yamiofdarkness: This qutie a long chapter ^^;
Topaz: hope u enjoy ^^
Chapter 16
-Emerald City-
"Joseph? Joseph Wheeler where are you? You know perfectly well that I can't tend to the horses alone." Said the head stable hand. He continued to look around the stables and the yard, but could not find Joey. "Grrrrrrrrr, that boy is in for a lot of trouble!"
However Joey had managed to sneak out of the Palace, and was heading through the city to the main gates. 'I've gotta find Yugi, and tell he has to come back home. I'm pretty sure Atem's ok by now…Hmmmmm, I wonder if I'll bump into Seto' he blushed at the thought of properly seeing Seto again….there just something about the blue-eyed dragon that captivated him.
He arrived at the city gates, where two guards stood. Joey gulped "Excuse me? But I'm in a hurry; please can you open the gates?" The guards just laughed at Joey.
"You want to go out there?" One chuckled
"There are dragons out there, and if they find you……I'LL EAT YOU ALIVE! HAHAHAHAHA!" teased the second guard.
"I ain't afraid dragons now just open the damn gates!" Joey snapped
"Ok…ok" The guards chuckled as they opened the gates "It was nice knowing you!"
The gates slammed shut behind Joey, leaving him alone on the path to Lifa City. 'Now…which way is it to Atem's castle?' Joey thought as he began to walk through the forest, but little did he know…he was being followed.
-The Great Forest-
"DIE DRAGON" Blaze shouted as he tried to stab Atem, but everytime he tried to attack the Dragon King he was blocked by Atem's tail.
"This isn't going anyway fast" Ryou sighed as he climbed down from the tree and stood by Yugi. "I know. Blaze is quite stubborn isn't he." Yugi said "The Prince has always been stubborn. He never listens to anyone." Ryou sighed and shook his head "There must be something we can do?"
"I'll try talking to Blaze" Yugi said as ran over to the battling duo. "WAIT COME BACK!" Ryou shouted, but it was too late.
"STOP!" Yugi yelled as he stood between the feuding Woodland Prince and Dragon King. "Little One, stay out of this you could get hurt!" Atem growled as he tried to push Yugi aside, where he would be safe from harm. But Yugi was not going to give up and stood his ground. "No. I'm not moving…not until you listen Blaze." Yugi said quite confidently 'This is weird…I've never been this brave before'
"How dare you stop this fight? I order you slave to stand aside!" Blaze commanded, raising his father's blade ready to strike a deadly blow to his enemy. "I name is Yugi, Crown Prince of the Humans, son of former King Kai, grandson of King Solomon. I stand here in hope of peace, and that will search you're heart and forgive King Atem of the dragon's for his past deeds" Yugi said as bowed before Blaze.
"My humblest apologies Prince Yugi, and I welcome peace with your race. But know this can not grant this beast forgiveness!" Blaze stated as he to bow before Yugi.
"I understand what has happened to you. But I can assure you, that Atem is not the same dragon who killed your father….and mine. I know this to be true; I have seen him turn over a leaf. He returned The Orichalchos Stone to King Dartz of the Merpeople, and now Atlantis has returned to bottom of the ocean. Now he's here to realise your people and return you to throne." Yugi stated. But as Yugi and Blaze spoke, Atem stay silent.
'Aibou…you truly have become braver and far more confidante. I know you will become a great king for your people, they must be missing you and your grandfather.' Atem like out a painful sigh as clutched his chest. 'You have to go back home, you don't belong with me. You belong with your own race, and as much as my heart maybe breaking right now…I know that the right thing to do is to let you go. You have changed me for the good and I thank you for showing me compassion and kindness…but there is one thing that will never change and that is my love for you, my beloved Aibou' Atem wiped away a tear that fell down his face. He didn't what his Yugi to see him cry.
"Hmp, very well Prince Yugi. I believe you about this dragon, but know this you are welcome in this realm Yugi, but the dragon is not!" Blaze bowed and headed back to the Woodland capital with Ryou. "BYE YUGI! BYE ATEM!" Ryou shouted as he waved goodbye. "BYE RYOU!" Yugi waved, he then turned to face Atem who was still silent.
"Atem, are you ok? You haven't anything for ages" Yugi said with concern on his face. "Little One…I think it's time we left" Atem replied with a sad tone in his voice. "Atem…is something wrong? Are you sick? Or are you hurt? Please tell me." Yugi said as checked to see if Atem was hurt. Atem just chuckled at Yugi and smiled. "Don't worry about me Little One, I'm fine. Now climb on and hold on tight."
"Ok Atem" Yugi said as he climbed onto Atem's back "But when we get back to your castle, I want you to tell me what's really wrong. Ok?"
"Ok Little One, I promise" Atem said as he took to the air and headed not towards his castle, but somewhere else.
TBC
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Atem: (clings to Yugi) I don't wanna let him go!
YamiofDarkness: sorry Atem but u have too!
Atem: (crys)
Yugi: (hugs Atem)
Sparky: Plz review ^^