Spoiler Alert!
It goes without saying that I don't own rights to either YuGiOh! or the animated series "Gargoyles".
Halloween 2021 FanFic Yu-Gi-Oh! X Gargoyles
When a Gargoyle Falls
Chapter 8:
Scaretale
"What have you done to yourself, Bakura?!"
"Tsk, tsk!" The once ancient pharaoh threw his arms out as if surprised, the smile on his face morphing into one that set the gargoyle on edge. His attire was along the lines of what he had seen upon the television; jeans, layered graphic tee of a band with a zip up jacket that had a hood, and sneakers. "It was not I who performed this, gargoyle, but my dear friend bestowed it upon me as a gift!" A resounding crack sounded as his head tilted to the right in a near sickening angle. "Are you not happy to see that the your predecessor's remains weren't wasted?"
Never in his life had Atem felt so repulsed as he forced his gaze to remain upon Bakura despite the roar of his gargoyle pride that demanded vengeance to be had. Through his peripheral vision, he could spot that there was a ladder-like contraption farther back that lead up to the opening above their head, a possible exit, but the ground beneath his feet sunk slightly when he attempted to stand. The light from the moon was faint but clearly enough for the two as they stared at the other in silence. It was cold, wet, and incredibly loud within such a confined space that it made his sensitive ears wish they could withdrawal. Amethyst that were now garnet hued never wavered from onyx as the man circled like a predator. "Was it that creature within the dungeon who did this to you?"
"Why do you insist that Zorc was nothing more than a meek incompetent beast?!" A clenched fist buried itself deep within the violet gargoyle's gut, earning a choked sound. "I will not allow you to disrespect my master farther so consider this your warning, Yami-" Bakura gasped, twisting his fist and burying it farther into violet flesh. "Oh, yes, that's right, you would probably prefer your new name, yes? I'll try my best to remember that for the future but I can't make any promises…Atem." He spun around to walk a few paces as he relished in the near wheezing breaths coming from the nocturnal being, waving the torn away tunic material he had snatched like a flag declaring his victory. "I must admit, it was much more difficult in hiding myself within these modern times. They have some fancy gadgets now that make our weapons of war look like child's play. For instance," Bakura twisted at the torso so that his shoulders were angled in his audience's direction while pulling out a black piston. "These little numbers can kill from a greater distance than even the tightest and best bows. But we'll get back to that in a bit. I want to have a little fun before the grand finale." Another black pistol, this one with two tightly coiled springs beneath its barrel. "I'd like to see just how much electricity it takes to make a gargoyle scream. Shall we begin?"
Amethyst widened. "What are you- AAAAAAAAAGH!"
Near pitch black eyes watched with glee as the cables extended, each finding their place upon the gargoyle's chest and howled as electrical surges visibly flittered across violet skin . "Yes, writhe, you pitiful creature! This is nothing compared to the pain that I felt when I found out it was because of your wretched clan that she passed!" His finger lifted from the trigger, an expression of disappointment filling his features as the scream gave way to breathless gasps. "You truly need to learn when someone is talking about you, Atem, you might miss something important!" The chains rattled loudly as the pad of his finger pressed against the trigger in quick succession, earning jumps and short exclamations from gargoyle. One of his brows rose as after a few minutes the only sounds he could hear were those of the taser gun in his hand. "Come, now, I can't very well have you losing consciousness so quickly. We've only just begun!"
Fangs flashed in warning as Bakura's hand reached to grab the gargoyle's throat, amethyst now a bright crimson that blazed with an inferno. "You will get no pleasure from me, you abomination," he growled lowly, "these chains will not hold me for long, even you should know this, yet here you stand wasting the night away with your petty little games."
"Petty games?!"
Atem had just a fraction of a second to brace as a thick boot rose and met the side of his face, causing his head to snap to the left.
"You think I'm doing any of this just for amusement?! You do not know the half of it!" Bloodthirsty black eyes met blazing crimson. "I believe a change of pace is in order. And this time," he held up the taser, tapping it against Atem's chin, "try to pay attention. I do not want to have to repeat myself!"
. . . .
Among the bustling streets of New York City walked a figure whose vivid green gaze earned several second looks from those he passed but he paid them no mind. He was not here for pleasantries. If it wasn't his eyes it was his outfit that earned him questioning and curious looks; black leather jacket, vermillion hued tee and headband, pair of earrings that each held a white dice cube, tight skinny jeans the color of onyx with several buckles and pockets, pointed shoes that were polished to shine and almost reflect like a mirror. A phone appeared from within his leather jacket, near snake-like eyes darting across the screen as he came to a stop at a crosswalk to wait for the light. "I swear, that girl needs a tracking chip sometimes." He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment after studying the picture that had filled the screen when he swiped. "At least you are where you said you were, staying within city limits like you promised, though I wish you'd at least tell me a bit more about these jobs you accept." The phone was raised as it rang with an incoming call, his finger swiping so fast that the curious bystanders were left momentarily stunned as he began walking a split second before the light changed. "Devlin here."
"You answered on the first ring. What, you have nothing better to do?"
"Well, if it isn't Yuné." His lips rose into a smile, throwing a wink to a group of young ladies who giggled as they took notice of him and earned a few blushes. "Long time no ring. Missed me, did you?"
"Very funny, you flirt, but this is no laughing matter."
He instantly grew serious. "What is it?"
"You might want to sit down…"
. . . .
A shiver slid down Anzu's being as they paused to converse. They had made it back to one of the palace corridors and were debating on if setting out to search the city would be wise when she had suddenly been hit with a sense of dread. What was that just now? Her balance was lost as another slid down her spine and was caught by several hands before she could hit the ground. "S-something's wrong!" she gasped, curling into a ball as what felt like weak electrical currents coursed through her veins that caused her to miss a step.
Yugi, who had been the first to react, stiffened as he too felt foreign sensations that caused his muscles to twitch. "What is this? I'm starting to go numb!"
She shrugged off their hands as the rest of the gargoyles also began to loudly proclaim how they too were starting to lose feeling and nearly stumbled again while entering the courtyard. From personal experience, she'd only encountered this sensation once as she stumbled and clung to the sandstone wall for support. It wasn't a very strong current by any means, just making her already tired body feel five times its normal weight, but where was it coming from? Two areas upon her chest, each near her collarbone on either side, pulsed as though it wasn't a stable current.
"I smell water."
Cerulean blinked in confusion. "T-that's great and all but I'm not thirsty enough to drink out of the fountain."
"It's different than that, almost like a swamp." He shook his head, pointing to her. "And it's coming from you."
"Well excuse me for not having the time to take a proper shower!" Each of the gargoyles held up their hands as she snapped at Yugi, her cheeks tinting red with embarrassment as they sheepishly noted that they too had noticed the odd scent. "Oh, come on, I've been a bit preoccupied! Cut a girl a break!"
"You've got it all wrong! We aren't saying you stink or anything!" The sandy gargoyle spoke.
"Yeah, what he said!" The mahogany gargoyle jumped in. "You actually smell quite nice for a human!"
Yugi flinched when her eyebrow twitched as her bottom lip did. Females, human or gargoyle, were often vain or concerned about their appearance; Anzu clearly was no exception. The damage appeared to have been done as her expression fell. "Way to go, you two, you've taken my words and twisted them." His hands approached then withdrew from her in hesitation when her bottom lip quivered. There was no telling what punishment would be dished if Atem learned that they had made her cry. "Anzu, don't listen to them. What I was trying to say was that for a second there, just for a moment, I could smell wet soil and stone."
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?"A muscle twitched within her jaw when he failed to answer her. Forget a shower. She deserved the biggest bubble bath of the century after tonight. The fine hairs across her body rose as another weak current coursed through her veins.
"…Anzu…"
A gasp slipped from between her lips. How had she heard Atem just now? They had searched the entire palace portion of the skyscraper and hadn't found him. Solomon had lost track of him when they had first returned so it was a possibility that the violet clan leader wasn't here at all. Where were they supposed to look though?
Solomon's head rose, his weathered heather hued eyes locked upon the lightening. "We have done all that we can. For now, we must prepare for the coming dawn."
One by one, they each took a stance upon the sandstone palace wall and she watched with awe as the first few rays of sunlight touched each in turn, the air practically ringing as skin and cloth turned into stone. Yugi was the last to undergo the change and the expression of worry within his features would be etched into her memory for the day as he too joined his clan members in stony slumber.
"You've done all you can." she whispered, forcing her legs to steady as she pulled out the cellphone from a jeans pocket. The subtle beeps of the device rang through the now silent courtyard closely followed by a ringing as she placed it against her ear.
"Brrrring…brrrring…..brrrring…brrrring…"
Each ring that sounded caused the heart in her chest to clench tighter. A part of her nearly hoped that they would never pickup. It was what she deserved after the events occurring after graduation back in Japan, but a part of her waited with bated breath.
"….brrrrring…..br-*click*…Hello?"
The lump that had been growing within her throat suddenly tripled in size.
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
From between her quivering lips came a sentence that she saved only for this person and was relieved that it didn't come out as a whimper or sob: "Kon'nichiwa, watashi no shin'yū."
"Anzu!" Something clattered in the background, no doubt he probably dropped something.
Her lips quivered as through the electronic in her hand came a voice she thought she'd never have to contact ever again. She hated asking for help and she felt worse when the only person that came to mind was her high school friend that she hadn't spoken to since graduation. "Y-yeah, it's me."
"I saw the news and feared the worst! Are you alright? You're not hurt or anything? Talk to me!" It took several minutes, literally the entire time that it took for her to walk back to the room the gargoyles had designated as hers, but by the time she had finished the voice on the other line was nearly unmistakable from the suppressed fury that even the masculine accent they had was nearly covered. "That does sound rough. You should have called me, Anzu."
"I'm so sorry that I haven't kept in touch." The flesh of her bottom lip was sucked between her teeth. A breeze swept through the room, causing the soft curtains to flutter as if they too were trying to help comfort her as the bed of pillows she fell upon slowly enclosed around her. One of them still had the faint smell of golden sand bathed in the scorching sun and a hint of sandalwood that bore the impression of his weight. Some of her fingers rose to press against her chest as it convulsed with worry and concern for the violet gargoyle. "I didn't mean to go dark on you. Seems like Europe is treating you, your accent's actually quite good-"
"I'll be right there." The brunette was taken aback as a chuckle filled her ear. "My best friend calls out of the literal blue first thing in the morning sounding as if she were about to cry. I'll be on the next flight. Hang in there, Anzu, I'll be there as soon as I can. Take care of yourself until I do."
Though the one she had called couldn't see her, the reflex of a nod bobbed her head still occurred and the line was disconnected. The pillow that she had discovered was swept up, her body curling as tightly around it as the bandages allowed, and drifted into troubled sleep as a single tear slipped down her cheek. "Where are you, Atem? I wish you could give me some sort of hint…"
. . . .
"You're telling me that you still can't find one girl within this entire city?" Cold sapphire eyes darkened as the assistant before him fumbled for words. "Excuses do not concern me, Roland, only results."
A knock sounded, opening when a shout for them to enter filled the room, revealing the red haired blind tailor that he had summoned. The young woman was decent on the eyes considering her lacking vision but he had carefully watched the footage between her and that pink colored harpy enough that he was fairly confident that she was not aware of who, or what, her client was. "I have finished, MrKaiba. The pieces I have finished are still within the room."
His lips that would have risen into a polite small smile so as to save face was nowhere to be found as he crossed the room and placed a card within her hand. "Excellent. This has the pay for your services per our agreement. Do not discard it though. If we happen to require your services in the future, we will place the new funds upon it." Her fingers, covered in nicks and several scars testimony to how far she has come to be where she was, enclosed around the small plastic rectangle as his encouragement. "We appreciate your quickness and hard work. Do you require assistance back downstairs?"
"Oh, no, I shall be fine." She offered a bow of her head as the expandable walking stick tapped across the carpeted floor for several seconds. Her had slipped from his own. "I shall take my leave now. It appears that you have guests waiting outside."
True to her word, the second the door had opened for her to pass through a swarm of his employees and assistants came spilling into his office. He shook his head when Roland made to pursue. The blind tailor was not his main concern. Taking his seat behind the desk once more, he barked for silence and offered his most charming smile as several of those who invaded his office turned out to be the media conference he had nearly forgotten was scheduled to occur. Time was running out though. They needed to find the girl who knew of the gargoyles before she spread word that he was paying homage to a gang of nocturnal monsters. Not that anyone would believe her words but that was not a risk he was about to take. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you would all kindly disperse into the neighboring conference room, we can begin." Only when the last of the reporters and staff members had disappeared behind one of the doors that he turned his gaze to the lone man who waited upon his orders. "I don't care what it takes. You will find that girl and bring her to me by this time tomorrow morning. No exceptions, no excuses."
. . . .
"Of course the blasted sun would chose to rob me of my enjoyment," he growled, dusting himself off once he had secured the fourteen inches thick steel bar contraption over the cistern and cast his displeasured glare to the rising sun as he began walking. "It's as if even the gods are against me." A sneer raised his lips though as a breath wafted against the back of his neck. "Patience, dear sister, he will pay in due time." The wild hair atop of his head cast a shadow over his eyes as he approached a waiting car. He would tire of how easy it was to follow the clan once they had left Egypt. His time away from the blistering sands of his once prosperous empire had done him good, allowing him to familiarize himself with the world as it matured and even witnessed man make it to the moon with a contraption called a rocket. This country though, America, was by far one of his favorites. The darkness that could be found on the streets was pure, delicious even, and it had yet to satisfy his seemingly bottomless huger. He slipped into the driver's seat and cast one last glance over to the enclosed water storage. "Don't go anywhere, now, I'll be back by sundown!" His howling laughter echoed across the abandoned landscape, bouncing off of concrete and hillside as the roar of the engine he brought to life with a turn of a key faded into silence as he drove away.
See you next time!
