Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 11; Separate Journey’s! Skull’s Lair ( Chapter 11 )

Note: The idea for the Summoned Skulls in this chapter was inspired by Yami Goku's story Yu-Gi-Oh! Jii (Rated X on the Mediaminer.org site.)

 

Battle Stage 11: Separate Journey's! Skull's Lair

 

The tarp on the stained glass windows dropped illuminating the main area once again; Anzu swallowed finally seeing the grave stone engraved with Yuugi's name. Yuugi patted Anzu's hand following her eye line, “Come on, let's get out of here.”

 

Kozuka growled, “Very well…” He pressed a button on the pulpit and the steel plate locking them in retracted. Yuugi and Anzu left quickly, the outside environment had grown almost pitch black with a heavy fog that reached above Yuugi's waist and Anzu's hips. Anzu shivered, “Man, it's cold out here.”

 

Yuugi nodded, “Let's go back to the Duellist Centre for the night.”

 

Anzu smiled seductively, “Whatever you say Yuugi-kun.”

 

Yuugi blushed crimson; Anzu laughed and ruffled his hair before setting off down the hill. Yuugi scrambled to catch up his mind swimming slightly with the information he'd absorbed in the previous few minutes. One burning question was on his mind, “Anzu, did you mean what you said back in the gym?”

 

Anzu turned to Yuugi placing her hands on his shoulders looking directly into Yuugi's eyes, “I meant every word.” Said Anzu leaning down to kiss him on the cheek Yuugi smiled blushing, a harsh wind swept the area, Yuugi frowned.

 

Anzu stood looking around, “What's wrong?”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “I'm not sure, we should get going though.”

 

Anzu nodded and started walking again; as Yuugi resumed walking he felt a looming dark presence behind him. Yuugi spun around and met the blood red eyes of a Summoned Skull, its white teeth gleamed as its eyes narrowed viciously.

 

“Anzu, look…!” Yuugi began to yell, the Summoned Skull's eyes widened as it slashed down at Yuugi throwing him back into the ground.

 

“YUUGI!”

 

Anzu attempted to rush to Yuugi's side; however the Summoned Skull rose into the air. Anzu screamed as the Summoned Skull swooped over her grabbing Anzu by her shoulders. Anzu screamed and struggled as the Summoned Skull rose higher into the air beating its powerful amethyst wings.

 

Yuugi got to his feet grasping his shoulder as his hand was coated with blood. “Hold on Anzu, I'll rescue you!” Yuugi yelled unsheathing his deck from the pouch on his belt. However before Yuugi could draw his cards two more Summoned Skull's appeared out of the darkness slamming him back into the ground.

 

“YUUGI! YUUGI GET UP!” Anzu yelled as the three Summoned Skull's flew off with Anzu in tow. She watched Yuugi's prone figure disappeared into the fog.

 

Yuugi moaned back to consciousness a few minutes later gripping his head, “An-Anzu…” Yuugi whispered struggling to even sit up. Yuugi's blurred vision began to clear and he looked around, his heart sank not seeing Anzu anywhere in sight. Yuugi's head snapped around hearing a female scream in the distance. Yuugi knew it wasn't Anzu; however the thought of Anzu in danger spurred him to stand up.

 

“Whoa, bad idea…” Yuugi whispered as everything began to spin around him. Yuugi stumbled back to lean against the pillar of the entrance to the gym, the bile rising in his throat. Yuugi's hand went to the back of his head and frowned feeling moistness. He knew what it meant, he didn't care, Anzu was in danger and Yuugi loved her, he was going to save her.

 

Yuugi began walking down the fog caked path. Every few steps Yuugi stumbled, his head throbbed and his vision blurred every so often. Yuugi knew he could lose consciousness at anytime, he stayed upright spurred by the thoughts of Anzu, he refused to let her down especially now. Yuugi staggered and stumbled through the mist, back to the town of Hel. The streets were still empty as he struggled the last few feet to the Duellist Centre.

 

The doors of the Duellist Centre opened catching the notice of Hitomi, “Hello, welcome to…” Hitomi stopped cold seeing Yuugi at the door, his eyes half closed and his breathing ragged. Blood from the back of his head had soaked his hair and was dripping onto his shoulders, the blood from the shoulder and head wounds had mixed and was running down his arm dripping from the tips of his fingers onto the floor.

 

Yuugi half smiled, “Could I ask, a little help…” He asked before slumping onto the floor unconscious.

 

“Yuugi!” Hitomi exclaimed rushing to his side.

 

Yuugi moaned bringing his hand to his head as regained consciousness later, Yuugi opened his eyes. As his vision cleared Yuugi found himself in the Duellist Centre clinic. Yuugi heard voices filtering through the ajar door to the hallway behind the main entrance.

 

“I need your help, please.” A deep male voice pleaded.

 

“I would like to help you, but it's very late…” Hitomi responded letting her voice trail off.

 

“I know that, but they took my girlfriend!”

 

“Who Mr. King?”

 

“The Summoned Skull's!”

 

At this point Yuugi almost leapt from the examination table, the room spun as Yuugi stumbled, almost slamming into the door. Yuugi lent against the door breathing hard, as the conversation resumed. As Yuugi staggered out into the lobby he saw Hitomi standing with a tall brunette man with brown eyes in a black trench coat with a black shirt and jeans.

 

“I understand you're concerned Mr King, but I can't let you go out to hunt the Summoned Skulls.”

 

“Why the hell not?”

 

“The Summoned Skulls are dangerous creatures; I can't let you search alone.”

 

“He won't be alone, I'll go with him.” Yuugi supporting himself against the wall.

 

“Yuugi! You shouldn't be up and around.” Hitomi protested taking Yuugi's arm.

 

He shrugged Hitomi off, “I'm fine.”

 

Hitomi shook her head, “You're not at all fine, you have a cracked skull and a concussion. It may not be serious now, but if you don't rest, it could turn very serious.”

 

Yuugi scowled, “I don't… damn it Hitomi the Summoned Skulls took Anzu I have to find her!”

 

Hitomi frowned, “Yugi, you need…”

 

“Ms Hitomi, I'll keep an eye on him. We have the same goal.”

 

Hitomi frowned again, “That's fine, but I'm not letting you two go alone. I'm going as well.”

 

Yuugi's eye lit up, “Let's get going.”

 

Meanwhile Anzu brought her knees closer to her chest as a stiff wind blew through the cave. She opened her eyes a crack to see what was going on.

 

The stiff wind that had just blown through the damp cave was a Summoned Skull. In its hind claws it was holding a striking young woman with long crimson hair, aqua marine eyes, sizable bust, slim waist and long legs dressed in blue jeans, a red singlet and a black leather jacket. The Summoned Skull dropped the girl near Téa and flew over to the assembled Skulls.

 

The girl looked around, the eyes of at least ten frightened girls were watching as she stood up, “Hey, ugly freaks!” She yelled, the Summoned Skulls eyes turned slightly towards her. “Yeah, I'm talking to you, what are you doing with us? What's the big idea of kidnapping us?”

 

One of the Summoned Skulls appeared to scowl, Anzu's eyes widened, “Look out!” She yelled it came almost to late as the Summoned Skull left its feet and flew at the girl, she ducked, but one of its large amethyst wings still clipped her. The girl flew backwards a distance before Anzu caught her in her arms; the two stumbled and fell to the ground as the Summoned Skull watched with glee.

 

Anzu growled, “Hey, what the hell do you want with us anyway, tell me?!”

 

The Summoned Skull's answer was short and succinct, “Mating.” It growled.

 

Anzu recoiled, “M-mating! Are you kidding?”

 

The Summoned Skull cackled, “No.”

 

The two men stood in the entrance of the Duellist Centre waiting for Hitomi. Yuugi lent against the reception desk watching his companion pace back and forth. Yuugi jumped as his companion stopped dead and spun around to face him.

 

“My apologies, I haven't introduced myself, my names Nicholas King.” He said extending his hand for Yuugi to shake.

 

Yuugi accepted his hand and blinked, “The Australian Intercontinental Champion?”

 

Nicholas smiled, “The same.”

 

Yuugi returned the smile, “Hi, I'm Yuugi Mutou.”

 

This time Nick blinked, “The World Champion?”

 

Yuugi flushed red, “Yeah, I guess I am.”

 

“I'm honoured.”

 

Yuugi nodded, “Thanks Nicholas.”

 

He raised his hand, “Please, my friends call me Nick.”

 

Yuugi nodded and the two went silent for a minute, “The girl the Summoned Skull took…”

 

“Anzu.” Yuugi relayed.

 

Nick nodded, “Is she your…?”

 

“Is she… Oh.” Yuugi blushed, “Oh, no she's not.”

 

Nick studied his face, “Sure.”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “Who did they take from you?”

 

Nick looked towards the entrance, “My girlfriend Renee, I couldn't do anything they just swarmed us…”

 

Yuugi nodded, “I know the feeling.”

 

Anzu knelt on the ground beside the girl that had been clipped by one of the Summoned Skull clan. As Anzu brushed some of the girl's hair from her face she stirred. The girls aqua marine eyes fluttered open to find herself face to face with Anzu who smiled, “It's good you're finally awake.”

 

The girl sat up and looked around then back to Anzu, “Who are you?”

 

“My names Anzu, I got taken by one of the Summoned Skull's as well.” She explained.

 

The girl nodded, “I'm Renee, my boyfriend and I were on our way to the gym in Hel.”

 

“Something similar happened to me, but we'd just come from the gym.”

 

“You were with your boyfriend?”

 

Anzu blushed, “Uh, no-not exactly…”

 

Renee studied Anzu's face and smiled, “Uh huh, ok, so, do you know why they've kidnapped all of us?”

 

Anzu blushed, “Yeah, they want to mate with us…”

 

Renee's smile dropped away, “You're not serious!”

 

“I wish I wasn't…”

 

“WHAT KIND OF SICK FIENDS HAVE KIDNAPPED US!!!?”

 

“Summoned Skulls.” Anzu replied.

 

Renee anime fell, “Thanks…”

 

After waiting a few more minutes Hitomi came out dressed in black slacks, a cream coloured tank top and navy blue jacket with black hiking boots, “I'm ready.”

 

“Let's go.” The two boys said in unison turning to leave. Hitomi sighed and walked out of the Duellist Centre activating a hologram to watch over the Centre while she was away. As she ventured outside she found Yuugi and Nick waiting for her, Yuugi stepped forward, “Ms. Hitomi, do you know where the Summoned Skull clan would be?”

 

Hitomi shook her head, “No, however we can track them.” She said taking a red PDA from her jacket opening the flap. Yuugi raised an eyebrow to Nick who shrugged. “Uh, Hitomi, what is that?”

 

“It's a DMT a Duel Monsters Tracker, it tracks all Duel Monsters in the immediate vicinity, and it distinguishes between the holographic and live Duel Monsters.”

 

“Will it find the clan?” Nick asked impatiently.

 

Hitomi frowned, “Let's find out.”

 

The three went silent as the DMT beeped several times, then chimed, “Well?”

 

Well, it hasn't given us an exact location, but it did give us a direction to go on.” Hitomi responded pointing north to the mountain range beyond the church.

 

Even before Hitomi had finished speaking Yuugi and Nick had started walking again, Hitomi sighed and followed. As they approached the hill Nick spoke, “Where's the gym, I haven't seen any sign of it since I entered the town.”

 

Yuugi indicated to the top of the hill, “It's up there.”

 

“Behind the church?”

 

“It is the church.”

 

Yuugi raised an eyebrow, “I swear, it's true.” Yuugi responded.

 

“Any advice on how to duel there?”

 

Yuugi nodded, “Carefully.”

 

The three walked around the base of the hill to the far side. Yuugi, Nick and Hitomi were faced with a half kilometre wide valley of trees that separated them from the mountain range where the DMT indicated the Summoned Skull clan was located. As they walked through the valley Hitomi spoke, “Have you two eaten today?”

 

Nick and Yuugi turned around, however before they could speak their stomaches growled quite loudly. Yuugi and Nick sweat dropped as Hitomi sighed, “Let's have something to eat, you two will be useless to the girls if you collapse from hunger.”

 

Hitomi set up a stove for cooking while Yuugi searched for wood and Nick dragged several logs back to Hitomi's location, “I've got wood.” Yuugi proclaimed proudly returning with several branches of various sizes. Yuugi snapped several of the branches and placed them under the pot Hitomi had strung up.

 

As Hitomi cooked Nick looked to Yuugi, “So, what's Anzu like?” He asked illuminated by the flames.

 

Yuugi blinked, “Uh, well…” He smiled, “Anzu's sweet, funny, smart, she loves her friends and would do anything to protect them.”

 

“Beautiful?”

 

Yuugi blushed, “Incredibly, Anzu's face is her best feature, I love Anzu's eyes, I could get lost in them for hours…”

 

Yuugi's face went completely red as Nick and Hitomi sat watching him smiling, “She must be a very special girl.”

 

Yuugi nodded continuing to blush, “She is to me.”

 

Hitomi smiled recalling the conversation she'd had with Anzu earlier in the day. They ate for a while before Yuugi spoke, “What's your girlfriend like?”

 

Nick placed the spoon back on the plate and smiled, “Renee.” Nick said taking his wallet out of his trench coat opening it handing Yuugi a photo. The photo was of Nick and a striking young woman with cascading crimson hair and sparkling aqua marine eyes, Yuugi smiled, “She's really attractive.” Yuugi said handing the picture back.

 

Nick smiled nodding, “I know, her beauty matches her temperament, she's a bit of a hot head, but if she weren't life wouldn't be as interesting.”

 

Yuugi returned the smile, “I knew someone like that once, an extremely beautiful blonde, she was a great duellist, but she had a heck of a temperament.”

 

Nick nodded and looked to Hitomi, “Can we go?”

 

Hitomi nodded, a few minutes later they were back on the trail to the mountain range. Nick walked beside Yuugi, “So this blonde, you knew her well?”

 

Yuugi blushed, “Ah, I'm… she's a friend.”

 

“So, you didn't know her as well as you wanted?”

 

Yuugi's cheeks went pinker, “Uh, what's with all these questions?”

 

“I'm… trying to keep my mind off what could be happening to Renee.”

 

Yuugi went quiet in response, a short time later the three arrived at the base of the mountain range, the path became rockier and rougher as they climbed through the narrow track. They reached a point in the path where the track fell off into a ledge, they edged along the precipice until they reached another small path that was up against the mountain side. The three gathered at base of the path. Nick and Yuugi looked to Hitomi who was once again checking the DMT.

 

Hitomi folded the tracker and looked up at them, “It's close, this path should get us near the entrance to their encampment.”

 

Yuugi nodded, “Let's go.”

 

Renee and Anzu sat with their back to the wall of the cave. Anzu had her eyes closed while Renee kept watch. Anzu's head began to droop, as her head dropped Anzu woke from her doze. Renee glanced over, “Good sleep?”

 

Anzu sighed, “I was just thinking about Yuugi…”

 

Renee blinked, “Yuugi, Mutou…?”

 

Anzu nodded, “We're travelling together.”

 

“You're travelling with the World Champion…”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Renee shook her head as Anzu looked around the cave, the rest of the girls were cowering near Renee and herself. Several Summoned Skulls hung from the roof like Bats. Anzu looked around the cave a second time paying close attention to the shadows. She could have sworn they were being watched, but she couldn't really tell. Suddenly Anzu and Renee cupped their hands over their ears as a piercing shriek shattered the silence of the cave. Several Summoned Skulls opened their eyes and spread their wings and descended from the ceiling, Renee and Anzu huddled together as a strong current was kicked up by the Summoned Skulls decent.

 

One Skull stepped forward, his crimson eyes examined all of the girls, they shrank away from it, with the exception of Anzu and Renee who stared back with steely defiance. It grinned exposing its sharp teeth. “Her.” It growled pointing to Anzu, she shook her head furiously crawling away from the Summoned Skulls as quickly as she could. However before she'd gotten three feet a Summoned Skull grabbed Anzu's leg dragging her back towards it. Anzu screamed and flailed about trying to kick the Summoned Skull away from her. Renee wanted to help, but the stares of seven other Skulls kept her bolted to the ground.

 

The Skull picked Anzu off the floor and cackled, “A perfect specimen for mating!” The Skull exclaimed using its claws to tear away Anzu's shirt, as the claw was about to slash Anzu's denim shorts…

 

“Buster Blader ATTACK!!!” A familiar voice yelled, out of the darkness a Buster Blader (Earth/Warrior/Effect/7 ATK/2600 DEF/2300) attacked the Summoned Skull, it dropped Anzu to the ground as it began to wrestle with the Warrior Sub-type. The Skull was quickly overcome by the Blader's superior attack.

 

Anzu smiled seeing Yuugi leap out of the darkness running towards her, Anzu wrapped her arms around him, “I knew you'd come.”

 

Yuugi smiled, “I'd never leave you behind.”

 

Anzu's smile widened as she pulled away, she blinked though noticing Yuugi's deeply crimson face, his eyes had drifted from her face to a point several inches below. Anzu followed Yuugi's vision to her chest. She gaped realizing that Summoned Skull's shedding of her shirt had exposed Anzu's pink silk bra. Anzu blushed magenta crossing her arms over her chest which snapped Yuugi out of his trance as he continued to blush, “Sorry Anzu.” He said giving Anzu his jacket.

 

Renee looked at them jealously, she wondered where her boyfriend could be. As she wondered, she felt a hand on her shoulder, Renee reacted immediately throwing the hand off her shoulder spinning around to hit the person behind her. Before Renee could connect a smiling Nick caught the punch. “Nick!” She exclaimed happily, then smacked him over the back of the head, “Took you long enough.”

 

Nick rubbed the back of his head, “Good to see you too…”

 

Anzu and Yuugi stood, out of the darkness the two heard the trademark growls of several Summoned Skulls, they backed away towards Nick and Renee and the four backed off towards the entrance of the cave. At the last second Nick's eyes widened, before he could warn anyone a Summoned Skull flew from the rafters, the beat of its powerful wings created a strong current that threw the four off their feet. As Nick attempted to regain his feet, a Summoned Skull soared towards him locking its claws around Nick's shoulders for a moment lifting him off his feet throwing Nick into the wall with a great deal of force.

 

A Summoned Skull flew head long towards Yuugi who was ready to fight, just as the Summoned Skull was to run over Yuugi, “Enough.” A voice ordered.

 

The Summoned Skull stopped just short of Yuugi and flew back into the rafters of the cave. Renee was tending to a semi-conscious Nick as Yuugi stood looking around, “Who's there?”

 

Out of the shadows walked a pale blue skinned man with fangs protruding from his smiling mouth, Yuugi frowned, “Vampire Lord (Dark/Zombie/Effect/5 ATK/2000 DEF/1700).”

 

It smiled, “I am pleased to meet you, however, I must ask you to leave.”

 

Yuugi nodded, “Ok, we'll just take these girls with us.”

 

“I'm afraid I can't let you do that, you and your friend can go, but the women must stay.”

 

“No, we're all going.”

 

The Vampire Lord's smile faulted slightly, “Unfortunately, my friends here are quite eager to mate with these girls, particularly you friend there.” Vampire Lord explained indicating to Anzu, she shrunk away slightly as Yuugi shifted himself in front of her.

 

“No way in hell!”

 

“I'm afraid I must insist.” Said Vampire Lord sweeping out his hand. As if responding to his will the shadows like curtains contracted to unveil a red haired woman kneeling on the ground, her eyes were half closed and glassy, her cream tank top was partly torn as were her black slacks.

 

Yuugi's eyes widened, “HITOMI! What did you do to her?”

 

Vampire Lord smirked, “Nothing, yet.”

 

Yuugi frowned, they'd left Hitomi at the entrance to the cave, the Summoned Skulls Yuugi deduced must have captured her after they'd entered. Yuugi looked around at the Summoned Skulls, “Why are you all listening to this thing, don't you see he's using you!”

 

Vampire Lord smiled, “Don't waste your breath, they're not smart enough to understand.”

 

Yuugi frowned, “What does that mean?”

 

“They do what I tell them, they're not intelligent enough to comprehend what's going on. They're an inferior species.”

 

Yuugi scowled, “How very plantation owner of you.”

 

The Vampire Lord raised an eyebrow in slight confusion before shaking its head, “I think it's time for you to go.”

 

Yuugi looked from Anzu to Hitomi and frowned, “No.”

 

“Be careful, you would not want your friend Hitomi hurt now would you?”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “I'm not leaving anyone here with you and the Summoned Skulls.”

 

Vampire Lord frowned, “I'm afraid that you have no choice.”

 

Vampire Lord emitted a piercing shriek, Yuugi and Anzu covered their ears as a second piercing shriek echoed through the cave in seeming response to the first. Out of the floor burst a purple muscle bound monster, it's webbed wings were spread, it landed behind the now smirking Vampire Lord.

 

Yuugi swallowed, “Vampire Genesis (Dark/Zombie/Effect/8 ATK/3000 DEF/2100)…”

 

Vampire Lord pointed to Yuugi, “ATTACK!”

 

Vampire Genesis swooped towards Yuugi, he pushed Anzu to one side as he dodged the first strike. Yuugi backed away as the Summoned Skulls watched with interest. The sheer bulk of Vampire Genesis's frame blocked all Yugi's escape routes. The Vampire Genesis bared its teeth in a grin.

 

“YUUGI!!!” Anzu screamed as the Vampire Genesis attacked.

 

Suddenly a bright light overwhelmed the entire area. As the light died Anzu looked up, Vampire Genesis had stopped cold, it's massive frame blocked Anzu from seeing what had happened to Yuugi. As if in answer to Anzu's unasked question, the towering Vampire Genesis toppled over, standing next to a relieved looking Yuugi was Silent Magician LV8 (Light/Spellcaster/Effect/8 ATK/3500 DEF/1000).

 

“We're going to leave now!” Yuugi said menacingly.

 

Vampire Lord's eyes widened looking desperately around at the Summoned Skulls who were simply idling. “What are you doing! Get them!” Vampire Lord yelled.

 

Yuugi looked around at the Summoned Skulls, “Can't you see it, he's using you, you're his muscle, nothing more!”

 

The Summoned Skulls remained stationary looking to one another silently, “What are you doing! You stupid freaks don't listen to him, kill them!”

 

The Summoned Skulls rose into the air, Vampire Lord smiled for a moment before it realized they were coming after him. Before Vampire Lord could react the Summoned Skulls were on him, Anzu felt nauseous and looked away hiding her face behind Yuugi as the Summoned Skulls descended like vultures on Vampire Lord ripping it to pieces, blood coating the walls.

 

Anzu grasped Yuugi's shoulder not wanting to look, “Is-is it over?”

 

The Summoned Skulls looked up from their feast of Vampire Lord to Yuugi, Anzu, Renee and the still semi-conscious Nick. Yuugi swallowed, “Ah… Not quite…”

 

Anzu looked up to stare into the eyes of several Summoned Skulls, she squeaked and squeezed Yuugi's shoulder tightly, “Yuugi…”

 

A Summoned Skull flew over their heads to Hitomi, Yuugi leapt to his feet, “Hey! Leave her alone!”

 

The Summoned Skull ignored Yuugi and grabbed Hitomi's shoulder lifting Hitomi to her feet, its eyes glowed as she gasped back to life. Hitomi's eyes came to life for a moment before her face became slack. The Summoned Skull gently returned Hitomi to the ground as Anzu held onto Yuugi's shoulders, “What did you do to her?” Yuugi yelled.

 

“I, did, nothing, to, her…” It responded, “She, will, be, fine…”

 

“Why should I believe you?” Yuugi spat back.

 

The Summoned Skull picked Hitomi up gently and carried her over to Yuugi. As Summoned Skull placed Hitomi on the ground, Yuugi rushed to her side gathering Hitomi in his arms, “What do you want from us?”

 

“To, leave…”

 

Yuugi blinked, “W-what?”

 

“You, have, done, enough, leave, now!”

 

Yuugi nodded and put his arm around Hitomi's waist, “Everyone, lets go.” Yuugi ordered, the assembled girls nodded and began to move.

 

The Summoned Skull growled, “They, stay.”

 

Yuugi scowled and handed Hitomi off to Anzu, “No they don't.” Yuugi spat turning to Anzu and Renee who was helping Nick, “You two take the other girls and go.”

 

“No!” The Summoned Skull yelled loudly.

 

“Yuugi…” Anzu spoke fearfully, Yuugi frowned, “Go!”

 

The two girls nodded and helped Nick and a now almost conscious Hitomi to the opening of the cave as the rest of the girls followed. The Summoned Skulls cried out flying towards Yuugi. He slammed his duel disk onto his arm and drew a card, “You're fortunate, you're about to see my secret weapon, GO…!”

 

Hitomi, Renee, Anzu and Nick were halfway down the path waiting for Yuugi. As Hitomi wrapped a bandage around Nick's head, a flash of dark light came from the cave. Moments later Yuugi emerged from the cave, his clothes ruffled. Anzu ran up and enveloped him. Hitomi and Renee smiled seeing Yuugi's blushing face underneath Anzu.

 

Renee looked over to Nick and Hitomi, “How is he?”

 

Hitomi patted Nick's shoulder, “He's going to have a hell of a headache, but he'll be fine after a goodnights sleep.”

 

“That's good to hear.” Yuugi said coming down the path with Anzu, “Let's get out of here.”

 

Renee and Hitomi nodded and helped Nick back up. The group made their way back to the Duellist Centre, by they time they'd arrived back it was late. Yuugi and Nick went into their wing as the girls went into theirs.

 

The next morning most of the female duellists who'd been captured by the Summoned Skulls had decided to leave the Shuba region. Mid morning Yuugi Anzu, Nick and Renee were standing with Hitomi outside the Duellist Centre. Hitomi was the first to speak, “Thank you both, those girls would not be free if it weren't for the two of you.”

 

Nick smiled, “It was all Yuugi.”

 

Yuugi flushed, “I didn't do that much.”

 

Hitomi smiled, “Before I forget, this Yuugi.” Hitomi said taking a DMT out of her pocket, “Is for you, it is your reward for winning the gym badge of Hel.”

 

Yuugi accepted the Duel Monster Tracker gratefully, “Thank you Hitomi, this will come in handy.”

 

Nick smiled and extended his hand, “It was a pleasure to meet you Yuugi.”

 

Yuugi accepted Nick's hand, “Good luck at the gym.”

 

Nick nodded, “Thanks, good luck with your own journey.”

 

The girls hugged and said their goodbyes. As they walked away Yuugi looked up and around, Anzu raised an eyebrow, “What's wrong Yuugi?”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “I just got the feeling we were being watched…”

 

Anzu laughed, “You're paranoid Yuugi.”

 

Above them watching, a dark being smiled as they left Hel, “You've been hiding things, even from me…”

 

To Be Continued…