Well, this was it. This is where I not only met Kaiba, but this- the point of my journey that everything just... broke, shattered, crumbled, crashed down and broke all I had known into glass shards, that I would later have to cut myself on, stepping on it, to get any where I had been before. All the bits of what could be called happiness- swept away through the dark night, likely to never be recovered. Sometimes no matter how hard you struggle, whats lost might never be regained. Sometimes, something thats lost can never be found again. I still clung to the hope I would though, that I could gain back any ounce of friendship and trust I once possessed. I knew it would happen eventually, I thought, but I never thought my voice would be the one to make it all crumble. From the note, I thought Kaiba would be the one to take it all away. But it was no ones fault but my own. The foolish choices I made brought me here, no one else's. Somehow, I'd gone back, maybe farther back than where I first began, because at least I somehow managed to gain Yugi's trust. I still do, but I in no way deserve it. It was me, I was the architect of my own unhappiness. Its funny. I was known as the honest one and yet I kept the biggest secrets, and told the biggest lies, kept my mouth shut when it mattered most.
I guess, I should go back a bit to when it all began. Of course it started in gloomy Domino Park. Kaiba was there when I arrived, but he didn't have my attention so much as the surroundings did. I wasn't paranoid of much and I certainly didn't mind the dark, in fact, I preferred it over the day and the sunshine. I preferred being alone over being around people, though that would soon change. Soon, I wouldn't want anything more than to be with those I once considered friends. Thats not important now. My surroundings; It was a clearing as you would expect, a path here, a bench there, several lights. But the lights hardly made a dent through the thick and eerie fog surrounding them like a spirits pull towards the light, however unable to fully grasp it. The bushes and undergrowth seemed to hide an unseen force as they quivered. The trees that normally shined like emerald jewels and sang softly in the days light breeze, seemed to shriek warning to run. If only I'd listened. What was most disturbing, I think, was that I swear I could see the faint outlines of two figures, standing just a short distance behind a man in a long coat. He watched me with beady eyes and an arrogant smile, which normally would've agitated me. Now I nearly wanted to shrink under his antagonizing gaze.
I breathed deeply, gathering what little confidence I had left. My fists clenched at my sides, and I looked him directly in the eyes with a fiery glare, equal to his own, yet not nearly as unnerving. "Lovely night, isn't it. Just not for this, so lets get it over with." Then I asked the most obvious question. There was really nothing else so important or worth knowing. "What do you want, Kaiba. I have things to do, places to see, people to meet. You know, I'm very busy."
"Confidence is always a fine trait, its gotten me far, but not when your foe can clearly see your shaking in fright. Thats something I've never let stop me." His voice was smooth, quiet and cold, just as unnerving as his stare. Kaiba looked down on me, blocking any light that might have illuminated my vision, the spark of blue fire in my eyes.
"And are you my foe? Who says I'm shaking because of you, the great- what, millionaire, who still plays children's card games. And you cant even win at that. Some 'nobody' took you on blow for blow."" He was right, I was shaking, I realized. It wasn't because of the cold either, I knew. Whether it was a good or bad thing to do, I said nothing of it. As shaky as my movements had been, my mouth ran just fine, and my words struck cold and fast. I didn't let it on that this was a result of my fear, a fear I couldn't exactly identify. There was this overwhelming feeling of dread. I couldn't quite put my finger on the cause, though it was likely I was hesitant from past experiences of being alone with a psychopath. He didn't seem to realize this. My words held full effect against him, striking him as if with a cold dagger, and I had hardly yet begun, I could tell they pierced him as his dark eyes flashed angrily and by the growing tightness of his jaw. I thought nothing of it in the present time, even the movement that darted behind. He wanted me here, he wanted my attention. Well, he was going to get it.
He smirked. "That depends on you. Do as I ask and answer my questions, there wont be any problems. First, I've never seen a card like the one you possess. Out of all the rare cards I've obtained through certain means, I failed to ever hear word of such a powerful card, especially one under the alias of 'Blue eyes'."
"I'm assuming that was a question. I don't quite remember where I got it," I answered. "All I know is that it was given to me by... someone." I looked down in contemplation. My answer was honest, I really didn't- seemingly couldn't- remember where I obtained the 'blue eyes shining dragon'. Maybe from one of my parents? As my thoughts wondered, I reached into my pocket, rubbing said card questioningly. Then I met Kaiba's skeptical gaze once more. "I'm not lying, I really don't remember. I would have nothing to gain by lying to you now." A beating didn't count, obviously.
"Is that so? Then, you wont deny anything, not even Yugi's other face? It was more of a statement then a question. And I could tell he was trying to provoke me with it for whatever reason. I shook my head in response. "How much do you know about the other Yugi?"
I knew a lot, a lot more than I was going to say for both our benefits. I could say 'all our benefits', but then, who wants to know how many times they're going to lose and humiliate themselves in one lifetime . Besides, if he knew, he could possibly change the course of all those losses and turn them into victories, which is something I absolutely wouldn't allow. "Not very much. Just enough to know you wont beat him. My friends... know nothing, either, so don't bother with them. Again, Kaiba, I ask- what do you want. Get to the point."
"So, Yugi doesn't know either. Interesting... These friends of yours, I wonder how well they know you. Surely you aren't keeping a darker side of yourself secret, but what are you hiding?
"Who says I'm hiding anything." Honestly, I was feeling very impatient. I wanted to go home, I wanted to sleep and I most definitely wanted to meet up with Yami, who was still patiently waiting for me a few blocks away, hopefully out of hearing range, for my own sake.
Now, he towered above me, watching me with these flashing eyes- cool and calm in appearance, yet they raged like a storm, one hitting me dead on without relenting. "I thought we agreed on being honest. I've been watching you, Amaya". Not stalker-ish or anything, at all, I thought inwardly, even though I knew that already... "You and your friends have all been under surveillance, Yugi especially. You always seem to be exactly at the right place, right time, without failure. Clearly, you know what the rest don't, right down to your blatant comments. I may not know how, but I do know you know more than what you're telling me."
"Oh, yes, I'm all knowing. You caught me. I'm psychic or maybe have magical powers. Yugi does, too, totally." I stood tall, determination burning within. "Or maybe I know more than you, as well as the others, because I know them better than you ever could. Like, Yugi is always there for his friends, crazy games or not. I know Jonouchi would never betray his friends, too, not even for some stupid gang. So yeah, I really know more than I let on. Imma regular Mary-Sue. And, if by some crazy chance I were keeping something from you or anyone else, its none of your damn business. Also, stalker much? I mean, really. For what, a card game?" It was my turn to smirk. His height and strength over me hardly mattered now. "Magic isn't real, Kaiba-kun."
Of course I knew it was, it was very real and very dangerous. But the most skeptical character in the show isn't going to believe that, even if this version is clearly more open-minded than his later on counter-part. So, it was good for antagonizing.
"Your defensive front will only get you so far. In any case, you will be able to do as I ask, and you will. This is why I called you here. I know you know the game of Duel Monsters well, I know of that dragon card you used to beat the three sisters. So, you're going to take that attitude and bratty dexterity of yours and put it to good use. Defeat the other Yugi, and take the Blue Eyes Dragon card as reward."
"Not really. I mean, its mostly just play the more powerful card on the right field and hope for the best, because I still have no freaking clue-" what the frig they were doing ninety percent of the time after six seasons and watching them multiple times. Maybe it was cheating...? I don't know, likely never would. "Option B?," I asked uncertainly.
"I'll have Yugi beat your way, or mine." With a snap of a finger, those looming shadows behind shuffled , moving among the dark purple and dusky blue, they seemed to creep along the ground before taking rather large, bulky forms. As eerie as it was, it was perfectly expected. I was unsurprised it was the two bodyguards Kaiba's often seen with in the beginning of this season. "Since your friends like to travel as a little pack, I'll have them taken care of, too. One goes down, they all go down. And I haven't forgotten about your punishment, either. You'll be left in the same disparaging state, and I'll take that precious card of yours as well. I've always enjoyed procuring rare items, but I'm sure you know that already."
"You drive a hard bargain, Kaiba-kun. What do I get out of this, exactly? Let me guess, I get to live. Yay..." Not that I didn't want to live, obviously, who doesn't. But a little extra something for all my trouble would be appreciated.
"I'm much more gracious than that. I'll give you all, Yugi and your friends, free passes to my new amusement park attraction. If all goes as planned, then it should be ready within the next couple of months." As he said this, a smirk seemed to lurk beneath his features, a sadistic idea twinkling behind dark eyes. "So do we have a deal?"
Well, that was clearly what I didn't have in mind. Exact opposite actually. Although I did like the idea of the one in season five, this was season zero, much more deadly. It was almost looking like I wouldn't actually get to keep my life, or dignity, which somehow seemed more important at this point. I could only really hope that it wasn't going by the Manga because it was lot worse than the anime. However, I knew my luck- Non-existent. But, it was probably best to accept, considering what would happen if I didn't. A chance at life and self-respect or none at all. Tough pick, huh. I sighed inwardly before, perhaps, sealing our fate. All our fates.
"Fine, I guess. But on one other condition. We'll go to your crappy amusement park." Which would only be amusing to him as we shriek in fear and nearly get crushed or- spoilers. "But you have to leave us alone after. No parks, no games, no bloody meeting in the middle of the night! I need my sleep, you know." I didn't actually believe he would follow through. After all, Kaiba is Yugi's, or more accurately, Yami's, top rival. I'm not even sure how many times they dueled and I've seen all the episodes around a dozen times. I'm probably only exaggerating a little on that. Anyway, I felt it best to at least try to secure a less... Chaotic future, if we still had one.
"Yes, I'm sure this has been weighing on your mind for quite some time." Referring to the fact I ignored his first 'request' for my presence, I'm sure. "I'm not usually one to accept another's deals or conditions. However, you need your beauty rest, so I agree. I'll leave you and your friends alone. After Death-T."
I glared at his patronizing tone, bowing slightly, and mocking him in return. Then it seemed our agreement was finalized by a strange gust of wind that poured over the clearing, shifting the dark tendrils of shadows around us and bringing a soft chill. My hair flew into my face, covering my view of the shadowed sky, blocking the moon that no longer pressed against it, but the sun in the far distance, emanating a light smoke. Now I all I could see was a deep, shimmering navy blue with highlights of turquoise, like that of a sunny dawn or an evening twilight- What the sky should've been,-like a sapphire stone or an aquamarine gem. But it appeared to pay much homage to my own sullen mood. I could not see my foes departure, I only thought I heard footsteps and perhaps a fittingly cruel laugh. The quick to depart wind whispered against the grass, telling it something inaudible, as suddenly one dull green blade leaned to the next as if it was quiet gossip, that shouldn't be overheard. It sent the trees into a fearful quivering, likely realizing when I did not, that I was on the road to ruin and not far from bashing my head against it. I felt like I could fall at that moment, blind and cold as I was, all adrenaline rushed out of my system before I had a moments breath, tired and sullen with my ever growing expanse of unquenchable thoughts.
My vision remained covered, head lowered before it was jammed up by an unknown assailant. A large object I could only make out as a shadowed fist, crashed into my jaw hard and fast, sending me reeling and crying out in shock. I fell to the ground with a loud thud, eyes wavering, mind barely able to process was what going on past the blur. But I could see shadows, clawing at the very fabric of the reality around me, sending shivers of cold behind a monstrous roar. From what, I couldn't tell but I could hear more, more than one. I could hear howling and roaring, gnashing and cries of agony as billows of black sprang around, engulfing everything in darkness. An unnatural hint of an eerie blue and tinted in purple springing along as they only source of the slightest light.. Deep and willowy like wisps, but dark and solid, refusing to give away to any force of light, it crashed down in waves like a dark and dismal sea crashing on the shore. They sent my body into such a turbulence, twisting my stomach, making my head spin, so much I wondered if I was going to vomit. My petrified body remained just that. I dare not look around or lift my gaze, fearing of alerting whatever was out there. I was frozen and time while everything moved around, surrounded by sharks in conspicuous waters.
Between the muddled thoughts I began to think I'd made my journey to hell and arrived sooner than expected, however, I could hear something above the roaring now. A viscous cry sprang out from the pitiful ones and then an ear splitting scream seemed to crack the seems. The shadows fled and everything became red in place, a deep crimson red, darker and more hideous than the flames of hell. At least, thats how they seemed before they cleared away and my sight restored itself. My head tilted to the side, I could see trees, the grass, the park, everything where it should be. Except when I looked up and I thought for a moment that I'd found myself back in the hell fire. It took me longer than I'd cared to admit to realize that it was Yami's piercing gaze, staring down at me with a look I was all to familiar with, yet had never seen bestowed on his features so coldly. It was more piercing than flames, and colder than the deepest tundra, bursting with a glowering purple light, menacing like the shadows of the seas darkest trench, spelling dread to all those who dare view within its borders. Such a burning hatred nearly made me avert my own eyes as I try to find any words to say. He lent out his hand for me to take. I did so, finding it bitterly cool to the point where his firm touch was like frosty needles pressing into my clammy palm.
It was growing early morning as we headed back. The streets had been eerily lit by lights, now but a rising dawn sun, sulking at us, just as reluctant to rise as the rest of the cities patrons. Its highlights of red and bursting orange and glimmering gold, seemed to lack their usual luster. Little noises shuffled about, doors closing, windows opening, voices creating a kind of bird like chirp in the dim blue. It was all somewhat vaguely annoying, vaguely due to Yami's gaze, which still showed brilliance the sun had yet to display, and it held my attention with unrelenting uneasiness. More so now since it had sunk into a glass like state, one never ending, an eternal sun in the evening, dawn, or twilight. I was exhausted, and it was probably because of that little fact that I had they courage to speak at all.
"So...?" That one word was slow, but hardly steady, it sounded more like a birds chirp, or that of a small child when they knew they shouldn't be speaking, lest they be punished. It retained its inquiry as well as my gaze as his attention escaped his gloomy wrath and set it all ablaze at once, like a new spark added to the flame. Truthfully I had thought it couldn't become anymore so. Now I wanted to cringe or even back away and run, even if it was stupid... Was I being stupid? I wasn't usually one to back down or shrink away like nothing, but there was something, something wrong, that I likely didn't want to know of, and yet needed to.
"Do you know more than you're telling us, Amaya." His voice held the same disdain as his eyes, and I'll be honest, I really wished I had the will to indulge in ditching everything, especially whatever this was going to turn into.
"How could I," I questioned hesitantly. "Had you been listening in earlier... I asked you not to..." My shoulders sulked down. My one hope for this despairing situation was that he wouldn't have any part in this.
"It was good that I had, or you would've been lying on that ground still, perhaps equally as torn up as that goon." His eyes flashed at noticing the fear growing in mine. "Theres not much left of him now, or his buddy. Kaiba may get the same treatment- I haven't decided. What I have, is to find out what you're keeping from me so insistently."
"Alright, what makes you think I am?"
"I've also noticed all these things, things that Kaiba mentioned. That and... I know very little about you. I know your preferences, your favorite colors, what time of day you like best. I know you have an attitude but are actually quite prone to selflessness in certain situations, even if you are somewhat the jealous type. And while you try to keep what you think and feel maintained, you often times slip, much to your own self hating disapproval." Yami shook his head as if trying to wrap his head around something he wished he could forget, his eyes taking on a grievous nature."But, where are you from, what family do you belong in, and where did you find that blue pyramid? I remember something about it being a gift, but thats little to go on. You go by the last name 'Rose', which is clearly a surname you made up. You know me. I know you do, otherwise we would've failed to make any real connection, that I'm beginning to doubt now."
Moments passed after that. I didn't know what to say, because I couldn't say anything, I realized. I don't know. Amaya-... My eyes widen and my heart pounded in my chest, filled with a different kind of terror now. No thoughts ran through my head. Everything was just blank, and the only thing protruding near my vision was the events that took place right before I ended up here, in this world. She, the woman I hoped never to see again was pounding on my door, and I wanted out, out of there. I wanted freedom. Before that I was in some kind of fight, maybe... I couldn't recall what exactly happened, just that it was getting dark and I was late, and...A hint of curiosity peeked his eyes as I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to face him with that same blank gaze, mirroring that of every feeling and thought behind all the questionably silent panic.
Yami sighed. He tiredly placed a hand over his crimson eyes, looking away in defeat, then up at the sky. "How could I possibly expect you to tell me now. You didn't before. Secrets are hard to keep, but they're almost impossible to tell. After all we've been through, will you not grant me this one bit of peace."
It was my turn to look away, hardly noticing what he said, too preoccupied gathering what little thoughts I possessed and the few words I could speak, my voice soft and hesitant as I recounted. "I'm not from here. I was in another reality where this was all just a harmless TV show, it wasn't real. You weren't real... I lived in a crap house...And my father was never around, and my mother was, well, a... abusive. The pyramid of light was a gift, I think... I've had it since I was little..."
Yami looked at me, nearly startled now, his gaze softening as an ultimately confused look replaced any calculation or dismay. I figured he would be confused, but the depth of meditative disorientation left me somewhat taken aback, and I did expect some sort of rebuff or anger, but there was nothing. He appeared hesitant to reply as I watched him, desperate for answers. It felt like a century had passed before he said anything, especially with all the odd faces and strange glares fleeting by, the little hushed whispers that soon began to annoy me. Some even laughed, saying stuff about a bad break up, wondering which of us was the cheater. As if either of us would cheat... Well... But was it over, I wondered to myself, half fearful and half angered by that remark. I was going exasperate some of my tumult of emotions at them, to tell them to mind their own business, finally, when a voice cut through it all and my attention shifted wearily to it.
"Come on." He grabbed a hold of my hand and began dragging me through the wandering crowd. "I know you have questions, and so do I. But for now, I need time to think. A lot of it. And before you try to object, you look like you're about to pass out, anyway.
I nodded, a solemn expression grabbing a hold. He was right, I was tired, very, very tired. I kept my head lowered as thoughts wafted through my mind, mostly only blurs and unintelligible nonsense. I occasionally peered around, hoping we hadn't attracted too much attention. Luckily, we hadn't. Everyone was minding their own business now, and we could pass on through like the rest of the flock. My main concern now- was the direction we now headed in, it wasn't towards the Game Shop, or the school. Instead we slipped behind a few buildings, into some dark alley of all places. Their walls seemed to close in on me as we went along twists and turns, it was cold and dark too, like a giant maze I didn't want to get lost in. I nearly decided to pull away, head back, and find the light again, the warm sun that was surely over head at least a little by now, warming everything. I had rather questionable experiences in places like this and I really didn't want any repeats. Even with Yami by my side, I really didn't like the idea. But I kept these persistent urges to leave to myself and let him continue guiding me through the shadows, until we suddenly stopped. And the little shop was so big looming over us.
"...How...," I managed out of my disbelief.
"The shadows," he replied passively, as if that would explain.
It did somewhat. I noticed the vapor of light and dark more now as we drifted as one into the shop and then slowly up the stairs, Yami still holding my hand, now a little too tightly, but I didn't protest. My attention was caught on the sound of our footsteps and the colorful swirls that sprang from them in blues, ceruleans, navies, bright ones and dark ones with tints of glimmering gold, like that of small firelight faired beaming in a darkened night sky. Wafting and waving through the air, unwilling to get caught,diving into the floor soon after, making their starry appearance, one by one, till more flooded by. I flashed my blue eyes to the surrounding area, the creaky stairs and the colorful walls, to see purple shadows creeping along, cast by the small specters in their sheer brilliance. However small they were, they cast an aquarium like appearance, like a starlit sky in the twilight, bedazzling like a gems shine against the gloom. I smiled slightly, still very cautious of earlier events, but about to ask what all this was, when...I hadn't realized their origin until I looked up, noticing the outfit Yami wore slowly slip away and a splash of an aqua jewel sore past me. When we made it the top everything was quiet, a dead quiet that made you want to shiver. He just stood there, billowed in black, turned away, shoulders slumped down in defeat. I shuffled my feet quietly, wondering if I should go and pray for a better day, or harden more in all my despair. Likely the latter, with this sinking feeling I knew would never cease as soon as his gaze met mine, glowing in the dark like a monsters eyes hurt and distraught and ever so devilish and destructive, tinted in purple flames illuminating the room, but penetrating to the very depths of life itself. Wise, old and ancient, eyes that surely cased at the fall of empires, they still cast a look of innocence, it was as if I was catching sight of the two, separated, but with sorrows somehow the same.
As soon as I saw it, it was gone. That piercing look cleared away giving way to nothing, just an empty stare. Once again it had become what it had been before we met and for the longest time after, a wall, a shield through which nothing could penetrate. He tried to smirk a little, but it was pointless, empty, then shaking his head in simple confusion, looked away at something distant, an old memory maybe. I heard the patter of steps, and he was gone, leaving me behind on the last step and speechless in the dark.
Yes, finally an update, and I think one without Too many errors, and I'm actually moving the plot along. This may get confusing, guys. I'll be adding stuff, changing things as if certain things never happened, characters may change a little, etc. So while I'm making a plot that makes sense, the story might just make less sense. But we'll see how it goes.
Its extra long too- longest one yet, I think, so thats a plus. Unfortunately, I Don't Know When I'll be able to Update Again. School is starting soon and I don't know how stressful its going to be, or if I'll even have the time. I'm guessing if and when I do update, it'll be something I wrote late at night and it'll be a mess... But hey, new chapters right? Its not really anything new, either. Speaking of, at the very least in the meantime I'll probably go back and fix errors in the old chapters, though they're incredibly difficult to look at... I mean, this story could've been much better... Just seems like wasted potential now... I'll try to clean it up... Without cringing...
Anyway, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to review ^_^ (Chances are updates will come quicker.)