Here's the first chapter of my new story! Anyway, most people on Atlantis are at the lowest level of the seal because Dartz didn't want monsters running around and Atlantis doesn't have most modern technology on the island (i.e. phones or cell towers or cars.) but they do have toilets, air conditioning, and electricity.
Joey finished gathering his things into a backpack, zipping it closed. "Well, that's everything." He murmured before rising to stand up. The room was ordinary, with a bed, desk, closet, and bathroom, but Joey focused on the sleeping figure in the bed. A teenager with tri-colored hair with streaks of blonde snuggled up in the blankets "I'm sorry." He murmured. "I need to go… I can't stay anymore. I wouldn't care if it were just me, but I can't let the baby go through what Dartz has planned." Joey apologized, placing a hand on his still-flat stomach. Placing the backpack on his back, He walked towards the door but stopped "I love you. I always will." He whispered before leaving the room.
Twenty minutes later, he reached the first floor of the castle when he heard the alarms go off "Damn! Guess I need to be more careful." He muttered as he made his way through the hallways. He kept going until he saw shadows coming his way. "Gotta hide, gotta hide." He mumbled as he looked around and saw a suit of armor. The group of guards runs past the suit of armor, after making sure they're gone. Joey, in the suit of Armor, steps down from the platform "Well, this is the only way I'll be a knight now." He whispered before peeling off the armor and dashing down the hallway.
Alarms blared throughout the city as Joey snuck through the shadows and out the castle entrance door. Joey sighed in relief as he hid behind a pillar "Ok, out of the castle now onto the stables." He whispered as the castle gate was in sight. "Come on! I think he went this way." A gruff voice called out. "Why are we out here?" A second voice grumbled sleepily. "Because we're looking for Joey Wheeler." The first voice revealed. "Why are we on the manhunt for the second-best knight in training/duelist?" The second voice exclaimed, surprised. "Because he's gone." The first voice informed them. "But why?" the second voice asked. "Knight in training Yami Muto doesn't know." the first voice explained calmly. "Was he the one that reported him missing?" the second asked curiously "Yes." The first voice answered shortly. "What will happen if we catch him?" A third voice wondered curiously. "He's to be put under the seal of the Orichalcos. King Dartz's orders." The first voice declared grimly before they walked away. Joey gulped as the footsteps dissipated "Well, that just means I can't get caught." He mumbled before he dashed for the gate.
The trek to the stables was a short distance from the castle. Joey walked down the aisle until he stopped at the right stall. A big black stallion with golden eyes peered over the stall door "Hey there, Pharoah." Joey said calmly as he reached into his pocket and held out a sugar cube which the horse took with delight then Joey stroked the horse's nose. The horse looked around for another person "Yami's not comin' this time." Joey told the animal. Pharaoh snickered quietly "I know but I need you. Wanna go for a ride?" Joey asked to which Pharaoh nodded his head. After tacking and saddling up the horse, Joey climbed on "Come on, yah!" He said cracking the reins and kicking his boot to start the horse.
Pharoah galloped out of the stables and into town "Hey! There he is!" Someone shouted. Joey glanced back to see several knights on horses trailing him "Shit! Let's see you outrun this." Joey muttered as he nudged Pharoah to go faster. They reached the forest and started zig-zagging through the trees as enemy knights pursued him. From the corner of his eye, Joey saw one of the knights ride up next to him "Take this!" he said as he kicked the knight. After a couple more kicks, the knight fell off the horse. Several other knights start to gain on him. Joey nudged his horse to go faster "I know we can out-race them." He encouraged Pharoah. The horse ran just a little faster out of the enemy's grasp as they reached the end of the forest. "Good boy, we're almost to the bridge to the mainland." Joey praised as he saw the bridge in the distance. As Joey rode closer to the bridge he saw a lone figure on a horse at the edge of the beginning of the aforementioned bridge "Yami." He murmured as he stopped in front of the bridge.
"Joseph Wheeler, you're surrounded. Come quietly and the punishment will be dealt with swiftly and haste." A knight declared behind him. Joey glanced behind him to see there was a line of knights behind him "I guess there's no goin' backwards." He mumbled before looking forward to his lover or ex-lover. Yami stared at Joey confused "Why'd you run?" He questioned, confused. Joey avoided Yamis eyes "I can't tell you." He answered honestly. He knew if he told Yami about the baby, the baby's freedom was gone. "Why, just why?" Yami wondered, trying to understand why Joey left. Joey lifted his head, staring into Yami's eyes "Maybe I don't want to be a knight anymore." He stated calmly. Yami knew that wasn't true "That's not true you've wanted to be a knight since you were a kid." He rebutted knowingly. Joey shook his head "Maybe I changed my mind." He argued strongly. Yami held out his hand, hoping Joey would take it. "Joey, please come back and we can sort things out," Yami begged, his eyes pleading for Joey to take his hand. not wanting to arrest his lover. Seeing the pleading look in Yami's eyes almost made him give in, but then he remembered the baby he was carrying, an innocent baby who should be able to be free from The Orichalco's control. Renewed determination in his eyes, Joey sucked in a shaking breath "I can't Yami. I just can't." He whispered defiantly, emphasizing the last word. Yami sighed sadly, pulling back his hand "Then I have no choice." He stated resolutely. Joey nodded, understanding "So do I." He said, his heart breaking as he cracked the reins and he galloped away. "Go after him!" Yami ordered the other knights. The knights followed the orders, going after Joey.
Yami sagged his shoulders as tears welled in his eyes "Why Joey?" He questioned, hurt and heartbroken."I told you he was going to betray you." A low voice stated, knowingly behind him. Yami quickly wiped his eyes, lifted his head, and straightened his shoulders "Your majesty." He greeted formally. Dartz smiled at Yami "Why didn't you heed my warning?" He wondered curiously as stopped his horse next to Yami's. Yami let out a deep breath "I love him." He said simply. Dartz sighed heavily "Sometimes love hurts. It's sunshine, rainbows, and butterflies until someone is hurt." He said knowingly, a flash of something in his eyes before it disappeared. Dartz shook his head "Why'd you let him go?" Dartz questioned the knight, curiously, changing the subject. Yami took a deep breath "I saw the determination in his eyes. Joey was going to go. It didn't matter if we took him back he would find a way." He answered knowingly. Dartz nodded, accepting the answer and placing his hand on Yami's shoulder "Alright. Now come. We're going back to the castle." He beckoned the young knight, turning his horse in the direction of the castle. Yami looked at the king "Shouldn't I join the search party?" He wondered curiously. Dartz looked at the teen "I think you've had enough today, don't you?" He said softly. Yami nodded "Yes, your majesty." He agreed as he steered his horse in the same direction as the king's horse.
Yami peered back at the bridge for a moment as their horses trotted toward the castle "Why do I have an urge to go after him?" He thought as the anger and hurt swelled up causing the seal of Orichalcos to appear squelching the urge before disappearing.
Joey breathed a sigh of relief as he made it to the mainland but quickly found a hitching post to tie up Pharoah "I'm sorry for leaving you here. But I can't take you where I'm going. Please take care of him for me." He murmured apologetically, tying the knot tight on the rope to the bridle before he walked away from the animal. Joey searched for some time but found a car that had a full tank of gas "Now to hot-wire the thing." He mumbled as he got to work. It took some trial and error, but he got the wires crossed. "Alright…. Now off we go." He declared as he put the car in drive and was off.
~A couple of hours later~
When Joey arrived at his destination, he was nervous and wringing his hands as he walked up to the door "Come on, Wheeler, you can do this." He mumbled to himself. He knocked on the door and waited. A light turned on in the living room and the door opened, a woman opened the door "Joseph? What are you doing here?" She inquired, shocked that her son is here. Joey smiled awkwardly "Hey, Ma. Can I come in?" He asked hopefully while shifting his weight back and forth. Ms. Kawai shook her head "Of course, come in" She said, gesturing to him to come in. Footsteps descended the stairs, revealing a red-haired girl clad in PJs "Mom, who was that at the door?" Serenity asked curiously. Joey smiled brightly "Hey, sis." He greeted. Serenity happily smiled at her big brother. "Joey!" She exclaimed as she rushed off the stairs and into his arms.
After a few minutes, Serenity pulled away "What are you doing here? I thought you were in training to be a knight?" She questioned him, confused. Ms. Kawai crossed her arms across her chest "I'm curious to know as well." She said, raising an eyebrow. Joey sighed "Let's sit down." He suggested softly All three sat down on the couch "I'm in trouble." He stated simply. looked at her son, worried "What kind of trouble?" She inquired curiously. She knew it was serious trouble if he came to her house since she and Joey hadn't talked since she left him and her ex-husband, taking Serenity with her. Joey's expression turned serious. "I'm pregnant." He revealed grimly. Ms. Kawai glared at her son "Joseph! This isn't a joking matter!" She exclaimed. Joey looked at his mom "I'm not joking, Ma." He said knowingly. looked at her son in disbelief "That's not possible." She stated in denial. "But it's true." He protested. Serenity saw her brother's expression "Mom, I don't think he's lying." She told her mother. Ms Kawai wouldn't budge "Where's the proof?" She demanded. Joey slid off the backpack and opened a pocket and grabbed a plastic bag "Here." He said simply.
The bag had three white sticks that all had plus signs on them "Why do you have them in a baggy?" Serenity asked, a little disgusted. Joey shrugged "I couldn't dispose of them at school." He stated simply. Ms. Kawai took the baggy "Ok, so you're pregnant. How?" She questioned before she went and threw the bag out. After his mother came back, Joey smirked at her "Well, I know how but it shouldn't be possible." he answered. "It's not possible? I need a better answer, Joseph." She declared firmly. Joey gritted his teeth in frustration "I don't how. All I know is that I'm pregnant!" He shouted aggravatedly. Ms. Kawai nodded "What about the father?" She wondered curiously. Joey shook his head "He doesn't know." He said honestly. "Ok, so what are you going to do?" She asked.
Joey sat there, his options were an abortion, having the baby and raising it, or having the baby and giving it up for adoption. He knew right away he wasn't having an abortion. Every time he tried to think about it, it made him feel nauseous. Having the kid and then giving it up wasn't an option because the baby would end up under the seal anyway. "I'm keeping the baby." He decided firmly. Ms. Kawai looked at her son and nodded "Joseph, think rationally. You can't keep this baby." She argued. Joey raised his chin defiantly "I am because this baby is family ever since I saw those plus signs." He declared resolutely. Ms. Kawai held her hands together "Please reconsider." She begged, not wanting her son to throw his life away. Joey shook his head, standing his ground "I can't, my career as a knight is in the toilet, and the father of my kid probably hates me and I won't let this little one be tossed aside or put under the seal of Orichalcos." He ranted passionately. Seeing he wasn't budging, Ms. Kawai went over to the hall closet, gathered a blanket and some pillows, and handed them to Joey "You ok to sleep on the couch?" She inquired. He nodded "Sure." He agreed. Serenity hugged Joey "Night Joey." She said before going up the stairs. Ms. Kawai walked over to the stairs "Night Joseph." She said before going up the stairs. "Night Ma." He said before positioning his pillows and getting comfy before going to sleep.
~Nine months later~
Joey lay on the bed, hooked up to an IV and fetal heart monitor with his legs propped up and panting and sweating as the tightness of his stomach intensified "Where's the doctor?" He questioned. The door opened, and Dr. Roberts and Joey's mother brought supplies.
Dr. Roberts is an OBGYN, who delivered both Joey and Serenity when they were born when Joey came bursting into their lives. She called Dr. Roberts to help with this unique pregnancy and delivery "Well, Joey, are you ready?" Dr. Roberts asked as he stood at the end of the bed. Joey chuckled "Born ready, doc." He said, breathlessly. Dr. Roberts grabbed a syringe and inserted the medicine into Joey's IV "Just something to numb you." He explained before he pulled the syringe out and put a cap on the needle. Joey nodded as the numbing started to take effect "Given that you're well, male, we will be giving you a C-section." He explained honestly. The doctor grabbed the scalpel "Ok, I'm going to make an incision on the lower part of your stomach, extract your baby out and sew you back up." He explained simply. Joey nodded "Got it." He said.
The doctor pressed the scalpel on the lower part of Joey's stomach and carefully ran the scalpel across and went to work. Joey looked at his sister "It's weird not to feel pain despite what's happenin'" He said tiredly. Serenity smiled at her brother "Hey, the best part is you'll have your daughter. " She soothed him as she dabbed a wet cloth on his forehead. "True, I've been waitin' to meet her for months," He said excitedly. Moments later, the baby wailed as she came into the world. "It's a girl!" The doctor announced happily as he snipped the umbilical cord. The baby girl was passed to her grandmother and cleaned with a towel. "She's beautiful, Joey," Serenity commented sweetly. Joey's mother wrapped her granddaughter in a pink blanket and a pink hat on her before handing her to her son. "Support her head." She said as she showed him how to hold the baby.
After disposing of the waste and putting on new gloves, Dr. Roberts slowly and methodically sewed up Joey "All done. Now don't lift anything heavy, and the dissolvable stitches will disappear in 5-7 days. Any questions?" He explained calmly. Joey shook his head "No." He answered simply. Dr. Roberts sighed "Before I go, I have to ask, do you want to put your baby under the power of the Orichalcos?" He asked curiously. Joey glared at the doctor "Hell, no. Not happening." He declared vehemently as he tightened his hold on his daughter, causing her to whine. Dr. Roberts sighed as Joey soothed his daughter "Sorry, I have to ask that every time a baby is born now. King's orders." He apologized. "I'll leave you now." He said before leaving the room.
Joey stared at his daughter, her cheeks were rosy, and under the beanie, he could see tufts of blonde hair "What's her name?" Serenity wondered curiously. Joey knew exactly what name the baby girl should have. Right then, the baby opened her eyes, revealing crimson irises "Sara. Sara Wheeler-Muto" He announced blissfully as Serenity wrote the name on the birth certificate. Joey smiled at the baby in his arms "The only thing that would make it perfect is if Yami was here." He thought knowingly
~Five years later~
In the underground of Domino City, Joey sighed at his surroundings, everyone was busy as they always were before a group goes on a mission. Joining the rebellion was a decision Joey didn't regret because it gave him cover from being found by the king's knights and it protected his daughter. Joey sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair "Why can't I shake this feelin' somethin' bad's going to happen?" He thought, trying to shake the feeling.
Joey felt something slam into his leg and he looked down and saw his daughter "Daddy!" A little girl squealed as she was scooped up in Joey's arms. The little girl had dirty-blonde wavy hair, a mix of Joey's and Yami's faces, crimson eyes, eyes shaped like Joey's, and was dressed in a blue jean skirt, a flowery blouse, and purple tennis shoes. "There's my girl!" He exclaimed before he kissed her cheek and placed her on his hip. A huff was heard as Soloman Muto came up to them "Man, the younguns today have so much energy. I need to exercise more just to keep up." He complained as he took a deep breath. Joey smiled at Sara "Were you good for Grandpa?" He asked her. Sara nodded "Yes, I was Daddy." She told him sweetly. Joey smiled at the elderly man "Thank you for watching her, Gramps." He thanked him sincerely. Grandpa smiled at him. "Anything for that sweet girl." He said before he walked away.
"So what did you do with Grandpa?" Joey asked as he walked towards his and Sara's room. Sara smiled brightly "We played horsey." She said happily. Joey smirked at that, Sara has loved horses ever since Joey started to tell her stories of when he went to Leviathan Academy "And what else?" Joey prompted, knowing Grandpa could only play horsey for some time. Sara pouted "Numbers, colored and napped." She pouted grumpily since she couldn't play Horsey the whole time. They arrived at their room and entered, the floor was mostly clean with several toys on the ground. "Alright. How about I-" Joey started to suggest when a knock sounded on the door. Joey put Sara down "I'll get it." He said before he opened the door revealing his sister. "Hey, Joey" Serenity greeted him "Auntie Serenity!" Sara shouted as she sprinted over to her aunt. Serenity smiled at Sara and hugged her "Hey, girlie." She greeted the girl after she released the hug."Are you here for dinner?" Sara asked her aunt. Serenity shook her head "No, I'm not. I need to talk to your daddy." She told her. Seeing the look on his sister, Joey kneeled at Sara's level "How about you go play in your room while Auntie and I talk." He suggested. Sara threw her head back "Ok." She groaned before she grabbed a stuffed horse off the floor and went to her room.
Joey shook his head "What am I gonna do with her?" He wondered. Serenity smiled at her brother. "Spoil and love her." She answered knowingly. Joey chuckled "You're right, So what did you need," He asked. Serenity sighed "You need to lead the mission tonight." She stated simply. Joey groaned "But I just got back!" He exclaimed. "I know, but you're the best at these missions, Joey," Serenity said knowingly. Joey leads a team that helps people who have broken out of the trance of the Orichalcos and helps them get to safety before King Dartz's men put them back under the stronger influence of the seal of Orichalcos. "I know…. When?" He said, silently asking when he had to go. Serenity grimaced "In an hour." She told him. Joey sighed heavily. "Alright, I'll be there." He agreed. Sara burst from her room and wrapped her arms around Joey's legs "NO!" She screeched. "Sweetheart, can you look at me?" He asked the toddler. Sara shook her head against his leg "No." She declined, her answer muffled. "I need to go." He told her. Sara tightened her grip "Why?" She questioned. "I need to help people." He stated simply. "I need you." She said seriously. Joey froze because she was right but he also had a job to do "Please look at me." He asked. Sara slowly looked up at her dad "I will come home." He assured her seriously. Sara looked at him "Promise?" She prompted. "I promise." He pledged. Sara let go of his legs and spread her arms out "Hugs?" She asked. Joey nodded "Hugs." He agreed and gave her a big hug.
Letting go of the hug, Joey smiled "You wanna go with Aunt Serenity for a sleepover?" He asked excitedly, looking at his sister. Sara nodded excitedly "Go on and pack." Joey urged her before she went to her room to pack. Joey smiled sheepishly "Sorry for puttin'' you on the spot." He apologized, scratching the back of his head. Serenity smiled and waved it off "It's ok, but you owe me." She said. "I wanna ask something." He piped up. "Sure." She said, giving him the go-ahead. "Will you take care of Sara if something happens to me?" He requested. Serenity looked at him, worried "Of course. Why, what's going on?" She demanded. Joey shook his head "Nothin' just feeling like something bad is going to happen." He told her. Sara came back in her suitcase "I'm ready!" She exclaimed, dragging her suitcase behind her. "Wait a second." Joey requested before he left the room. He came back with two things in his hand "Here." He said, giving the two things to Sara. One was a picture of Joey and Sara when she was a baby and the other was a duel monster card, Red eyes black dragon "Can you keep these safe for me?" He asked hopefully. Sara nodded "Be careful Daddy." She pleaded. Joey nodded "I will. Just because you can't see someone…" He started "Doesn't mean they're not in your heart." Sara finished softly. Kneeling, Joey kissed her forehead " I love you. You be good and keep those safe." He reminded her. Sara nodded "I Love you too and I promise Daddy." She said. Serenity smiled "Let's get this show on the road." She declared as she grabbed the suitcase. "Bye! Be careful!" Serenity and Sara bid him adieu as they left. "Bye!" Joey said before he left the apartment to report for the mission.
Unknowingly to them, that'd be the last time they'd see each other for years.
Thanks for reading!
To clarify Dartz changed history so he has always ruled, but countries have also had their kingdoms or governments but all the decisions are run by Dartz. The orichalcos has three levels of control
Level 1: The weakest and easiest seal to break through. People are under this until something happy happens like getting an A on a test or something minuscule.
Level 2: Harder to break through but still doable. Most people are on this level by 18. A happy feeling or something like getting a pet or finding out happy things.
level 3: The hardest to break through. Dartz's knights are under this level. Only the strongest happiest feeling or conquering the darkness inside will break this seal.
