spiritfire: Never mind about the two months…turns out I don't have to do anything much except helping my partner in thesis...yawn...unexpected as well..okay back to the story

Chapter XLIII. Home

A black hole appeared inside the cave and in an instant the spiky haired teen landed not exactly on feet. He got up and brushing the dust off his clothes and wondered where he was. Yugi got out and realized he was at the secret hiding place which means he's back home. But before he could go on, he heard a familiar voice.

"Yugi, I thought you were dead!" said the blonde.

"Joey, no way hell would would take me out!" Yugi said, grinning and so he lead the teen back to the Solarian Continent. Luckily the city was safe and people were glad that he's back except for some people. Word has spread so fast that they went to ask the teen where he was after Marik tried to destroy his home. Yugi wouldn't answer but decides to go to his school where the High Sage Guardian was waiting.

He went inside the school and some students were giving him the cold stare, others were glad and few of them have mixed emotions. The teen has finally arrived at his office and knocked the door. He opened it slowly and the two of them went in. The room was filled with some furniture, cabinets, windows and finally at the far center was a man. He has short black hair but he has long bangs which covered one side of his face. Red eyes stared at the teen and a mile escaped his lips.

"Yugi, thank god, you're alive...where have you been all this time?" the High Sage asked who was gladly overwhelmed.

"Um, its a long story, you wouldn't believed me." Yugi replied, his voice was half-cold.

"Uh, sir?" Joey asked and the High Sage dismissed him so Yugi sat down in one of the furnitures while he relaxed himself.

"I can see in your eyes that you have at least improved your attitude but since when did you learn level 2 spells..." the High Sage said and asked at the same time. Yugi gulped a bit as the High Sage stared at the teen then he told him about all his adventures in the Lunarian Continent, the people he 'befriended' with, Marik's return and how his summons a.k.a Magician Valkyria.

"You believed me don't you???" Yugi asked quizically. The High Sage went quiet for a while pacing himself from left to right and finally he sighed.

"Looks like war is coming soon eh..." the High Sage said to himself. "I have to speed up your magic lesons then..." then he spoke. "I think about it and did you know that you were gone for half a month."

Yugi didn't react but he frowned. "Time flies fast."

- - -

After Yugu spoke a bit more with the High Sage, Joey was waiting outside. He tries to suppress his laughter a bit.

"What are you laughing at?" Yugi asked, perplexed.

"Your clothes...duh, they're a bit too short now," Joey replied. "Let's go buy some new clothes."

They left the school and went to the store. Yugi took his time picking then his eyes fel on a particular item. The item in question was a silver two shaped curved item. To Yugi, it faintly looks familiar but decides to take it. Paying the right amount, he left the store and went back to his house. The two teens entered and to the spiky-haired teen, it hasn't changed one bit since he left. There was his usual stuff like books, kitchen, bathrom, bedroom and more books. He immediately changed clothes and looked at the one sided mirror at his bedroom and since Joey can't come in well he has to wait. He was now wearing blact wristbands studded with silver fastenings, blue pants ( not leather of course), black leather shoes (and a bit of rubber) shoes with silver designs, long white trenchcoat and a sleeveless black undershirt. He put a silver chain on the item he bought and wore it on his neck. All of his summons admired their master's new 'look'.

"You know you look like a smart teacher." Mahaado commented.

"It realy looks good on you." Mana added.

"It's okay," said Chaos.

"Now you look like a master sage!" Valkyria giggled, finaly relieved that she wasn't a doll anymore.

"You think so?" Yugi asked, feeling a bit embrassed.

"Uh huh," Chaos replied.

"Definitely," Mana said, feeling excited.

"It's okay," Valkyria replied plainly.

"Sure," Mahado nodded when Joey came in.

"Yugi, who are you talking to?" he asked as his summons disappeared.

"Nobody, its just your imagination." the teen replied.

"Hmmm, I could have sworned I heard something." Joey mumbled.

- - -

Night has already falen and Yugi was on his bedroom, lying in his bed reading his books. For some reason, books are his only refuge from the cruelty on the outside.

"Yugi, can I come in?" asked Joey. The teen nodded and his friend came in holding a book.

"Um, what's with the book?" Yugi asked, rasing a curious eyebrow.

"The librarian wants me to give it to you. She thought that you could have it for free." Joey replied as he tossed the book to Yugi who caught it with his two hands then left. Yugi looked at the book and to his surprise, it's the same book he read before he came to the Lunarian Continent: Tales of Lunar. He ripped the title and as he knew it, it wasn't just a mere fairytale. He wondered if the events have been recorded in this book so he leafed through the pages and it was confirmed, the book recorded of what happened to him in that continent so he decided to read the book and sees what happened to the others.

- - -

Back at the Lunarian Continent, Sora and Riku were back at their continent so did Kaiba and Yami. It wasn't a plesant trip and none of them spoke a word. After the prince got home, he shut himself in his room and never came out ever since. Perhaps it's because Mahaado wasn't here or the fact that he's a replica or that Yugi slapped him. Kaiba on the other hand was welcomed by his little brother and the headmaster of Altech. Sora and Riku received the same treatment when they came back to their continent.

In Kingheartia Castle where the world portals reside, Sora was in the Underworld checking on Hades and with Auron on the job, he wouldn't cause any trouble anytime soon. But that didn't lighten his mood. He kept thinking on whta Yugi's feeling when Oathkeeper went berserk. It's been bothering him lately and for sure, no one has ever controlled the keyblade well except for Riku that is.

"Something the matter?" asked the warrior. The Keyblade Master shook his head sideways.

"I see but if I were you I would tel anyone who understands." he said. Sora just sighed and left the Underworld.

Meanwhile in the Continent of Amenti, Atemu was already in deep thought. He remembers al the events that happened here and also, the way he protected Yugi that time. He stared at the cold wal and the more he thought about the ten, the more he was angry at the replica.

- - -

Morning has finaly risen at the Solarian Continent and Yugi was stil in bed when he got a mesage from the High Sage. Sighing, he got up and groomed himself then left the house. As he entered the office, he was already waiting for him.

"I see that you wanted to see me?" Yugi said, curiuosly. The High Sage nodded.

"As of today, I'l be the one to speed up your learning progress." he stated but the teen was a bit lost. The High Sage twitched a little.

"I meant I'm going to teach you level two and three spells if possible, monster and continent knowledge plus high level incantation spells." he said, rephrasing his statement. It took five minutes for Yugi to realize and comprehend what he said.

"WHAAAAAT!!!" Yugi yelled, shocked for the first time and at the same time, he was excited.

"That's right. I'll be teaching you the big stuff and since your grades are exceptionaly high, I'm sure you can manage." the High Sage smirked. "You have no idea what's hitting you..."

After Yugi demonstrated his level two spells to the High Sage, he commented that he has a little high control so he still needs practice at least and Yugi can barely get up. His teacher was amused and proud at the same time. Even his own inteligence can comprehend that. The teen on the other hand glared at him. Finaly the High Sage dismissed him and Yugi looked like he would drop dead somewhere.

"Did the High Sage fump ya?" asked Joey who was amused.

"Shut up," Yugi growled in reply as he went to his house and laid himself down. His summons popped out of nowhere and were slightly worried.

"Wow, I know that the High Sage is great and all but he didn't have to go that far!" Valkyria said with a huff.

"Well I wouldn't agree on that. Remember, Yugi just recently received his level two spells so it might be harder to control. What more if he has to get level three spells. That's twice the trouble." Mahaado frowned.

"Hey, it ain't my fault he received it too early." Chaos said. Yugi was getting irritated.

"Go back inside and shut up. I need to rest for another tiring lesson." he yelled and all his summons went back in. "Finally!"

- - -

A month just passed and Yugi was on the verge of fainting himself on the floor besides the monster knowledge in this continent. One thing though, he hasn't seen Marik around lately ever since they were at the city boundary near Sora's continent but it doesn't matter now. All he wanted is to finish his training and search the continent his parents mentioned.

"Getting frustrated, aren't you?" said a familiar voice. Automatically, Yugi's staff appeared and glared at Marik.

"What the hell you want, scumbag?" Yugi asked coldly. The older one chuckled.

"See the truth within your eyes not with your ears." Marik quoted. The spiky-haired teen relaxed his weapon. "Seeking the truth will bring you pain but you will also gain.". Yugi fell silent for a moment thinking on what Marik just said then glared at him, pointing his staff even more.

"I don't know what are you talking about!" Yugi growled, his silver eyes glaring at him.

"That is such. It's up to you whether you believe me or not." Marik said in his serious tone then walked away a bit.

"But I'll be back." he said in Yugi's left ear, his voice was husky then disappeared. Little did he know that the High Sage saw everything and so did Joey. Mahaado suddenly popped out with a serious look on his face. Yugi just stare for a minute. Making sure that no one's here, he let him talk.

"Yugi, are you going to believe him?" Mahaado asked.

"I don't know but..." Yugi replied as he stared the sky. "this is something I have to do it on my own."

"After the High Sage taught you everything, huh..." Mahaado said and Yugi nodded.

- - -

The High Sage and Joey were discussing what they saw. It seems that what the teen told him was true after all. With Marik's return, it made the situation even worse.

"What are you going to do now?" Joey asked.

"It's time to speed up his magic, monster and continent knowledge. I'm afraid he can't stay here." the High Sage replied.

"But---" Joey protested but the High Sage cut him off.

"I know what you're gonna say and I won't change my mind. Besides he's like a son to me." he said gravely.

"I understand," Joey sighed. "You just need to talk to him, right?"

The High Sage nodded and the blonde left. Looking at the window, he was thinking in deep thought then opening one of the cabinets on his table, he picked a photo album and the transcription of Yugi's grades. He first leafed through the pictures of his album and smiled. Inside was pictures of a four year old Yugi with his tutor, playing with him and his first spell then he saw Yugi's grades. It was then he noticed something odd. One of the subjects he took a year ago was Spell Transfiguration which he knew that was a very difficult subject and only at the age of seventeen or above can take the subject but the teen finished it at the age of fifteen. Come to think of it, Yugi learned so much in a month and usually a normal human's learning process was just so-so. Does this mean Yugi is somehow gifted because he inherited from one of his parents? Most probably.

The High Sage just sighed when there was a knock to his door. Apparently, it was Yugi and he wore a very hard frown on his face.

"I don't appreciate being watched when Marik confronted me." he said and the High Sage stared in shock.

"Since when did you knew about this?" the High Sage asked.

"Since I sensed your aura after Marik left and I see that you saw my summons..." Yugi replied. The High Sage chuckled.

"Well, I believe you and since Marik is back I have to speed up your training." the High Sage said, trying to fight off his tears.

"I know what you're thinking...you want me to leave this continent because of your people and you're not only a High Sage...you're also their leader." Yugi said and he was surprised. "So I'm sure you want me to take Joey with me after this lessons, huh?"

The High Sage laughed a bit. "I guess you read my mind."

- - -

Time flies by as the High Sage taught Yugi very difficult lessons and you know it wasn't hard for the teen. heh it was like a bonding session with them. The High Sage has no idea how the hell Yugi comprehend all that knowledge but he knew that he won't stay much longer. After intense training, Yugi was required to demonstrate his knowledge in front of the High Sage and some teachers so he was given one hour to prepare himself.

"Gods, I hope I don't screw up," Yugi prayed.

"You'll do just fine." Chaos replied.

"Thanks," Yugi said as his one hour preparation was up.

So he was out of the field and so the teachers gave him the signal to demonstrate his continent knowledge. Yugi elaborated all the continents that were on the Solarian Continent. They were Cosmalia, Alchemia, Forest of Spirits, and the ruined continent of the Ethrealians and some unrelated villages and towns. Next was his monster knowledge and all to the teacher's amazement, he answered it all and finally his spell demonstration.

Yugi closed his eyes and sparks began to fly everywhere. Even rainbows appeared out of nowhere. All the teachers clapped their hands.

"Yugi, you're officially a Wizard...," said one of the teachers. "Congratulations!"

- - -

"Time to go," Yugi said as he finished packing his stuff. He was about to leave when a certain blonde was waiting for him.

"I knew you would come here," Joey said. "and I know you want to go by yourself but you need someone who defend ya!"

"...To tell you the truth, I already knew that." Yugi said his eyes stared at the ground. "But I'm not treating you as a friend."

"I know...I know...I'm just your servant." Joey said as he followed the teen.

"Let's go!" Yugi said and the two of them left the Solarian Continent.

spiritfire: It's funny, Yugi was able to get home only to find out that Marik is on the loose again. How ironic. Oh well read and review. To the Philippines, Happy Kadayawan.