Spoiler Alert!
It goes without saying that I don't own rights to either YuGiOh! or the animated series "Gargoyles".
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Warning for physical violence and assault ahead!
Trigger warning for those like myself who have survived though similar!
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Halloween 2021 FanFic Yu-Gi-Oh! X Gargoyles
When a Gargoyle Falls
Chapter 6:
I Feel Like a MONSTER
"Will she make it? Be honest with us."
Yugi rolled his eyes but did not look away from the multitude of books he had collected from the mansion's library. "The both of you need to seriously go find something else to do. For the possibly hundredth time in the last hour, I did what I could!"
The sandy gargoyle nudged him. "How many did ya say ya removed?"
"Wasn't it something around a dozen?" A mahogany hued gargoyle craned his neck to look at the book's open pages.
"More like two times that." Lilac eyes carefully combed over a paragraph that was above a picture of a microscope he had seen on the television. "She's really something else if she was able to move and stay conscious."
"Speaking of which, where is she?"
His lip curled in warning when they retreated a few steps as if they were planning to leave. "Resting back in her room which you both should stay away from for right now. Atem has been keeping a close eye out for Valentine but I can't guarantee he would be exactly enthused if either of you try to sneak in there."
"We don't mean any harm," the sandy one shrugged. "Besides, I doubt she's there anymore."
"What makes you say that?" Yugi sighed, sitting back and fixing the much taller gargoyle with a narrowed gaze.
Both gargoyles shared a knowing look as they chorused: "They just flew past the window."
He was out of the chair before either of them could blink and hurried to cover their ears as the lavender hued gargoyle stuck his head out the closest window. "Weren't you the one who told me that she shouldn't go anywhere?!"
. . . .
Anzu blinked, casting a curious glance backwards while adjusting slightly so that her hold was a bit better. "Was someone shouting at us just now?" The only answer she received was a rumbling chuckle from within the chest of the dark violet gargoyle who carried her. Whatever it was probably was better than she hadn't heard.
They dipped below the barrier of clouds, the twinkling lights and bustling streets casting the pair within multiple colors that tinted their skins. The breeze here was not as strong due to all of the buildings but there was enough to allow him to maneuver safety out of sight from anyone. His hold was gentle, as if attempting to provide the young woman he carried comfort as her own hold tightened with each passing minute. Old wounds were surely surfacing so who was he to hurry her? What he could do was assure her that whatever she had to share he would listen to every single word without judgement.
Her earlier words came back as they across a city block covered with various restaurants. "You have yet to eat something, Anzu." A tilt of his wings began their decent until they were hovering over one of the many rooftops. "Is there anything in particular that you crave?"
Silence.
"It is important that you keep up your strength if you are to fully heal." Amethyst slowly shifted to glance at her from the corner of his eye. She looked distressed but the growling from her middle seemed to be her body's desperate plea for food. The scents that had been from the rooftop, the remains of the last articles of food that she must have consumed, werem't anywhere nearby. The amount of blood that had been spilt was minimal however it would be possible to regain what had been lost if she happened to consume red meat.
She hadn't even realized they had landed until he carefully placed her upon her feet. Panic filled her as he turned away and disappeared from sight over the rooftop edge. "Atem, wait!" Her extended hand only grasped empty air as she tentatively peeked over the edge. It was as if he vanished! What should she do? She couldn't very well call out to him because it would caused those below to look up in curiosity of the noise she would be making. Why did he leave though?!
A bag appeared beneath her nose, an all too familiar pair of Golden Arches upon the light brown package as a cold drink was placed within her left hand. "I do not believe anyone say me," he smirked, leaning over to glance at the bustling crowds below. "Though I am curious if I had left enough currency for the food-" His words were cutoff by a pair of slender arms that wrapped around his chest from behind, causing him to straighten as her form pressed against his back. Guilt filled him as her trembling fingers clung to his tunic. "Don't you ever disappear like that on me again, you jerk," came her muffled retort as she buried her face between his wings.
He tilted his being, a silent request to face her, and quickly pivoted so as to collect her within his arms when she sniffled. "Apologies, Anzu, I did not mean to scare you. I was concerned about your lack of appetite and could of bring myself to interrupt your thoughts."
The young woman cursed internally. Gah, why did he have to be so considerate and selfless? Heat tingled within her cheeks as she lightly pressed against him so he retreated slightly. "You went to all that trouble so I guess we should eat."
Satisfaction filled him when she took several sips of the foamy sweet smelling cold drink he had handed her while they settled against the banister, the bag between them. It was a start.
"Let's see…" she hummed softly, searching the bags contents while pulling them out one at a time. "…two fries…a deluxe quarter pound cheeseburger with no onion…oh, this is that new summertime BLT sandwich that I've been wanting to try…what looks to be a five piece chicken nuggies…" Her motions halted. "You said that you hoped to have left enough to cover for the food, what do you mean by that?"
"I may have left a gold coin or two."
Anzu couldn't help but laugh at the possible image of the worker's face when they must have discovered the rare and ancient relic. "Oh, gosh, yeah you pretty much bought the whole restaurant with those!" She tossed him the larger of the two sandwiches while selecting the fry cluster with the largest amount of visible salt before handing him the other. "Bon appetite, my friend."
Amethyst closely watched as she unwrapped the sandwich, waiting and watching with curiosity as she consumed the article of food before she shifted her attention to his own.
"Probably should have started you with something easy first." She cleared her throat, moving to sit across from him and held up one of the long potato and salt sticks. "This here is a fry; lots of people love them plain or with a dipping sauce. I myself prefer it with a dallop of ice cream but for now let's try it like this. That way you can explore the different possibilities later." The piece was offered to him, earning a tilt of his head, but before she could pass it to his hand he had bent forward and with a flash of light off his fangs it slipped from her fingers to disappear between his lips.
The crunch that filled his ears as he chewed was almost deafening yet the spread of various spices and potatoes spread across his tongue that earned several blinks as he looked down at the portion of golden fried tendrils that were his. How interesting indeed, to think that someone had the idea to slice the vegetable high in starch into long thin strips then to fry them in oil is truly surprising. His momentary fascination was forgotten as slender fingers met his lips.
Cerulean eyes were wide as she flinched when their gazes met. "S-sorry, I just-"
"It is alright." His hand rose and took gentle hold of her wrist when she made to withdraw He had seen the shadows shift within her gaze the second those fangs of his showed themselves. With care, he brought her fingers back up to his lips and used their tips to part them.
Boldened, her fingers once freed carefully lifted the flesh of his upper lip to trace the shape of the sharp white fang beneath. For some reason she'd had the impression that because the gargoyles had been a part of an ancient society hygiene in general would be much different than modern day's. That didn't seem to be the case as she found that each and every tooth within his mouth was a pristine white that would surely make even dental models jealous of their shine. The pad of her fingertip traced the arch all the way down to its tip then up towards the gum before shifting her attention to the other. "So you have eye teeth, just a carnivore, but also have the back teeth that are for chewing like an herbivore….almost as if your closer to a bat than any other living creature…"
If he had answered, her finger would be sliced open or worse, so he opted to stay still and silent as she continued her exploration. His amethyst eyes occasionally widened or shifted as she did so but it was when her fingers moved from the inside of his mouth to the outside that he was thoroughly taken off guard. All of this was incredibly confusing yet thrilling as her countenance shifted from weariness to fascination then admiration. Even when her curious hands rose to his hair Atem calmly allowed her to continue. Like a delicate comb, her fingers first massaged his scalp, revealing that it was just as sensitive as the skin on his face that caused the unfamiliar rumbling to grow deep within his throat he had yet to identify and his eyes to drift closed against his conscious will as waves of bliss rippled across his being that followed after her fingertips.
Her eyebrows rose when the sound grew as her hands came to a stop against his chest. Realization filled her when his eyes cracked open, revealing amethyst that were filled with confusion as the noise faded into silence. "Did you just…We're you just purring?"
He swallowed the lump in his throat. The leader of the clan had ever experience something so bizarre as "purring". Sure he'd heard the other gargoyles make similar sounds when near their mates, his former had been a master of the art in hopes to lure him within a private space probably to pounce on him, but never in his entire life had the sound come from his own throat! "I…" No explanation or cover up came to him as she smirked up at him.
Then it hit him: it was because of her.
"Atem? You okay in there?" Her jaw nearly dropped when he shook his head vigorously and practically inhaled the portion of fries that were his, eyes widening when he nearly devoured the entire cheeseburger within a single bite. "Whoa, easy there! Chomping down on one of those is not something I recommend!"
He could barely hear her over the pounding in his ears as the lump that was once a large sandwich slid down his throat to disappear into his stomach. It wasn't possible, it had to be some mistake. "You should eat before it gets cold." Atem internally flinched at how husky and croaky his voice came out. Thankfully she didn't seem to notice as she set to eating the rest as he turned his gaze to the city beside them.
It only took a few minutes and she deftly collected the trash within the bag then tossed it into a waste basket that was below them. "Okay, I think I'm better for the most part now. Shall we continue?" She turned to face him when no answer came. "Atem?" As if the oxygen had been stolen from her lung, she found herself breathless and entranced by the shifting amethyst gems that were his eyes. What could he possibly be thinking about to have such a vulnerable expression on his face? Was it possible that something was bothering him or she had done something wrong? She was just touching without permission, honestly she could jump over the rooftop edge form embarrassment now that she thought about it, but he hadn't stopped her nor had she asked for his permission. Her hand rose to brush the wound on her neck, fingers lightly tracing the shape of the twin puncture holes that would have been caused by his fangs and was suddenly hit with a devious plan that was quickly placed within her mental filing cabinet for another day. Revenge would be hers!
"Should we go?" He chuckled as she yelped, her arms instantly attaching themselves around his neck. She had been so engrossed within her thoughts, the scheming look on her face filling him with amusement as he managed to pick her up without her noticing, and offered a knowing smirk. "It is dangerous to plot in secret, Anzu, one can only guess who would be on the receiving end when it comes to pass."
"You better watch your back," she growled playfully, sticking her pink tongue out form between pursed lips. "Cause I'll strike when you least expect it."
"Oh, so it is I that you plan to be the victim."
Though they had been joking, she couldn't help but feel a bit remorseful. The gargoyles had been betrayed by the last humans they had trusted so it probably wasn't wise for her to scheme and say such things. "I-" Her words of apology were swept away by the wind as they took to the air, her hold upon him tightening as they once again set off towards the studio apartment she had once called home.
The change in her mood was instantly felt by the violet gargoyle as their destination came into view but she didn't deter him or alter their course. They both did, however, did make unified noises of surprise when they spotted a figure seemingly waiting for them with their arms crossed. "About time you showed up," the elder gargoyle glared between them as they landed. "Stop for a snack, eh?"
"Elder, why have you come?"
The weathered gargoyle waved away his leader's concern and solely focused upon the human girl as she recoiled from the shattered window the second Atem had released her, wide cerulean eyes glazed and unfocused. "Call this elder paranoid if you wish, but I could not allow my clan leader venture out alone again so soon." he said softly. "I wish to understand what he sees within you, girl, so forgive me in my sudden appearance."
"This was uncalled for, elder, she has done nothing to earn your-"
"The only one of us who can vouch for her is you and though you are indeed leader I too am held responsible for the safety of the clan." His head tilted as she shakily reached out a hand to grasp the hinge of the window and opened it with a creak. The anger radiating off of the young gargoyle beside him was coming off in crimson waves, testimony to his displeasure, but he paid it no mind as he followed the human girl inside. "Ah, what a mess indeed." His hand grasped her wrist as she made to retreat. Flight instinct must have kicked in, judging from the scent of desperation that filled their noses as she attempted to break his hold while her eyes blindly and erratically scanned the room. "It appears that my predictions were true. You have been through a great deal, Anzu. Trauma is not something that one is expected to simply forget." He soothed in a tone that Atem had heard him take with some of the freshly hatched gargoyles. "If you wish to heal, you must face what has happened."
Her head bobbed in a nod, ceasing her attempts to break free of his hold to slide down to the floor. "It hurts though…"
"That it will, but you must press on if you are to grow." The elder threw a warning glance over his shoulder to the young clan leader when he made to intervene. "Your kindness is appreciated, I am sure, but sometimes it will only make things worse. Simply provide assurance and nothing more. Do not interfere. Understood?" He gave a nod of approval when the violet gargoyle gave his word and instructed him to stay close but not to touch the young woman as he turned his attention back to her. "Let us begin. Why don't you start with how you know the man?"
Atem, though a bit put off by the elder seizing control of the situation, withheld his emotions so as to watch. He would be here in case it became too much and had every intention to intervene if she needed.
"We…we were at the same school," she began, swallowing the thick lump in her throat. "He was a grade above me but the whole school knew of him for the divination he performed. Kokurano Toei would flirt with the female students every chance he got but they all thought he was harmless since he never asked anything in return for the fortune reading and love horoscope predictions." A shiver wracked her body. "That is, until strange things started happening. Girls started to disappear for days on end then show up out of the blue infatuated with him. Not only that but they began worshiping the very ground he walked on even when he was blatantly flirting with others right in front of them."
"I was the Student Council President back then, meaning that I was in charge of communications between the study body and staff of teachers, and I was solely focused upon my duties that I barely noticed until one of my closest friends, Miho, was hospitalized. The doctors and nurses said that she had overdosed on drugs but that was impossible. She would never use any of those drugs, let alone touch them, so I investigated." Anger filled her tone as she rose on shaky legs to move about the room, careful of the police tape and debris. "Turns out he was lacing his hands with narcotic and highly addictive drugs so that whoever's hands he touched during his divination sessions would get a hefty dose. They would start feeling sick within minutes and he would volunteer to take them to the nurses office. What I didn't know was that he was claiming to take them home when the nurse said they should be. Instead of taking them back to their families that sicko instead took them back to his house! I honestly couldn't believe what I was discovering but it wasn't enough. I had to make sure that he would go to prison, or preliminary detention at least, for the girls' sakes."
"Your educators," the elder began. "Why did they do nothing?"
"This century is much different than yours." She shook her head, scoffing as the teacher's excuses rang in her ears. The adults had chastised, belittled, even flatly called her out for having such interest in one of the male students. "If someone isn't directly involved, they will keep their head down and ignore what's happening even if the evidence is waved like a flag in front of their faces. No one has the courage or guts to act when something seems off." A bitter chuckle slipped between her lips. "You want to know what's funny? The prediction he gave me seems to have come true. I was a teenager, hormones and heartbreak are a big thing for us humans during that time, but looking back I can't help but feel foolish."
The younger of the gargoyles nearly didn't hear her over the pounding of blood in his ears but it was as her gaze met his that it quieted enough for him to regain focus.
"Even I was young and foolish once upon a time," the elder assured, offering an encouraging smile when she hesitated. "Go on, you cannot leave an old being such as myself hanging."
With a sigh, she locked her gaze upon the shattered picture frame that was of her parents lying on the floor. " He said: 'someone who watches from the shadows will make himself known to you, so do not be surprised when you find him to be a being you already know or are close to, for when he does you shall swoon and fall into love's passionate embrace'. Gah, even spoken aloud all these years later it's so cliché and an obvious lie that I could just…" Anzu's hands rose to tangle within her chocolate locks with a groan. "As if someone would have that kind of interest in the girl obsessed with going overseas to learn dance and ballet."
"You are not originally from this land either?"
She offered a smile. "Surprise. Your not the only immigrants to the Big Apple. I'm actually from Japan."
The eldest of the gargoyles's head bobbed in understanding. There had been a few merchants who visited their sandy home of Egypt bearing silk and fine rice wines. He had noticed a few of her facial traits were similar to those ancient traders, though hers were far more pleasant to behold. Her courage and strength were admirable, he could see that now, and hoped that this was indeed assisting the young woman. She was still holding back which meant that this was going to be the hardest part for her to overcome. "What happened, Anzu?"
A deep inhale entered her lungs, causing her chest to expand as she braced then ripped off the mental bandaid she had placed upon herself. "I set myself up, pretending that I didn't know what I did, and fell into his trap. What he didn't know was that I had a body camera strapped to my uniform jacket. When I came to in his house, it was like the worst scene out of several horror films put together. There were girls I recognized from the grades below ours, some were even seniors that I had never met before, but the final count when I released the footage was over fifty."
Unbeknownst to her, the gazes of the males who silently listened steadily shifted closer and closer to ruby and bloodthirsty crimson with each passing second. Neither liked where this was going but they were not about to stop her. The fear and panic that had been within her quivering voice was replaced by anger and determination as she continued.
"The things he did to those girls was nothing short of Stockholm Syndrome; he brainwashed the girls to believe he was all they needed to live and took advantage of them whenever they did something against what he asked of them. That sick bastard even had an entire basement of cages where he kept them…" she trembled violently when her skin prickled as phantom chains ghosted around her wrists and ankles. "The body camera recorded everything, including the multiple assaults and violent tantrums he would throw if one of them displeased him in any way. I couldn't just sit there in that filthy cage so the second he had let me out I ran to the authorities." Darkened cerulean rose to meet ruby and crimson. "I don't regret what I did. Yes, it had put me in danger but I would do it again if it would mean that I could save someone else." Her shoulders shifted as a weak giggle slipped up her throat, tears gathering within the corners of her eyes. "Who would have thought that the shy kid who played with tarot cards at the back of the classroom would become such a despicable-"
"That's enough for now," the elder soothed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she sniffled. "You were very courageous and brave, Anzu, you would make a fine gargoyle indeed. I see now that our young leader's decision to allow you amongst us was not a foolish one." His head tilted when no answer came to his light jest and quickly covered the girl with one of his wings. "Leader, I know that expression upon your face and I cannot allow her view of you to change because of it. Whatever it may be that you are debating on doing I suggest you dismiss the thought immediately. You do not wish to frighten your friend, hm?"
Her tears vanished at his words. "Atem, what is he talking about?" Horror filled her the longer no answer came. "It happened a long time ago, long before you and I ever met, so don't feel sorry for me or those other girls! He was sent to jail to pay for his crimes-"
"And yet he is currently free to do as he pleases once again." He was trembling from the hatred flooding his being. End the mortal, the voice that was his instinct screamed, he must pay for harming her! "He is still out there, possibly scheming to hurt another…" Kill him before he has the chance to lay his filthy hands upon her once more! "…I will not allow his existence to continue."
Ice slipped down her spine at his cold growl but she shook it off as the sound of wings unfurled. She slipped through the elder's attempts to keep her back and threw her arms around the violet gargoyle, effectively pinning his wings before he could take to the sky.
This earned a furious roar as he twisted to and fro in attempts to free himself. "Release me!" His blood must be spilt!
"I won't let you go if you're going to kill him!"
Crimson met cerulean as his fangs shone brightly in the moonlight when they stumbled back onto the rooftop. So precious…so fragile…must protect… "He laid his hands upon you, Anzu, knowing this I cannot allow that man to live! He must pay for the transgressions against you and those other females!"
"If you do that, if you kill him, then it will mean you are no better than he is! You're a gargoyle, you're loyal and protective guardians of those who represent good! It would be against your nature to kill someone!" Her tears returned as she began to shout into his face. "If you kill him, I won't be able to stay by your side anymore! I won't be capable of allowing you to hold or touch me knowing that his blood was staining your claws!" Panic filled her when the look of murderous intent lingered within his gaze as it shifted from her to the sky. "Don't go, Atem, I can't bear to lose anyone else!"
The crimson fog of loathe dissipated as her desperate cries filled his ears, the throbbing within his fangs easing as the blood pounding in his veins slowed to its normal pace as she clung to him. Instinct and rage swam in a dangerous concoction within his chest that demanded the man be punished but her words had pulled him away from the edge of the whirlpool that threatened to sweep him away. He dropped to one knee as one of his wings managed to free themself and used it to bring her towards his front where his arms could reach. Her face was a mess of tears, her fair skin slightly blotchy as she allowed him to place space between them. As carefully as he could, the pads of his fingers swept beneath each of her tear filled eyes. "I am so sorry," he whispered, the exhale of his breath coming out heavy and emotion filled as she tightened her embrace around him so that her face met his covered chest, one of his hands rising to the back of her head while the other wrapped around her upper torso. "Anzu, I am so sorry..." The only answer he received was a loud muffled wail.
What neither were aware of was the awe filled expression upon the elder gargoyle's face as he watched the pair. Their leader was not known for physical acts, the encounter with Valentine confirming that his awkwardness remained around females in general, but this young human female was being embraced by the same gargoyle who was rendered a stiff immovable piece of wood by the mere touch of the other sex. A knowing glint entered his weathered eyes as Atem's wings enclosed around the weeping girl. "Ah, so that is the case then," the elder sighed, leaning against the brick wall. "Curious indeed."
. . . .
"Mistress, are they to your liking?"
The rose hued gargoyle cooed softly while examining herself within the multitude of mirrors before her. "Indeed! They are everything I have asked of you! Truly you are a master of your art despite your physical shortcomings." Her painted claws pressed against full lips. "Oh, goodness, did I say that last part aloud?"
The dresser chuckled, slowly rising to her feet with the help of an assistant who handed her the extendable stick she used as a sight baton. "It's okay, I'm pretty much used to it by now." All of the leftover materials and supplies were gathered by the assistant in a hurry while the vision impaired woman tapped around the room until she found a chair. "I must say, mistress, your form is quite marvelous. Not very many girls are as tall as you with such fine figure ratios. You're really lucky."
"Well of course, I am the envy of all in my family. It's not everyday that a goddess such as myself is born!" Rhinestone encrusted claws fondly trailed across the tight corset-like bodice that allowed her ample bosom to proudly show, it's boning accentuating the dip of her slender waist that gave way to shapely hips accentuated by onyx colored cloth that the human had called "pants". "Tight enough to showcase my divine charm and whiles, you have accomplished all that I have asked so I will be sure to prevent anyone from harming you so long as you swear your services to me."
"I'm glad to hear you think so highly of my lacking skills, and I would be more than happy to answer your call when more pieces are needed." The young redhead bowed her head with a smile. "I hope you'll think of me for your next event!" Her head tilted in surprise when the client grasped her shoulders.
"Oh, no, you're not going anywhere." A smirk raised Valentine's lips. Her tail waved through the air like a flag, releasing more of the same pheromones that she used to attract the males of her clan but it was not their noses she was luring. The human woman was rendered glued to the chair as the heavenly scents of roses and honey filled the air. "I require you to distract the young human male known as Kaiba so that I may sneak into his previous archives. There is a book that I require."
. . . .
The elder stiffened as a change came over the violet gargoyle as they watched the young woman carefully retrieve a few clothing items from the wardrobe. "Speak to me, Atem, what is going on?"
His claws lengthened as an invisible force nearly caused him to tumble backwards over the rooftop, loud screeching filling the air as beneath his claws formed crevices several inches deep as his head thrashed. "Something is taking hold of me!"
"Atem!"
He recoiled when Anzu reached for him. "No, don't! Something is taking over my body! I do not understand, how is this happening?!" True to his words, one of his hands lashed out and sliced through a few strands of her hair as she was pulled back by the older gargoyle. Amethyst was overruled by a ring of rose as his body relaxed when the girl was forced to distance herself from him.
"What's happening, Solomon?!"
"I fear it may be a spell-" The weathered gargoyle double took, looking down at Anzu in surprise. "Ah, a fine name! He was once king, am I correct?"
"Later!" She seethed as the violet gargoyle took to the sky. "We have to follow him!"
He shook his head. "Yes, of course, that can wait." The small bag she had used to collect the few items she required, mostly feminine products, was held tightly to her chest as the elder took hold of her upper arms and they set off after the violet gargoyle.
See you soon!
