Note To The Readers: Thanks for the great feedback! I really appreciate it. You have NO idea. You guys are WAY awesome. I'll try and do my best to keep updating as quickly as I can!
Chapter 38: Where I Used To Be
Yugi trembled as he laid in bed with a high fever. His breaths were labored sweating as he tried to endure the pain that coursed through his small body causing him such grief from the strain. Atem sat next to Yugi on the bed only able to watch his other half suffer. Powerless to do anything. He couldn't bare the silence. The Pharaoh took Yugi's washcloth and dipped in cold water before he rung it out and gingerly placed it back in Yugi's head. Atem paused as he saw Joey walk into the room. "Aw, man Yug..." the blonde frowned and slowly walked over to the bed. "...Just how did he get like dis anyways?" Joey questioned. "If only da girls were here day could use a healin spell or somethin...all of dis crazy stuff goin on...I just don't know how ta handle it..." Joey muttered.
"PHAROAH!" the blonde suddenly yelled. "If you're here I wanna know wats happened ta Yugi! Why is he like dis again!? Dis is even worse dan last time!" Joey snarled angrily. "I KNOW YA CAN HEAR MEH! SO ITS NO USE PRETENDEN NOT TA!" the blonde screamed before a voice came from the silence. {Yes...I can hear you, Joey...} Atem finally answered. "Then answer meh question!" Joey demanded. {...Very well...in order to fight against The Wizards Of The Black Circle alongside Kaiba and Bloom Yugi has taken on the burden of becoming my vessel...in otherwords, I will be bonded to him directly rather than just through the millennium puzzle...it also allowed him to acquire my power...}the Pharoah murmured softly.{That bond is placing strain on Yugi's body...causing this pain...}Atem explained.
"...I can't believe dis...what is Yug possibly thinkin in dat head of his..." Joey muttered as he narrowed his eyes. "Why would YOU even let em go through with dat!?" the blonde questioned upset. He didn't understand any of this. {I don't like it any more than you do Joey...but in the end, it was Yugi's choice...} "WELL HIS CHOICE SUCKS! I HATE DIS! Here meh bud's lyin in bed all because YUGI of all people doesn't believe he can use HIS deck like he always has! THat's a buncha bull if ya ask meh!" the blonde snapped angrily as he slammed his fist into the wall next to him. "...I mean Yug's always been dare for me...and when it really fricken counts...what I? USELESS!" Joey cried before Atem shook his head.
{Your friendship DOES count Joey...it always has. When Yugi himself lacked courage you and his other friends gave him the will and the strength to fight against the Shadow Realm and those whom threatened to destroy the world...when the time comes Yugi will need you by his side, Joey...we all must find our own way...even if it is not clear where we will end up...} the Pharoah spoke up softly. "Then dats EXACTLY what I'm gonna do!" Joey cried before he left the room and closed the door behind him. Atem watched Joey leave as he gripped the sheets on the bed tightly. "Even when it leaves us all alone...in the darkness..." the Pharoah whispered to himself. Atem paused as he heard a groan and looked down at Yugi's eyes slowly pried open looking up at him.
"How are you feeling Yugi?" Atem asked his other half softly. Yugi trembled as he forced a weakened smile. "Like I've been hit with a trap card..." "...Yes, I would imagine so..." the Pharoah murmured. "...But if this is what it takes to save everyone...I'd gladly go through this...a thousand times over...I...I have too many people I have to protect...i'm sorry..." Yugi murmured. "Why are you apologizing?" "...Because...I know I'm not the only one hurting right now..." "You should be more concerned about yourself..." Atem told Yugi as he gently wiped the sweat with the washcloth. "After all Joey's worried about you as well..." "Yeah...I hear-" Yugi paused as he was thrown into a coughing fit coughing up blood as he covered his mouth shaking.
"YUGI!" Atem cried as nearly endless thought flooded through him. "I...I'm ok Atem...I'm o-" Yugi started coughing more violently as an even greater amount the scarlet-eyed male puked up onto his feet as it slipped between his fingers. Tears rimmed in Yugi's eyes as he tried to catch his breath before Atem turned Yugi towards him as he shook. "Yugi please stop! Enough is enough! Regardless of your resolve, your small body cannot take it!" Atem cried and grabbed Yugi's neck where the tattoo had appeared. Raising his own Yugi barely grasped the Pharoah's hand.
"N...No..." Yugi shook his head. "N...not...yet...Kaiba...Bloom...they...they've endured...so...so much pain...how can..I...possibly face them...if I...if I can't...do the sa...same...A...Atem...ple...please..." Yugi choked out as he trembled blood running down the left side of his lip. Slowly the Pharoah removed his hand from the tattoo and pulled Yugi into his arms. "You damn fool..." Atem uttered as tears fell down his face. His arm illuminated a golden light and allowed the power to wash over Yugi. Slowly healing the damage caused by the pact. Exhausted Yugi fell into a slumber before Atem gently placed Yugi back down on the bed. "...Until I met you I was all alone...isolated in the Millenium puzzle...a punishment I inflicted upon myself because I failed to protect not only my kingdom...but the one I treasured above anything else...I refuse to lose what is precious to me again...because... thanks to you Yugi...I am not where I used to be...I only hope that Joey comes to understands...what truly makes us strong..."
Downstairs Joey sat in the darkness with his head upon the table tucked into his arms. He had heard everything. Except for Atem's last words. Yugi was in so much pain and yet he insisted on going through it even though it could cost him his life. The blonde closed his eyes tightly as he pictured everything both of them had been through. It couldn't end here. It just couldn't. Slowly Joey opened his eyes as his brown orbs shimmered with concern. "Can't I do anythin ta help you Yugi...?" the blonde whispered. {...Well now ...that may not be such a hard request to grant! The question is just how BADLY do you WANT it?} came a voice from the darkness. Joey looked all around. "Aw man! Again with da freaky voices!?" the blonde flipped out as he shivered.
{...Oh dear...would you happen to be a mortal? Ha! No wonder you feel so utterly helpless! You know MY mistress COULD remedy your situation...she does tend to take PITY on humans though I know not why...} the voice carried on. "WAHWAH! Mortal!? W-Wat are ya a ghost!? I dun take kindly ta creepy voices popin up outta nowhere! Especially when they're scarin da SHIT outta meh! Who are ya's anyways!? Joey demanded to know as he grabbed his duel disk. {A ghost you say? Mmm, no...i'm more of a spirit if you MUST know...creepy? Now that's rather hurtful. I DO have feelings you know...} "...Uh...sorry? Anyways whaddya want?...Why talk ta me of all people?" the blonde questioned confused. {Oh right...my apologies...my Misstress heard your...er...predictiment...and she'd like to make you an offer in exchange for the power you so desire...the choice is completely up to you of course! I won't make you accept...I am but merely a humble messenger}
"And just who is DIS Mistress you speak of...dis whole ting smells like fish eyeballs!" Joey muttered as he raised his brow skeptically. "We gots enemies we're fightin and I ain't cool if dis Mistress is one of um! {OH! You need not worry about THAT. I assure that my Mistress means no harm to you or your friends! Your conscious can remain FREE and CLEAR! Perhaps once you meet her you will see what I mean! She does SO look forward to your visit...as do I...let us meet again in Covenant...} "...Covenant...?" Joey questioned softly. "Just wat IS watin for us anyways? And who was dat obnoxious guy? I gotta feelin I'll be gettin more of an answer than I want..." the blonde sighed. A woman with purple and blue hair gazed into the crystals before her Joey's reflection within it. Beside her, a young man with purple hair wearing a black robe appeared next to the woman. Before her, the purple haired male kneeled before her as a sign of respect.
"What do you have to report my guppy?" the woman asked as she removed a pearl flute from her lips. "As you thought the young Pharoah has indeed returned to the world of the living...and that is not all my Mistress but it would seem the infamous Wizards Of The Black Circle have made a comeback of their own...in fact I snuck a PEEK upon their little planning session..." the young male muttered with a wink. "...Is that so..." the woman began as she pursed her lips. "And...?" "The Wizards plan to seek out the legendary philosopher's stone...and but of course as YOU, my Mistress predicted...the Earth Faerie's Seal to the Sealed World has been broken...no doubt because they had a hand it in...quite underhanded if I DO say so myself...I can't imagine the trouble Bloom and her party will be in for...but Mr. Joey Wheeler seems QUITE eager to help his friends...though I'm not entirely certain why you've taken an interest in him. Of course, i'm not questioning your judgment, not at all!" the male made clear to her.
"...What do YOU believe my guppy...? Do you think he can be persuaded to accept the contract I have to offer?" the young woman mused. "Hmm...well I do believe that there is certainly the possibility. However, he DOES seem rather skeptical which I suppose anyone WOULD be...he fears that you may be a part of the force they are trying so hard to desperately combat. Which is why I believe it would be wise for you to meet with young Joseph personally..." the purple haired man told her. "...A reasonable conclusion...I see reason not to deny him such...but...I shall meet with all of them soon enough..." "Indeed Mistress...I until then...I shan't let them out of my sight..." the young man bowed once more before he disappeared. The young man placed her flute back up to her lip and played a melody upon it which echoed through the crystal caverns.
RATE AND REVIEW!