Chapter LXXXVI: Abilities

"Do you think he'll go back to the Lightning Clan camp?" Yugi asked, looking over at Atem and suppressing a horrified flinch. The God Dragon wasn't altogether there. The distance was long and blank when he turned to him. He hadn't seen that disoriented stare on Atem's face in moons. Had he pushed him so far back?

"Soon? No, not without reason. If Dimitri isn't the one to have shared a heart with Timaeus, then he wouldn't know he's alive, so he wouldn't come here, either, for fear of crossing paths with me too soon. And for him to go back to the Lightning Clan camp, he'd likely need to have set his eyes on Seto or Kisara far more quickly than I think he'd be prepared for." Atem said it all in a quiet, cold and oddly calm voice. Yugi would have thought there would have been more emotion in it, but Atem sounded mostly…distracted. Not for the first time Yugi wondered what was going on in his head. "For now, I think it's safe to assume he's gone for a little while at least."

"Wait a second," Timaeus barked, head whipping around. He bore his teeth slightly, horrified. "You can't truly believe he would have shared a heart with me? He's the one who killed me. Remember?"

Atem blinked and Yugi was envious when he saw the clearer quality in his eyes as he faced Timaeus. "I think he'd do it, so he can control you if something happens and he wants me." He narrowed his eyes. "A God Dragon or someone stronger shared their heart with you, Timaeus. Considering Yami is dead, Dimitri is the only choice."

"That's… No," Timaeus snapped. "There's no way. Dimitri wouldn't have done that just to…"

Yugi could see him struggling for a long moment, fumbling for words and dancing around certain thoughts and fears. Quickly the Gandora murmured, "No, I don't think he would have shared his heart with you just to keep tabs on Atem. We don't even know if Atem is invisible to him, too, or if he can see him properly. It's just an idea Atem came up with because we don't know who shared their heart with you. It could have been Yusei for all we know, but no one has spoken to us, so it's…"

It's possible, he didn't add, though he knew the implication hung in the air. It's still possible.

Yugi wondered why Atem was trying to implant that fear in his best friend's head like this. It didn't make sense. Why fear monger Timaeus like this? Was he hoping to make sure Timaeus didn't question and suspect it had been Yami? But Timaeus had already told him himself he thought it was, even if he had told Yugi not to tell Atem.

He felt sick as he glanced between them. Timaeus looked as if Atem had just tried to gut him. He seemed broken by the comment, and Yugi knew he was imagining what might happen if he was being used as Dimitri's pawn.

"I don't think it could be Dimitri," he blurted in an effort to help calm the mounting frustration on Timaeus's face. "I don't think he would have done that."

"It would have been better if no one had needed to share their heart," Atem hissed, sounding bitter as his tail lashed briefly. He huffed after a moment and looked at Timaeus. "I don't think he would have done it. You said he came to lure Yami or me to you, yes? Then why bother sharing his heart if he'd wanted me to come at him mindlessly?"

"You believe that's it?"

"Yes. Why else do it but for shock value? Why kill you and leave the body for me to find if not to throw me off my paws when I saw it?" he asked, blinking once long and slow. His eyes shot to Yugi after a moment and the Gandora saw the absolute frustration in his narrowed gaze. "I don't think Dimitri would have been in the right place to do that, even if he'd wanted."

There was a brief moment of silence. Timaeus whispered, "What?" after a moment, and both of them turned to see him staring at Atem pointedly. "What do you mean? You didn't see anything, remember? You weren't…present. That was…"

Atem didn't even blink, though Yugi knew he had caught his own slip. "I'd like to assume you managed to inflict some kind of damage, whether or not it stuck with him after." He tilted his head at Timaeus and smiled. "I've never known you to be felled easily."

Timaeus blinked and narrowed his gaze but nodded. "No, I'm thankfully not a clumsy hatchling," he muttered. "I broke his jaw before the end of it. I remember that much. He couldn't heal it and he was furious."

Yugi remembered Dimitri screaming at him to get back up, that he wasn't done with him yet. He remembered Timaeus knocking him aside as if he were a toy before he finally dropped and lay dying. He hadn't known Yami could project memories and images to more than one at a time, but the fight he'd let them both see. The recovery Yugi had not witnessed, but Atem had looked more than slightly shaken throughout.

He'd spent more than a small portion of the night wondering just how bad it was.

How terrible was it that Yami had felt the need to hide it from him? He remembered Yami saying that his knowledge of things didn't impact much of anything. So why would he have hidden it from him? Why should he have protected him from whatever it was he'd shown Atem? Yugi couldn't imagine he'd done it for more than sparing his feelings.

But what feelings had there been to spare? He didn't understand. It was not as if he didn't know Timaeus and Atem were extremely close, to the point sometimes it felt as if he were interfering when the three of them were together. Had he not won the courtship challenge and happened upon them both, he would have even assumed they were mated.

That was not so surprising, however, considering Timaeus had saved his life. Of course Atem had grown close to him. Of course he'd been quick to make friends and become close to someone who had done that. Why wouldn't he? It wasn't as if Timaeus had left him food when Atem needed it and stayed hidden from there. Timaeus and Atem had spent time together, healing the gaping wound on his side and reversing the damage done.

Timaeus had been just as kind and patient with Atem as he had Yugi when they'd first met. He knew Timaeus was aware of his jealousy. He'd lost an eye, but he wasn't blind.

But he knew Atem felt similar whenever Yugi interacted with Jonouchi. As much as Yugi had tried to prevent it, he knew Atem felt that familiar ache of loneliness when they were around Jonouchi.

The Red-Eyes didn't like him and had no qualms making that apparent. Atem took it in stride, amused but also quick to withdraw so Yugi could spend time with him. The envy may not have been as apparent in Atem, but he knew the Sky Dragon felt Yugi's absence like a blow.

He'd seen the way Atem had looked as if he'd been scalded when Yugi ran off to speak to Jonouchi when they'd gone to the gathering in the Badlands the first time. Atem had seemed gutted for a moment before he'd left with Timaeus, and he'd seemed stunned when Yugi had appeared beside him later to protect him from his brothers.

Yugi pushed the thoughts aside. "I wonder why it wouldn't heal."

Timaeus shook his head. "It was the only wound I managed to inflict that wasn't superficial or appeared deep enough to cut bone but mended so easily. I think it has to do with the fact that the actual bone shattered."

Yugi shivered. "So, then he couldn't heal from a broken limb?" He felt oddly hopeful, eyes shooting to Atem. The Sky Dragon was staring at the clouds overhead as if they might somehow hold answers. "You think if you got your paws on him, you could break every bone in his body?"

Atem didn't look over, voice amused. "I suppose I could break a few. I doubt I wouldn't miss a couple," he chuckled. Then he paused and looked at Timaeus. "But he didn't heal in the midst of it, did he? He didn't try to change shape as you struck him, did he?"

Timaeus was quiet for a long moment. "No. He thought he'd forced me far back enough in my head that I wouldn't be able to lash out at him." He paused. "He kept…forcing me to relive a specific moment in my head. And when I recovered enough, I caught him off guard when I struck. He was too stunned to change in the middle of it."

Atem nodded. "He managed to move and shift at the last second when I tried to decapitate him. He figured out that changing in the middle of the attack means he'll survive to see the next."

Yugi felt as if he'd been struck. "Oh."

Atem glanced at him. "Nothing is ever so simple. Everyone adapts as they must," he commented, a reprimand for his naivety in believing it to be so simple, but his voice was softer and bordered gentleness. "But it is something to remember. If someone were to be fast enough to overwhelm him…"

A small bit of warmth found its way into his chest. Atem was fast enough. And he hit hard enough. Dimitri wouldn't stand a chance if he went up against him. There was no way he'd manage it. Yami had confirmed Yugi's suspicions before, and Yugi had a feeling even Dimitri would cower should he ever realize.

Or he'd decide to try even harder to kill Atem and devour his hearts.

Yugi bristled and tried to shake the chill that came through his bones, but found himself unable. His mouth had dried out and he felt as if he had been struck, his head reeling with the oncoming waves of panic.

"Yugi?"

He jerked, eyes snapping to Timaeus. The Knight Dragon had tilted his head, eyeing him in confusion, and Yugi felt stupid as he peered back. His hearts had begun to skip and he felt almost ill.

"Little one?" Atem murmured, staring in alarm. He shifted closer, head tilted, and stared in bewilderment. "Little gem?"

He exhaled shakily, then looked away. "I'm okay. It's… I'm okay." He shifted his weight and turned his head away when he felt their stares burning into his flesh. "Sorry. I just… I had a moment."

There was a long minute of silence and inaction. Yugi imagined them swapping looks, Timaeus puzzled and Atem frustrated. But a heartbeat more passed, and abruptly he felt Atem rub against him gently, just enough to tell him he was there if he wanted to lean on him. For a moment Yugi wavered, frustrated with himself that he'd worried Atem so much as to make him feel obligated to offer support, but it passed immediately. He burrowed into his side, unable to help himself, and exhaled shakily again.

What was he supposed to do if Dimitri really did prove to be so much worse a threat than initially thought?

What did he do if Atem was killed?

He'd hope Dimitri would eat him alive in turn if that happened, because he didn't think he wanted to live past it. Maybe he'd kill Dimitri for it and waste away after, but either way, Atem was his life. If something happened so irreparably…

But Yami had promised he would fix it, had he not? He'd said he would do everything in his power to fix the things he could and rework the future so as to prevent their deaths. He'd sworn his life on the matter, as much as Yugi hated to think of it.

But what did Yami plan to do to save himself?

Yugi looked over at Atem sideways, uncertain, and found himself almost trembling. Atem was watching him, though he remained facing Timaeus, and his brilliant eyes regarded him with concern. Yugi wanted to tell him he was okay, that it was a momentary lapse of judgment and he was sorry, but it faded. The impulse was gone almost immediately. He didn't know what to say to keep Atem from getting upset with him, so he held his tongue and accepted the limited comfort offered.

Atem's eyes snapped open from a dead sleep. Yugi startled, head raised from where he'd been watching him so intently. The Sky Dragon blinked a few times, startled, and rapidly got to his paws. He looked frenzied for a split second, and Yugi felt his insides burn with ice. He bristled fearfully, thinking then of Atem's behavior when Yami had shown him images of Timaeus to wake him. He shivered and got to his paws as well, flustered as Atem blinked and looked around cautiously. His head tipped slowly to the side and he blinked again, as if listening to something Yugi was not privy to.

"Yami?" he mouthed, eyes searching his rapidly.

Atem nodded slightly, then glanced at Timaeus and back. "Remain here," he snapped at the teal dragon who blinked back at him in alarm as well. He turned to Yugi. "Come."

He raced after him when he took off out the den. He could barely keep up as Atem launched himself into the air and took off so quickly Yugi could hardly keep his eyes on him.

"Atem," he pled when the Sky Dragon got too far ahead. The red male whipped around, diving and spiraling before hovering for him to catch up. Yugi felt guilt rush through him. "Go ahead if you have to. I can catch up with—"

"No, you'll remain at my side or go back to the den," Atem snapped in a tone that left no room for argument. But he didn't seem angry. He seemed frantic. When Yugi got closer, he whipped around and began speeding along again. Before Yugi could object once more, he dove and spun and hovered as he had prior. He waited, then took off again.

Yugi was so exhausted by the time they even seemed to near the Lightning Clan camp that he felt as if his wings might fall off. He landed heavily, panting, even as Atem tore forward and slammed into a shape. The two of them skidded, snarling and spitting. Atem dodged aside a split second later, and Yugi heard the whistle of claws ripping through the air.

"How did you come to find me?"

Yugi bristled and sprang forward, hearts racing. He peeked over the edge of the camp ledge and stared at the two circling forms. Atem stepped forward, then jerked back, and paced with a soft snarl. It took only a moment for his eyes to adjust properly. The dragon before Atem was the exact mirror of Timaeus, pacing and baring his sharp teeth. Each muscle rippled as he moved about and his snarl was loud and furious.

"I've got quite a few abilities," Atem snapped, and Yugi could hear the bluff in his voice. He could hear the uncertainty beneath the firmness of his words, as if he were trying to think and could not find the tone necessary. Yugi shifted his weight and looked toward where a few of the other dragons had come to poke their heads out.

"Foresight is not one of them," the Knight Dragon spat. "I know that much. My father always complained as to your uselessness for lack of."

"Amazing," the God Dragon dismissed. "I would never have guessed."

Yugi bristled as they paced about again. Dimitri didn't seem prompted to attack for the moment. Was he…waiting for something? Yugi shifted his weight as they continued circling. Atem made no move to lash out and his sibling showed restraint in refusing to attack as well. They circled, growling but never moving aside from pacing.

"So, are you ready to tell me your name this time?" Atem prompted.

"It won't matter soon enough. I'll eat your hearts and you'll never need know it."

"Dimitri then."

The Divine faltered a step, bristling and staring from Timaeus's face. "You insist you know. But you have yet to definitively name me."

"You're Dimitri," Atem said slowly, voice carrying just loud enough for Yugi to hear. "I know you are. Because you flinched when I bore my teeth. You were scared before and you're still afraid now."

"I fear nothing," he spat. "You waste your time, Atem. It doesn't matter if you stop me killing Akunadin now. The time you've wasted trying to stall me is enough to render you all but useless. The other three will be here soon enough. And I'll kill them and eat their hearts before I devour yours."

"You quiver like a leaf," the God Dragon returned. "And you watch me as if you're afraid to look away."

"Caution keeps one alive. Fear often costs it."

"Caution does not make one's limbs shake, Dimitri. Fear does. Admit to fearing me and you'll find yourself more capable later," he scoffed. Yugi bristled slightly, finding himself fearful then that Atem might be telling him more than he should. What happened if Dimitri took his words to heart and decided to confront his fear? What if he tried to eat Atem's hearts like he had threatened before? What if his threat came to fruition this time? "But don't worry. Your fear is justified. When I kill you, you can remember the feeling of ice in your veins as you suffer now."

They sprang at each other, and Dimitri veered off abruptly at the last second to dodge away. Atem turned midair, flipping himself so that he landed facing the other male. His tail lashed as they considered each other.

Yugi wondered abruptly if Yami had asked Atem to show up and keep him preoccupied. Did that mean Yami would come then to fight Dimitri himself? Or did it mean something else entirely? His stomach lurched as he peered down at them.

Don't let him make contact with you.

Yugi felt his head snap up, startled. Yami sounded frantic as well, as if he were struggling to keep his wits. Something had changed and moved forward. He wouldn't have been so panicked otherwise.

What does that mean? he demanded, flustered. Atem hadn't made any moves to attack and Dimitri seemed agitated, impatiently waiting for him to lunge. He twitched every other step, growling softly and then louder as time passed. How long until he lunged and Atem met him head on?

His power stems from physical contact.

Yugi blinked. Did that mean he just had to touch Atem and he'd be able to take on his form as well?

I don't know.

Yugi raised his head. Yami was closer. He could feel it somehow. It wasn't a signature and it wasn't as if he felt his aura. It was…instinct. Something inside of him curled with disbelief and then warmth. There. He saw him. The Divine had taken to crouching atop an outcrop far enough no one else would notice if they were not looking. He kept his eyes trained on Atem, but Yugi felt the splash of warmth in greeting.

Defensive, Atem. Keep him preoccupied. Do not let him make contact. Just ensure he's distracted.

Yugi watched Yami for a moment, then looked down. Atem dove beneath the leap, spinning around with every muscle pulled taut. Yugi could see the struggle not to lash out. Atem was listening to Yami, but he wanted to fight. He wanted to hurt Dimitri and kill him as quickly as possible.

He won't die today. Yami glanced at Yugi now. Every outcome says otherwise.

Yugi bristled. Why?

I don't know. Yami looked to Atem again. Things have changed again. He got stronger in just a matter of days, whereas he should have been hiding a while longer. I don't understand what's changed so much—

There was a moment of silence before Yami said, Yes, it was likely reprimand for my interference originally.

Yugi shivered. Yami was speaking to them both then.

Yes. Some things must happen without battle. Others must be prevented.

Atem dodged a blow and threw his sibling back. The Knight Dragon hit a neighboring ledge, buckled beneath his own weight for a split second, and struggled to find his breath. He got up, shaking himself, and spat, "How? Timaeus is heavier than you. He's stronger than you. What is your ability?"

Atem didn't respond but to lash his tail. "I don't know. You tell me. We'll find out if you're right after."

Yugi snorted despite himself. Yami smirked and shook his head. Dimitri let out an enraged snarl and launched himself. The Knight Dragon was inches from Atem when the Sky Dragon dodged aside again and twisted around as if he were a bead of water. They paced again and Dimitri bore his teeth furiously, thumping his tail and narrowing his eyes.

"I can't even sense it," Timaeus's voice roared. The teal male rushed forward and Atem stood motionless, peering back with glittering golden eyes. "Is it so ingrained or are you so detached that you have none?"

Atem watched him intently. Yugi couldn't see a scale twitch despite the fact his sibling wore the form of his best friend. Yugi wondered how detached he truly had to be to be capable of lashing out and considering battle. Sky Dragons were said to be so loyal they would never lay a claw on friend or family.

Yugi blinked. Atem had done that before, however. He'd been the one to take Timaeus's eye out, after all. He'd lashed out on accident but he'd still done it. He'd taken his eye out in a panic, but it had still happened. Atem had never hurt Yugi but for twice, one on accident and the other to force him to listen. He'd threatened to break his wings and legs and drag him down the mountain by his throat to keep him from freezing to death when Atem had determined they needed to move dens and Yugi fought him every inch of the way. He'd struck him when Yugi had tried to get past Atem and gone close to Yami's egg before he'd realized what Atem had been so fiercely protecting for nearly a moon.

Yugi wondered abruptly if Atem's abilities cut him off from the instinct to never turn a claw on their mate. Sky Dragons were considered the most loyal and protective species to exist, unable to raise a claw to their mates when they bonded…

They weren't Claimed.

Atem was so afraid of it that Yugi had not even thought about it in almost three years. Atem had asked more than once, testing him, but he'd never initiated it for any reason. It wasn't unusual for a Sky Dragon to ignore a Claim, however. It was usually for species more loosely bonded in order to keep the selected partner desired tied to them. Yugi himself didn't care if Atem initiated one or not; he had no plans to ever waver. Atem had been his dream from the moment he'd seen him at six moons. He had no desire whatsoever for another.

But…did the same apply to Atem?

The thought struck him harder than he'd thought it would.

Atem had said more than once he was grateful to have to lost to him rather than another. He'd told him he'd chosen to honor the courtship challenge despite Yugi's insecurities. But Atem had told him he loved him all of once, even if he showed it most often through body language and gentle words.

Yugi shivered and watched Atem dodge another strike. The God Dragon paced and dodged again when Dimitri hurtled himself forward. The impact would have likely winded the Sky Dragon had it managed to connect. Timaeus's form wavered for a single split second as he got up again, shaking himself out. Yugi saw dark blue scales and an electric blue flicker of color along the immense wings.

That was Dimitri for sure. Atem was correct.

And his certainty had caused Dimitri to waver just as it had before.

Yugi tilted his head. How long must he stall? I don't want him to get hurt.

Yami didn't answer him, because Yugi heard it then. His head snapped up and his eyes grew thrice their usual size. He bristled, uncertain and shocked, and backed up a few steps as he spotted the three of them.