Chapter Seven: Which World
The teens stepped down the stairs and up towards the three gods. Concerned looks had crossed their faces.
D.M. sighed and looked down at Grandpa/Yuri. Well, child, you've been able to unite yourself into one whole human being, and for that, we give you our full congratulations.
Grandpa/Yuri bowed and replied, "Thank you."
However…The three gods averted their eyes. You now have a…decision to make.
Grandpa/Yuri blinked. "What decision?"
"Where you're going to live," F.S. replied. "You're not able to duplicate yourself or anything like that. You have to decide: Are you going to live the rest of your life out as prince of the Dimension of the Gods, or as the grandfather of the vessel of the Pharaoh? And once you choose…we have to make it stick by erasing all traces of you in the other world."
Grandpa/Yuri heard two gasps behind him. He knew it had to be Yugi and Spencer. "Oh…uh…which one…huh…" He bit down on one fingernail.
There was a very uncomfortable silence for a few moments. Finally, Yugi stepped forward and placed one hand on Grandpa/Yuri's shoulder. "Grandpa?"
He looked back over his shoulder to see that a few tears had formed in Yugi's eyes, but there was a wan smile on his face. "I want you to know that you can feel free to choose whatever world you like. Don't worry about me; just do whatever will make you happy."
Grandpa/Yuri stared at Yugi for a moment, and then sighed. "Yugi, you've always been so willing to sacrifice for those you love…" He gave a small smile. "I couldn't be prouder to have such an unselfish and caring child for a grandson."
Spencer watched the two of them with tears welling up in his eyes. "Please excuse me…" he murmured to the others. "I just need a minute…"
He turned towards one of the walls. D.M. waved his hand, and an opening appeared within it. Spencer walked out of the room, and with another wave, the gap closed behind him.
Spencer leaned against the reformed wall and looked down at the ground. Tears had started streaming down his face.
Spencer…he thought to himself. It's about time you faced the facts…He shut his eyes. You thought you could easily handle a child…you had the money and the will to take care of him…but you didn't give him what he deserved…your time…your attention…
He slid down to the floor. You didn't even show him your love…dear gods…
After crying for a little bit, he continued: And your situation hasn't changed…you're still the king…you still have the people and the world in its entirety to take care of…Yuri would probably get lost in the shuffle again…no matter how hard you tried to be a better father…
He stood up and wiped the tears off of his face. "You know what has to happen, Spencer," he whispered to himself, "no matter how much it hurts…"
He turned around and knocked on the stone wall.
After a period of time, the teens and gods heard a rapping noise from the other side of the wall. D.M. waved his hand again, and the opening reappeared. Spencer stepped inside of the room, tear stains on his face and hands.
He looked at Grandpa/Yuri and said, "Okay, Yugi had his say in what he wants you to do, so now I'd like to have mine, please."
Grandpa/Yuri nodded, even though he was a bit afraid of what he thought Spencer was about to say. He's going to try to convince me to come back…poor guy's going to be heartbroken…
Spencer took a deep breath. "Go back and live the rest of your life as Yugi's grandfather."
Everyone stared at him in shock. "Uh…huh…what?" Grandpa/Yuri cried.
Spencer burst out laughing. "You thought I was going to get on my knees and beg for you to come back, right?" He shook his head. "No, chiquito. I care deeply about you, yes…but I'm not cut out to be a father for you…and I don't want you to go through that pain you endured before again. You've got a family, friends, and a heckuva better life over there in the other world...I don't want to tear you away from it." Tears flooded his eyes again, and his voice started to shake. "I love you, Yuri…and sometimes…when you love someone…the best thing you can do for them is…let them go…"
He sank down to his knees and started to sob.
Grandpa/Yuri dashed over to him and hugged him. "Thank you for understanding," he said.
"You're welcome, little guy," Spencer replied.
So I suppose, then, that it's settled, D.M. said.
Yuri looked back at him and nodded.
D.M. snapped his fingers. There. It's done. I've left behind a few books and trinkets which I'm sure you'd like to keep, Spencer, but aside from that…it's as though Prince Yuri never existed.
"What about the reason for me getting captured by Resheph and Susiros?" Spencer asked, looking up at him.
"Simply put down to some unknown cause. Therefore, be warned-you know how much people in your world like to obsess over unsolved mysteries."
Spencer let out a small laugh. "Yeah, we're not exactly happy with that kind of stuff in our 'all that's unknown is well known' world."
D.M. held up his hand to the portal. Would all of you like to return to Spencer's mansion now?
"Um, actually…" Spencer slowly stood up, still holding onto Grandpa/Yuri. He looked around at his friends and said, "I…I'd like to have a little bit of time to myself…if that's okay."
The others nodded. "Sure, man, we understand," Joey replied.
D.M. waved his hand. The portal opened right in front of Spencer's mansion. Slowly, the king let go of his former son and walked up the stairs. Right before he entered, he turned around and said, "I'll send you guys back your stuff later." He took one last look at Grandpa/Yuri. He wanly smile and murmured, "Bye, Yuri."
Grandpa/Yuri smiled and gave a small wave. "Bye, Dad."
Spencer turned and walked through the portal. Once he'd entered, the portal closed behind him.
D.M. once again waved his hand. The portal reopened, this time inside of the abandoned warehouse. Next stop, the other world. And don't worry; we'll take down Spencer's time freeze spell.
"I dunno…it might be fun ta be de only ones actually movin' in time," Joey said. His eyes widened. "Oh, man, imagine all de food we could get away wit eatin'!"
"Where do we start, fast food or Chinese?" Tristan asked, licking his chops.
D.M. stared. Sorry, but we'll most definitely be unfreezing time after hearing that.
"Aw, man, why?" Joey moaned.
"Because we'd all prefer that our town doesn't suddenly become involved in a famine," Kaiba replied, rolling his eyes.
Téa, Yugi, and Bakura held Joey and Tristan back as Kaiba walked up the stairs and through the portal. Once he'd gone and the two had finally calmed down, the others followed after him.
Before Yugi and his grandfather could get up to the portal, however, Yugi suddenly paused and asked, "Uh, Grandpa…aren't you forgetting something?"
Grandpa stared at him for a few moments. He suddenly remembered that he still had Yuri's body. "Aw, can't I keep it?" he begged. "It ages way more slowly than my mortal form!"
"Grandpa…" Yugi shook his head.
Grandpa/Yuri sighed. He looked over at the three gods and said, "How do I turn myself back?"
Simple. Just remove the necklace.
He slowly reached up unfastened the necklace from his neck. Almost the moment that it was off, he suddenly glowed with bright blue light and returned to his elderly form.
Yugi pulled his headband out of his pocket and handed it back to him. "I believe this is yours, Grandpa."
He tied it back onto his head and sighed sadly. "Ah, well, it was fun while it lasted." He held the jewelry out to the gods and said, "Here you three are."
Why don't you keep it, D.M. replied. Just as mementos of your former life.
He stared at them for a moment, then shrugged. "Whatever you say," he replied. He stuck the charm into his overalls pocket. "Now c'mon, Yugi, let's go home." He stretched and yawned. "I need some sleep after all of this excitement…how do you find the time to rest in between all of your missions?"
Yugi smiled. "We're not all that sure either, really. Would you like to hear about a few of them?"
"Sure, why not?" The two walked through the portal. "Start with your first one-when did you get these powers?"
"Well, it happened about a couple of months ago…"
The portal shut behind them.
F.S. looked at D.M. and asked, "Are you sure we should have let him keep them?"
D.M. smiled. Well, of course. How else is the final part of the plan going to come to pass?