Here it is, everyone! The last REAL chapter! Just like last time, their will be a poem/song for the epilogue.
Readers, I need your help.
I have two stories in the works. One is another sort of "epic" story, and the other is my very first fluff piece. Now, I refuse to post two unfinished stories at one time, so I'm going to have to ask you to vote as to which one you want to read next. Here are the summaries:
eXtasy: Yugi and the gang go to a fantasy duelist getaway for some R&R. Little do they realize, there's a lot less R&R in this vacation then they thought.
Electricity: A somewhat late Christmas fluff fic. What will the gang do on Christmas when they're trapped in Yugi's house and the power's gone out?
Please let me know in your reviews. Thanks, and please enjoy the heart-warming conclusion!
Yugi backed away from his summoned Chimera. "Kill them." were his orders, much to the dismay of his friends, who lay bound, gagged, and helpless on the floor. Chimera leaped at Tea, who squirmed and kicked Chimera in the face. Atem knew he needed a way to get free if he wanted to save his friends and help Yugi regain his senses. If this was going to be a duel of magic… so be it.
Atem's eyes glowed with shadow magic, and he wordlessly disintegrated the bonds that held him and the others. Regardless of the fact that they could move, they still needed to defeat Chimera. It had taken a lot of spirit energy to remove those bonds without chanting, so he wouldn't be able to summon a monster strong enough.
"Guys!" he called out to the others. "We need a way to get rid of him ourselves! We need to team up to beat him!" The others agreed as they dodged and weakly assaulted the monstrous Chimera. "We need a strategy."
Yugi crawled into the corner and began to cry. He hated hurting his friends. His mother and father gathered around him, comforting him.
"I know this is hard, Yugi, but you're strong. You always have been." Kanae encouraged, holding Yugi close to her, stroking his hair.
Tea was bait. As Chimera charged at her, Atem rushed her out of harm's way, and then Joey and Tristan rammed it into a wall. They started to kick it mercilessly, until it gave a rough bite to Joey's leg. Joey cried out and fell to the ground, allowing the Chimera to pounce on him. Tristan bellowed in rage and tackled the Chimera to the floor, putting Tristan in a vulnerable position.
Atem used the remnants of his magical energy to telekinetically throw Chimera across the room, and then healed Joey's wound.
"You can do anything if you put your mind to it, sweetie. Remember what I taught you." Kanae said, holding Yugi's tear-stained face. "Remember who you are. You're my Yugi. You're better than anything that anyone can set against you. You may feel alone sometimes, but remember that you have people who love you. We're always with you, Yugi."
Yugi stopped crying. Finally, he understood. "You're right, Mom." He said quietly, smiling. "Thank you for helping me." Kanae and Ichigo thought that they had their son back at last. "Good-bye." Yugi said softly, and closed his eyes, not to see the horror-stricken looks on his parents' faces as they realized they would never speak to him again.
"Chimera!" Yugi called out, standing up. "Return from whence you came!" The dark vortexes opened again, and Chimera disappeared in a flash of light.
Yugi looked at all of his friends, who were panting, worried, and even bleeding in some cases. "I'm so sorry." Yugi choked out, falling to the floor. "I'm so sorry for everything." Yugi said as he wept uncontrollably.
Atem knelt down next to him and cupped his chin. "I think we should get you that operation, partner."
Atem was worried out of his mind. The side-effects Yugi mentioned earlier were still an issue, even though the side-effects caused by Yugi not getting the operation were big issues themselves.
Everyone else was worried too. Tea was bouncing continually in her chair, Joey was wearing a fairly large ditch in the floor from his pacing, and Tristan and Grandpa probably gained ten pounds in that one day, considering the amount of vending machine food that they ate.
That's why they veritably assaulted Dr. McClellan as she came out of the Operating Room to give the news of Yugi's procedure.
"How is he?"
"Is he okay?"
"Did anything go wrong?"
"How's he faring?"
Dr. McClellan laughed. "I think I understand." She said, amused. "As far as we know, the surgery went just fine. We'll have to talk to him when he wakes up, just to make sure, though."
A collective sigh of relief ran throughout the group. "Can we see him?" Atem asked.
"Of course." said Janice. "He's unconscious, but feel free. I'm sure he'll feel better if he sees some familiar faces when he wakes up."
For many more hours, all of Yugi's friends waited at his bedside. Regardless of the change of scenery, their nervous habits continued in full force. Atem, however, just sat beside Yugi, staring into his face and holding his hand. It was the next day before Yugi opened his eyes.
"Guys?" He mumbled sleepily. Tristan, who had fallen asleep with his hand in the Doritos, woke with a start, spraying the chips everywhere. There was silence, when suddenly Atem burst into hysterical laughter.
"What…?" Yugi said, starting to laugh. "What the heck is wrong with you?!" He said, softly hitting Atem on the head. Atem was currently doubled over, shaking with silent sniggers. Everyone began to laugh at this strange sight. Doritos were everywhere and Atem was stricken with hearty guffaws. When the insanity subsided, Joey leaned forward and poked Yugi in the chest.
"You!" Joey said accusingly. "Are you planning on killing us, or did the surgery work?"
Yugi pretended to think. "Well, I'm not planning on killing ALL of you…" he said jokingly. Everyone in the room laughed at that. They joked and laughed until visiting hours ended and everyone except Atem and Grandpa had to leave. Then they talked more, making sure Yugi's memory was sound, until Grandpa fell asleep.
Atem noticed Yugi looking sad. "You miss your parents, don't you?" he asked.
Yugi nodded. "I know it wasn't real, but… I miss the way that my mom used to hold me… and the way she used to stroke my hair… and the way my dad always used to burn the pancakes." He laughed sadly.
Atem sat next to Yugi and put his hand on Yugi's shoulder. "You will always have people who love you, Yugi."
Yugi closed his eyes and leaned against Atem. "I'm sorry. After everything we've been through… and I go and tell you that you aren't real."
Atem put his chin on Yugi's head. "It's alright, Yugi. I understand." Atem smiled. "It does seem a little ridiculous, doesn't it?"
"I know, but," Yugi stopped. "Can you forgive me?"
"I forgive you."
Dr. Yoshida flashed a light in Yugi's wide, unseeing eyes. He backed up and turned to Mr. and Mrs. Mutou.
"I'm sorry, but there's no response at all." He said sadly. Kanae burst into tears and Ichigo held her close, trying to comfort her.
Yoshida took off his glasses and wiped them on his jacket.
"I'm afraid we've lost him forever."