As the three stepped out into the lantern-lit streets, the vendor's gaze followed them, but Morro's steady confidence made it clear they wouldn't be sticking around long enough to be cornered. With a subtle nod to his companions, Morro led them into the crowd, disappearing into the festival's vibrant chaos before the vendor could make a move.
The festival had transformed into something entirely new as night fell. Lanterns cast golden hues that shimmered through the crowd, their glow catching the swirling patterns of dragon effigies and the flowing robes of dancers. The music had grown livelier, filling the air with rhythmic beats that seemed to pulse through the square itself, inviting everyone to join the celebration. Magic thrived even more intensely now—whispers of shimmering light rippled across the open spaces, and glowing creatures darted playfully through the throng.
Morro led the way, his sage-and-emerald-green eyes gleaming with excitement as he glanced at the transformed festival. "Nighttime makes everything better," he declared, grinning widely. "This is next-level cool."
Yugi trailed just behind him, sticking close as his golden-and-violet glow flickered faintly with curiosity. "It's like the whole festival's woken up," he said, his voice carrying a sense of wonder. Even Yami, walking steadily beside Yugi, tilted his head slightly as his crimson gaze scanned the crowd. Though composed, his expression softened faintly at the sheer beauty of the scene.
But it didn't take long for the night to present its own challenges—chief among them, Morro's uncanny ability to attract vendors like moths to a flame. It started innocently enough, with one vendor approaching him with a tray of glowing fruits, offering samples with a wide grin. "For a dashing gentleman like yourself!" the vendor said enthusiastically.
Morro blinked, caught off guard but amused, as he took one of the shimmering fruits with a polite nod. "Uh, thanks?" he said hesitantly, passing it to Yugi when he noticed Yami's faint smirk.
Then another vendor appeared, holding up a dazzling scarf adorned with sparkling threads that shimmered like dragon scales. "This would suit you perfectly!" she exclaimed, draping the fabric over Morro's shoulders before he could protest.
Morro sighed but laughed, shrugging the scarf off gently. "I'm flattered, but—"
Before he could finish, another vendor arrived, presenting a tray of tiny glowing talismans. "Only for those blessed with the essence of the wind!" the vendor declared, clearly enchanted by Morro's aura.
Yugi watched in fascination as Morro quickly became a walking target for vendors, who flocked to him one after the other with magical wares, snacks, and handcrafted trinkets. "I don't think this is normal," Yugi whispered, grinning as he tried—and failed—not to laugh.
Yami, ever watchful, crossed his arms as his crimson gaze flickered with dry amusement. "It would appear," he said calmly, "that Morro has... a certain magnetism."
Morro threw his hands up in mock exasperation as yet another vendor approached, this one carrying an elaborate lantern shaped like a phoenix. "All right!" Morro exclaimed, laughing despite himself. "I get it—I'm charming! But we're trying to get lost, remember?"
That was the final straw. Without missing a beat, Morro plucked the satchel of coins from his shoulder, tossing a handful to the nearest vendor with his trademark grin. "Keep the change!" he called as he grabbed Yugi and Yami by the arms. "We're disappearing—now!"
The trio darted into the heart of the festival, weaving through the lively crowd as laughter bubbled behind them. Lanterns glowed overhead, casting their light on the strange procession, and the rhythmic music seemed to urge them forward. Vendors called out after Morro, but he kept his pace steady, determined to immerse themselves back into the anonymity of the festival's magic.
As they blended into the crowd again, Yugi chuckled softly. "I think the vendors love you, Morro," he teased, glancing at his newfound friend.
"And who wouldn't?" Morro replied with a wink, his sage-and-emerald-green eyes sparkling mischievously. "But for now, let's enjoy this festival without my entourage."
Even Yami let out a faint chuckle, his crimson gaze steady as the three of them disappeared into the vibrant festivities, ready to explore the wonders of the night.
As Morro led the trio deeper into the festival, his sharp eyes darting around for a quick escape from lingering vendors—and possibly unwanted attention—he suddenly stopped in his tracks. His sage-and-emerald-green eyes lit up as he spotted the perfect hiding spot: a row of empty fish barrels stacked neatly near the edge of a bustling food stall.
A sly grin spread across Morro's face as nostalgia tugged at the corners of his thoughts. "You see those barrels?" he said, pointing. "Back when I was a street orphan in Ninjago, those were my go-to hideouts. Nobody ever looked twice at a scruffy kid curled up inside a fish barrel."
Yugi glanced at the barrels, his golden-and-violet glow flickering faintly as he grimaced. "Fish residue and all?" he asked hesitantly, trying not to wrinkle his nose.
Morro shrugged, his grin widening. "Hey, when you're running from trouble—or just trying to stay invisible—you learn not to be picky. Besides, it's not so bad once you get used to it." He strode confidently toward the barrels, gesturing for Yugi and Yami to follow.
Yugi exchanged a wary glance with Yami, who nodded faintly, his crimson gaze steady as he murmured, "If it serves the purpose, Aibou, then we must use it to our advantage."
With a resigned sigh, Yugi followed Morro to the barrels. Morro climbed into one with ease, settling in as though he had done it a thousand times before—which he had. "Pick one," Morro said, his tone light but encouraging. "You'll thank me later when we blend in like pros."
Yugi hesitated, his nose twitching faintly at the lingering fish smell emanating from the barrels. But determined not to let Morro's confidence outshine him, he bravely climbed into a barrel, grimacing at the slimy residue clinging to the interior. "Well, at least it's cozy," he muttered, glancing at his spiky hair, which refused to cooperate. With a fleeting moment of genius—or desperation—he scooped up a bit of fish residue and smoothed it over his hair, trying his best to flatten the stubborn spikes.
Morro nearly fell out of his barrel laughing. "You did not just do that," he said between fits of laughter. "Yugi, I think you've officially earned barrel-residency status!"
Yugi groaned, shaking his head lightly as he gave Morro a playful glare. "Don't push it," he said, though even he couldn't suppress a small grin.
Yami climbed into a barrel with his usual calm and composed demeanor, inspecting the interior briefly before settling in with quiet ease. The fish residue didn't seem to bother him, though the faint twitch of his lips hinted at mild distaste. "A pragmatic solution," he said simply, his crimson gaze steady as he glanced at his companions.
With the trio tucked securely into their respective barrels, they blended seamlessly into the festival's chaotic backdrop. Vendors passed by without giving the barrels a second glance, and the rhythmic music of the night carried on undisturbed. Though unconventional, Morro's street-smart approach had proven effective once again—and the camaraderie that came with sharing this bizarre moment brought a welcome sense of unity.
As Yugi worked diligently with the residue from the fish barrel, he somehow managed to tame his famously spiky hair. Bit by bit, the stubborn strands flattened under his determined efforts. By the time he was done, his hair had transformed into something completely unrecognizable—a neat, subdued style that looked, frankly, like it belonged to someone else entirely.
Morro peeked out from his barrel to take a look at Yugi's new do, and for the first time in a while, he was genuinely speechless. "Okay, I take it back," Morro said, grinning wide. "You're not just a barrel resident—you're a barrel wizard. You look like a completely different person!"
Yugi huffed in mock indignation but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips. "Well, desperate times call for desperate measures," he said with a shrug. "No way that vendor's recognizing me now."
Yami, sitting calmly in his own barrel, observed the transformation with his usual composed air. After a moment, he reached up to his own hair—equally iconic in its wild, sharp angles—and thoughtfully ran his hands through it. Using a bit of the fish residue and a careful touch, he adjusted the shape and softened the sharp edges. When he finished, his hairstyle was still unmistakably his, but it had a slightly sleeker, more understated appearance—different enough to blend in with the crowd while still carrying the dignity befitting a former Pharaoh.
Morro stifled a laugh, leaning out of his barrel again to give Yami an appraising look. "Well, well," he said, his sage-and-emerald-green eyes twinkling with mischief. "The Pharaoh goes incognito. Not bad, not bad at all."
Yami offered him a faint smirk, his crimson gaze calm but carrying a hint of humor. "Adaptation is a skill of survival," he replied smoothly. "Though I suspect your methods are more... practiced."
"Hey, when you've been on the streets as long as I was, you learn a thing or two," Morro replied with a grin. "Anyway, with your new looks, that vendor wouldn't recognize you two if he bumped into you face-first."
Yugi chuckled softly, running a hand through his temporarily flattened hair. "I just hope this doesn't last too long," he muttered, though his tone was warm. "I kind of miss my usual look."
Yami inclined his head slightly, his tone calm yet reassuring. "Your true self remains unchanged, Aibou," he said. "This is simply... strategy."
As the trio settled deeper into their barrels, the lively sounds of the festival slowly began to fade into the distance. The soft glow of lanterns overhead cast a warm, flickering light, creating an almost lulling ambiance. Yugi, feeling the weight of the day catching up to him, tucked the Millennium Puzzle securely under his shirt, his arms wrapping protectively around it. The gesture was instinctive, a quiet assurance that it would remain safe while they rested.
Morro, leaning against the inner curve of his barrel, let out a long, content sigh as he allowed himself to relax fully. His sage-and-emerald-green eyes fluttered closed, and a faint grin tugged at his lips as memories of the day's adventure danced in his mind. Yami, ever vigilant, kept his crimson gaze focused on the surroundings for a few moments longer before his composure softened. Even he could not deny the weariness tugging at him, and soon he too allowed himself to drift into a light but restful slumber.
As if sensing the trio's need for comfort, the magic of the festival seemed to respond in an unspoken, gentle way. The lantern light above shimmered briefly, and a faint, almost imperceptible hum echoed through the air. Slowly, soft blankets, woven with an ethereal, glowing thread, materialized out of the very atmosphere. They draped over each of the three snugly, cocooning them in warmth and security. The fabric shimmered faintly with patterns reminiscent of the dragons and mythical creatures celebrated in the festival, their presence soothing and protective.
Even the Millennium Puzzle, ever-attuned to the bond between Yugi and Yami, seemed to react to the festival's magic. Both versions of the Puzzle, as if guided by unseen hands, began to shrink gently and effortlessly until they were pocket-sized—small enough to be inconspicuous but still carrying their undeniable aura of power. Nestled safely under Yugi's shirt and within Yami's possession, the Puzzles seemed to hum faintly in unison, their connection to each other and their guardians unbroken.
The night deepened, and the trio remained undisturbed, their breathing soft and steady as they rested. The festival's magic, alive and benevolent, seemed to protect them like a watchful guardian, ensuring their peace amidst the bustling world just beyond their barrels. It was a moment of rare serenity—a reminder that even amidst chaos and uncertainty, magic could offer solace and connection.
Meanwhile, back at the main square, the rest of the group found themselves growing more and more perplexed. Silbón, flickering faintly with restless energy, scanned the bustling crowd with narrowed eyes. "Okay," he muttered, his tone tinged with annoyance, "they've been gone for way too long. How hard is it to pay a bill and come back?"
Jirii, standing on tiptoes to get a better view above the heads of festivalgoers, sighed and crossed his arms. "Knowing Morro, Yugi, and Yami? They probably found something shiny and got sidetracked," he quipped, though the faint concern in his sapphire-blue eyes betrayed his lighthearted tone.
Zeph, ever the calm presence, leaned casually against a nearby pole adorned with glowing dragon motifs. "Or they're avoiding someone," he said dryly, his stormy-green energy rippling faintly. "You saw how weird Yugi and Yami were acting earlier. Something's up."
The group fanned out slightly, wandering the edges of the square in search of their missing companions, but the festival's increasing energy and the thickening crowds didn't make things easy. The rhythmic music was louder now, the swirling dancers more vibrant and entrancing, and glowing magical creatures darted playfully through the streets, creating an almost dizzying array of distractions.
Silbón groaned, throwing his hands up in frustration. "They could at least leave a trail or something," he said, glancing at a glowing wisp that zipped by his head. "I don't know—drop a glowing noodle or two!"
Jirii snorted, laughing despite himself. "Glowing noodles? Yeah, because that wouldn't get eaten in half a second."
As they regrouped, Zeph's sharp eyes caught the faint glimmer of lantern light reflecting off something metallic. He stepped closer, frowning slightly. "Wait—are those... barrels?" he murmured, motioning for the others to follow. "Over there."
The three hurried to the row of barrels near the edge of the festival square, exchanging skeptical glances. Silbón crouched down, inspecting one of the barrels suspiciously. "Please tell me they didn't..." he started, before leaning in and sniffing. He recoiled instantly, gagging dramatically. "Oh no, they did. This smells like fish!"
Jirii burst out laughing, his sapphire-blue eyes sparkling with amusement. "Are you telling me they hid in fish barrels? That's... so gross—and so Morro."
Zeph smirked faintly, crossing his arms as he glanced at the other barrels. "Well, at least it explains why we haven't found them. Smart move, really."
Despite their best efforts, the barrels appeared empty—likely abandoned as Morro, Yugi, and Yami had already slipped further into the crowd. The faint traces of fish residue were the only clues left behind, and Silbón groaned in defeat as he straightened up. "Great," he muttered. "They've gone full stealth mode. We're never finding them in this chaos."
Jirii patted him on the shoulder with a grin. "Relax," he said. "They'll turn up eventually. Probably laughing about how clever they were."
Zeph nodded, his stormy-green energy rippling faintly. "Let's not worry too much. They know what they're doing. And if they don't? Well, Morro's stubborn enough to figure it out."
The group lingered for a moment longer before deciding to give their missing companions the benefit of the doubt. The festival carried on around them, vibrant and alive, while the three barrels stood quietly as the only testament to their friends' brief and bizarre escape.
As the first rays of dawn began to filter through the faintly glowing lanterns of the festival, Yugi stirred within his fish barrel, blinking sleepily as he stretched. The air was cool and calm now, a sharp contrast to the bustling energy of the night before. Yawning softly, Yugi glanced over to Yami, who was already awake, his crimson eyes alert despite his composed demeanor.
Yugi shifted slightly, the Puzzle still tucked safely under his shirt, before looking toward Morro's barrel. That's when he noticed something unusual—Morro, who was typically the first to spring into action, was still asleep. Not just asleep, but deeply so, his sage-and-emerald-green energy unusually still, his breathing soft and steady. At first, Yugi thought nothing of it, chalking it up to the fatigue from the day before. But when Yami stepped closer to inspect, his expression hardened faintly.
"Aibou," Yami murmured, his voice low and measured, "this is not the rest of an ordinary sleep. Something feels... off." His crimson gaze lingered on Morro, and there was a subtle edge of concern in his tone.
Yugi frowned, leaning in closer as he brushed some stray hair from Morro's face. "You're right," he said softly, his golden-and-violet glow flickering with worry. "He doesn't look sick, but he's... not waking up either. What do we do?"
Without hesitation, Yami crouched down and gently lifted Morro onto his back, the movement careful and deliberate. Despite his slim frame, Yami carried the sleeping Elemental Master with ease, his strength rooted in both his spirit and his resolve. "We will find help," Yami said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "Someone in this festival must know what this means."
Yugi nodded quickly, his own nervous energy propelling him forward as they slipped away from the barrels and back into the waking festival. Despite their urgency, a faint fishy smell lingered around them, a not-so-subtle reminder of their hiding spot from the previous night.
As they moved through the soft glow of the festival's early morning, some of the magical creatures and vendors from the night before were still present, though their pace was slower now, as though the festival itself was waking with them. Lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting warm light over the cobblestone paths.
Yugi glanced worriedly at Morro's still form, then at Yami's composed yet determined expression. "Do you think it's the festival's magic?" Yugi whispered, glancing around at the subtle glow that seemed to linger everywhere. "Maybe it... did something to him?"
Yami didn't answer immediately, his focus remaining on the path ahead. "It is possible," he said after a moment, his tone thoughtful. "The energy of this place is potent—and unpredictable. But we will find someone who knows more."
The scent of fish wasn't doing them any favors as they drew occasional curious glances from passersby. Yet, despite their bedraggled appearance and the peculiar situation, the festival's gentle magic still carried a sense of hope. Yugi tightened his grip on the Puzzle under his shirt, silently willing Morro to wake up as they continued their search for answers.
