A/N: I'm so sorry for the delay. I had most of this written for a while but a combination of health, work, and dislike of what I'd written prevented me from posting this earlier. I'm still not 100% convinced this chapter is the way I wnated it to be, but it'll do. I'll edit it later. It's already past 1:30am and I have work tomorrow.

Chapter summary: In which the Otherworld is not what anyone expected, the monarchy makes a deal with the devil, Jounouchi drops in, and the world is unwritten

45: Otherworld

He didn't realize he was leaning until a steady hand held him securely upright. The sudden grip startled him back to attention. He blinked away the exhaustion he was feeling and adjusted Mokuba higher on his hip. The effects of the golden apple must be wearing off. He had to stay awake. If he slept, he would very likely slip into a soul sleep which was nigh on impossible to be woken from.

He had to get Kisara back from the Bastard. Now that Mokuba was back where he belonged and Helios was back under his protection, Kisara was his next mission. Once she was safely back within his grasp, then and only then would he allow himself to sleep. But now that he had her human form in his grasp, he needed to see her face in front of him. He needed to hear her voice, to feel her touch, to taste her lips. He would be damned if he let her slip through his fingers again.

The Otherworld was a strange place. It was just familiar to give him a sense of deja vu but strange enough to set his nerves on edge. There was a sense of unrealism to the atmosphere and Kaiba would swear the scenery changed when he wasn't looking directly at it. It was disturbing.

"Welcome to the Isle of Avalon," Arawn said, gesturing grandly to something directly behind the group.

They turned around and even Kaiba would admit he was impressed. A large, white spire gleamed in the sunlight surrounded by three concentric white stone walls. Greenery in the form of trees and weeping vines spilled over the walls like the water flowing along the stone at designated locations similar to aqueducts.

"This is...Avalon?" Yugi breathed. He felt Yami's awe feed into his mind as his other half slipped his hand into his own, weaving their fingers together. "It's beautiful."

"It is indeed," Yami agreed wholeheartedly. "I don't think I have ever seen anything like it before."

Arawn shrugged but the proud smile belayed his casual manner. It was Pwyll who spoke, however. "Avalon is shared by the Seelie and Unseelie Courts as a sort of neutral zone," he said, approaching the outermost wall of Avalon. The wall towered above the little group, soaring towards the sky. The doors were swung open, welcoming the travelers into its boundaries. "Our actual Courts are elsewhere," Pwyll continued, "and not necessary hospitable to those who are not members of that particular Court except for special occasions."

Arawn nodded, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he kept pace with Kaiba, careful not to make any outward sign of concern. "The outer circle is mainly orchards and crops," he said, as they walked down the cobbled road towards the door in the second stone wall ahead. On either side were apple trees. Not just any apple trees, these were-

"Golden apples!" Mokuba exclaimed, pointing to the golden fruit dangling from the leafing branches. "Nii-sama look!"

"I see," Kaiba murmured, staring at the trees as his mind raced. "Why are you taking us this way?" he said sharply, studying Arawn beside him with no little suspician.

The Unseelie King shrugged in an offhanded manner. "No reason," he said. However, the toothy grin he sported told another story.

Kaiba narrowed his eyes dangerously but Pwyll spoke before Kaiba could. "This is the main entrance to Avalon," the Seelie King said in a placating manner. "We would have taken you this way anyway. We-"

"Pwyll!"

The Seelie's eyes widened and he whirled to face the path ahead of them with a glowing smile, arms outspread to welcome a rush of red, white, and gold. The figure of a woman with long, red hair streaming behind her and riding a powerful white horse charged down the cobble stone road towards them. Her gown, cut up the sides so she could sit comfortably on the horse's back, was a muted gold that caught the light of the sun.

"Rhiannon!" Pwyll called, speeding across the expanse to meet the woman halfway. He held up his arms for her to fall into his embrace. His delighted smile as he held her close and spun her around joyfully was unsullied by the tension from a few minutes before.

Arawn sighed dramatically. "Honestly," he groaned in mock annoyance, "you'd think they haven't seen each other in ages."

"Who is she?" Kaiba asked, feeling his curiosity prick.

"Rhiannon," Selene answered, placing her hand on her brother's brow. Helios still rested in Endymion's arms, eyes closed and his breathing slow and even. "She is the Celtic goddess of inspiration and the moon as well as the wife of the Seelie King Pwyll Pen Annwn." She flicked her gray eyes to the Egyptian pantheon thoughtfully. "It was to her that Endymion and I fled begging asylum."

"Pwyll can't resist Rhiannon," Endymion said, his loving gaze resting on his own wife. "A sentiment I understand well." Selene gave him an adoring smile which brought a gentle flush to the once-mortal's face.

It was infuriating. "Whatever," Kaiba snapped. He forced his legs to move, carrying him somewhat unsteadily forward. "Arawn," he said curtly, earning him an interested glance from the Unseelie. "You said you would offer us a place to rest. So move your ass."

"Kaiba!" Yugi exclaimed, shocked by his Regent's rudeness.

Arawn, however, snorted and turned on his heel waving for them to follow. "Yes, yes," he drawled. "This way. See you in the tower lover boy," he called to Pwyll. "Sleep well tonight." He winked at Rhiannon who tossed him a grinned and climbed back onto her steed, startling the new arrivals by physically hauling Pwyll up in front of her.

"Oh believe me," she said, her voice strong and proud. "He won't sleep tonight. Perhaps tomorrow I will allow him such luxury, but not tonight." With that, she galloped back to the tower to the sound of Arawn's mad cackles.

Kaiba placed one foot in front of the other with a single-minded focus he usually only experienced during a Duel. His eyes were having trouble focusing and his eyelids drooped, heavy with sleep. Only the sudden hand on his shoulder jolted him back to as close to full wakefulness as he could get. He glanced to the side and saw Arawn guiding him forward. Though he would never admit it out loud, he was grateful for the aid.

"Here," the Holly King said, stepping into an average sized room filled with two beds. An ornately carved wooden door swung open in the cool breeze leading out to a large, open terrace beyond. "My lords Atem, Kaiba, and Mokuba I believe your name is," Arawn said. "I had these beds prepared for you. I assume two to a bed won't be a problem."

"It won't be, no," Yugi said, nodding graciously to their host. "Thank you for this."

"Lay Helios on the couch outside," Arawn said to Selene and Endymion. He pointed to a stone bench with cushions on the surface. "I believe the sunlight will help your brother recover more quickly than anything we could conjure."

"Thank you," Selene said, taking Arawn's hand and allowing him to kiss her knuckles. "You have done much for us. We owe you a debt."

"Don't worry your pretty face about that," Arawn said, dropping the Titaness's hand. "Heal your brother first."

He waited until the silver haired goddess and her consort stepped outside before turning his gaze to Kaiba who had refused to sit on the bed. Mokuba had climbed down from his brother's arms and was bouncing on the mattress, testing it out to his satisfaction. Kaiba, however, simply gazed at Arawn with a stern expression.

"I'm not interested in rest," Kaiba said. The Fae's red eyes narrowed, calculating his Egyptian counterpart as Kaiba continued. "What is your price for another apple?"

"Kaiba!" Yami hissed. "You need to rest."

"Not until Kisara is back where she belongs," the Regent snarled viciously tossing a heated glare at the Pharaoh. "Besides," he said, turning his glacial eyes to Arawn's burning red, "I have a debt to repay. I want to see the Bastard bleed."

The smirk on the Holly King's face darkened to something more dangerous. "I don't give out our apples freely," he said, resting his hands on his hips. "You already owe me a favor for the first one. What could you possibly give me that's worth a second?"

Kaiba ground his teeth together, scrambling to get his sleep deprived mind to think of something worth trading. "What do you want?" he spat furiously.

"We can go after the Bastard later, Kaiba," Yugi said, trying to defuse the situation. "You need to sleep. You've depleted your reserves. Your body can't withstand much more abuse before it will force you to sleep."

:He's right, my Ka,: Seth whispered.

:Butt out, Seth,: Kaiba growled, feeling a headache coming on.

Arawn snickered. "Very well," he said. "I'll make you a deal. I'll give you another of our prized golden apples. I'll even give you a bigger one than before. On one condition."

"And that would be?"

"You give me your true name," Arawn said, stepping closer so he stood nose to nose with his counterpart.

Kaiba's brow furrowed in confused frustration. "I don't know what it is," he hissed.

"And even if he did, we wouldn't allow him to give it to you," Yami said in a cold voice.

"Oh he knows it," Arawn said softly, staring Kaiba directly in the eye, daring him to deny it. "He simply doesn't know he knows."

Yami and Yugi exchanged a look before the King spoke with some reluctance. "We'll take the price for the trade," Yugi said, startling the Holly King. When red eyes similar to his other self's turned to him, Yugi heaved a sigh of defeat. "Yami and I will owe you a favor. Just..."

Yugi glanced at Kaiba and could clearly see the way his Regent was listing dangerously forward in his losing battle with sleep. The sight reminded him of the memories he experienced when he returned to his body after Yami rescued him from the Seal of Oricalcos. In his mind's eye, he could see Yami running his body into the ground, refusing to sleep in his hunt for Yugi until sheer exhaustion knocked him out. He could feel the lingering guilt and shame ripple into his mind through his link with his other half and squeezed Yami's hand comfortingly, regaining his confidence.

"Just give it to him," he said. "Yami and I will owe you whatever favor you wish. But I would like to add my own condition to the deal."

The Holly King lifted an eyebrow. "I'm intrigued," he said. "Not that you're in much of a position to add your own conditions, I have to admit I am curious. Do tell. What is your condition?"

"Bring Jounouchi here as well," Yugi said.

"What?!" Kaiba gasped in disbelief. "Why do you want to mutt here?"

"Because his dragon was taken as well," Yami said, meeting Kaiba's gaze evenly. He grinned. "Did you really think we were going to let you go chasing after the Bastard on your own? He shot my aibou and stole my Knight's Red Eyes Black Dragon. We have just as much right to hunt the Bastard down as you do."

Kaiba's gaze softened, but only just. He glanced at Arawn who was rubbing his chin in thought. The Fae glanced outside where Selene sat next to her brother, Endymion standing guard behind her. Eventually, the Unseelie huffed a laugh.

"Very well," he said. "I accept, but only if Mokuba remains here." He raised his hand to forestall the inevitable resistance. "You have my word that he will be well protected," he said seriously. "No harm will come to him in Avalon. Besides," he looked back to where the Titans rested on the stone terrace beyond, "I believe his presence would be beneficial to Helios' healing."

"You know," Mokuba said drawing everyone's eyes, "I'm right here. Don't talk about me like I'm not here." He met his big brother's tired eyes and smiled. "Don't worry nii-sama," he said with a reassuring smile. "I can keep an eye on Helios. He is under your protection still, right? Then I can be on guard duty." He grinned widely giving his brother a thumbs up. "I got this."

Kaiba's shoulders drooped. "Fine," he said with obvious reluctance. He glared at the Fae. "Give me the apple."

Arawn snorted and pulled a large golden apple from his pocket surprising the Egyptians.

"You anticipated this?" Kaiba gasped in surprised fury.

The Holly King chortled. "I'm old, Kaiba," he said. "You are young by my standards. While I won't say you're predictable, you have certain tells that I'm learning to pick up on. Also," his grin gentled the slightest bit, "you and Pwyll are not the only ones with lovers. I too know what it's like to be unable to touch one's true love for a long time." He tossed the apple to Kaiba who fumbled for it due to his tiredness. "Eat it now," he commanded. "It will last much longer than the last one."

He waited until Kaiba did as he commanded before straightening his shoulders. "And now, as agreed, I'll drag your little mutt back here. Then you can be on your way to wherever it is you need to go."

He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. Instantly, Jounouchi flailed into existence, landing face first on the stone floor.

"Man, what the hell?" the blonde grumbled, rubbing his nose as he sat up. "Yug'! Hey man." He pushed himself up and waved to his friend before glaring at Arawn. "You stupid ass Faerie," he shot at the Holly King. "If you were gonna drag me 'ere anyway, why'd you leave me behind in the first place, asshole?"

Arawn threw back his head and laughed at the graceless entrance when the door behind him burst open revealing a rumpled Pwyll and Rhiannon.

"Arawn!" Pwyll cried, falling against his friend's chest, his nails digging into the Holly King's black coat. The Unseelie stumbled back, stunned by his old friend's terrified expression.

"Pwyll?" he said, grasping the Seelie King's shoulders and holding him up. "What are you doing? What's wrong with you?"

Pwyll just shook his head. "Nevermind that," he pleaded. "Outside. Look outside!"

"Wha-"

"Outside!" Pwyll cried, shuddering and groaning as if in agony. Rhiannon pulled her husband from Arawn, holding him close, preventing him from running.

Bewildered by his friend's unusual manner, the Unseelie King stepped outside and looked around. Nothing seemed unusual or out of place. "I don't see-"

But then he did see and his eyes grew round in horrified awe. A twinge of pain needled his chest and his pale fingers brushed the spot subconsciously. His eyes never left the awful view in front of him. He vaguely heard Selene call out to him but he couldn't make out the words though he could guess their intent. It was the same question he was asking himself.

"By the Caldron, what is happening?" he whispered.

The world was coming apart. Literally. There, to the south where the Seelie Court resided, surrounded by trees and open fields filled with mounds and the sea beyond, ash rose into the sky. But there were no flames. The light was sickly as if the sun itself was fading.

To the north, in the craggy, snow covered mountains, carved from a glacier, was the Unseelie Court. It too was disappearing into ash. The pain in his chest grew in intensity until he cluthed his chest and doubled over in agony. He was the Unseelie King and as such was tied to his Court, just as Pwyll, as the Seelie King, was tied to the Seelie Court.

The Seelie and Unseelie Courts were disintegrating. Something was destroying them. No, it was unmaking them, unwriting them, removing them from ever existing. Arawn couldn't explain it. This should be impossible. The Otherworld was tied to the existence of the Earth itself. Nothing should be able to do this except the end of the world. But that would just be an end, not an unmaking. This was...

"How?" He shuddered.

"Arawn!" Rhiannon yelled, shaking him out of his trance. "See to your people," she commanded. "I will see to mine and my husband's. You cannot die. You must ensure you live until the Wheel turns in your favor. Stay with Pwyll."

Arawn nodded, swallowing around his dry mouth. He held out his arms for Rhiannon to hand him Pwyll, his knees almost giving under the weight.

"You!" Rhiannon commanded to Endymion, taking charge. "Protect them with your lives. Let no one near them. They must survive or the Otherworld will go with them."

"As you command," Endymion said, drawing his sword. He stood be the Fae Kings, ready to defend those who offered his family asylum and friendship.

"What's happening?" Jounouchi voice called followed by a collective gasp from his companions. "What the 'ell is this?"

"Rhiannon!" a young man dressed in leather and fur cried. His short brown hair was cut messily and his dark violet eyes were determined and steady. Following close behind him was a young woman who bore a striking resemblance to the young man. "What is happening? Where is-"

"Arawn!" the young woman screamed, hiking up her skirt and racing to the Unseelie King's side.

"King Pwyll!" the young man exclaimed.

"The world is coming apart, Arthur," Rhiannon said, easing Arawn into the young woman's embrace. Rhiannon's moss green eyes were cold and strong as she regarded the young woman. "Primula," she said.

The young woman lifted her amethyst eyes to Rhiannon and nodded, lifting her staff. "Nothing will reach us," Primula swore. "I'll die first."

"Sister!" Arthur gasped.

"What is going on?" Yami demanded, staring at the disintegrating world around him.

"Something is unmaking this place," Rhiannon said.

"It's not just the Otherworld," Arthur said, startling the others. It's happening on Earth as well. Something is unwriting the world." The fear returned to his eyes. "Queen Rhiannon, what is this?"

Kaiba suddenly gave a heartbreaking cry, clutching his head and falling to his knees. "Kisara!"

Yugi opened his mouth to ask what was wrong when he too felt a tug on his power, starting when he recognized it as the summoning of Jounouchi's Red Eyes Black Dragon. But how? Where?

"Red Eyes!" Jounouchi cried.

"It isn't here," Yami murmured. "This is..."

"In another reality," Yugi finished, eyes wide with shock.

"You know what's causing this?" Arthur demanded.

"No," Yami said. "But we may be able to find its source."

"You Bastard!" Kaiba roared. "I will murder you!"

"Jounouchi," Yugi called. "Kaiba. Take my hand." He waited until he had both of his friends' hands clasped in his. "Kaiba," he said, "I know you're tired but please help me. Follow my lead. I think I know where to go."

Kaiba grit his teeth but nodded and allowed his power to join Yugi's. Beside him, Jounouchi added his power to the King's as well. Together, their magic pooled and the Shadows devoured them. Kaiba gasped as the sensation of falling enveloped him, replaced by the weightlessness of the Shadows.

He followed the King's lead, feeling the Pharaoh nearby guiding them as they travelled down through the Shadows the same way he had when he'd gone to the other reality. He wanted to demand what the hell was going on, but then he felt Kisara's energy growing closer. Determined, he added the full force of his strength to Yugi's, speeding up their progress only to be stunned by the sudden bright, healthy sunlight.