ITS A THANKSGIVING MIRACLE. I finally finished this chapter. It came out great. Its a long one so I hope that makes up for the super long wait. (it never does, does it? I'm terrible. I'm sorry) I REALLY hope I can start banging out these chapters soon. Between school and other fics, I never have time. But we're getting to some of the good stuff so hopefully that inspires me to post more often. Plus, Thanksgiving Break. 4 days of writing. Well 3 now since I used up today writing the rest of this. Hehehe. Worth it.
How was your Thanksgiving? Was it good? And if you're somewhere that doesn't celebrate, then how was your day?
Chained To The Earth
Chapter 7
The Fallen
"Do you actually live in this place?"
"I do. Alone, actually! It's very convenient for me because the hospital is close by."
The two teens looked around the large condominium unit that belonged solely to Amane. It was decorated with all kinds of little knick-knacks of small bears holding hearts and beautiful glass angels. Pictures hung on the wall of her, her father and some other people they couldn't outright assume. They saw Amane with many people in those pictures. Some female, some male, all around her age. Colleagues? Friends? Jesse and Jaden didn't know who they were.
Amane took off her jacket and laid it against the back of her chair. She reached onto the same table, grabbed a scrunchy, put up her hair. Her white locks pulled together into a single tail as she wrapped the scrunchy around it, it showed off her face.
"It's a bit late, and lucky for me I don't have another shift until noon tomorrow, so we can talk a bit until then." Amane sat down on the couch. Jaden and Jesse followed. Amane folded her hands and smiled. "So, tell me. What is it like, back in your world?"
Jaden looked over at Jesse who was silent at hearing that question. Jaden wasn't sure which of the two was going to be doing the answering. Amane only wanted some information, answers. So, who was going to the be the one to give them? He didn't know.
"Our worlds are split and divided between the angels and the demons. We are currently at war with each other. Some parts hit harder than others. The elders of our respective cities have tried to hide the fact that we were at war with each other, but it was as obvious as day." Jesse tried to picture it in his head. The shakes of the ground below. The sounds of explosions. They were obvious. He was no fool.
"A war? Why would you be in a war? You seem so friendly." Amane was very confused. It was no surprise.
"Why we're at war, we still don't know. The elders know but they refuse to tell us a word. Everyone wants this war to end, but it doesn't seem to be coming to an end anytime soon." Jaden replied to Amane's question before Jesse could.
Jesse nodded in agreement. "We were coming up with a plan to learn about this very subject, but Jaden was wrongfully arrested. The elders of his town had him reported for anything related of being a nuisance. In other words, they felt he was getting in the way. I went along with him to see the king, his king. His majesty of the light realm, however, I was foolish. I let my anger get the best of me. And somehow we ended up here."
Amane listened, nodded as she tried to picture it. "I understand. You were only trying to protect Jaden and you ended up here." Amane opened her eyes. She leaned forward. "Do you think you were banished? Did this king of yours intentionally transport you here?"
Jesse leaned back in the couch and sighed. "We don't know for sure. I've never heard of any kind of magic that could send you to a place like this. I know of teleportation magic but it only works from getting place to place, not realm to realm. It doesn't have that much strength. Whatever happened here, to us, was something much more powerful, much more dangerous."
Amane took a deep breath. "Well, I guess what matters now is trying to figure out how to get you guys back home. Earth may be a great place to live and all, but it would only be a matter of time before someone else comes along that can see you. Angels and Demons aren't exactly liked around here. They're more of legend and religion. No one really takes them seriously unless they're mentally incompetent or really religious. So, it would be best if you guys hide out here and try to figure out how to get home. You're welcome to stay as long as necessary." Amane stood up from the couch and began to walk over to the hall. She was tired. She needed her rest. "Help yours to whatever you want. Food, water, whatever. I'll go and find some clothes you can change in to."
They watched her go. Amazement was present in their eyes. To think that a human would believe their stories and not freak out was truly a relief. They also knew that she was right. They had to get back home. Their friends were still back there. A war was still going on. It was only a matter of time before something went wrong.
"We need to get back home." Jaden had his fists clenched at his sides. "My brother is probably going crazy. Our friends need us. And I still need to talk to his majesty about what is going on. I don't want to stay here too long."
"I'm with you there. My brother is no doubt destroying the whole demon realm looking for me. He could never control that temper of his! But Amane is right. If we don't get back soon, someone in this world will discover we're here." Jesse stood up from the couch. He could feel his heart hammering in his chest. "I don't know exactly how this world works, Jaden. If we're discovered, any number of things could happen. I don't even want to imagine any of them."
Jaden stood up this time. He walked over to Jesse and stood in front of him. "We will get home. I swear. If anyone in this world ever plans on hurting us, I will make sure they pay. We will leave this place before anything like that happens. We just gotta."
Jesse placed his fingertips over his rings, he rubbed the cold silver bands as a comfort, a recollection of his brother back home. "For now, we're stuck here. We might as well just get something to eat and get some rest. In the morning, we'll try and see if our powers work. If not, we'll take it from there."
Jaden understood the plan and stretched his arms over his head. "If that's what you think is best." He looked over at the clock that hung on the wall. It read one-fourty six. It was that late. Jaden sighed. "I'm so hungry. But I don't want anything heavy. This bites!"
Jesse looked around the small kitchen area and walked around, looking through the cabinets and the refrigerator for something he can make for Jaden.
"How about a sandwich, Jay. It's filling and pretty light considering our options." Jesse asked.
Jaden shrugged his shoulders."I guess that's fine."
Jesse grabbed the ingredients needed and laid them out on the counter. "Ah, you're making sandwiches. That's great. I don't always approve of late night eating because it just sits in your stomach, but since it looks like you two haven't eaten in a while, something is better than nothing." Amane entered the kitchen and grabbed a kettle. "Tea would also go great with your sandwiches. It will relax your mind and you'll be able to fall asleep."
"Great. Thanks." Jaden said with a smile.
Amane smiled and began to make the tea while Jaden and Jesse worked on making the sandwiches. They offered to make one for Amane since it seemed like she was hungry too. They remember overhearing someone saying that has been working for about two days straight. Amane smiled kindly and accepted the offer.
About ten minutes later, the three sat at the small dining room table and ate their dinner together. Ham and cheese sandwiches with whatever they liked on it and a cup of steaming hot tea. It was a great meal!
"Wow! This is great!" Jaden exclaimed.
"It's only ham and cheese, Jaden. Is it really that good?" Amane giggled.
Jaden shrugged his shoulders and finished his sandwich. "Yep! It feels like I haven't eaten in a whole day. Even though we've only been here a few hours."
"That is true. I feel a lag myself. It's a bit strange. But I'm sure it's nothing." Jesse commented.
Amane sighed. "Well, whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing too bad. It could just be that you're both exhausted."
"That must be it." Jaden held a hand over his mouth as he yawned. "It is late. We should get to bed."
Amane wiped her face with a napkin and stood up from her seat at the table. "Then I suppose we should all get some rest. It's been a long day for all of us!" Amane grabbed the two piles of clothes and handed both Jaden and Jesse a respectable pile. "Now, get changed and I'll wash your clothes. That way, they'll be clean by morning."
Jaden and Jesse looked over at each other. They both shrugged their shoulders and nodded in reply to Amane. Amane smiled and waved goodnight and headed to her room. "You and Jesse can share the guest room. The bed is pretty big, so I hope you two don't mind. Night!"
With the sound of a door closing at the end of the hall, Jaden and Jesse looked at each other again. "What do we do, Jess?"
"We do as we said. We get changed and get some sleep. We'll figure everything out in the morning, I guess."
Jaden looked away from Jesse, a frown on his face as he thought of his home back in the other realm, back with his brother. "I miss Haou."
Jesse frowned as well at hearing that. He too missed his own brother, Jehu. Jehu may a bit controlling, but he was still his brother. He wanted to get back to him. And his friends.
"We'll see them again." Jaden looked back at his friend. He saw Jesse's face, the hope that shined in his eyes. "We'll find a way home. Really soon. You'll see, Jay."
Jaden smiled back at his friend. He nodded. "Right!"
A pregnant silence fell over the laboratory as Syrus and Zane stepped into the large pods. As the others waited to see just what would happen as a result of Yugi's experiment, Syrus was looking around in the clear glass pod, running his fingers over the cold, yet smooth surface. He listened to his heartbeat as it hammered in his chest.
He made himself sound confident about doing this. He said "I would be fine" and that "There would be nothing to worry about" but, was that all true? Was he actually capable of going through with this?
He looked over at his brother, he watched as his brother adjusted the gazer over his eye. He could see that his brother was confident, wanting to get this over with. Syrus gulped. He was getting a bit nervous. He has never seen his brother use his power in front of him so he doesn't even know how powerful it really is.
His power could just be powerful enough to kill him.
"Alright boys, it's time for the experiment to commence." Yugi said as he stood in front of the large monitor. With his hand placed on the large knob, he began to turn it to the right, the large pods began to glow a soft purple color. "Now, power up. We need a good and strong attack."
Zane looked across at the other pod to look at his brother. "Alright, Sy. If you really want to prove to me you can handle yourself on your own, then you better come at me with everything you've got."
Syrus nodded nervously. He felt his fingers trembling, his breathing rigid, his heart pounding so hard he could barely breath. But he pushed on.
With a signal given by Yugi, the brothers stretched their arms out in front of them, hands held in front of the energy magnifier. Almost immediately, a kinetic spark was felt and measured by Yugi's monitor. It was strong. But no where near strong enough.
Zane's power began to form in the palms of his hand. Dark aura swirling, you could feel its power radiating, its power sparking.
Syrus' power swirled as well, shined. It practically glowed as bright as his angel white wings. It was unstable, the more he pushed, the more unstable it became. He wasn't concentrating at one hundred percent. He was too focused on his brother, his power, and how dangerous it could become.
"Syrus, you're power is unstable, it's going to combust around if you don't control it correctly. Concentrate." Zane ordered his brother.
Syrus flinched and nodded in understanding. He went back to think of the reasons why he was doing all this. He was risking his life in this untested pod for Jaden. He was using his power to figure out what happened to him. To figure out what happened to Jesse. He was being useful. He felt that he was finally being useful for once in his life, and he'd be damned if he messed it up.
'Jaden!' Syrus thought to himself. He looked his brother dead in the eye. He was determined to show him that he was capable of being on his own. That he was strong enough. He was going to help bring Jaden and Jesse back home. 'Hold on a little longer. We're going to bring you home. I promise.'
The light grew brighter. The aura, the power around them grew stronger. Strong enough to rival with even Haou and Jehu. But was it enough?
"How's it looking, Yugi?" Alexis asked.
Yugi watched from the monitor. He was reading the levels, watched as they moved back and forth at a fast rate.
"We're just about there. We just need a bit more power. A little more. Once we get there, I'll need some time to analyze these readings." Yugi replied.
"You heard him." Chazz shouted. He clenched his fist. "Don't just stand around you two. More power!"
"Shut up, Princeton." Zane shouted back.
Even though he's never used his power before, Syrus' magical energy was beginning to stabilize more and more every passing second. The energy was draining from his body, but every ounce, every drop was worth it in his opinion. If it meant that his power was going to good use, to finding Jaden, then Yugi could have all of it! He didn't care! He didn't give a damn! He just...he wanted to find his best friend!
"Zane?" Syrus called out to his brother.
He was out of breath. His vision fading. He was barely hanging on! But hang on he must!
"What is it?" Zane replied.
He hesitated for a moment. He wants to tell him! He wanted to so much! But...his head was spinning like a hurricane! He couldn't comprehend a thought!
"When this is all over...make sure...you-" His legs were getting weaker. He collapsed onto his knees in the pod. He gasped for breath. His power still going. He could barely breathe! His vision spinning, fading! He couldn't see.
"Syrus! Hang on!" He could hear him! His voice, his tone! He sounded concerned, worried even. It's not surprising! He knew himself that he probably wasn't looking all that good.
"Listen..." Syrus looked up at his brother. He could barely see him at all. He was surprised himself that he was still conscious. Or why his aura was still flowing out of him. He should be on the ground by now. And yet- "Make sure you..." He pounded the glass with his fist, bit his lip. He was in so much pain. Something was wrong with him. "find Jaden!"
He had no more energy after that. He collapsed. His magic stopped flowing, it began to seep back into his body. His unconscious body! He didn't know what was going on around him after that. He just hoped that they got the results they needed.
It was late. It was dark. It was windy and it was fucking cold and Haou didn't know what the hell to do. After they made it into town, it became plainly obvious that no one was going to take any notice to them. Of course, Haou didn't give a shit. He was almost happy that no one took a single glance at them. He didn't like the way these people looked, how they smelled. It was just...an instinct that told him to keep as far away as possible.
Haou wasn't dumb. Far from it. He was practically a genius. No one believed it. Everyone saw him for his brawn and his mouth. Just a street punk who liked to fuck shit up. And yet, that was far from what Haou really was. He was a caring guy. An older brother. A badass. But that wasn't all of it. He also had a love for flowers and cats. But no one knew about that. Never took the time to get to know him. There was a lot no one knew.
He looked around. The moon was shining bright. Almost as bright as the sun itself. It was huge as hell. Like it was closer to the ground than usual, almost as if you can touch it. He almost wanted to touch it. Prove to Jaden that the moon is in fact, not made of cheese! (He was pretty sure Jaden knew by now but wanted to mess with him after he found him again)
"It's getting late as it is? What should we do?" Jehu asked.
Haou stopped walking and looked over at Jehu, arms crossed over his chest. "To be honest, I don't have a clue. This place isn't like back home. I don't understand what the hell is going on here? No one is around for blocks. We can't just ask people. And to be really negative, I don't know where else to look. This place is like a goddamn maze."
"We haven't been searching that long and haven't gone in that far. They could be anywhere! Even those two would stop and rest somewhere! We just need to figure out where." Jehu replied.
"I just-I don't-" He groaned in aggravation and smacked the sides of his head repeatedly. He looked over at Jehu and sighed. "This is so stupid. Why the hell can't we find them? Aren't those ring things of yours working yet?"
Jehu held his hand and rubbed the rings with his fingers. "The signal is still too weak. Even if I tried to hone-in on him, there's no guarantee I can find him."
"I don't care if its a guarantee! I just need a sliver of hope! If you can give me that I'll be real fucking happy!" Haou exclaimed.
Jehu didn't say anything. He could tell that Haou was getting a bit desperate. He was also getting desperate. Every second without his little brother made his anxiety levels rise at thought of something happening to him.
As Haou turned to face Jehu, Jehu was already tapping into his magical energy, transferring it to his rings. As the map appeared in front of him, Haou and Jehu began to look it over.
"Like I said before, his signal is weak. But whatever signal I have says he's currently located not too far from here." Jehu said as he pointed out his location on the map.
"Is there an exact location we can work with?" Haou asked.
Jehu was about to try and interpret that, when the signal cut off entirely. Jehu silently cursed and cut off the energy needed to the rings, the map disappeared instantaneously.
"No." Jehu replied. "We have no exact location. We barely have a location. We're royally screwed. Figuratively and quite literally!"
Haou placed his hands in his pockets, fisted them up tight. "Shit." He looked over his shoulders to look at his back. "If we weren't in this realm I would fly around and look for them. But for some stupid reason we can't fly here." He rolled his shoulders, his face in an pained expression. "My wings are killing me!"
"No one's around. Let them out. Spread your wings like the bird you are!" Jehu teased.
"Screw you." Haou mumbled.
Haou knew not to listen to Jehu. They were rivals. But right now, he NEEDED to let his wings loose. They were getting cramped up. He wasn't used to having them hidden. Back in the realm of the gods, he used to show them off. His wings were like any others. They were majestic. Stretched far and wide and were as white as you could get them. However, they weren't perfect. No. He had scars. His wings were prime targets when it came to battle damage.
He rolled his shoulders and then removed his jacket. It was early fall here. The weather was fair so he didn't have to worry about getting cold. He looked around. The coast was clear.
Haou spread his wings. The large white wings spread across his body in a large span. His feathers ruffled in the gentle breeze as they meet the open air. Haou smiled in content as he felt instant relief.
"That felt good!" Haou said.
Jehu watched from a few feet away as Haou stood around on the sidewalk, taking in the late night air, stretching out his wings under the moonlight. He even saw the smile on Haou's face. He's never seen Haou smile. Only smiles of sick pleasure as they beat one another in fights. Nothing like this. A genuine smile. He felt a small smile forming of his own.
Haou opened his eyes and looked over at Jehu. He raised an eyebrow as he saw the other was staring at him. Smiling at him.
"What?" Haou asked.
"Nothing." Jehu replied.
Haou looked around again. "We need to figure out what we're going to do! We lost their signal but we know they're around this area. We have to find them before they start heading out."
"Well we could-"
"Whoa!"
Haou turned around at the sound of a child's voice. He saw a small boy standing behind him. His eyes were wide and almost sparkling! He had a smile on his face. A big smile! Haou raised an eyebrow and looked over at Jehu.
"Who the hell is this?" Haou asked.
"Like I know!" Jehu replied.
"Are you...Are you really...?" The boy struggled to get what he wanted to say to come out of his mouth. Haou grew irritated.
"Am I what?" Haou shouted.
The boy stepped back and revealed the feather in his hand. It was the same as the ones of Haou's wings. "Are you an angel? Are you angels sent down from heaven to watch over us?"
Jehu gagged in disgust. "I would rather die than become angel filth!"
"What the fuck is a heaven!?" Haou growled. He then looked over at Jehu. "And you better watch what you say before I kick your teeth out, you son of a-"
"This is great!" Haou stopped what he was saying and looked back at the kid. He had forgotten that he saw still there. "If your angels, that must mean you're here to see my sister!"
Jehu blinked. "Sister?"
The boy nodded. "Yep! She's really sick right now! Momma said she's not doing so good." His smile changed to a frown. "She even said she might go up to heaven soon."
Haou felt something inside him break. He could feel the pain of this child. It made him think of Jaden.
"Please Mr. Angel, help my sister. You can help her, right?"
Haou didn't really know what to do. He's never been in this situation before.
"You should help him." Jehu said. He walked away from the wall he was leaning up against and walked to Haou's side. "The kid seems desperate."
But he wasn't sure. The kid seemed nice enough, but something felt off to him. He just couldn't place his finger on it. And yet, he had to ask.
"What's a kid like you doing out here on his own at this hour?" Haou asked.
The boy was silent for a moment. He looked down at the concrete at his feet. "I snuck out. I wanted to get some medicine for my sister. But everything was closed."
'So...you had to think about it, huh?' Haou thought to himself. "Alright, we'll help you."
The boy was ecstatic to hear that. He giggled. "Thank you so much, Mr. Angel."
"However," The boy calmed himself and continued listening. Haou continued. "There's no guarantee we can heal her. Don't be disappointed if we fail."
"Right." The boy said.
"So," Jehu spoke up. "Where do you live anyway? And what's your name?"
The boy smiled. "I'll tell you on the way."
It was nightfall in the realm of gods. Ryou sat on his bed, his hands in his lap as he contemplated what he was to do. Tensions were high in the palace as everyone worked hard to try and figure out a way to bring everyone back to this world. Yugi was still awake, working with the others who knows where trying to figure things out there own way.
He wanted to be down there with them! But Yugi was strict with him. He forbade him from getting up from bed. He said "You're too weak! Stay in bed and take it easy! I can handle the rest." but was this the right thing to do? He was king after all. He needed to handle this situation, not lounge around. He felt useless this way.
But he couldn't leave. He was still far too weak. He tried to stand on his own after Yugi left. He couldn't. His balance was unstable and his footing was that of an infant. He needed support. At the moment, he was useless. His power was drained. He could not stand on his own. He felt pathetic.
He squeezed his clenched fists together. He hated being this way. His brother wore him out. He couldn't compete with him the way he was now. No. That was not the main issue right now. Finding those children were the main priority. Bakura could wait. Ryou wanted nothing more than to find those that were sent away because of his foolish mistakes. He was responsible for this. He let his emotions get in the way of things and caused such a thing to happen.
"Is this really all I can do?" He asked himself as he fell back into the bed. He closed his eyes. He felt tears forming at his eyelids as he continued to flash back to the what he did. He felt so horrible. His heart ached at the thought of how scared the boys must be, wherever they ended up. "Is there really nothing I can do to reverse this?"
Tears began to roll his cheeks. There really was nothing he could do. Not while was like this.
'Yugi...' Ryou mumbled softly through their link. There was no response. He should have known he wouldn't get one. He must be too entranced in his work. It was no surprise that he was to be left in the dark.
A knock at his door brought him out of his thoughts. He looked over to his right at the door in question. "Who's there if I may ask?"
It was a moment before Ryou got a word from the one behind the door. "I was sent by Yugi to come and check up on you, Your Majesty Ryou."
Ryou looked away from the door. He wasn't sure what to think of this. He knew Yugi was worried about him, so it was nice to know what he has someone coming in to check on him.
"You may enter." Ryou spoke to the one behind the door. As the door opened up, Ryou struggled to sit up again on his bed. "I apologize that you have to come in and do this."
"It's no trouble at all. I happen to enjoy this part of my job."
Ryou looked over to see which one of the palace workers Yugi sent to have check him over he saw someone he did not recognize. He was wearing a mask that was covering the upper half of his face. He had a long rope in his hands. A grin spread across his lips. Ryou's eyes shook with fear, his jaw hung ajar as he tried to comprehend his situation, and how to escape from it. He had been foolish.
"Who are you?" Ryou asked.
The masked man said nothing of his name. He walked forward, towards Ryou's bed. Ryou scooted back as far as he could. The stranger was faster than he was in this state. He wanted nothing more than to be able to have his energy back to normal so that he could escape.
"Answer me!" Ryou shouted.
"I don't see why I have to." The stranger grabbed onto Ryou's leg and held it tight in his grip. Ryou cried out from this man's strength. It felt as if his leg was going to be crushed. "After all, you are no king of mine."
Ryou glared at the stranger, trying to focus all of his power in his other leg so that he could kick his way free. But it was no use. He was completely immobile. The stranger seemed to notice that and took the rope and began to bound his legs together. Ryou continued to fight, even though it seemed pointless. He needed to get free and warn Yugi.
'Yugi!' He tried through their link again.
'Ryou! What's the matter?' Yugi finally responded. 'I can sense your distress! What's happening?'
Ryou was about to reply when a hard punch was landed right at the side of his head. He was immediately knocked unconscious. The link between him and Yugi shut down.
With Ryou unconscious, the stranger could finish tying up the king of the realm of gods, much easier now that he wasn't struggling. Once the white haired king was bound, he picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. A laundry cart waited outside the room. That was how he planned to get Ryou out of here undetected.
"Ryou!" Yugi shouted. He slammed his fists onto the prompter. He fell to his knees. He continued to pound his fists into the prompter. The others watched as he did this. They knew nothing of what was going on and didn't know if they could help him.
Zane and Aster were watching over the unconscious Syrus. Aster had removed his jacket so that Syrus could use it for a pillow.
"Yugi..." Alexis spoke up. She slowly walked over towards him. She wasn't sure how he was upset so she wanted to be cautious. "Is everything okay?"
"Ryou..." Yugi mumbled to himself. His fists clenching tighter and tighter.
Alexis walked closer towards Yugi. "What about King Ryou?"
Yugi stood up and turned to face everyone. "Ryou...he..." He stopped himself. It was obvious he was upset. "His link was completely cut off. He was in distress just before it was cut. Something's wrong!"
"Something happened to our king? No way! We have to help him!" Alexis exclaimed.
"And how can we do that?" Chazz asked. "We don't even know what happened to him."
"We will find him." Yugi said.
"But how?" Chazz shouted. He didn't care that Yugi was the second king to this realm, he wasn't going to participate in half-assed plans. "We don't know what happened. Maybe he's just up in his room unconscious. We can't automatically assume that he was taken."
"You would be a fool to believe that his majesty was alright after that distress signal."
Yugi's eyes widened to the size of plates, anger and rage in his eyes. He turned around to face him. The others followed in suit.
His hunch was right. Yugi's fists clenched tightly at his sides as he faced the intruder that dared to enter his castle.
"Kaiba." Yugi shouted.
"King Seto, you incompetent fool." Kaiba hissed. He swung his arm to the side with emphasis. He clenched the fist with the same hand and glared. "That's not the point."
"What did you do to Ryou?" Yugi asked.
Kaiba grinned and fixed his gloves. "His majesty is resting soundly," He looked away from his gloved hand and around at the walls. "Well, with my accomplices to be exact."
"You bastard." Zane growled as he took a step forward.
"Don't you dare use that tongue with me. You are just dirt at the bottom of my shoe." Kaiba hissed towards Zane.
"Is this guy really the king of anything?" Aster asked himself as he watched from Syrus' side.
"Kaiba!" Yugi growled. He stalked forward towards him. "Return Ryou to me. You don't want to do this. There will be consequences if you test me."
"And you'll do what? Wage war on me? Let's face it Yugi! You and your army are already outnumbered with Bakura and his people. Do you really think you can defeat me when you're already weak?"
Yugi clicked his tongue and clenched his fists tighter. He knew that Kaiba was right, but didn't want to back down. He knew this country would not survive without its king. Ryou was crucial to this realms survival. It is as peaceful as it is with Ryou's guidance. With only himself ruling, chaos would ring throughout the realm. It would be catastrophic.
"Precisely." Kaiba spoke. He placed his hands at his sides and shook his head in disappointment. "You're far too weak to be any challenge to me. You're pathetic. You're whole realm is pathetic."
Yugi glared harder at the brunette king. He felt his energy boiling in his veins. He wanted nothing more than to charge his energy and fire it right into his face, but Yugi was more civil than that. Violence never solves anything. It only makes things worse for everyone.
"You're unbelievable!" Yugi mumbled to himself as he turned around and wiped a hand over his face. "To take advantage of a situation and use it to your favor. You're despicable."
"I do what I have to." Kaiba replied.
The doors to the lab slammed open and everyone flinched from the echo. Standing at the door, a blonde. He looked out of breath, scratched up too, like he has been in a battle.
Kaiba groaned. "What the hell took you so long?"
"It ain't my fault the guard took forever to blackout." Joey complained.
"How dare you harass my guards!" Yugi shouted.
"He was a tough one. But he still ain't much." Joey said. He showed his closed fist. "I got ya somethin'." He tossed a small to Yugi and Yugi caught it. "A little keepsake for ya."
Yugi's hands shook as he pulled the string back to see what it was. He reached into it and pulled out a small yellow puzzle piece. It was solid gold.
"Where did you get this?" Yugi asked. He knew where it was from. He just wanted an answer.
"I may have went snooping and stumbled upon a rather interestin' trinket. That's all that's left of it." Joey replied.
"What have you done to my puzzle?" Yugi asked.
"Took it." Joey replied.
"That was heir loom. Return it at once." Yugi shouted. He clenched the puzzle piece in his hand. It was given to him by his brother. When he left the demon realm and came to realm of light, his true home, Yami gave him the puzzle as a keepsake of their father and grandfather. It was precious to him.
"No way. If you really care about dat thing, you really should take betta care of it."
Joey walked over to Seto and stood by him. "You're at our mercy. Don't play around like you're in charge. We're callin all the shots."
Kaiba placed an arm around the blonde and pulled him closer towards himself. "If you know what's good for you, you won't tell anyone about this. Not even Bakura. Everything will continue as it usually does. Only, now you will be taking orders from me."
Yugi watched as Kaiba made his leave, Joey close by his side. Once they left, Yugi fell to his knees again. He's lost so much control in just a few hours. 4 people have been sent who knows where. Ryou has been taken away from him. And now this. He was completely at a loss.
He's lost control.
The Fallen have taken over.