Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Dragon Rising ❯ Chapter Ten ( Chapter 10 )

In which an old friend returnsand it is discovered that Yugi is a gentleman

 

“Surely you're joking,” Neera said, staring incredulously as her brother's messenger grinned in his mocking way and bowed.

 

“Surely, I'm not,” the demigod replied, “You see, it's to teach the young dragon and his friends to control their blunder of a time with Shadow magic. Since you're the first goddess with a hand in death, it is only logical that you speak with the mortal gods.”

 

“Don't toy with me, Orfeo. You know as well as any that I dislike those two. They're so…”

 

“Noble?”

 

“Yes. Noble. Very much like my sister. It's disgusting.”

 

“I quite agree.”

 

Neera sighed and leaned back, absently petting the hyena that'd plunked its head on her lap. “Oh, very well,” she said at last, “I suppose I could speak with them. That elf rarely asks anything of us, so it is really little trouble. And since you and my brother asked so nicely.” She eyed Orfeo critically, “You had better keep your word, Trickster. If you are not there to guide him back, even Zurek will not defend you from me.”

 

“Of course not,” he replied smoothly with another bow, “I only wish to please your ladyship.”

 

She snorted and waved a hand in dismissal, “Be gone then. Tell my little brother it will be done. And make sure he knows that he ought to come visit me soon. A face beside Loren's will be welcome.”

 

With a final impish smirk and low, overly dramatic bow, the messenger to the god of fire turned smartly and strode from the cavern, vanishing just as he cleared the doorway.

 

Neera rolled her eyes and muttered about the demigod's audacious personality before patting the hyena's head a final time. “Let me up, my lovelies,” she crooned to the serpents and spiders around her. “And look after the hall, pretty one,” she added to the hyena, kissing the canine's spotted, coarse head. It cackled in agreement as she rose and made her way from the chamber to meet with the young gods of the humans.

 

Alianna finished sketching the circle with chalk and picked up a bowl of sand and began tracing another circle around the first. “Why, again, are we summoning two?” a taller, older male elf inquired. His skin, unlike his daughter's, had gone pale with centuries of walking along the sunless paths of death, a stark contrast to his still vibrant, lustrous red hair that fell to his shoulders.

 

She met her father's gaze, which was a shade or two lighter than hers but still had flecks of gold. “Because one is their friend who will gladly teach them and I highly doubt the other one will let him out of her sight, now that they have been reunited,” she replied. He quirked an eyebrow at her, “I doubt they will want true resurrection. Even if they do, I doubt I will be able to, because that will take many, many gods who are willing to let it happen and a great deal of magic.”

 

“Which you could do. Luckily for all of us, though, I just plan on giving them the option of walking in the living world if they so like as corporeal apparitions.”

 

“I let you read too many of my books and come with me on too many jobs.”

 

“Perhaps. But the good effect of that is that I know we can bring them back as that and not simply undead things.”

 

“Speaking of which, did you know there was an infestation of zombie gnolls in your archery room?”

 

Alianna, now sketching runes in a dark liquid, paused. “I could've sworn I'd set wards to prevent magic seeping into them. And I could've sworn I'd set guardians to clear out the mess once Tea was done.”

 

“There were guardians, but no wards, little cub. You didn't have Drizzt check afterwards to catch your mistakes, did you?”

 

She smiled sheepishly, “But I had my loving sire happily show up in time to get rid of them…right?”

 

“The next time, you can handle the mess.”

 

“Thank you, Papa.”

 

He rolled his eyes and came over from the small table holding an open book and a collection of already used bowls and their contents. “How is it coming along?”

 

“One more and we're…done,” she replied, rising and setting the bowl on the table. “Now, all we need is the go ahead from Orfeo and we should be all set.”

 

There was a loud pop accompanied by a vibrant puff of bright pink smoke. The demigod's head appeared, grinning very much like the scoundrel he was. “The way is clear. Sunny and bird boy took some convincing, but Anubis agreed readily enough,” the head informed them.

 

Alianna's father frowned at the head, “Thank you for the bit of information we didn't need. Now pop your head back on and let's get on with this.”

 

“Right you are.”

 

With another pop, this time accompanied by a vermillion puff of smoke, the head disappeared.

 

Alianna walked to the other side of the circle so she stood facing her father, “Ready?” The elder elf looked at his daughter, “Of course I am. Let's get on with it.”

 

“Okay…”

 

“Alianna.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Set your wards.”

 

“Oh. Right. Thank you.”

 

She took a moment to set the magical wards around her in place before glancing at her father and grinning, “Sorry.”

 

“Hm.”

 

“I'm ready now.”

 

He inclined his head and removed a bell from the bandolier lying across his chest. “Go,” he told her and began ringing the bell in a rhythmic figure eight motion. Alianna tipped a glittering powder into her hands and began to chant, the incantation staying in sync with the sound of the bell.

 

The circle before them began to glow faintly and a small whirlwind rose up from the center. Alianna finished her incantation and blew the powder over the circle, where it was picked up by the wind. A second bell, removed from the bandolier with one hand during the middle of the incantation, was tossed to her with a smooth gesture. She caught it, hand inside to silence the clapper, then tossed it in the air, catching it by the smooth cherry-wood handle and beginning to ring it in contrast to her father's bell but still oddly in tune.

 

The glow intensified and the wind picked up, kicking the circle of sand up into it and extinguishing the candles on the table. The glow steadied into a pale light and a portal opened inside the circle of runes.

 

Out climbed a tall, lithe man with long, pointed ears pierced multiple times. His dual colored eyes, one as blue and cold as ice and the other as warm and shifting as liquid amber, looked at the two elves and he winked. “Have fun,” he said with an ironic salute before disappearing. It was another moment or two before two other forms were brought up, floating on some unseen force as they stood back to back.

 

Now Alianna tossed the bell back to her father, who caught it and replaced it in the bandolier along with his as she grabbed another handful of powder and began to chant quickly. Just before the two being's feet touched the opened portal, she blew the powder over the floor and the glow snuffed out. The wind vanished and the candles lit again as the two beings, now seen as a human male with tanned skin and a well built frame and an elven woman, who had dark, waving tresses and elegant curves, slumped to the floor.

 

“That worked rather well,” she said as her father crouched by the two beings to give them a quick check over. “They're asleep,” he said after a moment. He gently shook their shoulders, “Your Majesties. Lord, Lady?” They stirred and shifted as they came to. Their eyes blinked open and fell on the two elves who crouched by them. “Hello,” Alianna said, “To answer your questions, yes, you've been in the realms of the dead. Yes, we have brought you back, but only as corporeal apparitions. And yes, we do have a reason.”

 

“So, if you'll come with me and my daughter, we'll fill you in and explain everything.”

 

 

Yugi awoke, feeling refreshed and wide awake. So refreshed and awake, in fact, that he failed to notice the blanket tangled round his foot and fell flat on his face when he tried to get out of bed. “Bloody Mondays,” he growled in his new voice, which he was becoming accustomed to hearing. He untangled his foot and climbed to his feet, still growling and feeling altogether irritable and wanting nothing more than to mutilate something small and squeaky. He stalked out of his room and found that his irritability went up when he saw how disgustingly cheerful the two elves were. “Bloody mornings,” he growled and proceeded to bang about in the kitchen as he heated water and added tea.

 

“Yugi?”

 

Now what?

 

He turned and looked at Alianna, who must've seen his mood on his face and in his eyes. “We have someone to teach you Shadow magic,” she said. He rolled his eyes and turned back to making his tea, which he added honey and milk to before stalking out into the living room, passing her in the doorway. “Just what I need. More bloody teachers to teach me more bloody—” He stopped and stared.

 

He rubbed his eyes and blinked several times.

 

The scene in front of him was something his still somewhat shut-down mind was having trouble grasping first thing on a Monday morning.

 

Atem sat on the couch next to a dark haired elven woman, both of them wearing modern clothes. Atem wore slacks and classically shined black dress shoes and a turtleneck sweater that hugged his well formed torso under a blazer. The elf wore a black skirt with a high slit with dress sandals and a white tank top under a sheer silver-gray short-sleeved blouse.

 

Both looked quite comfortable, sitting as they were with steaming tea cups on the table in front of them as they leaned over an open book as Drizzt pointed out different things and explained the answers to any questions presented.

 

“I'm going back to bed,” Yugi told Alianna, who promptly caught him and turned him back into the living room. “No, you're not,” she informed him, “My father and I went through a lot of trouble to get these two here to teach you, so you'd better pay attention. He's up!”

 

Drizzt grinned and excused himself, now that Alianna had come in. Atem and the elf woman looked up and smiled. The ancient king rose to greet his young friend and embraced him before holding him out at arms length. “You've grown,” he said with a companionable yet teasing grin, which Yugi found himself returning. “Blame her,” he replied, pointing at Alianna, “She's the paranoid freak who won't eat or drink anything from this world.”

 

“I don't blame her,” the new elf said, “If the little hints I'm picking up are even close, I'd rather starve.”

 

Atem grinned and turned so he could introduce the two. “Mystique, this is Yugi, the boy I told you about. Yugi, this is Mystique,” Yugi raised an eyebrow as he caught the unsaid part of the sentence. “Your…?” he prompted, a slowly widening grin starting on his face. Atem flushed faintly and rolled his eyes, “My wife.”

 

“I knew it.”

 

“Quiet, you.”

 

Yugi grinned and took Mystique's hand as she offered it, “Nice to meet you.”

 

“You as well,” she replied before looking at Alianna. “So, I know I'm going to be helping Atem teach him Shadow magic, but I can see a job I just found for myself.”

 

“Beware,” Atem whispered to Yugi as Alianna cocked her head at the other woman.

 

Mystique turned her smiling gaze from Alianna to Yugi. “Etiquette. Court Etiquette,” she said. Yugi's eyes widened and he felt his stomach clench. Atem chuckled quietly, “Like I said. Beware.”

 

“Court Etiquette?” Alianna echoed in confusion, looking baffled for the first time in the while Yugi had known her. “But I don't plan on him being in any court…I don't see why he would want to be.”

 

“Which is why I will teach him. Someone has to, because he might end up there one day. Besides, are his friends Marina and Caspian not schooled in the same art?”

 

“Well, yes, but that's different…”

 

“How? Considering whom his father is?”

 

“Well, I mean if he's like Deirdre…”

 

“And what about if he meets a girl, hmm? She won't want some ragamuffin.”

 

“I don't think he's concerned about that…”

 

“`He' is not concerned about any of that,” Yugi interrupted irately, “One, because `he' is focused on learning magic and martial abilities and two, because `he,' frankly, does not give a damn.”

 

Alianna bit her lip as Mystique first looked at Yugi, then at the laughing Atem. “You know, he sounds just like someone else I knew. And look where that someone is now,” she said dryly.

 

“Yes. Dead,” Atem replied, unable to keep the grin off his face.

 

Drizzt, walking in and hearing the last bit of the exchange, choked on the orange juice he was drinking and began to laugh and cough at the same time.

 

Mystique eyed her husband warningly before looking back at Yugi. “You'll learn anyway. And to make it easier on you, so will your friends,” she said, “And I mean everything. Dancing, speaking, behavior for dinner parties, everything.” Yugi, suddenly envisioning Joey and Tristan dancing, flinched and smiled uneasily, “Are you sure that's a good idea?”

 

“Trust me,” the dark haired elf replied, “By the time I'm done with them, no one will know you weren't born nobles.”

 

“You do realize the gravity of that statement about Joey and Tristan, don't you?” Atem asked, looking skeptical.

 

“I taught you, didn't I?”

 

“Touché.”

 

Yugi looked at Alianna and Drizzt, “They're really my teachers?”

 

They nodded.

 

“I hate you so much right now.”

 

They only smiled and went to answer the door, behind which were undoubtedly the other three students of Shadow magic and etiquette.

 

Shakespeare was not something a typical person would enjoy, let alone memorize without really meaning to. Yugi, as he discovered after nearly over a month of lessons on Shadow magic with Atem and his wife and the same amount of time with etiquette and such related lessons from Mystique, was one of those atypical people who not only enjoyed the Bard but memorized passages without meaning to. He was working on the third act of Much Ado About Nothing when he was interrupted by an exasperated oath from Mystique.

 

“No, no, no, Joey. You're hand should on or near your partner's shoulder blade, not their waist. It is a formal party. If your partner isn't an intimate person to you, then you should not be intimate.”

 

“But its just the waist!”

 

“Which is near the small of the back, a place for a lover's touch and it is near the ass!”

 

Yugi raised an eyebrow as he watched Mystique place Joey's hand on Tea's shoulder blade and drape the young woman's arm over Joey's. “And be ready to use your muscles. You are not only leading, but you are in charge of your partner's comfort. Your arms should give her a safe place to relax, a place to lean on. She is your world.”

 

“Never mind that she could crush my skull with her hands.”

 

CRACK.

 

“Ow!”

 

Tea glared at him as Mystique sighed then pulled Atem from his place leaning against the couch, which, like all the other furniture in the living room, was pushed back to make room for dancing. “Like this, Joey,” she said as she placed a hand on Atem's shoulder and the other in his. Atem had his hand just under her shoulder blade, his arm supporting hers and his other hand holding Mystique's in a gentle clasp. “See? Your partner is a delicate being made of the finest glass. One misstep and she will shatter. Get it?” Mystique continued.

 

Joey sighed heavily and copied their teachers, taking Tea's hand in his and supporting her arm. “That will do,” Mystique said, stepping away from her husband and turning the stereo on. Strauss slid out in a smooth, gentle stream, as the Blue Danube began playing. “Now, the waltz. Remember, one, two, three, one, two, three…”

 

Yugi, watching his friend, cringed yet again. While it was true both Joey and Tristan had improved considerably, they both were still…awkward. It was a little painful to watch.

 

“No. No, Joey, stop,” Mystique turned the music off and pinched the bridge of her nose as she sighed. “Alright, what's going on? You know the steps, you know how to lead, what's the problem?”

 

Tea crossed her arms over her chest and sighed, a weary, slightly bored look on her face.

 

“I dunno. I mean, I guess its just cause…well, it's Tea…”

 

“What's that supposed to mean?!” the Amazon demanded, whirling.

 

The psion cringed and inched away, “Nothin'! It's just that it would help if I was dancin' wit a girl—”

 

“What am I, chopped liver?!”

 

“Gah! That's not what I meant! I mean, it's just that she's one of my best buds and…I dunno!”

 

Mystique sighed heavily, as did Atem, who had sat on the couch and propped his chin in his hand. Yugi, rolling his eyes and grumbling under his breath, shut Shakespeare with a snap and got up. “You're looking at it wrong, Joey,” he said as he walked to them. “You shut out the part that says she's just `Tea', don't hit me, Tea, and you look at her like she's the only woman on earth.” He took Tea's hand and slid his other onto her shoulder, “Besides, if you know them, then it's easier anyway, because they don't care if you mess up. Mysti, music, please?”

 

The stereo clicked on again and Yugi began to lead Tea in slow, graceful circles. “And you don't look at your feet,” he continued telling his friend, staring into Tea's eyes, “You look at her, and only her, because she's the only woman on earth and you care about her more than anything else.”

 

Mystique sat on the arm of the couch by Atem, stereo remote in hand and watched the three teens. “Uh-oh. He's a natural,” she said out of the corner of her mouth. “It would appear so,” he replied. “I suppose it's a good thing he's as considerate as he is, otherwise we'd have a problematic heartbreaker on our hands,” she added as an afterthought. “Most likely,” he agreed.

 

The music ended and Yugi bowed as Tea curtsied. “See!” Mystique said, jumping up, “That is exactly what I'm talking about!”

 

“So, how do you do that?” Joey muttered to Yugi.

 

“Just look at her like the friend she is, that will help get rid of any nervousness. Then just pretend she's the only woman on the planet,” Yugi muttered back.

 

“Right. Thanks, Yug.”

 

“No problem. And don't step on her feet. Listen to the music.”

 

“Gotcha.”

 

By the end of the afternoon, Joey was dancing splendidly, followed by a similar occurrence with Tristan, who also ended up performing quite well. “Good enough for today. Tomorrow, you get to learn specific court dances,” Mystique said. Everyone groaned and she glared, “Keep that up, and you'll learn poise at the exact same time. That means dancing with a book on your head. And if it falls once…We'll spend all day on which fork to use for which course.” That straightened everyone's attitude at once. Mystique smiled, “Good. You're free to go.”

 

The four teens rushed from the room, Joey and Tristan horsing around and Tea scolding them to be careful.

 

Atem looked at his wife and raised an eyebrow, “You're serious about that threat?” She smiled at him and patted his cheek. “Oh, Atem,” she crooned, “You, above all people, should know that I never threaten. I only promise.” She kissed his cheek and pulled him up from the couch, “Now help me put this furniture back so Solomon won't fuss.”

 

The two began to put the living room back in order, their conversation turning towards exploring the city later on, when everyone else went to sleep. In fact, they were so focused on their task and talk that they missed the small sliver of blackness that crept away from the shadows at the corner of the room and squiggled through a tiny dark portal that shut as soon as it passed through.

 

****

 

Just two little notes:

 

I know I said no Atem, but once again, a reader inspired an idea without really meaning to, I think, so here he is. Also, Mystique is also a character that I made, and I thought that Atem, now that he has his memories back and all that good stuff, would have had a wife, so I figured, hey, it's a fantasy fic, let's have some fun, so he got an elvish sorceress. Anyway, I don't they'll play large parts in this fic, but Yugi needed someone to teach him how to control the Shadow magic that has leeched into him. Hope you're enjoying things so far!

 

Also, just to clear up any possible confusion, Orfeo is one of the gods I didn't mention in the last chapter. He's a demigod, meaning he's not as powerful as most but more powerful than some, and has the domains of tricksters and scoundrels of all types. He is also the most trusted servant and messenger of the Fire god Zurek.

 

Once again, if you have any ideas or questions, feel free to send me a message. Thanks for reading!