Chapter 15
And then my nose became a hose of blood. Seriously, it went everywhere.
"I'm going to ask you one more time, Gypsy. What were you reading?" Maybe it was the angle I was at, but he looked like he had glazed eyes.
"No way!" I said defiantly. "What's in those books could change your life forever!"
"I got it!" Bakura said, holding the book aloft. Yami shifted so he was sitting on my hips. I don't know how much of this cockteasing I could take. Bakura tossed the book and Yami caught it with one hand like a pro.
"Now, let's see what the big fuss is about." he said.
"Yami, I swear if you read that, you'll never be the same!" I warned.
"Gypsy, I am 5000 years old. A little fanfiction won't hurt." He thought it was fanfiction?!
As he read it, his expression changed from satisfaction to horror. He finally closed the book.
"Gypsy, why does this book know about my life?" he asked.
"First, will you get off of me? Your being a giant cock tease." I said. He gave me a strange look while Bakura busted out laughing. He got off of me and I sat up.
"What if I told you that your entire world was a story?" I said.
"I wouldn't believe you."
"In this universe, that is reality. In this world, Yu-Gi-Oh is simply a story about a guy with crazy hair that saves the world using card games."
"Is that why my magic doesn't work here?!" Bakura asked.
"Exactly. This world has its own laws of magic, and your Shadow Magic isn't a part of them, thus it is nullified. It's the only reason I stand up to Melvin when he comes out."
"I wondered why someone would be either so brave or foolish to put their life on the line for our safety." Bakura said.
"But why? Is my existence just a false memory?" Yami asked.
"Of course not. You're here now, aren't you?" I said. "The important thing is that you're here now, and I wouldn't want you any other way." I said, giving him a hug. A few seconds later, he hugged back, and I heard Bakura make a retching sound.
"Oh quit your bitching." he grumbled.
"It doesn't matter to you because you already knew all this! So quit YOUR bitching!" I spat.
"What do you mean he already knew?" Yami asked.
"Marik and Bakura come from a different yet very similar universe than you, called the Abridged Series. A man named Martin Billany, who exists in this universe, created their universe when he shortened and poked good natured fun at your universe and posted it online. It exploded and has become an icon of pop culture ever since."
"Are you saying that a man from this universe created a universe by mackering my universe?"
"I wouldn't say mackered, but yes." I said.
"So this Martin is like a gatekeeper to the universes, and he could get us back home."
"That's not at all what I said. He is merely a creator, I doubt he could put you back. And even if he could, he couldn't put you and Yugi back, just Marik and Bakura. The only one who could theoretically put you back is Kazuki Takahashi, the creator of your universe."
Yami glanced at the cover of my book, probably to where it stated the author's name.
"Look, it doesn't matter right now, but if you wish to know more, I have the entirety of Season 0 with me. But beware. You are not the you I know and love in these volumes. This being was sinister and dark, terrifying and alluring at the same time. Read at your own risk."
I dug out the rest of Season 0 and plopped them on the booth dinette. I walked to the front of the RV, where Yugi was sitting in the passenger seat.
"You might want to get up there. I have a feeling he's gonna be questioning himself for the first few volumes, and he'll need the support."
Yugi nodded and traded seats with me. I stared straight ahead for the duration of the ride to DC, listening to my music.
Not even five minutes later I could hear sounds of consolation and worry. I looked back, and I could see Yami hugging Yugi like a child would hug their favorite stuffed animal in a thunderstorm.
This was gonna be a while.