Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Falling From Grace ❯ Chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

YUGIOH

Falling From Grace

 

 

 

Chapter 24.

As the school day ended, Joey blurted out, "Hey, guys.....let's go to Kaiba Land, today! We didn't use those tickets, yet."

 

"Sounds good to me", Tristan said. "And that's not too far off from the Kaiba Dome."

 

During this time, Yugi was looking at the blank desk where Tea was normally sitting. "Where do you think Tea is? Do you think she'll make it there by 6?"

 

"She seemed more than happy to cheer on Kaiba, so I think she probably will", Tristan said sourly. "Who would want to route for that creep, anyway....?"

 

"Well.....", Joey muttered, looking guilty. "He.....really hasn't been that terrible, lately. I mean, he did give us these tickets....."

 

"You mean, he gave 'you' those tickets!", Tristan snapped. "Why the hell are you taking Kaiba's side, anyway? Incase you forgot, Yugi's doing this duel for you, dumbass!"

 

"I know that!", Joey snapped back. Catching that look from Yugi, he quickly added, "I'm just saying, if he's been doing all these nice things for us lately, maybe after this he'll.....wanna be friends, or something. You know?"

 

"Doubt it......", Tristan muttered.

 

Yugi added, "From the way it seems, Joey......it looks like Kaiba's doing something to try and pull us apart. Since that night when Kaiba entered grampa's game shop, Tea's been acting weird, and he's been suddenly giving you all sorts of things."

 

"But he said he didn't have anything to do with Tea", Joey said.

 

Tristan added, "You realize you're defending Kaiba again, don't you?"

 

"I aint defending Kaiba! I'm just saying what happened with Tea don't sound like Kaiba, that's all.....", Joey said, trying not to look like he was hiding anything.

 

"I don't think he's responsible for Tea's actions anymore, either", Yugi said. "But that doesn't change the fact that she started acting strange the instant Kaiba showed up."

 

Yugi then approached, and asked. "Joey......today at the duel, you're going to be routing for me, aren't you?"

 

"Well, yeah......of course I'd route for ya. Why wouldn't I?", Joey asked, trying not to sound unsure. Then changing the subject quickly, he said, "You know, I think this whole Tea thing got us feeling really tense. Let's go have fun at Kaiba Land. Then after the Duel, we can question Tea and try to see what's wrong with her, okay? Who knows, maybe Kaiba would even help us find out, if she's so bent on sucking up to him...."

 

Yugi gave a weak smile. "That's sounds good, Joey. Sorry....I guess I'm just worried."

 

"Hey, no problem. We're friends, Yugi.....and friends stick together", Joey said. But Kaiba was dueling for him. Kaiba was dueling to not only impress him, but to show him that he didn't have to lean on Yami, like a crutch......Joey could instead come to Kaiba, and depend on him. How flattering was that? Not that Joey felt he needed to hide behind anyone....but the thought was still there.

 

So, the question was.....should he route for his best friend in the world, or route for the man who's strangely falling for him? Joey was in conflict about this, and was afraid if he didn't route for Yugi, being that he was defending Joey, Yugi would feel really bad. But if he routed for Yugi, Kaiba would feel bad. And after he made Kaiba feel bad all ready once.....if he did that to Kaiba again, he knew he'd feel like shit. But, he couldn't turn his back on his best friend. So, now what?

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

They made it to the Kaiba Land, to have fun, and all going their separate ways to play. They all seemed to need a break from each other, for the moment. Joey was still head-aching about the coming duel, while Tristan seemed to be the only one not mentally troubled.

 

On the other hand, both Yami and Yugi were feeling very tired and run-down. And Yami was certain this had something to do with the loss of Tea, lately.

 

So, as they separated, Yugi stayed put to mentally talk to his other self about what was going on.

 

'So, you think Tea's behavior is somehow affecting us?', Yugi asked.

 

Yami nodded. 'Our friendship binds us other, Yugi......it gives us strength. Since Kaiba's actions of pulling Joey away from us and Tea's unusual behavior, we've been feeling weaker. Tea once made a symbol on us, showing our strength of friendship as a circle....as a whole. But, with any of those pieces missing......that circle is broken.'

 

'No! But, the circle is not broken, Yami! Tea is still our friend.....still 'my' friend. Whatever is wrong with her, I don't think it's her fault. Something happened to Tristan awhile ago, too. Maybe you're right, and there is some dark magic at work that's trying to pull us apart', Yugi said.

 

Yami nodded. 'It's very likely. Tea's behavior has been very unusual. And whoever is at the bottom of this, they're going to pay for what they did to her.'

 

Yugi smiled up at Yami. 'Yami, I hope Tea's there today. Because not only will we be fighting for Joey.....we're going to be fighting for her too, and help remind her of the power of friendship. I'm not going to give up on our friend. Whatever it is that possessed Tea......we're going to break this dark magic, and bring her back!'

 

Yami nodded. 'Yes, we will. We will save Tea from this dark force controlling her.'

 

Something caught Yugi's eye at that moment, as he pointed. 'Hey, Yami.....who's that with Joey?'

 

'I don't know......I've never seen him before. And what is that he's giving Joey?'

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

Joey was playing a game at the arcade section of Kaiba Land, when another boy came over and put a quarter in. "Mind if I join?", he asked.

 

"No problem", Joey said.

 

They played until it was game over. Joey was jumping up and down, cheering. "Yeah! Who's the man? Who's the man?"

 

"You play a good game", the kid smiled at him.

 

Joey smiled back. "Thanks. I'm Joey, by the way.....nice to meet you."

 

"I'm Ed", he said, shaking hands.

 

Joey said, "Well, Ed.....yer not so bad at it, yerself. It was a good game."

 

"Thanks. I've been around here a lot.....this happens to be a favorite game of mine. But you were really good. I didn't stand a chance", he smiled.

 

Joey shrugged. "Ahhh......it was nothing. I just got lucky."

 

"Maybe we can play a different game together. By the way, you thirsty? I got a water on me......", Ed asked, offering him a drink.

 

Joey waved, saying, "Naw.....I couldn't do that. You probably got that for yourself."

 

Ed gave a slight chuckle, saying, "Actually, I originally got two, but I all ready drank one of them. This is all I have left, but I couldn't have another drop. I just didn't want it to go to waste, I guess. You sure?"

 

At that, Joey snatched it. "Well, if ya put it that way......we don't wanna waste it or nutt'n."

 

Both guys laughed, as Joey opened it. Just as he was about to drink it, Yami cried out, "Joey, STOP!!"

 

Joey stopped immediately, scared out of his wits. He looked around, asking, "What? What?? Geez, Yugi.....you scared the crap outta me! What's your problem??"

 

"The problem is that bottle your holding!", Yami said, pointing at the bottle. "I'm sensing faint magic from that liquid."

 

"Say, what?", Joey asked, looking at the bottle, then at Ed who was looking around nervously.

 

Joey asked Ed, "What the hell is in this thing??"

 

Ed didn't say another word, and bolted as fast as he could. Immediately, both assumed perhaps this had some relation to what happened to Tea. Joey slammed the water bottle down on the table, and chased after Ed, yelling, "Don't let him get away!!"

 

Yami was right on Joey's heals, trying frantically to chase the kid down.

 

Tristan happened to notice his friends running after someone from the corner of his eye, and abandoned his game to join them in the chase, having no idea what was going on.

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x

 

Ed got away, and they quickly returned to the table they were originally at, practically out of breath.

 

Joey panted, "So......what (pant!) ya think was in (pant!) that bottle, anyway?"

 

"What bottle (pant!) you talking about? (pant!) What's going on?", Tristan asked.

 

"Water bottle (pant!) someone tried to (pant!) give Joey. (gasp!) Don't know what, but (pant!) it was magical in-.....where is it?", Yami asked.

 

The table was empty, with absolutely no evidence of a water bottle. "Uh.....maybe the workers here cleaned it up, all ready?", Joey shrugged.

 

"Unlikely. No other tables have been cleaned up, yet", Yami said, looking around the room. "I hope no one else saw it and drank it. Who's knows what could have been in that bottle."

 

"Let's wander around and make sure no one around here is growing a second head or nothing", Joey said.

 

Tristan nodded, saying, "I'll help." They immediately began wandering around Kaiba Land, to keep a sharp eye out for the bottle.

 

As they walked away, they never noticed Tea in a dark corner watching and holding the water bottle, protectively. 'Damn it! Joey got away, again!! You can't dodge me forever, Joey......I 'will' get you! Then Kaiba will be MINE!'

 

---------------------------------

 

Narr: What was Tea trying to do to Joey, this time?? Will Yami and Yugi succeed in defeating Kaiba 'and' free Tea from the invading darkness, at the same time??

 

Next week: The duel is here! The duel of the century, and the chapter of the century! This is where everything finally comes to a head. It's part 1, of a 2 chapter blow-out. Don't miss Chapter 25!! (and no, it's not the end of the story. There's still a few more chapters left.)

 

Rubisora: I know.....when I read it from her fic, I thought it was absolutely hilarious. Yet, at the same time, oh so true. Maybe it's even a bit sad in a way. I actually wrote up a short on the idea. It's not out yet, but expect to find it out in the future, sometime. Not sure if I should do another Mokuba grabbing, though. I all ready done that for Eternal Darkness. But it does seem almost expected, doesn't it? Kind of like Kenny dying in South Park. It's not quite the same without it. ;)

Well.....you totally lost me on the sign thing. I never comprehended signs very well. And kinda like Kaiba, I don't really believe there's some force in the universe that makes me what I am and how I behave. I personally am a Libra, but I have no clue in the world what that's supposed to make me, and I wouldn't believe it, either. I couldn't imagine everyone that's born in October acts just like me in some cosmic way. So, now you look like Seto? But.....you're a girl, and he's pretty masculine. Is that good? Atleast Yugi seems more girlie (heh....). ;)

Btw....how many people dressed like Yugioh, anyway? I didn't realize it was still that popular.

 

Ninjitsu: Great to hear from you again. You sent quite a lot of catch-up reviews, but I'll try to reply to what I can. You asked what Tea did in Chapter 5. Now that you're on 24, did you get the answer you were seeking? Thanks, I'm glad you like my writing. I don't think I ever get over that compliment (heh). I was curious on one thing, though. Your email says yaoi lover, and yet you mentioned you're just getting into yaoi. Do I assume it was love at first sight? (grin) Yeah, Tea proves to be pretty evil. But, from what I've heard, people like the new evil Tea.....so, maybe that's okay. My story became a favorite! Yay!

 

Growing Pain: Glad you liked the chapter. Hoped you liked this one, too.

 

Cinnamonqueen: Thank you. It's so great to have people who appreciate my work so much. I'm not sure what to say.....I'm speechless. Yes, a lot of people seem to like the evil Tea character. But as you see in this chapter, her friends aren't willing to just give up, either. I've seen past attempted Tea bashing fics before, which is probably what encouraged me to do this one, in the first place. I don't like Tea, either. But if you bash a character by changing her so drastically without reason, then you're not really putting down the character. You changed her too much to do so, and I wanted to put her down for what I saw her to be. Her cheerfulness and preaching I felt were way too fake for my taste, and decided there had to be a real side to her, buried deep inside. A side that's not as nice as she pretends to be. So, this is technically my play on her. But to do it correctly, I wanted to keep her as close to the series character as I could, as well as everyone else. And I felt even with Tea spitting venom at her supposed 'friends', it wouldn't be enough to push them away. And thus....Yugi still trumpets the horn to save his friend. Will the 'heart of the cards' help bring Tea to the light? All will be revealed next week! (well.....and the week after, for part 1 and 2)