time Tea warmed up some frozen treats, but no one felt like eating. Tea tried taking some to Airi, but came back with only one of the small Pizza Pockets eaten. The professor retired to the room to lie down, putting a hand on Yami's shoulder as he passed. The small sign of comfort twisted his insides. It was almost as if the old man understood. But of course no one understood. Yami got a glimpse of Airi as the door closed behind the professor. She barely moved as the old man tried to speak to her. Yami wanted to leave the trailer all together, but didn't. He wanted to know Kaiba's answer.
Finally they were let though the line. Yami stood behind the group to see the screen. This was hard to do, since Joey was right in front of the monitor, eye pressed against the camera as they waited for Kaiba to pick up the phone.
"Kaiba's office." Mokuba's voice came from the screen.
"It's about time. We thought you'd never pick up." Joey said.
"It works better if you're not right next to the screen, Joey." Mokuba said.
Joey pulled back, and Yami saw the image of a large office. Mokuba stood closest to them, indicating he was the one who answered. Behind him, Kaiba sat behind his desk and only seemed partially interested in what was happening around him.
"This had better be good, Wheeler." Kaiba said, typing something on his computer.
"Well, we wanted to tell ya that we've made some progress on those biker punks who have been causing so much trouble lately." Joey said. "and the one behind your hologram malfunction."
Kaiba kept typing. "Go on."
Tristan muttered something in Joey's ear, and Joey nodded before continuing. "We thought you'd want a clear shot to take them out. Of course we'd come along."
"Why would I need you dweebs to help me take out a threat to my own company?"
"Because they took Yugi's soul, shovel face." Joey snapped. "He lost and now he's in their hands and we-" he was interrupted by Tristan tackling to make him shut up.
"What do you mean Yugi lost his soul?" Mokuba said. "He's right behind you."
Kaiba had stopped typing. He finally looked up at them, gaze fixed on Yami.
"Hey, ignore what I said." Joey finally detached from Tristan. "Long story short, we need a ride and we figured you'd be interested in getting after those biker creeps."
There was a pause. Kaiba stood. "Let me get this straight. Yugi lost a duel."
"Well, not exactly."
"The king of games lost a duel." Kaiba insisted.
"Yeah, those creeps we've been telling you about-"
"He lost to a NOBODY!" Kaiba's fist slammed on the table.
Yami stared down at the pixel image. That honestly was all he heard?
"You allowed an inexperienced duelist take the title of king of games?" Kaiba pointed a finger up at them. "How could Airi let this happen? You're a disgrace to the game Yugi. Allowing someone other than me to take the title. I thought you had some sense of propriety. Two washouts in the same family! That has to be a new record."
Yami's eyes narrowed. "How dar-"
"It wasn't the title they took." Joey interrupted. "Yugi didn't lose. We just need your help getting to the coast."
Mokuba still looked confused, but Kaiba's expression didn't change. "If I find out they took that title away from me, you'll never be able to show your face in public again." he pushed a button on his desk. The screen went black.
Everyone stared at the screen, either too shocked or outraged to respond.
"That's the guys who can fit my game shop in his basement?" Duke finally said. "No wonder she dumped him."
Yami looked up and was shocked to see Airi standing in the open door way, also staring at the computer. Her shocked expression was enough to make him want to face Kaiba and make him choke on his words. Then he felt some of her pain through the link, and anger turned to anguish. Kaiba's words hurt, but his actions had hurt her more.
"Now what?" Tristan finally said. "Without Kaiba and Yugi gone, we don't have any top duelists."
"There is only one option." Rebecca said. "Pharaoh will get Yugi back."
"The Pharaoh?"
"It's him they want." Rebecca said. "I'm sure they'll let him find them."
"What do you think, Airi?" Joey said.
Airi continued to stare at the back of the computer. "Once they figure out they have the wrong soul, they'll come looking for the Pharaoh. Of course, it's the Pharaoh's decision to duel."
Yami flinched at the title. He felt the others eyes on him again. Anticipation was high in the room. Could he do this? For the first time in his life he was uncertain of his own ability. It had betrayed him the last time. But this was a chance to set things right. If nothing, he could swap his soul for Yugi's. For Airi. Even as he thought it he knew it was foolish, but he was willing to try anything to end Airi's suffering. "I will face Dartz."
Airi turned without a word and disappeared into the other room.
"It's settled then." Joey stood. "we'll head out to the train station and head up to the coast.
Yami took Yugi's old spot on the bench of the kitchen. The others were restless and took a long time to get to sleep. He suspected they wanted to talk, but were afraid he'd hear them. There were sounds of sobs from the other room, most likely Rebecca. Knowing Airi, would be quiet with her tears. It was a long time before he felt her distress lessen as she drifted off. It took him a long time to sleep, not being used to it. He was supposed to be the guardian. He'd probably mess that up too. Eventually the body was overcome by the strain of the day and Yami slipped into a dreamless sleep.
The morning was beautiful. Airi woke up and wondered why her eyes stung and the pillow was wet.
Then it all came crashing back. Yugi was a captive of Dartz. Yami was responsible. Kaiba refused to help a washout family. She closed her eyes. Wasn't there anyone left she could relay on? Mai was brainwashed. Nasira was gone for her own safety. Charlotte was who knows where. Yugi's friends were still in shock about officially meeting the pharaoh, though they'd been in contact with him through all these world domination attempts. She doubted her own abilities. Keeping a cool head during a duel was vital. Right now, if she ran into one of those Seal welding freaks she go for his face instead of a challenge. The only person she'd trust for this would have been Yami, but he'd proven that he couldn't handle the pressure. She really didn't have anyone.
A heaviness in her hand made her look. The locket with the pictures of Yugi and Yami. It helped her calm down enough to drift off last night. It was the second picture she stared at. That Yami was a different person. It looked like the boy in the other room, but something was wrong. This Yami had confidence, was determined, and she'd trusted him. It was the Yami she'd fallen in love with. The Yami in the other room . . . she didn't know what to think. They were still connected, but she's blocked out his emotions, afraid of feeling the sickening darkness again. He's just stood there when she wanted an explanation and he still acted stiff after his defeat.
But there was still something about him which nagged at her mind. He'd reacted when Kaiba had insulted her family, but that could have just been the implication that he was a washout. And he had said he would face Dartz. Her gaze shifted to the picture of her brother. Maybe Yugi had wanted to be taken because he knew Yami was powerful enough to come after him. But her brother wasn't that stupid to gamble is own life. Her laugh chocked on a sob. Of course he was. He was her idiot. If there had been a choice he would have sacrificed himself before anyone else in the world, including Kaiba.
She closed the locket with a snap. If this was the case, then she would make sure the Pharaoh got her brother back. Yugi was counting on him. He better not betray their trust again.
The group, except Airi, Rebecca, and the professor, were outside the trailer making plans. Joey stood in as leader since Yami was out of it and Airi seemed too distressed to handle it. Yami was fine with the blond making orders. Having the title Pharaoh didn't mean he was right. Yesterday had proven that.
Joey's plan was simple. He, Tristan, Tea, and Yami would take the train to the coast. Duke would then drive them to the station, come back back, and he, the professor, Rebecca, and Airi would drive the trailer to a safer location. It was simple, yet simple. Yami wasn't sure what he didn't like about it. Everyone else seemed alright with the idea. Tea, standing close to him, gave him a reassuring smile. It didn't help. Something about the plan didn't fit.
The screen door flew open. Everyone turned to see Airi standing on the top step. They hadn't waited for her, figuring she needed the rest. On her arm was her duel-disk and her deck pouch was attached to her belt.
"Airi?" Tristan said. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like?" she snapped. "You're going to get my brother back and I'm going with you."
"But you're not ready." Tea said. "I mean, you look about ready to collapse."
"Joey." Airi turned to the segregate leader. "I'm going."
The two older siblings looked at each other a moment. Tea did have a point. Airi's eyes were bloodshot and she looked pale. But Yami recognized her determination. She wasn't going to be left behind. Despite everything Yami's lips twitched in a smile. That's what was missing.
Joey slowly nodded. "She's coming."
Airi came down the steps, gently squeezing Joey's arm as she passed. Yami wanted to say something, but she still didn't look at him. Reality hit him. She was here to make sure he didn't lose again. Well, he didn't deserve anything less from her. At least she'd regained some of her old spirit.
The professor and Rebecca came out to see them off. Rebecca made a lot of statements, mainly directed at Yami, about getting her Yugi back. The professor handed Airi a paper with some small fragments of information he thought would be important for their mission. The drive to the train station felt longer that it really was. Hardly anyone spoke. Airi sat on the bench seat up with Duke and Tristan while Yami sat in the back with the others. Tea made a point of sitting next to him, probably an attempt to make things seem normal.
At the station there was another long wait. Joey grumbled about delays as he passed out tickets. Airi's cell phone went off and she jumped at the sound. Fumbling to pull it out she looked at the caller ID and, if possible, her face went paler. She flicked it open and in an almost cheerful voice said. "Hey Gramps."
Everyone froze. Yami wished he could detach, but only gripped the chain of his puzzle for reassurance. They hadn't though of telling him. How were they going to explain this?
"Everything's fine." Airi was saying. "We have a lead and we're going to investigate. We found Professor Hawkins. Yes he's doing better. Yugi?" her voice wavered slightly. "Yes I heard what you said." she glanced at Yami. "He's not here right now. He probably went to check on something." another long pause. "I know, but there's no stopping him when he gets a notion." she coughed to cover up the tremble in her voice. "Yes I'll have him call as soon as he gets back." she looked at Yami when she said it. "I have to go, our train will be leaving soon. I love you Gramps. Talk to you soon." she closed the phone, blinking rapidly.
Joey put his arm around her. "We'll get him back, Airi."
She nodded. Yami wanted to say something, but didn't trust his own voice. He vowed he was going to get Yugi back, not matter what it took. As they climbed on the train the dark part of his mind wondered how long it would take him to break this one.
A/N: sorry it's so short. The next one will be more interesting, and maybe Airi will start talking to Yami again. I guess it depends.
Thank you for reading. Please let me know if it was good. I'll try to work on the next one soon.
