Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Duellist League ❯ Battle Stage 34: Re-Union! Hell's Awakening ( Chapter 34 )

Author's Note: Thanks to DJ Rodriguez for reviewing. If anyone's interested the writing of this is now into it's final 20 chapters with the page count approaching 500.

 

Battle Stage 34: Re-Union! Hell's Awakening

 

Yuugi Mutou leaned back in the seat on the helicopter that was flying him from the research facility back to the underground duelling stadium. As he watched the ground pass under him, the pilot glanced back, “Carlstrom gave me instructions to pick up your friends and fly you to the next gym.”

 

“Thanks…” Yuugi responded hitting the armrest several times before tapping the glass, “Do you have any liquor?”

 

The pilot nodded, “Under the seat, it's brandy so…” The pilot began but Yuugi cut in, “Remember to warm it first to bring out the flavour I know, my Grandfather drinks brandy.” Yuugi explained pulling the container out from under the seat with a glass and a lighter. Pouring himself a brandy Yuugi cupped the glass, taking small sips resting his head on the back of the seat letting the liquor sear the back of his throat. Yuugi eventually replaced the liquor under his seat slipping the lighter inside his jacket.

 

“It would appear that our true enemy has yet to reveal himself.” Yuugi muttered as the helicopter made its final approach to the stadium. Yuugi finished the brandy taking a stick of gum a pack in his coat as the helicopter touched down. Yuugi opened the door turning to the pilot, “I'll be back soon with my friends.” Yuugi explained stepping out walking into the stadium.

 

The scene Yuugi was confronted with in the stadium was remarkably different to the one he left three hours previous. When he left the stadium had been quiet, almost empty. Now Yuugi was confronted with a bustling deconstruction crew pulling apart the interior of the building and loading it into crates.

 

Yuugi ran through the building to the locker room where he found his friends awaiting him. Jyoonouchi looked to the ceiling shaking his head, “Finally, where the hell have you been?” Yuugi gave him a reproachful look, “Busy finding a doctor to remove your head from your ass.”

 

“Yuugi.” Anzu scolded him sharply, Yuugi glanced to Anzu but said nothing rather he addressed the entire group, “A helicopter is waiting to take us out of here, shall we go?”

 

The group blinked in confusion, Serenity raised her hand, “Yuugi, where did you get a helicopter?”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “It's a long story, it's just a one shot deal, they'll take us where we need to go.”

 

“This would be Erebus, its one of the two gyms you have yet to visit.” Amy explained leaning against a wall, Seto raised an eyebrow, “Where's the other gym?”

 

“Later, can we go?” Yuugi cut in impatiently, Jyoonouchi's eyes narrowed, “Sure Yug, something wrong?”

 

Yuugi shuffled from side to side scratching his head, “No, I just want to get going…”

 

Jou threw a side glance to Anzu who shrugged, “Ok Yug, lead on.” Jyoonouchi responded hearing Yuugi breath a “finally” turning to leave when Amy cleared her throat, the group turned, “I have some things to do…” Amy explained with a small frown, “And?” Kaiba asked curtly earning a glare from both Amy and Anzu before Amy continued, “I can't go with you to Erebus.”

 

Anzu looked to the floor, “Amy, this doesn't have anything to do with what we talked about earlier?” Amy smiled stroking her face, “No, I just need some time on my own to clear my head. Everything around this group happens so quickly its difficult to have time to think.”

 

“Tell me about it…” Yuugi responded rubbing his temple. The group made its way through corridors towards the exit, as they approached the doors Amy grabbed Yuugi's arm, “A moment?”

 

Yuugi nodded allowing the others to step out before Amy spoke, “He's dead?” Yuugi nodded, “Sorry, how did you know?”

 

“The helicopter was a giveaway.” Amy responded, “I knew James for three years he knew a lot he shouldn't have and involved himself in secrets, whatever he found it must have been important.”

 

“It was, for lots of reasons.” Yuugi responded, Amy nodded, “I had a feeling.”

 

Yuugi fell silent for a few moments before speaking again, “If you're not coming with us how are you getting out of here?”

 

Amy held up a set of keys and smiled slightly, “I lifted James's spare set yesterday, he always said have a plan b.”

 

Yuugi smiled, “It's a good tip.” He responded opening the door, the wind was being wiped around by the rotors. Yuugi ran to the helicopter as the group, except Kaiba waved good bye to Amy as she sprinted to James's car.

 

As the helicopter rose into the air the tarp began to drop around the stadium revealing the titanium skeleton beneath. The stadium shrank in the window as the helicopter sped towards the city of Erebus. Serenity unbuckled her belt and scurried over to perch herself on Yuugi's lap, Yuugi blushed not daring to look at Anzu who refused to look in their direction as Serenity nuzzled and licked his neck.

 

As he flew the chopper the pilot glanced back, “Even if I can land in Erebus tonight the gym will be closed, you sure you want to land there tonight?”

 

The group looked between each other with the exception of Anzu who stubbornly gazed out the window. Kaiba nodded a silent agreement and spoke, “Take us to Oceanos, we can walk from there.”

 

The pilot nodded, “You're the boss.” He responded adjusting his heading. As the moon ascended the sky the helicopter set down on the docks of Oceanos letting the group out shaking Yuugi's hand before taking off again.

 

Once the helicopter was gone the group followed Kaiba to the ocean blue marble Duellist Centre near the landing site. Entering the centre the group were greeted by Hitomi who sullenly glared at Kaiba issuing the group room keys. As Hitomi led the group upstairs Serenity lifted another key from the desk before climbing the stairs after her friends.

 

After Hitomi directed the group to their rooms she excused herself downstairs back to her desk. Once she was gone Serenity grabbed Yuugi's hand dragging him down a corridor. Pulling Yuugi into a room Serenity locked it sitting Yuugi down on the end of a bed, Yuugi looked into Serenity's hungry eyes, “Serenity we…”

 

Serenity placed her fingers on his lips unbuttoning her shirt with her other hand, “Yuugi, don't deny me…” She begged mounting him pulling her shirt away revealing the bare flesh beneath. Yuugi licked his lips the fight with his hormones was over in seconds, Serenity pushed Yuugi onto the bed pulling his pants open grinning.

 

Meanwhile Anzu, Jyoonouchi, Seto and Mai assembled in the boys dorm examining a small hologram of the Shuba region. Anzu shifted uncomfortably as the map focused on Erebus, “Is there any way we can avoid going to Erebus, I hated it the first time we went there.”

 

Seto shook his head, “No, we're too fare from the other city, it would take us two days at least to get there, probably three.”

 

“Terrific, I'll tell Yuugi.” Anzu replied walking out of the room. Kaiba shook his head looking to Mai. “She'll never learn…”

 

Anzu tracked the corridor around until she found the room Serenity had commandeered for her and Yuugi earlier. Before she could knock though Anzu heard moaning from within, placing her ear to the door she listened to what she quickly realized was her Yuugi moaning to the pleasure of another woman. Anzu allowed her hand to drop, walking away.

 

Anzu walked out onto the balcony sighing. Anzu was again lost in self doubt wondering if she could ever become lost in the warm embrace of her beloved or if she had already lost him to another woman… girl. Serenity was a girl not yet a woman, not like Anzu who had already blossomed into a matured woman even though she was only eighteen. Anzu wasn't sure if that's what Yuugi wanted, he seemed content with what his relationship with Serenity gave him. Maybe Anzu decided walking back into the centre, a relationship with her was a game Yuugi didn't want to risk playing.

 

As moonlight streamed through the windows, Yuugi lay in bed, his body half covered by Serenity's naked body, the other by a sheet. Yuugi's eyes drifted over Serenity's illuminated in the half light, he'd succumbed to her wiles once again letting his hormones think for him rather than retaining a semblance of self restraint. However Yuugi was forced to admit, when she wanted to Serenity could be difficult to deny.

 

Yuugi rose to sit in the bed, he could feel Serenity stir beside him, her hands caressing his body. Yuugi intertwined his fingers with hers his eyes betraying the uncertain soul within. Yuugi closed his eyes as Serenity to wrap her arms around him kissing his neck, she paused for a moment, “Yuugi, what's wrong baby?”

 

Yuugi shook his head, “Nothing Serenity, I'm ok.” Yuugi responded back into the bed, Serenity lay back resting her head on his shoulder smiling, “Yuugi, tell me you love me.” She whispered snuggling into his frame. Yuugi remained silent, his eyes wandering away from Serenity, her hand took his chin gently bringing him to eye level, “Please Yuugi, I just like hearing you say it.”

 

Yuugi took her hand in his kissing the back of it gently, “Do I need to say it?”

 

Serenity frowned moving to lay on top of Yuugi watching him silently, `You may love Anzu now, but I'll make you forget her and love me, whatever it takes…' She thought grinding her body against his sliding down Yuugi's body to resume her seduction of his body and soul deep into the night.

 

Morning arrived to a darkened overcast sky, rain once again threatened to fall in sheets. In the café Anzu watched the clouds silently, stirring her coffee. Looking up Anzu found herself staring into Yuugi's tender Amethyst orbs. Yuugi smiled, “Can I sit?”

 

Anzu shrugged, “Sure.” She responded quietly bringing the cup to her lips as Yuugi sat. He watched her sip coffee in silence for several minutes before speaking, “Are you ok?”

 

“Yeah, I'm fine… I'm, I'm glad you're happy with Serenity, you look good together.” Anzu responded leaving the table, Yuugi turned in his seat, “Anzu?”

 

Anzu slowed momentarily but resumed walking, before Yuugi could walk after her Serenity sat down forcing Yuugi to remain, he frowned watching Anzu disappear into the centre, `Damn it Anzu… couldn't you have talked to me…'

 

A short time later the group assembled at the entrance of the centre. Serenity hung on yuugi while Anzu refused to look at them. Yuugi sighed allowing Kaiba to lead them out of the city into the rolling fields between Oceanos/Hel/Bellerophon and Erebus. Unlike the original journey from Erebus that was filled with an air of excitement and spirit of adventure, the journey back was a morose trek of silence. Mai and Kaiba occasionally glanced at each other frowning. Serenity continued to hold Yuugi's hand as they walked. Jyoonouchi walked beside Anzu, he debated talking to her but he judged Anzu's disposition as a hitting mood so Jyoonouchi decided to air on the side of caution and remained silent.

 

After walking for an hour and a half the group arrived at the lip of the volcano, the group looked between each other before Yuugi spoke, “Once more into the breech dear friends?”

 

The group nodded and gingerly descended into the mouth of the volcano. Mist quickly gathered around their feet, the heat from the recently erupted volcano nearby volcano also rose around them. A combination of sweat from heat and exersion coated their faces, the overcast skies sealed in the humidity.

 

Walking further into the volcano's mouth the mist thickened obscuring their legs up to their knees. Yuugi who'd stepped up to lead the group into the volcano had stopped turning to face the others, “What's wrong?” Mai asked watching Yuugi's eyes scan the area around them, “I… don't know… its like, we're being… watched…” Yuugi slurred staggering under his own weight before collapsing.

 

“Yuugi!” Anzu yelled running towards him, mid-stride she lost her balance collapsing to the ground. Jyoonouchi covered his mouth and nose attempting to wade through the mist to his sister who had collapsed beside Yuugi. He struggled to stay conscious while his vision darkened and blurred but his will was overwhelmed by the strength of the mist, falling unconscious on the warm ashened soil.

 

Kaiba's eyes widened watching the group collapse around him, he staggered backwards covering his mouth and nose with a cloth trying to find Mai in the mist as he slowly lost the feeling in his limbs. He heard Mai's voice fall away as he dropped to his knees, Kaiba's body finally gave out and he collapsed. As the darkness took him Kaiba couldn't help but wonder why a pair of boots had appeared before his blurred vision.

 

Yuugi fell to the ashened soil, his wounds and the mist overwhelming his battered body. As the took hold he heard a deep cold laugh in the distance.

 

Yuugi's eyes snapped open to a dark featureless landscape, scrambling to his feet he found himself alone, his friends no where in sight. He was about to call to them when a distorted voice cut in, “Don't bother, they won't hear you.”

 

Yuugi spun around, “Why, what have you done with them?”

 

His question was greeted with another cold laugh, “Nothing, yet, you're unconscious, I felt this would be a perfect opportunity for us to have an uninterrupted conversation.”

 

Yuugi scanned the area for the voice, “About?”

 

“Your future.”

 

Yuugi cocked his head, “My future, well, you've peeked my interest, but, I don't want to just talk to an empty vista why don't you show yourself so we can talk face to face?”

 

The voice was silent for several moments, “As you wish.” It responded eventually, the darkness became distorted as an entrance appeared behind Yuugi, he spun around again finding himself face to hood with a black robed man. Yuugi sighed, “There are colours other than black you realize, have you ever considered, pastels?”

 

The robed man smirked, “No, but I'll take it under advisement.”

 

Yuugi smirked, “I'm sure, now you said something about my future?”

 

The robed man smiled walking away from Yuugi slightly, “You have a unique opportunity Yuugi Mutou, you can choose the path to your future.” He explained turning to face him moving his left hand out, “On one hand you can continue on your current path, a road that guarantees you misery and pain.”

 

“Or?” Yuugi asked disdainfully.

 

The robed man extended his right hand, “Or, you could take the logical path, the path that will make you rich and powerful beyond your imagining. You can join me and together we can re-shape the world.” The robed man explained, the eagerness explicit in his voice.

 

Yuugi blinked, “Come again?”

 

The robed man laughed, “The shadows are hungry Yuugi and the stupidity of humanity is driving this world to the brink. We could save the world, freeing humanity from its plundering mistakes and arcane ideas of nationalism. The times of nations is passed, we can free the world to fix its problems without the mess of bureaucracy getting in the way. The shadow realm gives us options no one else has, a bloodless revolution and the dawn of a new age. Then you can prove to Anzu once and for all you're deserving of her love, aren't these things you desire?” He asked placing his hands on Yuugi's shoulders from behind.

 

Yuugi turned his head to the side, “Yes, they're things… I want.” Yuugi's hand clenched as the robed man squeezed his shoulders whispering in Yuugi's ears, sending shivers up his spine, “Then join me, fulfil your every dream and desire, more than that, re-shape the world in your image and leave it a better place than when you arrived. We can do that, together.” The robed man enthused extending his hand to Yuugi's eye level.

 

Yuugi considered the hand before him weighing what it meant, could he really accept this offer and change the world. Yuugi was tempted both by the robed man's words and presence. Even though it was heavily distorted Yuugi could almost place it, it was so familiar he could almost taste it and Yuugi found the voice, enticing.

 

“I… I'll…” Yuugi began, but before he could finish thoughts of Anzu and his other friends filled his mind. He could guess how they would feel if he went from tame friendly duellist to conqueror. He was sure he'd never convince them, they would work against him and he would be forced to destroy the friends he loved, and, “I can't do it…” Yuugi said finishing he thought aloud escaping the robed man's grip.

 

The robed man scowled, “Think about this Yuugi, don't throw it away, don't choose the wrong path…”

 

Yuugi smiled, “I'm not, I know what the right path is, it's the one where my friends walk it with me.”

 

The robed man shook his head, “Very well, I thought you were smarter than this, but obviously I was wrong, as you wish. Soon you'll understand what the price of your path truly is.” As he finished speaking the robed man snapped his fingers causing Yuugi to drop to the ground unconscious the robed man fading from view.

 

Yuugi groaned bringing his hand to his face regaining consciousness finding himself staring into Anzu's azure orbs. He smiled resting his head back into Anzu's lap, “Hi, how long…?”

 

“A while, you and Kaiba got hit the worst, he came around just now as well, Mai woke up first.” Anzu responded cutting into Yuugi's question helping him into a sitting position. They were gathered around the two either sitting or standing. Serenity stood apart from them glaring a hole through Anzu. Yuugi shook his head ignoring it for the moment.

 

It was at this time that Yuugi noticed the landscape was starkly different than it was only a short time before. The mist had dissipated leaving the ashened ground visible beneath them. The sky had gone from overcast to pitch black but an eerie harsh white light left them semi-illuminated, a small river ran passed them reflecting the glow up into their faces. Yuugi rested his head on Anzu's shoulder, the movement feeling surprisingly natural. Anzu's eyes drifted away from him her hands lifting his head off her shoulder. A sullen look crossed Yuugi face as he rose unsteadily to his feet swaying under his weight.

 

“We should start moving again…” Yuugi began looking around, but another voice interrupted his thoughts.

 

“Yes you should, you never know what might be lurking in the darkness.” A voice taunted emerging into the light, dressed in leather slacks and a long thin leather coat over a crimson shirt was `Bandit' Keith Howard, his dirty blonde hair still covered by his flag bandana his eyes half hidden by his sunglasses, he smirked, “Face me or turn back.”

 

Jyoonouchi made to speak but he remained silent with a look from Yuugi, “Fine, let's play a game.” He responded pulling his duel disk from his bag, the gang gathered several paces behind him.

 

Keith smirked unsheathing a crimson duel disk, “I've been waiting for this for so long… let's duel.”

 

To Be Continued…